Leoti by Sienna Mynx Page B

several curling irons. She gathered her haul in her arms and headed for the bathroom.
     
    Elu stacked the French toast on a serving plate with the flip of his spatula. He sprinkled cinnamon and powdered sugar over of the crisp brown slices of egg bread. Po licked his chops watching him in the kitchen.
    “She’s up?” Elu asked.
    Po walked a full circle then sat back on his hind legs, tongue hanging, deep pants huffing out of him.
    “Good. Time for breakfast. I’ll take care of you too friend.”
    Po barked. Elu finished breakfast, set the table, and then filled Po’s dish with his dog food. He turned to find her watching. She’d showered and changed into her things. Her dark hair had lost its untamed charm. She had curled it into loose locks. She looked as they did the first time they’d met, except for the addition of the bandage over her right eye.
    “ Anetâheveoeso, ” he stammered, eyes traveling over her.
    “What did you call me?” she said with her hands on her hips.
    “Ah, it does not translate well. Means stands different . I meant to say on the side of beauty.”
    Josie blushed and lowered her eyes shyly. Her hand went to the bandage on her forehead. “It was hard freshening up with these bandages. Can we take them off today? The one on my chest is really restricting.”
    “Yes, it’s been five days since I’ve found you. I believe it’s time. The head may need more to heal though.”
    Po barked in agreement, scurrying over to her and circling her legs. She knelt and let him lick her face, ruffling him under his throat and ears. “You already eating without me? Greedy Po!” She grinned and looked back over to Elu. Rising she walked over and peeked at the eggs in the skillet. “Smells so good.”
    “I thought you might have more of an appetite today.”
    “I do.” She announced, stepping closer. He loved that bold fearlessness about her, that inner strength. He reached around her to take the plates to the table so she stepped aside. Together they went to the table and sat. He tried to not stare but when she began to drown her food in syrup he couldn’t help it. Josie grinned at him, forking more in her mouth and humming.
    “Good?”
    “Good!”
    They ate with Po munching on his breakfast loudly in the corner. He told her of the land surveyor that kept coming by and that if he showed up to ignore him. His intent was not to sell. She said she couldn’t imagine him ever leaving this place and he had to agree. Though he also wanted a wife and kids to share it with, he kept that truth to himself.
    After breakfast she offered to help. He washed and she dried the dishes. When she tried to put away some plates in the cabinet above he noticed her struggle. To assist he stepped in close, maybe too close, because after placing the plate on the shelf he couldn’t step away. She turned and he gave her a little room, but kept her pressed between him and the counter. He was sure she would object. She didn’t. Instead she ran her hand down the length of his arm.
     
    He had that fresh clean manly smell that bloomed in her nostrils and aroused her senses. This time he didn’t shy away from her and she was grateful. He maintained the closeness, waiting for her lead, careful to not rush her. She rose on her toes, angling her lips up to his, and she spoke, “Kiss me.”
    Elu leaned in and tasted her. His lips, sticky with maple syrup and cinnamon, brought a soft moan from her as he dipped his tongue in her mouth for a deeper sampling. So sexy was their exchange that her breasts undulated up against his rock hard chest. He drew back once the kiss got good. Licking his lips, those dark eyes of his grew even darker with need, as she blew out deep breaths placing her arms behind his neck, locking her fingers together. “Don’t stop,” she said. The exertion of extending her arms didn’t burn her gut like before. She was stronger and determined to prove it.
    He came in for more. This time he captured her