Unbroken Connection by Angela Morrison Page A

back as far as she can, makes a sweet little sound, and brings her hands to my face—won’t let me stop.
    I should ask her again now. Marry me, babe. This instant. Marry me. She can’t refuse. She wants more than this chaste no-tongue make out her rules allow. Marry me, Leesie. I’ll love you forever. Anyway you want.
    I pull away—take her hands and kiss them. “Leese, I want to ask you—”
    No.
    Not yet.
    This is just a start.
    “—be sure to get some rest. Tomorrow’s a big day. You’re going to learn to dive.”
    She nods. “Drive safely.”
    “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” I bring my mouth close to hers without touching her lips. “Lonely—” I pause and breathe her in. “But I can manage getting a room.”

Chapter 16
     
    MUSINGS
     
    LEESIE’S MOST PRIVATE CHAPBOOK
POEM # 58, FORTY-TWO DAYS
     
Curled in a tight ball
clutching my pillow in a death grip,
my grandmother’s patchwork pink
quilt pulled over my head,
I dare sleep to interrupt as I relive
every sensation, joy, terror, hope,
every scent, sound, touch—
every exuberant second of existence
of Michael tonight.
     
I imagine the glory of
forty-two mornings that I’ll wake up
with the taste of him on my tongue
and the promise of one more day
to sink into his steel gray eyes,
hold his face in my hands,
lose myself in his lips.
     
I’ll worry about temples and rules
and his watery realm
tomorrow.
Tonight, I cherish forty-two days—
a thousand more hours—
to love him
face to face,
fingertip to fingertip,
kneecap to kneecap
lip
to
lip.
    LEESIE HUNT / CHATSPOT LOG / 11/05 8:00 AM
     
     
Leesie327 says:
   
You’re up early. Why didn’t you call?
liv2div says:
   
you’re number is in my cell phone on the Queen Nauticas omewhere in the Adaman Sea…same with my laptop… I’m using the hotel’s business center
Leesie327 says:
   
You could have at least waited for the boat to get back and get your stuff.
liv2div says:
   
no way…I flew as soon as the jerk dive doctor said I could
Leesie327 says:
   
I make you that crazy?
liv2div says:
   
insane…you know that
Leesie327 says:
   
Come have breakfast with me before I have to go to class. You can take me to the Cougar Eat.
liv2div says:
   
Class? You’re not going to spend the whole day with me?
Leesie327 says:
   
I’ve just got a couple to go to. I’m done by noon.
liv2div says:
   
that’s so hardcore…can’t you skip?
Leesie327 says:
   
Sorry. Got a test in one class and a big project due in the other.
liv2div says:
   
but I just got here
Leesie327 says:
   
And I’m going to spend the whole rest of the day doing whatever you want me to.
liv2div says:
   
whoa, babe…you left yourself wide open with that…you know where I could go
Leesie327 says:
   
But you’re not going to. You are going to be charming and respectful the whole time you’re here.
liv2div says:
   
have I ever been anything else?
Leesie327 says:
   
No comment.
liv2div says:
   
okay…I won’t bring up doing it again until we’re married
Leesie327 says:
   
Promise?
liv2div says:
   
name the date
Leesie327 says:
   
Oh, you are so sneaky.
liv2div says:
   
not sneaky enough…I am hungry, though…I’ll pick you up in about ten minutes.
Leesie327 says:
   
Sorry about the classes. Do you realize you’ll be here 60,000 minutes? I hate to miss even one.
liv2div says:
   
it’s okay…I’m not going anywhere… could use a couple hours to rent us some scuba gear and find a pool
Leesie327 says:
   
You’re serious about this? What if I suck? You know how scared I get in the water.
liv2div says:
   
it’s a pool, babe, no lake weed to get tangled in
Leesie327 says:
   
You’re going to turn me back into a fish?
liv2div says:
   
a mermaid…I can’t wait to see you in a wetsuit
Leesie327 says:
   
I’m going to look awful.
liv2div says:
   
I’ll wear one, too…that way we can stay in the