Loving the CEO (Whitley Brothers #7)

Chapter Five

Leo

Tory slept through the whole plane ride from New Orleans to Boston. I had a hunch that she hadn't slept much last night. Her mood had plummeted after her mom’s visit.

Fucking hell, my blood still boiled when I thought about their conversation. Who treated their own flesh and blood like that? I'd only met her mom a few times during our college years, and she’d always been short with Tory. Family was supposed to support you in tough times, not try to beat you down even more.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," I said after we landed.

She’d slept with her head on my shoulder, the scent of her shampoo filling my nostrils. Her blonde strands covered my chest, and I took in a deep breath before attempting to wake her up again. Was it crazy that I enjoyed having her lying on me like this? Hell, I simply enjoyed having her here. I was prouder of myself for convincing her to come to Boston than after sealing a major business deal.

Tory startled lightly and then straightened up. She was so fucking beautiful with her eyes still full of sleep. She seemed softer somehow. I tried not to look at her mouth... or down her cleavage.

Last night, after that second tequila shot, I could barely keep from fantasizing about her. But that had to stop. She just went through a harrowing breakup from a real douchebag. I’d never liked him from the start, but how could I tell that to my best friend? Tory deserved way better than that asshole, that was for damn sure.

And I needed to stop fantasizing, because she was going to live with me for the short term, for God’s sake.

"We haven't left yet?" she asked groggily.

"We’ve already arrived," I said with a smile just as the pilot announced that we could undo our seat belts.

"Wow, I slept so well. You're a fantastic pillow." Her blue eyes were still trying to wake up.

"That's a compliment?"

"Oh yeah. I didn't mean you were fluffy, or... I don’t know what I’m saying. But I slept well. I needed it.”

“Anytime you need me as a pillow, let me know. I’ll be at your service.”

She looked at me with hesitation, then smiled, but she didn't say anything else.

Was I over the line? I couldn’t even tell.

Everyone jostled about, hurrying to take their bags down from the overhead storage. Although I hadn't checked anything, we’d still have to go to baggage claim to wait for Tory's bag, so we weren’t in a hurry.

"Such a blast from the past," Tory said as we walked through the airport. “I remember how exhilarating it was every time I came here when the new semester started. I was so happy in Boston.”

"Why did you move back to New Orleans? You never really said."

"After being here for a while, I started to miss home, miss the weather. Maybe it was more built up in my mind than what it really was. I'm not sure. But I'm happy to be here. Thanks for suggesting this."

"Sure. You know you can count on me. For anything. We’ve always been there for each other.” Until these last few years, anyway. I was beginning to think Walter the Dick was the reason Tory and I hadn’t kept in closer touch. Whatever, it didn’t matter now.

We stopped right next to the baggage claim’s conveyor belt, and she immediately pointed at a huge black bag. “I think that’s the one, but I’m not sure. It's pretty nondescript. Next time I buy a bag, it’s going to be bubblegum pink."

She was right. It did look like at least three others, but I checked the name tag and confirmed it was hers before grabbing it.

As we headed toward the exit, she lit up. "Ah, yes, I want a Frappuccino. You know the good thing about big franchises?" she asked as I wheeled the bag toward Starbucks. "They have the same menu everywhere. Do you want something?"

"No, thanks. I'll order an Uber for us while you get your drink."

Five minutes later, we were already on our way to the house. As usual on a Saturday afternoon, the city was bustling, but we made good time.

Once we’d arrived, she took one look at my house and whistled. "Leo, you've got an amazing place."

"Thanks. I love it.” It paid to be the head of the biggest real estate company in the country.

As we walked to the front door, I explained, “I got wind of this house before it was even officially on the market and snapped it up.”

"You always were like that," she said. "You saw something you liked, and you staked your claim."

That was true for all things... except Tory. I’d messed up on her.

My house was as modern as it could get, with large floor-to-ceiling windows. I’d used a lot of wood and stone throughout, wanting things to be as natural as possible.

"You decorated this yourself?" she asked.

"No. I’m good at finding homes, not decorating them, but I found a good team. "

"It's so peaceful. I like that it's mostly neutral colors and wood. I can feel myself calming down already."

"Exactly. I couldn’t have said it better. That's how I feel when I step inside too. I can finally relax.” I turned to face her. “Want a tour?"

She beamed at me. "Sure."

"I’ll leave the luggage here and bring it up when you decide which room you want."

Her eyes bulged. "I get to choose?"

I chuckled. "Yes. There are two extra bedrooms."

"Okay."

The downstairs area had a huge living room off to the side of the kitchen, which was right in the middle. The dining table was a continuation of the kitchen island. There was also a bar with highbacked chairs around it.

“When my grandparents visit, we sit mostly at the dining table. The bar chairs are too high for them.”

"I think it’s so cool that you get along with your grandparents. I loved mine so much too."

I saw the wistfulness in her eyes. I remembered the first time she’d told me of her family life and that her mom was all she had.

"I'm very lucky to have them in my life."

"You know, I always wondered in college why you, well... struggled financially."

I didn't reply right away. "Honestly, that’s a good question. My grandparents offered to pay my way, and for my brothers, too, through school, but I didn't want that. I didn't want to owe them.”

"I respect that," she said.

"Anyway, once I started working at Whitley Real Estate, I told them that I wanted to be considered a regular employee. If I wasn’t any good, I wanted them to be able to fire me. But I made damn sure I was good. In fact, I was the best agent for a few years in a row before becoming CEO.”

"That’s fantastic. Are you in contact with your dad?" Tory knew the whole story and the up and downs my family had been through.

"No. We avoid him mostly. But sometimes it’s necessary to deal with him."

I didn’t want to get into any details. Even though I was more of a “let bygones be bygones” kind of person, I still didn’t enjoy talking about Dad.

Tory must have picked up on my tone, because she changed the topic.

"How’s your mom?"

"She's good. Traveling the world."

"That’s fantastic. Does she have a companion?”

"Not that we know of. She likes solo traveling."

"I should ask her for some life advice." She sighed, then shook her head. “I’m joking. I wouldn't just up and call her.”

“Tory,” I said, walking right to her, “you can call my mom anytime. If anything, she'd be happy to hear from you. She asks me about you from time to time."

"Really?" She smiled at me. "You talk to your family about me?"

"Sure. I mention you here and there.” If she knew how much shit my brothers gave me about Tory being “the one who got away,” she wouldn't have been so blasé about it.

“Want to head upstairs?” I suggested.

“Yes.”

She went ahead of me up the wide staircase while I fought all of my instincts not to look at her ass. Even though she couldn't see me, I simply didn't want to disrespect her like that. I was already liable to give myself away when I was this close to her anyway .

Once we were upstairs, I pointed to the right. “That’s my bedroom. The gym is next to it. Those two on the right are the guest bedrooms. They each have en suite bathrooms, so whichever you choose is fine."

"Doesn't Nick have a fitness franchise?"

"Yes, he does, but I prefer to work out at home. "

She looked up at the ceiling and sighed. "You've got a skylight. I haven't seen one in a long time."

"They don't really build them very often anymore for practical reasons, but I like them. Want to check out the bedrooms?”

She poked her head into both of them. "They’re the same size. I’ll stay in this one.” She walked inside the second bedroom, then turned around to face me. "Leo, I've said it already, but thanks. You kind of saved me from myself. Otherwise, I would have been in shambles. But now I have something new to look forward to. And no one except you could have convinced me."

I smirked. "Like your mom said, I’m still a bad influence."

"Forget about Mom.” She waved her hand, shaking her head. Her perfume was intoxicating.

I glanced down, intending to get my shit together, but somehow caught a glimpse of her cleavage. Fuck my life.

“I want to freshen up. Are there towels in the bathroom?" she asked.

"No, good call. I'll get some from mine. There are bedsheets, but the room isn't otherwise equipped for guests because I never have any.”

Good God, I’m rambling.

I took a deep breath to get myself under control. "Okay, I'll get those, and then I'm going to do a workout on the treadmill." It was the only thing that would help me take the edge off. Being around Tory was going to test my resolve for sure.

After bringing her the towels and her bag, I headed straight to the workout room. I kept all of my gym clothes there and immediately changed into shorts, not bothering with a shirt. I rarely wore one when I worked out.

I loved my treadmill, as it was how I decompressed. I spent most days running around the city, sitting in meetings, or talking to clients. I was a very hands-on person, even though I didn't need to be, and still liked to find and scope out new properties.

I didn't show them to clients that often, as I had a sales team for that, but the process of finding the next big project excited me. Sometimes I even flipped houses, and I often did a lot of the work myself.

It dawned on me as I increased my pace that I’d never actually lived with a woman. In fact, my last experience living with anyone had been in college when I’d had two roommates. How hard could it be, though? The house was big, so I was sure that Tory and I could cohabitate without too many issues.

An image flashed in my mind of her preparing to go to bed.

What would she wear? A nightgown? Shorts? Nothing at all?

She was butt naked in my imagination. I’d seen Tory in bathing suits often enough that I could picture how she would look without one. I was already getting semihard at the thought.

Fucking hell.

I didn't like having to admit to my mistakes, but even I couldn't stop wondering if inviting her to live with me had been a smart thing to do.