Loving the CEO (Whitley Brothers #7)

Chapter Eight

Leo

On Sunday morning, the house was completely quiet. I wasn't used to tiptoeing around so I wouldn't wake someone else up. I’d slept like shit, tossing and turning the whole night, which was unlike me. But last night at the bar, I'd been dangerously close to crossing the line. Dancing with her—and simply having her so close to me—was torture. Once we came back home, I jumped in the shower and turned the water as cold as I could. But it hadn't helped—not one bit.

Running would be very effective in relieving some of the tension, but if I hopped on the treadmill now, I'd wake her up for sure. I went down to the kitchen and made myself a coffee. After a few sips, I noticed a message from Nick.

Nick: Hey! What time are you back? When will you be at the hotel?

Fuck, I’d almost forgotten with everything that happened. Gabe and Maddox were having a brunch of sorts with the family to celebrate the opening of the hotel. I was originally planning on flying back this morning.

Leo: I came back yesterday.

Nick: You missed the wedding?

Leo: Long story .

Of course he called me, and I answered because it was much easier to explain on a call than via text.

"Tell me you didn't stop the wedding."

I blinked. "What the fuck?”

“What happened?"

“Wedding just didn't take place."

"Oh my God, bro. What did you do?"

Now he was pissing me off. "Why would you assume I did something?"

"Because you... I don't know. Never mind. So, what happened?"

"Tory found out that jackass was cheating."

He gasped. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Not at all."

"That's fucked-up."

"I know."

“Fucking hell. Why do people do that? If you can't commit, just don't commit. But don't dip your wick on the side.”

My brothers and I all had strong views about this.

"I agree.”

“So, when did you come back?"

"Yesterday."

"Why didn't you say so? We missed you at the tennis match."

"I was busy. I forgot about the match. And... Tory came with me.”

"Where?"

"Here, to Boston."

After a pause, he asked, "Why?"

"She needed to get away from New Orleans and the whole shit show happening there. I asked her to come with me.”

“That's considerate." He paused again, and neither of us said anything for several moments. Then Nick asked, "So, she's living with you? "

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"What's with the interrogation?"

"You just dropped a bombshell on me. Why am I not allowed to ask details? Besides, look at this as a trial run."

"For what?" I asked, confused. I really needed another coffee.

"The family."

I groaned. "Right." Now it all made sense. There was no way I’d be able to keep this a secret from the family. We were too close.

"You’re slowly starting to realize where I'm going with this, right?"

"I do. Gran is going to have a field day.”

“But look at the bright side.”

I couldn't really see one. Gran had been adamant for a few years now about matchmaking all of her grandsons. Since six of us were now off the market, she was strongly focusing her efforts on Nick and me.

"Gran will figure out that you’re all set,” he continued, “and she doesn't even need to introduce you to friends or find you someone."

I frowned. "I don't want her to get the wrong idea."

"Just so you know, I’m getting the wrong idea already."

"Come on, man!"

"Look, you've never been serious about anyone—no judgment, I'm the same. But Tory is the only woman over the years who seems to have made an impact on you. What do you want me to say?”

“Nothing,” I told him.

“So, are you coming to the hotel today?"

"Yeah. I completely forgot. I'll wait for Tory to wake up, and then we'll be on our way."

"You're bringing her?"

"It'll be a good distraction for her. I can't believe that moron. I never liked the asshat. ”

Nick snorted. “ I want to punch him, and I don't even know him.”

“Trust me, it took all my self-control not to give him the beating of his life. You should have seen how he treated her. Jesus, I wanted to punch him even before I knew he was a cheating bastard."

"Sure that's not just jealousy talking?"

I groaned. "Why are you giving me such a hard time today?"

"My bad, sorry. This is just surprising."

“Right. I need to get going. See you later.”

I hung up and drank another coffee while pacing around the living room, stopping when I heard sounds upstairs. Tory was awake.

I debated if going alone was a better idea, but Tory would catch up with my family at some point. Why not today? Granted, there was always a possibility that she wouldn’t want to come, but I’d extend the invitation anyway.

After finishing my coffee, I headed upstairs, straight to her room. I knocked twice. She opened it a few seconds later, and I nearly swallowed my tongue.

Is that a nightgown?

It covered absolutely nothing—it was molded to her body, and her nipples were pushing through the fabric. I focused on her face. Her eyes were hazy with sleep.

"Morning," I said.

"Hey!" She looked down and instantly crossed her arms over her chest, gasping. "I'll be downstairs right away."

"No need to hurry. I just wanted to tell you that I’m attending an event with my family today. Maddox and Gabe are opening a hotel together."

Her eyes widened. "Wait, I need coffee. You guys have gone into business with your half brothers? That's amazing. "

"Just Maddox for now," I explained, but it was definitely an option for me in the future. "Everyone would be happy to see you."

"I'd love to catch up with your brothers, and Jeannie and Abe too. When is it starting?"

"Two hours, give or take. But it’s a forty-minute drive."

Her eyes widened. "That's not such a long time. Right." She dropped her arms to her sides, frowning. “I can get ready fast.”

With her arms out of the way, I was no longer paying attention to what she was saying. Her nipples were still pushing through the fabric. I took in a deep breath, looking at the wall behind her, swallowing hard.

Why was this so difficult, damn it? It was my own damn fault for knocking on her door the second she woke up.

"I'll be downstairs," I said.

She looked down at herself and gasped before glancing up. "I'm sorry for being indecent. I forgot—"

"It's fine. It's your room.”

“I actually usually sleep wearing nothing, but I figured I should put something on, just in case I wanted a drink from the kitchen."

The image she’d just painted in my mind was surprisingly clear and full of detail. I could almost see her naked body walking through the house, descending those steps and going to the kitchen to fill a glass with water.

I had to get a grip on myself. I would manage it eventually. This was just far too new for me, that was all.

"I'll be with you as quickly as possible," she said.

"Sure."

After she closed the door, I went back downstairs and drank a glass of ice-cold water. If I ever ran into her naked here, I would put her right on this counter and fuck her senseless .

I drank another glass of water. This one was even colder, but my body was still a live wire. But now that Tory was awake, I could hop on the treadmill.

Yeah, I was going to do just that. I was certain that once I'd burned off some of the adrenaline in my body, I'd think with my brain and not my dick.