“Well, I passed Alex’s cottage every day on my way to town. And I had a clear view of his window…”
“And?”
“God, I can’t believe I’m telling you this.”
“Say it.”
He cleared his throat. “His washbasin was right there on the sill. So…I pissed in it.”
Leila burst out laughing, her voice carrying through the garden.
“He didn’t seem to notice,” Tobias continued. “Saw him washing himself later that evening without a care in the world.”
“He was washing himself in your piss?”
“Indeed he was. And it was oddly satisfying. So the next day, I pissed in his basin again.”
Leila’s mouth gaped open. “Tobias!”
“And then the next day. And then every day for the next two weeks.”
“You’re bad.”
“It became my morning routine. Get up, grab a bite, piss in Alex’s basin. Then one day, he figured it out. Came to my cottage and punched me in the eye.”
“Then what?”
“Well, that was that. Though I did watch my step for a while. And checked my own basin daily, just in case.” Tobias chuckled. “Naomi thought the whole thing was hilarious, and that’s really all that matters.”
Leila curled into his side, lost in a fit of giggles.
“Your turn,” he said. “Tell me a secret. And it better be good.”
“You already know about the watchtower. That was a secret.”
“Unacceptable. I told you a piss secret.”
“Well, I’ve never pissed in anyone’s washbasin. I’ve been stuck here in the fortress not having much fun at all.”
Tobias rolled his eyes. “There has to be something.”
She pursed her lips, thinking long and hard. “All right. There is something. It’s not much of a secret, but I think you’ll like it.”
“I’m all ears.”
“You can’t judge me.”
“Never.”
She cleared her throat. “You remember that one challenge with the keys?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Raphael nearly died. The whole thing was deplorable.” She shook her head. “Well, I spent all night tending to Raph, trying to keep him alive. And once it was all over, I was just so upset. With the Proctor. Especially with Cosima.” A grin spread across her face. “So, the next time I saw Her…I slapped Her.”
Tobias’s jaw dropped. “You slapped Cosima?”
“Right in the mouth.”
“Oh my God!” Tobias laughed. “You’re a madwoman!”
“It was liberating.”
“What did She do?”
“She cried.” Leila frowned. “I felt awful. It was wrong of me.”
“I don’t know about that. It sounds more than fair to me.” He eyed her over. “And to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever been more attracted to you.”
Leila snuggled closer to him. “Your turn.” She twirled his wavy locks around her finger. “Tell me a secret.”
Tobias hesitated. “I dream about you most nights.”
“Is that so? What kind of dreams?”
“Sometimes it’s just you and me together, like this. Other times we’re more…involved.”
Leila wedged her bottom lip between her teeth, fighting back a grin.
“Apologies if that makes you uncomfortable.”
“I don’t mind,” she said.
Tobias smiled. “Your turn.”
Leila still sifted her fingers through his hair, her voice barely a whisper. “I dream of you most nights as well.”
Victory. The space between them turned warm, each touch piquing his nerves in the best way. He dragged his fingertips down her side, paying attention to the ridges of her ribs, the softness of her skin.
“Are you ticklish?” he said.
“No. Are you?”
Tobias didn’t answer. After seconds of strained silence, Leila dug her hand into his armpit, sending him rigid.
“Leila, you bastard!”
Giggling, she worked her hands up his stomach, his neck, while he helplessly jerked from side to side.
“You betray me!” he howled. “Stop! I swear, I’ll never forgive you for this!”
Their laughter turned into an uproar. He grabbed her wrists, trying to force her wretched hands from his body, then finally he wrestled her to the ground, pinning her down and freeing himself.
The two fought to catch their breath, red-faced and grinning. Tobias stared down at Leila, taking in the moment: he was lying on top of her, gripping her wrists.
She smiled up at him. “I surrender.”
Tobias released her, but she left her arms sprawled overhead amid her wild hair. He scanned her up and down, the tension between them practically pulsing.
Leila studied his wandering gaze. “What?”
“You’re so beautiful.”
“So are you.”
Tobias chuckled. “I’m beautiful?”
Leila nodded, staring at him in a way that drew him in. His lips pressed to hers, and that was all that mattered. Her lips. Her kiss.
Her touch. Her hands slid up the back of his neck, the warmth of her fingertips slipping through him in waves. The world lost focus, as he was wrapped up in each potent sensation: her gentle caress, his tongue in her