Chapter 4

Late. Traffic was strangely backed up for a Saturday morning, and she arrived five minutes late.

"I'm so sorry I'm late!" she called as she hurried over. "I'm usually very punctual."

"Don't worry – I just got here too." He touched her arm soothingly. "We have plenty of time."

The last time Marie heard that, she was tied face-down to the posts of her bed, awaiting what would be a long night of torture with a flogger and a Wartenberg wheel. She shivered slightly at the memory.

"You look really nice, by the way. I didn't know your hair was curly."

She touched it self-consciously. "Oh, yeah, I don't wear it down much. It gets in the way."

"I think it's beautiful. Anyway, shall we go in?"

The exhibit was lovely, if smaller than Marie would have liked. She was impressed by Leo's knowledge of the period. And by how happy he seemed to be discussing it with her.

"I'm a fan of Delacroix. His depiction of the human form is so expressive even though the style changed so much over his career. Sometimes, I feel like it almost hints at Impressionism." They came across a Delacroix painting of two tigers whose faces looked like they had been squashed. "His animals… are a bit lacking."

Marie doubled over laughing. "I'm sorry…just your face!" She caught her breath. "Don't get me wrong, I like Delacroix too. But you're right. Animals were not his strong suit."

"Let's see, we're on question eleven, right? Who's your favorite artist?"

"Hmm, that's difficult. I have favorite pieces, but I don't know if I have just one artist. Maybe Waterhouse? I know he wasn't a Romantic painter, but the colors are beautifully blended and his brushwork was very fine. I also like that he painted mythological and literary figures but made them look real."

When she looked back up at him, he was smiling at her. "I like listening to you talk about things you like." Marie ducked her head, blushing. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"Don't worry about it. I'm just… not used to people saying that sort of thing to me."

"They should." He said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Why don't you ask an embarrassing question?"

"Oh! Um. I don't know…What happened in your last relationship? Why did it end?"

Leo looked surprised. "Wow, straight for the jugular."

"I'm sorry – I can retract the question-"

"No, it's okay. I gave you carte blanche. Do you want to sit?"

That made Marie a bit worried but she perched on the little bench he gestured to. He sat sideways to face her.

"I had been with my ex, Shannon, for about eight months. There were things I couldn't give her enthusiastically. And she desperately wanted a kid."

"You don't?"

"Not right now. Not after only dating for eight months. And definitely not if she just wanted a kid to boost her self-esteem. Anyway, she had a pretty big tantrum about it one day and I just… had had enough. I didn't need her pushing my boundaries when I was respecting hers. I know that sounds callous-"

"It doesn't. I think that's perfectly fair."

"Thanks. Not everyone was so accepting."

"I hope you don't mind me asking what it was that you felt you couldn't give her?"

"Pass."

Marie couldn't quite hold in her little gasp. It was like a safe word – a bucket of cold water to the face. She had missed the signs and prodded too far.

"I'm sorry."

"You say that a lot. You don't have to be sorry. I'll probably tell you someday, just not now. We're a little green for that conversation." He stood and held out his hand. "Should we go look for more funny animals to laugh at?"

She took his hand, feeling only slightly less guilty for prying. They walked the gallery for another hour before heading out to the café for lunch. Marie was barely successful in paying for their food before they headed to the seating area on the veranda.

The veranda overlooked the city from its little hill. For a weekend, the Hansen was surprisingly empty, leaving Marie and Leo mostly alone.

"Twelve: what is your philosophy on life?" Marie asked.

"Oh, that's a good one. I guess 'learn everything you can and do the best with what you've learned.' I'm someone who likes learning and I hate to make unconsidered decisions. As a kid, I actually had selective mutism because I was afraid to say things that I wasn't completely sure of. Obviously I've gotten over that since I'm now a complete goof."

Marie giggled. "I don't think you're a complete goof. Just a little."

"Well, how's this for a poorly considered question: where did you grow up? I hate to bring attention to it, but you have a bit of an accent."

"Yes, I know. I was born in a town outside of Lyon in France. It's called Bron."

"How do you spell that?"

"B-R-O-N."

"Bron? Ha! That's my little brother's name!"

"Really?"

"Yeah. Marcus and I – that's my older brother – we always used to tease him about it. Anyway, how old were you when you left?"

"I was about fourteen, I think. My father had to move us for his work. I was already taking English classes at my school in France so it wasn't a difficult move."

"Do you speak French with your parents?"

"Usually, yes. And sometimes I write to my aunt in Perpignan, near the Spanish border."

He looked at her fondly. "I really like when you speak French. It suits you."

"Thirteen: do you speak any other languages?" she asked the question mainly to deflect the comment.

"A little bit of Hebrew, but that's about it. No one in my family really speaks anything other than English to me. I should probably learn something though." He thought for a moment. "How do you handle confrontation?"

"I don't. I don't like to be yelled at and I don't like people being angry with me. I prefer to discuss things before they become confrontation." All she could think of was humiliation scenes she had endured earlier in her kink life. Before she knew that it was something she could say no to.

"Good. I'm that way too. I hate fighting."

"I'm glad to hear that. What else do you not like?"

"This is going to sound silly but I really don't like gardening. And I'm a bit claustrophobic. I got stuck in an elevator as a kid and it scarred me for life. What about you?"

"Dolls. I hate glass-eyed dolls. They're so scary!"

Leo laughed. "I guess I won't be taking you to any Chucky or Anabelle movies!"

"Oh, god, no! Those movies are awful to begin with, then you add the creepy dolls and I don't sleep for a week!" She flailed her hands as if to erase the thought. "Let's stop talking about this. What about something that makes you happy?"

"A lot of things, honestly. A good meal, friends, finishing a project. Simple things, I guess. I hate to be lazy, but same question to you. What makes you happy?"

"Feeling safe. Being warm. I love my friends, but having time alone is precious to me. My cat, Minnow. And I won't turn down a good meal either." Marie thought, smiling. "Oh, wait. How many was that?"

Leo counted on his fingers. "Fifteen. We're in the home stretch. You get five more to crack me open."

She laughed. "Then I guess we should get serious! Why did you decide to message me on Net 'Em?"

Leo leaned back in his chair, thinking. "Well, I liked your picture first. Then, I read your profile description. You sounded a little cold at first, but when I kept reading, I could tell that you were protecting yourself. We shared interests, so I thought that maybe you just needed a little encouragement to warm up. I figured the horror movie thing was a long shot. Why did you reply?"

"Because you didn't just send me a picture of your dick or 'hey'. And, I won't lie, I was intrigued by your fish mug. And my friend Piper said she knew who you were."

"Piper? I don't think I know a Piper."

"She knows everyone. Sometimes I think she swipes the company roster!"

Leo laughed. It struck Marie how lovely a sight that was. The noontime sun flashed off his glasses when he threw his head back, his smile wide and unrestrained. When had this average man become so handsome?

"What's on your mind?"

"Hm?" She hadn't realized she was staring. "Oh, nothing."

He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward on the table. It was somehow not threatening, despite his intent focus on her face.

"I think maybe you're a little question fatigued. Maybe we should leave the final questions for later?" Marie nodded. "I know what we can do. Come with me."

He took her hand and led her around the building and down a long flight of stairs. At the bottom, they made a turn into a lush, colorful garden.

"It's so beautiful," she breathed. "I didn't know this was here!"

"Most people don't since it's cut out of the hill. So it's quiet here. Good for remedying the introvert's soul."

She looked up at him gratefully. "Can I kiss you?" The words flew from her lips before she considered them. Leo smiled.

"Anytime you like."

Rocking up on the toes of her shoes, she steadied herself against his chest to kiss him. His heart beat against her palm. His hand was warm at her waist. Soft, undemanding, careful even. Maybe some part of her longed for him to push her against the wall, but maybe that wasn't what she needed.

One kiss became two, became three. They broke apart finally, breath heavy and mingled when they pressed their foreheads together. He stroked her face tenderly.

"You still with me?" Leo asked quietly.

"Mm-hmm."

"Good." He kissed her forehead before he pulled away. "Come on. Let's explore."

The pair spent the next hour wandering around the expansive garden. Marie could feel she was settling back into herself; the conversation easier without the game in play. They chatted about the flowers and the city, their favorite places. Leo would reach for Marie's hand as they walked. Marie noticed his habit of running his fingers through his hair and rubbing his thumb over the shadow of stubble on his chin.

The quiet was broken when Leo's phone buzzed in his pocket. After looking at the number, he politely excused himself.

"Hi, ma. What's going on? Yeah, I still have them. Tonight? Ma, I'm out right now. Hang on, let me-" He turned to Marie. "I hate to cut this short, but my mom needs some dishes back for a dinner tonight. Would you be alright with going by my place? It'll be quick."

"That's fine with me."

"Ima? I can be there in ten minutes, but you can't hang around." He sighed. "Because I'm on a date, ma. Yes. Please don't start. Look I'll- I'll see you in ten. Bye. Bye, ima."

"Is everything okay?"

Leo smiled awkwardly. "Yeah. She's just… a bit nosey. You don't have to meet her if you don't want to."

"I wouldn't mind meeting her. I'm a bit nosey too; I'd like to see where you live."