A Billionaire for Christmas(66)
Not that she was really rustic in her situation. She had phones and television. But beyond that, life was tech-free. He frowned, not sure he was comfortable with the knowledge that she had converted him in a matter of days. It was the sex. That’s all. He’d been pleasantly diverted. Didn’t mean he wanted to give up his usual M.O. on a permanent basis.
Smiling to cover his unease, he released her. “I’m going to take a shower. I can play with the kid after that if you want to clean up.”
* * *
Phoebe watched him go, her heart troubled. Something was off, but she couldn’t pinpoint it. Maybe nothing more than a bad case of morning after.
By the time both adults were clean and dressed, the sound of a tractor echoed in the distance. Soon the driveway was passable, and in no time at all, vehicles began arriving. A truck dealing with Leo’s satellite internet. The express delivery service with his new phone. A large moving van that somehow managed to turn and back up to the damaged cabin.
With the felled tree completely gone now, a small army of men began carrying out everything salvageable to place into storage until the repairs were complete. Leo didn’t even linger for breakfast. He was out the door in minutes, wading into the midst of chaos…coordinating, instructing, and generally making himself indispensable. Phoebe wasn’t sure what she would have done without his help. If she had not been laden with the responsibility of Teddy, she would have managed just fine. But caring for a baby and trying to deal with the storm damage at the same time would have made things extremely difficult.
She was amazed that she could see a difference in the baby in two weeks. He was growing so quickly and his personality seemed more evident every day. This morning he was delighting himself by blowing bubbles and babbling nonsense sounds.
After tidying the kitchen, Phoebe picked him up out of his high chair and carried him over to the tree. “See what Leo and I did, Teddy? Isn’t it pretty?” The baby reached for an ornament, and she tucked his hand to her cheek. “I know. It isn’t fair to have so many pretty baubles and none of them for you to play with.”
Teddy grabbed a strand of her hair that had escaped her braid and yanked. She’d been in a hurry that morning after her shower and had woven her hair in its usual style with less than her usual precision. It was beginning to be clear to her why so many young mothers had simple hairstyles. Caring for an infant didn’t leave much time for primping.
In another half hour Teddy would be ready for a nap. Already his eyes were drooping. After last night’s excess, Phoebe might try to sneak in a few minutes of shut-eye herself. Thinking about Leo made her feel all bubbly inside. Like a sixteen-year-old about to go to prom with her latest crush.
Even in the good days with her fiancé, sex had never been like that. Leo had devoted himself to her pleasure, proving to her again and again that she had more to give and receive. Her body felt sensitized…energized…eager to try it all over again.
She walked the baby around the living room, humming Christmas carols, feeling happier than she had felt in a long time.
When the knock sounded at the front door, she looked up in puzzlement. Surely Leo hadn’t locked himself out. She had made sure to leave the catch undone when he left. Before she could react, the door opened and a familiar head appeared.
“Dana!” Phoebe eyed her sister with shock and dismay. “What’s wrong? Why are you here?”
* * *
Leo jogged back to the cabin. He was starving, but more than that, he wanted to see Phoebe. He didn’t want to give her time to think of a million reasons why they shouldn’t be together. When he burst through the front door, he ground to a halt, immediately aware that he had walked into a tense situation. He’d seen an unfamiliar car outside, but hadn’t paid much attention, assuming it belonged to one of the workmen.