He didn’t touch her but he was so close her body ached for him to try. “I can’t lose you, Anna. I don’t want a divorce. I don’t want an annulment.”
Her heart whispered to stay and curl herself into his arms, to never leave his side. But she hugged her waist to stop herself as that wasn’t the smart thing to do. She tore her gaze away from him and stared out at the storm. “I can’t be married as if it’s a job, but I won’t cause you a scandal, Leo. I don’t want to spend my life sad and alone though.”
He brushed his hand against her back and then took his hand away like he hadn’t meant to touch her. Her body was on pins and needles wishing for him to hold her as he said, “I’m not asking that. Please sit.”
She turned and saw how determined his jaw was. She lowered her lashes to shield herself from his intense stare that soaked into her bones. “I don’t think-”
“Please, Anna. Let me talk,” he interrupted and then briefly tugged her hand toward the couch.
He let go so fast she ached for more of his touch. She reluctantly followed and sat. He joined her and their knees brushed against each other as she said, “My heart is broken.”
He didn’t move a muscle at her pronouncement. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
She shrugged. He needed to know this wasn’t his fault. One day he’d marry and get everything he ever desired. “Sometimes it’s better to tell the truth so the other person can heal. Leo, it’s okay. I’d rather know now than wish for the impossible.”
He cupped his palm over her knee. “You don’t understand, Anna, and I need you to listen.”
The brief skimming of their bodies wasn’t enough. Fully clothed. Knees. Hips. “Okay. Five minutes.”
He let out a sigh and said, “You’re bossy sometimes.”
Wait. What? Her eyes widened and her lips parted. The last thing she expected was arguing. “So you’re going to tell me all my faults?”
His cheeks flushed red. “No. I’m trying to tell you I’ve done everything all wrong. I wasn’t trying to just take the baby out of one woman’s arms and give it to you.”
Oh, so this was sort of an apology. She sucked in her breath, unsure what else to do, and stared at his muscular chest which was safer than his hypnotizing eyes. “Then what was-”
“Let me finish,” he interrupted and reached out to take her hands.
Anna glanced at him but didn’t pull away. His touch was what she needed. It was like she was a drained battery and he was refilling her through their joined fingertips. “Oh. Okay.”
“Anna, I wanted your help because I don’t want to lose you as my wife.”
In time he’d find a replacement. She licked her lips and wished this was something else than what it was… something where she didn’t fall apart and cry her eyes out. “I can’t be your princess if it means I give up on romance and love.”
He squeezed her hand. “I need you to be my wife because you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
The walls around her heart crashed and her eyes widened. “Wait. What?”
He nodded to acknowledge that he’d heard her but continued, “Anna Camila, I married you because I knew you were the only woman I might actually want to spend my days with and not hate my life. I was blind about my own motivations-”
“Stop!” She smiled a little and said, “Just go back and tell me how you feel.”
His head tilted. “Anna Camila, I love you.”
Was this possible? Did she have this all wrong? Her soul soared as the storm outside faded but she narrowed her eyes and needed to be sure. “You love my work?”
He massaged her arms as he said, “No. I love you. It’s been you for a while but I was blind. You’re who I want to talk to in the middle of the night. You’re who I want to see when I wake up in the morning. I don’t want any other woman… except you.”
Tears formed in her eyes again. So much for the woman who never cried. Love had changed her because now she seemed to have lost the ice she’d surrounded herself with as she said through her sobs, “Leo…”
He wiped her eyes and pressed his forehead on hers. “Don’t cry. Please.”
She cupped his jaw, smiled, but continued to cry. “These are happy tears. I swear it.”
He whispered, “Please stay. I’m sorry I hurt you. I don’t want you to leave me.”
The quiet surety of his words just made more tears fall. She nodded. “I… I will. I love you too. I can’t imagine being ripped apart because you’ll want a family…”
