Betrys glanced from Leo to Saber and back.“Tall and fit build and a pleasing appearance.Any man who looks like both of you.”
Saber grinned.“Done deal.”
“Do you want to have a shower?”Leo asked once his brother had left.
“Not you too,” Betrys muttered and stomped off.Seconds later, Leo heard the sanitizer start.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”Leo thought for a second and picked up his communicator to ring Casey, his sister-in-law, and the manager of the resort boutique.There was nothing wrong with Betrys’s figure.Maybe if she started dressing in something other than her robe, she might start to feel better about herself.
With his call made, he stalked to the small en suite sanitizer room.The wound in his stomach was healing well, and once they arrived at the beach, he’d try shifting.
He peeled off his clothes and stepped into the cleansing unit.
“What are you doing?”She glared at him through wet hanks of hair.“Can’t a woman have some privacy?”
“I thought we’d save time,” Leo said.“Let me help you wash your hair.”He picked up a soap tab and lathered it between his palms.
Her scowl changed, shifting to wary.Maybe a trifle confused, he decided.Good, because she was kicking him off-balance too.
He lathered the cleanser, patiently massaging her skull.Warm water poured over them, the faint metallic scent indicating it came from their recycle plant.Gradually, she relaxed, her shoulders settling into a more normal posture.
He rinsed her hair, then briskly washed his own body.“My mother makes a conditioner for the ladies to rub into their hair.It smells of coconuts, and my sister says it works well.”
“What’s a coconut?”
“It’s a plant that grows on Earth.I don’t know how my mother replicated the scent, but she’s good at stuff like that.Finished?Good.Let’s dry off and hit the beach.”
Somehow, Betrys found herself organized and sitting on a private beach.She wore a black, white and red wrap with what Leo told her were turtle designs.Another Earth thing, according to Leo.
They sat under a shady thatched umbrella.Leo was stretched out on his wrap, his body naked and relaxed, his eyes closed.His breathing was even, and she thought he was asleep.Her mind too full of worry about Ricci to rest, she fidgeted in her effort to find a comfortable spot.That done, her gaze wandered Leo’s chest and came to a screeching halt at his stomach.Her mouth fell open.Magic.It was magic.The flesh had knitted together overnight, although the scar appeared scarlet against his tanned skin.She hadn’t noticed earlier in the shower.
“Stop staring.”
“You look at me.I was returning the compliment.”Despite her anxiety, her longing to hug her son in person to assure herself of his safety, she couldn’t help but smile at Leo.Even with his scars, he was a beautiful specimen.At the thought, some of her feel-good mood packed a bag and sneaked off for a happier hangout.When she picked the scabs off the known facts and her involvement, she came up with the only possible answer.
“Why are you paying attention to me?”She winced at her runaway tongue, then decided to continue because the subject was worrying her.“I don’t understand why we’re here at the beach.I’m sure you have better things to do.”
A frown creased Leo’s brow, and his eyes snapped open.He propped himself up on one arm, his look intense and thoughtful.He stared at her without saying anything, the silence stretching out until it became uncomfortable.“Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong.If I didn’t want to spend time with you, I wouldn’t.It’s as simple as that.”
“But Iseult—”
“At this moment I don’t give a flying fuck about Iseult,” Leo snapped.“Once we get Ricci back and this business with Iseult is over, what would you like to do?”
Betrys frowned.“I’ll have to find a new job.Hopefully, I can retrieve my stash of money from the mansion.”Her shoulders slumped because the chances of that weren’t good.
“That’s easy,” Leo said.“We’ll contact the twins and tell them where you’ve hidden your currency.They can collect it at the same time they retrieve Ricci.”
Hope sprang to life in her, and her gaze snapped to his face.“Really?”
“Sure.We’ll contact them now.”Leo reached for his com.“Sly,” he said, and just like that, he spoke with his younger brother and handed over his communicator for her to relay the details.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her heart full of hope.“That money will mean I can find decent lodgings in Dalcon city and give me breathing space if I’m not able to secure a job straight away.”
“Why do you want to go back to Dalcon?You could stay here.There are other kids in the village, and Ma was muttering about starting a school the other day.We need help at reception.I know that because we’re keeping Scarlett busy with other stuff.”
“No, I think it might be better if I leave.My presence will remind everyone of the bad things—”
“Bull crap,” Leo snapped.“Has it occurred to you that I want you to stay?”
