Once Leah was done with the dinner, the time for bed arrived. Entering the room, she stood at the door, about to say goodnight to Leo with a smile on her face.
Understanding her little thoughts, Leo found her adorable.
"Are going to make me sleep in front of the door, Dear?" asked Leo— a teasing intent present in his eyes.
Leo watched his wife's hazel eyes widen as she registered the situation. Then, softly and slowly, she questioned, "We are going to sleep in the same room?"
"Would it make sense for husband and wife to sleep in separate rooms? Don't be silly, Dear."
Leah blinked her eyes, trying to think of an argument.
Although she was well-aware of their martial status, Leah thought he wouldn't accept her so soon. Therefore, sleeping in the same room was out of question for him.
On the other hand, she had entanglements in her chest as well. Leah never shared a room with anyone for years, let alone a foreign man even if he was her husband.
This made her feel even more confused.
"But you don't like me," Leah pointed out.
Leo brought his face closer to her, narrowing the gap between them. The proximity made Leah freeze and shrink her body. She resembled a deer caught in the headlights.
"Which man wouldn't be happy to sleep with a beautiful woman in his arms?" Leo enunciated.
Then, extending his hand, he brushed her hair behind her ears. "And why would I not like a wife as lovely as you?"
Leah's heart almost jumped out of her chest. It pounded heavily against her ribs, and Leah couldn't breathe for a second.
Leo's charming appearance matched with his roguish attitude made her tongue-tied. Leah wasn't good when it came to words, and her husband caused her mind to go completely blank.
Leah only moved back hurriedly as if she was escaping a ferocious predator.
"I, uh, uhm—" Leah stuttered, unable to properly formulate the words.
Leo smiled.
"I will take the couch," Leo voiced out, "However, sleeping in two different rooms is out of question. Got it?"
Leah slowly nodded.
She thought how it would be uncomfortable for a big man like him to rest on the couch and wanted to exchange it with him. After all, the couch was luxury compared to her previous bed.
But before she was able to get a word out, the man entered the washroom with Leah's eyes following him.
Only once he was out of her sight could Leah let out the breath she had been holding for so long.
Before the man came out of the washroom, Leah hurried over to the bed. Getting under the covers, she hid herself and closed her eyes tightly. She forced herself to fall asleep.
After the shower, Leo opened the door, walking out of the washroom. As he wiped his hair with the towel, a hint of smile crossed through his eyes when he saw Leah's trembling hands.
She shifted under covers uncomfortably.
Knowing how he had frightened her enough tonight, Leo turned off all the lights in the room, leaving behind the dimly lit lamp.
He understood Leah followed his small movements with her ears to predict where he was. To give her a peace of mind, he made enough noise to let her guess he rested on the couch.
After a couple of minutes of silence, Leah removed the covers from above her head. Turning her head, she found the tall man awkwardly bending on the couch, making enough space for him to fit there.
A wave of warmth crossed through her chest.
She couldn't recall when someone showed such consideration to her before.
Used to compromising and being neglected, Leah considered herself as the background board of everyone's life. She simply existed in their life— not worthy of their attention.
But thinking back to the man's deep eyes that stared at her in affection, putting her at the centre of his world, made Leah feel puzzled.
In her mind, she named him as an odd man.
Would it be possible for someone to like her?
All the thoughts roaming in her head made her feel it would be difficult for her to fall asleep, but under the refreshing citrus scent of the covers and floral aroma floating in the room, Leah felt at ease.
Her mind was soon manipulated to fall asleep.
When the restless movements of her seized, Leo was aware his wife had fall asleep. Getting up from the couch, he made his way over to her.
He intently watched his wife. The twenty two year old Leah had a childlike innocence in her. Her cheeks were puffed up as she muttered something in her dreams.
Leo reached out to touch her cheek. Bending down to her height, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Only God knew how much he craved to touch her again. Like a thirsty traveler walking through the desert, he finally felt as though he was granted mercy through a sip of water.
But that was far from enough when it came to satiating his greedy soul.
He touched his forehead with hers, closing his eyes to relish in the soft scent of vanilla and peach.