Chapter Eleven

I disclaim

Dave and Leila barely spoke to eachother for three days. First thing Monday Dave got a call from Vince and was told his delay was bumped back three weeks. All he did was snap at Leila and anyone who crossed his path. She went back to her house Monday afternoon and didn't see him until he picked her up to go to the airport Wednesday evening. She wasn't going to ruin the trip for his family and said she'd do whatever they wanted when she was included. She was not staying at Dave's and wouldn't be over at all, they could pick her up or she'd meet them somewhere. She refused to be around him when he was being an ass.

"Leila, is there anything I can say t…" He started to say.

"No. Let me know when you're over your temper tantrum." She refused to look at him or touch him.

"I'm sorry I took it out on you." He said softly.

"I heard that several times before, Dave, and it's not helping. They're empty words." Leila stated firmly and Dave knew he'd fucked up big time he just didn't know how to fix it. He never touched her, never physically hurt her, but he did yell at her, degraded her, as if she was the one controlling his return.

"What are you in the mood for for lunch?" She asked before she knew about the phone call.

"I'm not fucking hungry, Leila, just leave me alone." He snapped at her. Leila left the room not sure what just happened. A few hours later Dave came out of his office to the kitchen. She sat in the family room going over some boards for a client. "What the fuck, Leila? There's no fucking food in here, what the fuck's for lunch?" He yelled as he slammed the refrigerator doors and cabinet doors. He came into the family room glaring at her and it scared the shit out of Leila.

"I didn't realize I was supposed to make you something even though you said you weren't hungry." She said practically whispering and scurried into the kitchen to make him something.

"That was three hours ago, you knew there was no food you couldn't go to the fucking store?" He towered over her glaring at her. Leila was on the verge of tears, what did she do to upset him? Nothing made sense. She looked at him as tears fell down her face.

"What can I get for you; I'll do anything if you'll just stop yelling at me." Her voice cracking as she spoke and she looked at the floor. Dave looked at her and realized what he was doing. He reached for her and it only made her cower. Her arms immediately went up to block her face.

Dave thought back to Monday and still couldn't believe how he behaved towards her. He spent two days leaving her voicemails, emails, sent her flowers, knocked on her door, he got nothing. When he went to pick her up he wasn't even sure she'd be there much less go with him. When she got into the car she made it perfectly clear how she felt and how the next week would go. Leila was not about to tell him she spent the past 48 hours crying or that he broke her heart. Dave spent that time moping around his house. He pulled into the parking garage at the airport and turned to her.

"I just want you to come home; I miss you and truly, truly love you." He pleaded with her.

"I have a home, David, and I've been there for the past few days trying to figure out what the fuck happened." She turned in her seat to look at him finally. "You hurt me. Bad. It'll take me a long time to move past it, but I love you and I'm willing to try." Dave took her hands and kissed them. "I just need space for awhile." Dave would agree to light his naked body on fire if it meant she'd be there at some point. What she said earlier still stood as law until she felt comfortable enough to return. Leila waited in the car while Dave went in to meet his family. They all questioned him about where Leila was and Michelle already knew. She helped Dave cover for Leila waiting in the car.

Dave had poured out his heart to his ex-wife the night before and she said she'd try to help. She had never seen Dave like this and knew he was completely and utterly wrapped up and in love with this woman. She was glad Leila at least came to the airport with him. After they got their luggage Dave called Leila saying they were coming out and Leila drove the car to the doors. She got out and helped with the luggage and gave hugs and kisses to everyone. Michelle squeezed her extra tight and whispered of future conversations. Leila agreed to talk to her after the girls went to bed that evening.

All the way to Dave's the girls chatted about what they'd been doing since they were here last and said at least one hundred times how excited they were to see the finished house. Leila had forgotten how loud teenage girls were but loved the sound. She had missed them and was glad to be seeing them for a week. Only Michelle noticed Dave and Leila hadn't said one word to eachother the entire drive. When Dave pulled the car to a stop he didn't even have it in Park before the girls were out and running inside. They didn't wait for a tour they just ran through it. Dave gave his mom, sister and Tim the tour and Michelle wanted a tour from Leila.

"I already know what happened. I just want to know what you're going to do about it. He's dying inside and…" Michelle started before she was cut off.

"I'm dying inside. You weren't there for the verbal lashing." Leila stopped and gained control of her emotions. "I could understand him being angry because his return date was pushed back, but the way he spoke to me was harsh, brutal, degrading…"

"He knows that. He was pretty honest with me about his tone and what he said to you." Michelle took Leila's hands in hers. "That's not Dave and I think you know that. In the five years he and I were together I only saw that side of him maybe twice. I can't speak for Angie, but she may have seen it more, she is a button pusher." They both smiled. "Dave hinted that you had a rough time as a kid, I don't know to what extent I didn't get any details but it was quite clear the damage it did to you, I could hear it in his voice. Leila, Dave would endure a lifetime in hell for your happiness. He would rather have toothpicks pushed under his finger nails, paper cuts on his eyelids, lit on fire, a circumcision without anesthesia…"

"I get the point." Leila interrupted.

"You know he's not a talker, much less about feelings, he hates that, but he poured his heart out to me over this, he's truly in agony." Michelle tried to convey the best she could. "Have you given him a chance to explain?"

"Do you mean the 12 dozen roses, the house full of tulips and daisies, the 37 voicemails a day?" Leila looked at the ceiling as if it held the clues to the universe.

"Seriously? He did all that?" Michelle was stunned.

"And he knocked on the door about every two hours from sun up to sun down." Leila had to smile at the effort. She knew it looked like begging but also knew Dave wasn't the type. He never whined or begged, he simply stated how he felt, his apologies were heartfelt and his eyes bared it all. "I just need time to calm down, to regain control of my fears."

"I understand, just don't take too long." Michelle said and started to walk away.

"Is that a threat? DO you know something?" Leila's insecurities taking over at a rapid pace and Michelle had to giggle.

"No, not a threat. He would never cheat; he's not the type. He's just suffering so much." Michelle looked at her sadly and Leila nodded her head. She was suffering too.

"Is it completely ridiculous to feel this way after a few months?" She asked almost rhetorically.

"You've spent everyday with him for what, four months? Have you been apart during that time? Half a day? One day? From the time you woke up to the time you fell asleep it's been the two of you. If you weren't in love with him I would think you were either a lesbian or delusional. And he could convert a lesbian with one sexy smile." They both laughed and knew he had a good shot at that. "He fell for you within days. I hate those people who believe in love at first sight because it's crazy, but it definitely happened within a few days for Dave."

Leila knew she had fallen for him before Stephanie and Paul left that week. She smiled as she thought back to how 'schoolgirl' she had been. How sexy he was in his t-shirt, loose fit jeans and sunglasses. He was a beautiful man. He was incredible in a suit or sweaty workout shorts, and that's not even including the magnificence of him naked. Michelle noticed Leila's distant smile yet she wiped a tear. "Leila, what's going through your head?"

"Nothing. We should get back downstairs." Leila hugged her and took off to find Dave. He was on the back patio taking in the view with his mom and sister. She tugged on his arm and motioned for him to follow her inside. He excused himself and went with her to his office. As soon as he closed the door she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"What happened?" Dave wanted to go to her but was cautious.

"Don't do it again, David." She said softly.

"Never." He grabbed her and hugged her tight. "God, woman, I love you." He showered her with mini-kisses and she held his face. Leila took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. She knew he was sincere and she could trust him with everything. She already knew these things but his eyes confirmed those thoughts that were fighting to override her doubts. She smiled up at him and kissed him softly. She needed to feel him, feel his skin on hers; it fed her existence. They both let the kiss grow deeper; both trying to convey what was in their hearts. It was like starting over; she was giving him a clean slate.

"I love you." Leila whispered to him. Dave held her tight and lowered her to the rug. They continued kissing and fanning the flames of desire. Both of them struggling for control to no avail. His body above hers, the feel of him between her legs, his tender passion-filled kisses threatened to consume her. She loved the soft kisses filled with emotion yet she wanted the hard sex driven ones right now. Their tongues dancing together was hypnotic and Dave was intoxicating. "Make love to me." Dave looked at her glazed over fuck me eyes.

"Um, my mom's here." Dave responded like a school kid.

"Yeah, but Michelle will keep everyone busy." She countered still with the bedroom eyes. Dave knew this was true but didn't want to in his office on the floor. He picked her up in his arms and snuck out of his office, which was luckily next to the main stairs. As he climbed the staircase, Leila kissed and licked his neck, ears and face, driving Dave insane. Michelle spotted them and ushered everyone back outside.

Dave placed her tenderly on his bed and gazed at her. He wanted her to be here day and night. Leila sat up to her knees and began undressing, Dave was too wrapped up in her being in his bed again he forgot they had company. She was in her bra and panties before he even had his shirt off. Standing in front of him she fought with his belt and button; had she slowed just a little it wouldn't have been such a struggle. The second she had him naked, she used all her strength to shove him to the bed. As fast as she could she was completely naked and sitting on his lap. Leila leaned forward for a few more kisses and tongue teasers and then sat back, throwing her hair back and engulfing Dave within her.