“He’s been through a lot. People will tell you he’s an alcoholic. I’ve heard Leon himself say it enough times.” He pulled his gaze away from Leon and looked at Flora. “I’m no expert, but I’m not sure it’s true. Although the last thing I want to do is give anyone false hope, I think he was using drinking as a crutch.”
“Isn’t that the nature of alcoholism?” Flora asked.
“Of course, but in Leon’s case, I believe it was a temporary symptom of PTSD. I can’t promise that he will never slide back into addiction. All I can tell you is what I observe as his friend. I sometimes accompany him to his weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. I’m also his sponsor. He can call me anytime, if he needs to. Since he left rehab, not only has he not touched a drink, he hasn’t wanted to. He turned himself around.” He smiled. “That took courage and stamina.”
She returned the smile. “You do a good job of talking him up.”
“Don’t tell him.” He looked slightly alarmed. “We’re guys. We’re supposed to trade insults and off-key jokes.”
An hour later, the twins were drooping with tiredness as Flora and Leon loaded them into their car seats.
“Come and see us again soon.” Steffi hugged them both. “The circumstances are different, but we know how this feels. You’ll get through it and come out stronger.”
As they neared Stillwater, Leon pointed to the lights of a gas station. “Pull in here.”
“I don’t need gas,” Flora said.
“I know, but it has a twenty-four-hour convenience store attached.”
She turned off the highway and pulled into the parking lot. “Do we need groceries that can’t wait until morning?”
He cast a glance over his shoulder at the twins. They both appeared to be sleeping soundly. Even so, he leaned closer and spoke quietly. “No, we need condoms.”
Instantly, there was movement behind them. Flora clapped a hand over her eyes, anticipating what was coming.
“Condoms?” Stevie murmured sleepily.
His twin was more alert. “Want one.”
Leon prepared to exit the vehicle. “Maybe you should distract them by bringing up the subject of rabbits again?”
He was gone, leaving Flora to deal with the fallout before she could think of a suitable response.
Chapter 13
“I don’t understand how they can have been falling asleep when we left Bryce and Steffi’s place only to be bouncing off the walls once we got back here.” Leon collapsed onto the sofa, stretching his long legs in front of him. He felt like he’d just wrestled an alligator instead of getting three-year-old twins into bed.
“Once they get that second wind, it’s a nightmare.” Flora flopped down next to him. “The only consolation is that they should sleep late in the morning.”
“Good. Because I’m exhausted.”
“Are you?” She turned to face him. “That’s a shame.”
He smiled, sliding an arm around her shoulders and drawing her closer. “Is it?”
“Hmm.” Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. “You know, given your recent shopping expedition.”
“I might be coaxed into staying awake.”
She got to her feet in one swift movement, holding out her hand. “Let me try out my powers of persuasion.”
As he followed her up the stairs, Leon reflected on how easy this was. Exhilarating and arousing, but comfortable at the same time. As though they had been together for longer. Meant to be. The phrase stayed with him as they stepped into the bedroom.
They took their time removing their clothing, with lingering kisses accompanying each item. When they were naked, Leon lifted Flora onto the bed and lay next to her. He cradled her close, imprinting her skin on his. It was a sensation like no other. An intimacy that went beyond anything physical. A fulfillment that meant more than just sex.
He’d stopped questioning how they’d reached this point so fast. His life had been in darkness and Flora was the power surge that had switched the lights back on. She had restored him, giving him back his enjoyment of life. His desire for her was part of that...an exquisite, magical craving that was demanding his immediate attention.
Flora broke free of his hold, disrupting his thoughts as she kissed his upper body. Leon lay still, enjoying the feel of her lips on his chest, ribs, arms, and neck. He trailed his hands over the smooth skin of her back as the mood shifted from laid-back to urgent.
“Leon?” She paused between kisses.
“Yes?”
“Are you still feeling tired?” She rested her chin on his chest.
“I may have regained some of my energy.”
“Are you feeling strong enough to reach for a condom?” Her smile was teasing.
“I seem to be pinned down by a beautiful woman...”
Flora gave him a playful shove. “Is that your way of telling me I have to do all the work?”
Leon tucked his hands behind his head. “If that’s the way you want it, you won’t hear me complaining.”
She reached across him, her hair tickling his chest as she groped on the locker beside the bed. With a condom in her hand, she leaned over him. “I think I can still remember how to do this.”
Tearing open the foil packet, she rolled the latex down his hot, hard length. Leon sucked in a breath, as he met her gaze, all signs of teasing gone now.
Straddling him and gripping his hips with her knees, Flora reached between them and grasped him with one hand.
“It’s been a long time,” he said, as she guided him to her.
“For me, too.” Her voice was husky.
“I’m warning you in case—”
“Doesn’t matter.” She leaned forward to kiss him. “We have more condoms.”
Leon debated trying again to explain that this might not last long. Instead, he lifted his hips, pushing up as Flora lowered herself. When she drew in a sharp breath, he paused. “Is this okay?”
She gripped her lower lip between her teeth. “It’s wonderful. It’s just...you know...”
Even though she was wet and ready, her muscles were tight around him. Those heavenly
