Queen Mom Rules novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Nothing To Think With

The next night I stood in the lobby of Leon Brannigan's building and could not remember how I had got there.

My neighbor was asleep on my couch with a crossword on her chest.

She is a retired nurse who loves Junie more than her own cat.

I had told her I'd be late.

I had not told her where.

The doorman asked who I was here to see, and I gave Leon's name.

"Twenty-second floor," he said. "Mr. Brannigan said to send you up."

"He knew I was coming?"

"He said you'd come tonight or never."

The elevator took too long.

Leon opened the door in a white shirt with the sleeves pushed up, no tie, bare feet on the hardwood.

He looked at my face and did not smile.

"You read the will," he said.

"Cassidy brought it."

"How much?"

"Eleven point four million."

He closed his eyes briefly.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry." My voice shook. "I don't want sorry. I've had sorry all day. I want to stop thinking."

"Marlena."

"Please."

He held out one hand, and I took it, and the door shut behind me.

He kissed me against the wall of his hallway with my purse still on my shoulder.

It was nothing like the elevator.

The elevator had been a dare.

This was a man who had been holding himself still for two years and had run out of reasons.

His mouth opened mine, his hands pushed my coat off my arms, and my bag hit the floor.

"Bedroom," I said into his mouth.

"Say it again."

"Bedroom, Leon."

He lifted me with his hands under my thighs and carried me there.

The sheets were grey and cold.

He laid me down, stood over me for a heartbeat in the low light, and unbuttoned his shirt without looking away.

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