Chapter 15
Leila opened her eyes as sunlight pour onto her face. As she went to stretch her arms, she realized she was still lying next to the sleeping Jeff and his arms were still wrapped tightly around her in an embrace. She smiled as she let one of her fingers run through his hair and twist it around her finger.
He looked so peaceful with his eyes closed and a small, tranquil smile on his lips. She kissed his closed eyelids softly, before sitting up and climbing out of the bed, pulling clean clothes out of a drawer.
Heading to the bathroom, clothes in hand, she stopped at the doorway and leaned against the frame, concentrating on Jeff. It had been so long… so long since she had felt so safe, so peaceful, and even happy.
There was an emotion inside her she hadn’t felt in years, and she bit her lip as she realized what it was. She was so scared of letting someone into her life, of loving again, and refused to do so, but Jeff broke down all her barriers and she had let him in. He knew most of it now, he knew about Keith, and he was so understanding about it and so caring. But he didn’t know about Alex…
Leila closed her eyes as she felt her whole body quiver in disgust, just thinking that name. She didn’t even want to relive that part of her past, let alone tell Jeff.
She let out a sigh as she looked back at the sleeping, serene Jeff. As much as she wanted to love him, she knew she couldn’t. She couldn’t get close again, not matter how she felt or what she wanted. She just couldn’t.
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Leila hummed a song to herself as she walked into the bedroom, her new clothes on and a towel wrapped on top of her head. The shower had made her feel better, and washed away almost all her thoughts about Alex. A grin appeared on her lips as Jeff still lay peacefully on her bed, breathing softly and rhythmically.
Leila studied her face in the mirror above the dresser. Her eyes looked brighter then usual, happier. And she knew that was because of Jeff’s presence in her life. Leila pulled out her foundation stick and started applying it to her tan and already smooth complexion.
“You’re already so beautiful, I don’t see why you’re putting that on.”
“Oh my…” Leila said surprised, dropping the stick and turning around, “I didn’t realize you were up…”
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” Jeff laughed, amused with her jumpiness.
He climbed off the bed and walked towards Leila who turned around and gripped her foundation stick again, applying it to her face.
“It’s ok,” Leila murmured, watching Jeff approach her through the mirror as she continued to apply her makeup.
“I was serious though,” Jeff whispered, stepping behind her and taking the stick out of her hand, “you are so beautiful, you don’t need any makeup. It’s just hiding what beauty God created.”
Leila closed her eyes as she felt Jeff nuzzle the back of her neck with his lips and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closely.
“Jeff,” Leila whispered, not opening her eyes as she relaxed in his arms, the feeling of safety and protection she felt around him washing over him.
“Yeah?” Jeff asked, letting go of Leila and watching her reflection in the mirror as she opened her eyes and they made contact in the glass.
“I…uh…” Leila stumbled, forgetting what she was going to say, “I, um… need to blow-dry my hair.”
“Oh, ok,” Jeff replied, a confused look on his face, “I guess, I’ll go see how Matt’s doing and make sure he’s not worrying.”
“Sure,” Leila nodded as they walked into the sitting room of the suite together, “I’ll see you later?”
Jeff nodded as he kissed her cheek quickly, “Yeah, later. Maybe we could go get something to eat or grab some drinks.”
“Sounds good,” Leila agreed as Jeff opened the door.
Leila watched as he stopped, before turning around slowly, a look of curiousness on his face.
“Is everything ok, with us?” Jeff asked, raising an eyebrow.
“What do you mean?” Leila questioned, sitting on the arm of a chair.
“I don’t even know,” Jeff said, with an embarrassed laugh, “It just seems kind of… weird….”
“Jeff,” Leila said softly, walking towards him in the open doorway and wrapping her arms around him in a hug, “Being able to open up to you last night and telling you what happened, and to have you understand like that meant more to me then you will ever know. But now, I’m just a little confused about everything. But there’s nothing wrong between us, I promise.”
“Ok,” Jeff whispered, rubbing her back as he hugged her, “So I’ll see you tonight?”
“Yeah, tonight,” Leila whispered as she let go of Jeff and he turned and walked out into the hallway, “thanks Jeff.”
Jeff turned around with a quick smile and nod, not noticing the tears forming in Leila’s eyes as she shut the door.
She sighed as she leaned against the closed hotel door and shut her eyes. She was so confused; she didn’t know how to feel. She just knew she didn’t want to feel the way she felt for Jeff anymore. It would only lead to hurt…
Chapter 16
Chapter 14