Kelvin woke up smiling. His wife's gentle snores made him laugh and he took out his phone to record her. The flash of his phone's camera came on, Leila pouted in her sleep and continued snoring. A moan left her lips when he pecked her jaw, he nibbled on her lower lip and her eyes opened.
Sleep clouded her eyes, she blinked sleepily at him and he kissed her again. "Good morning, pretty."
Blush dotted her cheeks. "Good morning." Her hand was on his neck and forehead in an instant. He stifled the urge to roll his eyes. Throughout yesterday, she didn't allow him to lift a finger. "How do you feel?"
"Good." He shook his head. "I feel great." The doctor said his fever might have been induced by stress, so he needed to take a short break and diligently take the medication recommended for him. Regardless of the doctor's advice, he planned to see Freya today. He had some questions for her. Questions about Leila, then about her husband's project. Kelvin nuzzled her neck. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah." She yawned again. "I'll be late for work."
Leila stretched and the cover rolled to her waist. She wasn't naked but the tank top clung to her chest and her beady nipples strained against the cotton material. She caught Kelvin staring and pulled the cover over her chest. Kelvin yanked it from her grip. They were over this, she didn't have to hide from him.
A note of mischief crawled into his eyes when he straddled her. He pushed the top over her breasts and she gasped. Rubbing his bulge against her entrance, he teased her nipple and lowered his lips to her neck.
"Kev."
"Yes?" he replied with an innocent smile. Her body vibrated under him, he cupped her head and placed wet kisses all over her neck. "You won't be late, Leila."
Her hands were on his chest but she didn't push him away. "I'll be late." Her breathing came out in short, shallow pants as he rubbed his erection against her belly. Her lips parted and he dragged her lip between his teeth. Kelvin was well aware of his effect on her as much as he was painfully aware of her effect on him without trying. Before he could act on the animalistic urge to claim his wife, he fixed her top, hiding her boob from his sight. Next time, he wouldn't be this compliant. "Thank you."
The phone on the nightstand showed the time. He chuckled. "You're welcome." Rolling both of them so she was on top of him, he tucked her hair behind her ear. "It's just 6 am, you can't be late, Leila." His wife said nothing but rested her head on his chest. He traced random shapes on her lower back, his fingers brushed her firm ass and his dick twitched. Leila had a lovely butt. "I'll be meeting with your friend today."
Leila's head jerked up and her eyes shone with gratitude. "Really?"
"Really."
No sooner was the word out of his mouth when she smashed her lips against his. Leila grinned sheepishly when they broke off the kiss and he pinched her cheek. She propped her jaw on his chest. "Thanks, Kev."
Kelvin wanted to grant all her requests so she would continue smiling at him like that. "Anything for you, Leila."
A familiar ringtone interrupted their moment, he frowned when Leila got off him to get her phone. She walked over to the vanity, frowned at the phone before picking the call. Her fingers ran over the surface of the mirror as she nodded to whatever the person on the other end of the line was saying.
Sighing, she said, "Don't."
The rigidity of her shoulders made Kelvin step up beside her. She lowered herself to the chair while he massaged her shoulders and smiled at him. The call ended and she placed her hands over his to stop the massage.
Her smile lacked the intensity that was present before the call. "Who was that?" he asked.
Leila bit her lip. A note of uncertainty crept into her eyes and he squatted in front of her. He wanted her to trust him at all points. Taking her hands, he placed a kiss on the heel of her palms and she relaxed a little.
"You can talk to me, Leila," he said. "About anything."
"It's Charles," she answered. "If he can't have me, no one else can." The veins in Kelvin's forehead threatened to pop. That guy was becoming a nuisance and he couldn't ignore him any longer. Leila wrung her hands. "I hope he takes the hint this time. He's crazy."
And obsessed with his wife. Like Leila said, that robbery was too much of a coincidence to be unplanned. Swiping his hand across his forehead, he forced a smile to his lips. He had to make plans for the bodyguard while trying to figure out his next move.
Kelvin palmed her face. "Block him."
She picked her phone from the dresser and typed a few things. "Done." Kelvin chuckled. "What's funny?"
The ease with which she obeyed amused him. He had expected a little more than a protest from her but he loved this obedient version of her.
"Nothing." His forehead pressed to hers, he linked their fingers. "Can I ask you something?" The column of her throat bobbed. "Be honest. Did you two date?"
Yesterday, he allowed Leila to steer the conversation away from herself but he had so many questions and curiosity was suffocating him. A man wouldn't be this hung up on someone he never dated.
"Yes." Kelvin had always suspected that to be the case but hearing it out loud hit him harder. He knelt down and Leila's arms slid around his neck. She closed her eyes, he didn't expect her to say more but she said, "We were engaged."
The silence wrapped around them like a shawl. Seeking solace in each other's presence, they breathed the same air.
Kelvin disentangled from his wife. "You should go prepare for work, Leila. Do you want me to drop you off?" She responded in the negative and Kelvin wondered if they would ever get a chance to be a real couple at work. He wanted everyone who cared to know that Leila was his wife and he was proud of her. "Right. You still don't want people to see us together."
"Don't be like that, Kev."
Like what? He wanted to ask. Instead, he kissed her on her cheek. Standing, he pulled her to her feet.
Leila got into the bathroom before him, she came out and he went in. He was still sulking when he turned on the shower. Yes, they agreed to keep things professional at work but he wanted to be able to perform his husbandly duties by doing the little things for her. Taking her to work and bringing her back home was one of such things. He was tired of her sneaking in and out of his car during lunch hours. She was not a fugitive.
Kelvin got out of the bathroom in that same foul mood. Leila was already dressed. Running a hand through his wet hair, he sighed. He didn't understand his feelings.
"Breakfast is here," she told him. Kelvin opened the wardrobe without a word. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he registered his moodiness but couldn't snap out of it. He stood there for so long without doing anything and Leila asked, "Do you need help in picking your outfit?" His wife's voice was closer. He turned around so fast she squeaked out a small, "Never mind."
He frowned. She was doing that thing again. Backing away from him before he got the chance to break down her walls. What did Charles do to her? And why did he care so much about her life before him?
"You didn't even give me a chance to answer you."
With her hands akimbo, she said, "You're acting weird."
True. These feelings were new to him and they left a big hole in his chest. Kelvin didn't want to admit he was jealous of her time and relationship with Charles because it was stupid. He shouldn't be feeling this way.
"I don't like that you dated someone else before me."
Leila rolled her eyes. Holding a jacket to his chest, she said, "We didn't even know each other back then."
He put on his shirt and Leila buttoned him up. A pair of trousers was next. "Now that we know each other, you don't want people to see us together."
"People at the office," Leila corrected. He shrugged. What difference did it make? Kelvin didn't care for what people would say. "Fine, you can drop me off."
Leila helped him to knot his tie, his head dipped to kiss her but she dodged it. "If you say so."
Her laughter was melodious and it made him laugh a little. She pecked his nose. "I do say so, husband." His lips twitched. "Will you please stop acting so glum?"
Kelvin's lips puckered. Leila laughed harder as she pressed her lips to his. He palmed her face, staring deep into her eyes. He really, really liked this woman.