Isla glanced at her phone as she scrubbed the upstairs tub, not lunchtime yet. She wasn't hungry, but Leo often called when he didn't have a meeting. They would talk, often about nothing. His calls made her feel special.

Everything had changed even when the children were around. Their relationship wasn't a secret. Relationship was a big word that Isla didn't understand. It meant kissing, but he still paid her every week. Their friends treated them like a couple. At church they held hands and Leo kissed her at the sign of peace instead of shaking her hand.

At a recent coffee, Father said he hoped to see them soon for marriage preparation. Isla blushed but couldn't respond. Dating made her nervous enough. Marriage scared her. Why did the books make it out to be no big deal?

She scrubbed harder. Finally she stood and rinsed the cleanser residue away. She jumped when her phone rang. His deep voice sent pulses throughout her body.

"How was your morning?"

"I cleaned the tub."

"I owe you for that."

"What do you owe me?"

"Anything you want, kisses, a dinner date, kisses."

She laughed, but quickly frowned. He never said, but she wasn't naïve to think he was happy with just kisses. How long would he be a gentleman? Paul hadn't lasted two nights. Leo had lasted over a month.

"I don't mind being your maid. It's my job."

"I know, but relax after lunch."

She smiled. "I will." He had bought her a tablet for Christmas so she could read online.

"I have to go. Zach and I are going out for lunch."

"Okay. Have fun."

"Love you, Isla."

"I love you too."

She stood holding her phone. Working for him felt awkward, but he needed her. Except for sleeping alone, she did everything a wife would do. She couldn't think about not sleeping alone. More than once Leo mentioned she should go to school, but she didn't know what she would study. Did he want her to get educated so she could leave? No. No. No. He loved her.

Every afternoon Leo walked toward the car smiling. It had been almost a year since they met, which was a lot of afternoons, but his smile wasn't just for his kids but for her too. He dropped his bag at Cody's feet and greeted his kids before sliding in next to her. Some days he leaned over for a kiss and others he squeezed her hand or thigh when he asked about her day. The gesture didn't matter because they all sent tingles to places she shouldn't be thinking about.

Later in the kitchen Leo helped clear the dishes and load the dishwasher. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and push her hair off her neck. She didn't wear it up anymore. When his lips nuzzled into her neck, she stopped washing the pot.

"Can we get a babysitter on Monday night? I want to take you out."

"On Monday night?"

"It's a special night." He stepped away, and a shiver went through her. He took his heat with him. She dried her hands and turned to ask, but her eye hit the wall calendar instead. Valentine's Day. In the convent, it had only been a day to honor the saint.

Leo smiled. "Your first real Valentine's Day. We need to make it special."

"Sometimes I think I fell asleep on the train from Philly and this is a dream."

He shook his head. "It's real. Remember, I'm the one with vivid dreams."

So many mornings, he had announced he dreamed about her. She was glad his nightmares had stopped. Part of loving him was worrying about him.

Isla had a date for Valentine's Day, and the high school girl down the street was scheduled to babysit. She didn't know what to expect and Leo wasn't giving her any hints. The more she asked the more Leo had a big closed lipped smile.

Their Saturday was filled with excitement. Riley had been invited to her first sleepover party. After Isla took her shopping for a birthday gift, Leo looked at her sympathetically and mouthed 'I'm sorry' as she sunk into a chair. An overexcited tween was exhausting. Meanwhile, Cody had a new friend over.

It thrilled Isla it wasn't Reagan's son. It was bad enough she had to see the woman at the school. Afraid of his answer, she didn't dare ask Leo about his dates. She had shared about her dates with Paul. Leo chose not to reciprocate which worried Isla.

Cody's new friend called her Cody's mom. Before she could correct him, Cody said, "She's not my mom yet."

Yet. Isla wanted to be their mom, it was wife which scared her. Leo insisted on picking up takeout after he dropped Riley at her party. Cody enjoyed being the only child. When Leo came back after putting him to bed, he poured wine.

"I miss Riley, but our evening is starting earlier." He handed her a wineglass.

She was getting used to an occasional glass of wine. After one sip, Leo took the glass from her and set it down. He pulled her into his arms.

"Thank you."

She smiled. "For what?"

"Changing my life. Loving us."

She blushed. "I should thank you. You saved me."

"We saved each other." He sighed and captured her lips.

Kissing him wasn't scary. She glowed inside when in his arms. Some kisses were gentle, but some felt like their mouths couldn't stop exploring. When his tongue probed hers she let the heated kiss amp up. Her body hummed and needed to be close to him. When his thumb brushed across her hard nipple she was too involved to think about sin.

He groaned as he pulled back. "Good thing I'm a gentleman."

She looked at his dark eyes. "Why?"

He chuckled, and his eyes sparkled. "Why? Because my body is screaming at me it wants more. It wants more of you."

Her cheeks heated more than her overheated body. Did it want more? Could he tell? She scanned his body. He looked the same, except for how he sat with his legs apart and his pants looked different. She had read about the effects of men in books, but never dreamed she could cause it.

She stood abruptly. "I can't."

"I know. I would never. It doesn't mean I don't want to."

Without thinking, the words slipped out of her mouth. "You did with her didn't you?"

Leo sat with his chin slack. He ran his fingers through her hair. "She's nothing like you."

Isla felt tears threatening. "You did."

He jumped up and pulled her into his arms. "I know you won't understand. It meant nothing except an attempt for me to move on from Autumn. The difference is I love you, so I will wait. Love had no part in what I did with her. It was the same as what Paul tried with you, but unlike you, I was willing."

"But you. You did those things with her." She scrunched up her nose. "You came home smelling like her."

He caressed her cheek. "Now I smell like you."

She sniffed and shook her head. "You smell like you."

He smirked. "Can we put my past in the past? There is so much I've done that you have not. I hope you will be the only one I ever do any of those things with again. Do you know it scares me to think I could lose you?"

"Lose me. I'm not going anywhere."

He frowned. "Neither was..."

"Oh. Trust God."

He held her tighter. "I'm trying, but I need you. Your strength."

"My strength. You're the strong one."

"Your faith, not muscle."

"I like your muscles."

"Honey, you are killing me." He laughed. "Do you know how hard it is lying in bed and thinking of you in the house?"

"Sorry."

Isla bit her lip. Maybe she should move out. Where would she go? Not back to the shelter. She would rather sin than go back there. Did she really just think that? She would talk to her friends about it on Monday. Monday. Valentine's Day.

Leo held her tighter. "Never say sorry for being who you are. It's all part of why I love you."

She could stand in his arms forever. It felt safe, like a cocoon. When he kissed her again, she broke away first. "I think I need to go downstairs."

He kissed her forehead. "I'll dream of you."

As she walked away, she felt cold. Her body needed his to stay warm. Would she ever stop walking away? It was definitely not something she would discuss with Father, not her friends either. She would pray about it instead.

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Looking for Christmas romance. Fall in love again with one of my two Christmas stories: Blending Christmas and Christmas Lost & Found. Enjoy 🎄