Page 29 of Love Above Law

"Mmm, this taste so good," Leyna prepares herself another bite. "Your sisters know how to cook."

"My Nonna and mom taught us all how to cook. This dish has been passed down from generation to generation along with several other coveted recipes.

"You cook?" Leyna looks at me over her fork as she takes another bite.

I chuckle. "Yeah, babe, I can cook." Grabbing the remote from the coffee table, I turn the TV on. "Anything you want to watch?" I pull up the movie guide.

"As long as it doesn't involve guns, I think I can handle it."

Clicking through the selection, I finally settle on a chick flick I've never watched before but have heard my sisters talk about in the past. Hope Floats. Settling back, we eat dinner and watch the movie.

It turns out, the movie wasn't half bad. I watch the credits disappear on the screen and look over at Leyna. She fell asleep thirty minutes ago. Wanting her to be more comfortable I slip her feet off my lap and stand. Bending down, I slide my arms under her, lifting her into my arms. She buries her face in the crook of my neck and her warm breath skim across my skin. Trying not to wake her, I carry her to my room, kick the blankets down with my foot and lay her down. I slowly pull the comforter over her body and sit there a moment watching her sleep. Her lips slightly part with the breaths she takes, and I find myself wanting to kiss them.

Leaning forward, I place my lips on her forehead. "Goodnight, beautiful."

14

Leyna

I refuse to lay in bed any longer, so I decided to cook Lex and I some dinner. I hope he likes Cuban food. Tonight, I'm making rice with black beans and ropa vieja. I've wanted to do more around the apartment, but Lex has insisted I take it easy. Only his idea of taking it easy is for me to stay in bed twenty-four-seven. It's been nearly two months since I moved in with him and in those two months, he's hardly allowed me to do anything.

Before I left the hospital, the doctor assured me moderate exercise was fine once the stitches were removed and once I was able to do basic house chores without feeling out of breath. Luckily my stitches were removed the day I was discharged. The doctor also said I'd be as good as new in about six weeks. He was right. It's been over eight weeks since the incident, and I feel great.

Two weeks ago, I started going to the gym here in the building. Lex doesn't know this. I wait until he leaves for work every morning before going. I only do a steady walk on the treadmill, but I can already feel a difference in my energy level from two weeks ago. I'm usually an active person, and since I haven't gotten used to how cold it is here, I'm thankful for the gym. My plans for moving into my own apartment fell through too. One week before I was supposed to move in, the manager called me and said my apartment had been rented out. Turns out his niece needed a place to stay and he gave my apartment to her. I was beyond pissed. Thank God I got my deposit back. After my phone conversation with the apartment manager Lex jumped in and offered for me to stay with him for as long as I needed. I didn't miss the smug look on his face when he made the suggestion. I want to say he seemed almost thrilled I had lost out on the apartment.

Once I've gathered the necessary ingredients from the refrigerator, I go about chopping the onion and peppers. Lex has been bringing home takeout almost every night since I moved in and although I have enjoyed tasting all Seattle has to offer, I miss cooking. I'm placing the onions in the pot on the stove when I hear the phone in Lex's office ring.

Wiping my hands on the dish towel, I make my way into his office to answer. Just as I'm about to pick up the phone the ringing stops and the answering machine kicks in. A woman's voice fills the room. "Hi, Lex. I haven't stopped thinking about you since our run in the other week. I miss you, baby. Please call me." The line goes dead followed by a beep. My stomach sinks and my chest feels tight. I never considered if Lex was seeing anyone. I haven't even thought to ask. I'm sure he would have mentioned it by now if he was. Even though neither one of us has come out and acknowledged it, the past couple of months mine and Lex's relationship has shifted. Then again, I might be reading too much into his heated looks and lingering touches. I close my eyes and think about the way he stares at my lips like he wants to devour them right before he bypasses them, kissing my forehead instead. He does this every night before bed. Each time he does this, I gaze into his hazel eyes and will him to place his lips on mine. I want nothing more than to know what he tastes like. I lie in bed every night and wonder what's holding him back.

I think I just got my answer.

"What's going on?" His deep voice asks from behind me. Lost in thought, I didn't hear Lex come in. I say nothing. I fear my voice will give away the emotions currently clogging my throat. Lex comes to stand in front of me, his face serious as he scrutinizes my features. He looks at me as if he can read every thought in my head.

Finally, I speak. "Nothing," my voice cracks betraying the fake bravado I was hoping for.

"Nice try, beautiful. Now tell me what's got you looking like someone kicked you in the stomach."

I plaster a fake smile on my face. "I'm fine. Come on, I'm going to go finish dinner," I say trying to slip past Lex where he's blocking the doorway to his office.

Reaching out he gently grips my upper arm, halting me from leaving the room. "Not until you tell me the truth."

I should have known he wasn't going to let this go. I'm a shit liar. I fidget with the dish towel in my hands then make the mistake of cutting my eyes over to the answering machine on his desk. Lex follows my line of sight. The flashing blue dot on the phone alerts him to the message he has waiting for him. Lex looks back at me, and I refuse to meet his eyes. I know in an instant he's put the pieces together. Letting go of my arm, he strides over to his desk and pushes the button on the answering machine. When a woman's voice fills the room once again, he snaps his head in my direction. Only this time his look of concern transforms to anger.

"I wasn't snooping through your office. I promise. I heard the phone from the kitchen and was going to answer it. The machine picked up before I could. You never said your office was off limits. I'm sorry if I overstepped, " I quickly defend. I don't want Lex to think I go through his things when he's not home. I would never invade his privacy like that.

When Lex hears the distress in my voice, he changes his tune. Taking three strides across the room, he stands in front of me. Cupping my face with his strong hands, he tilts my head back, and I peer up at him. "That phone call is not what you think."

"It's none of my business who calls you, Lex."

"Yeah, it is, Leyna. I don't want to go into details right now about who that was but know this, she's nobody." Lex says adamantly, and I nod. "I want to hear the words. Tell me you believe me."

"I believe you, Lex." And I do. I believe he's telling the truth. Until he gives me a reason to doubt his word, I'll continue to trust him.

Several intense seconds tick by, and the air in the room becomes thick. With my face still in the palms of his hands, I watch the pink tip of his tongue glide across his bottom lip. My breath hitches and I get lost in the intoxicating scent of his cologne, while I'm simultaneously hypnotized by the greenish-brown orbs boring into me. Without further hesitation, his lips make the slow agonizing trek toward mine. Reaching up, I clutch my hands onto his biceps. Just as his mouth is a breath away from mine, a voice behind us ruins the moment.

The moment I have waited weeks for.

"Are we going to eat anytime soon. I'm fucking starving out here."