Page 166 of Split or Swallow
Tem wanted to say something else. To apologize again. But she knew it wouldn’t make a difference. Instead, she tilted her head and kissed Leo on the lips. He kissed her back, and for a moment, Tem felt peace. They didn’t try to have sex again. They simply kissed, slowly, their bodies intertwining under the covers. Tem was still terrified Caspen might return, and she knew Leo must be too.
They kissed until Tem was too tired to kiss anymore. When they stopped, Leo simply held her, cradling her body against his. She fell asleep with her head tucked underneath his chin.
When Tem awoke, her legs were tangled in Leo’s. He was still asleep, his arms wrapped securely around her. When she tried to lift her head, she immediately regretted it; she had a headache so severe that she doubted it was just from the alcohol—it had to be an aftereffect of Caspen’s infiltration.
At her movement, Leo’s eyes opened.
Without a word, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Their bodies merged even closer, their skin still warm from sleep. Eventually Leo slipped his hand between her legs. What he was doing felt so good it took everything Tem had to whisper:
“We can’t, Leo. My mother.”
“Is tending to a child in the village.”
“Will be returning any moment.”
“We’ll make it quick.”
“I don’t want it to be quick.”
Leo laughed softly at that. “Good to know.”
He was still touching her.
“Leo,” she said gently. “Stop.”
He stopped.
They stared at each other in the dim morning light. Even though Tem had just denied him, Leo looked irrefutably happy.
“What are you smiling at?” she asked.
His smile widened.
“I’m glad you changed your mind.”
“Even though…?”
She couldn’t say the words. The night had been an utter disaster, all things considered. Caspen’s presence hung between them like an unspoken curse, and Tem doubted very much that Leo’s experience with any of the other girls in the competition had gone at all the way this one had.
Leo shrugged. “A small price to pay for your company.”
But Tem would not be convinced.
“I can’t control it, Leo.”
He looked her right in the eye.
“I understand, Tem.”
It was all he said. But it was enough for now.
They dressed in silence, stealing glances at each other before leaving the cottage. When they reached the garden gate, Tem turned to face him.
“Well,” she said. “I’ll see you soon.”
“That you shall.”
There was so much more she wanted to say. But the words wouldn’t come.
