Loving the CEO (Whitley Brothers #7)

Chapter Ten

Tory

Over the next two weeks, I tried to bring some sort of routine to my life. Leo told me that I was more than welcome to use his home office; he had a room set up downstairs with a desk and everything but never worked from home. I took him up on his offer because, despite having a huge bedroom to myself, I was getting a bit of cabin fever by staying in one place.

But as time passed, I got cabin fever anyway. I was spending far too much time indoors. I was tempted to take Natalie, Meredith, and the other girls up on their offer and go out with them, but... well, I wasn't sure they really meant it. Maybe they’d just offered to be polite. I felt like I was intruding in Leo's life as it was. I was also wondering, slowly, if I should take a look at apartments. He could probably help me find something.

But the truth was, I wasn't convinced that I wanted to stay in Boston. Then again, what was there waiting for me in New Orleans? Nothing. I’d have to start over back there as well. Somehow it felt easier to do that in Boston.

On my second week in Boston, I got a package from New Orleans. Mom sent me some candles from my favorite store. I knew it was her way of telling me she loved me—she’d never been good with words. I texted, thanking her, but never heard back from her .

At five o'clock in the afternoon, I closed my laptop. I didn't have specific working hours, but as it happened today, I'd finished earlier than I thought I would. I rose from the desk, shaking my hips a bit to wake them up, having been sitting for far too long.

Now, what to do, what to do?

I cooked dinner from time to time, but there were still leftovers for this evening’s meal, so there was no need for that. But the kitchen could use a bit of polishing. A cleaning company came regularly and had already been here last week, but I needed to feel useful.

Having made up my mind, I hurried to my room, changing into something more comfortable, choosing a summery short dress so I could move about easily. I didn’t have too much choice, to be honest—I didn’t bring enough clothes from New Orleans. Then I pulled my hair up in a ponytail.

I always wore skimpy clothes when I was cleaning, but I wasn't too worried that I’d run into anyone. Earlier today, Leo texted me that he would be home very late because he had a meeting, so I’d have plenty of time to change before he arrived.

Grabbing the cleaning supplies, I went to the kitchen. I usually put music on while I cleaned, but now I wanted to catch up with Debbie, so I called and put her on loudspeaker.

"Hello, stranger. Turn on the camera so I can see what you look like."

“No can do. I’m deep cleaning, so I’ll be moving around."

"That's code for ‘I'm not in a good place.’"

I bit my lower lip. Well, I couldn't deny that. Debbie really knew me. I only did deep cleans when my life was a dumpster fire.

So I should be deep cleaning from dusk to dawn every day.

"Talk to me. You’re not enjoying your life in Boston?"

I sighed. "I am. I just feel a bit caught in limbo. I don't actually have a life here. "

"It's been two weeks. It'll take you a while to get the groove of this new phase."

"I like how you phrase it."

It was true, though. I was on another path of my life’s journey, and I should embrace it. I wasn’t mourning over Walter—no, not marrying him was honestly a relief. I just felt... unsettled, like my life had no future.

“Listen... I have some news for you.”

My stomach constricted. “What is it?”

“Walter wants to move out of the house. He’s got a new place.”

I swallowed hard. “With her?”

“You really want to know?”

“Yes.”

“He’s moving into her house.”

I drew in a deep breath, but my heart didn’t shatter the way I’d expected to. Actually, I was angrier that Walter didn’t have enough respect for me to tell me he loved someone else. Why couldn’t he have been man enough to do that? Why did I even care now? I should just chalk it up to one of life’s lessons.

I smiled, looking around. Being here, in this house, was good for me. Leo was good for me. Always had been.

“I need to come get my stuff,” I said.

“Yes. And sign the papers to get out of the rent contract. But maybe that can be arranged over email. And I could pack your stuff.”

“No, it’s fine. I... I should do it. Um... when is he moving?”

“Tomorrow, but you have until the end of the month.”

“Wow, that’s really soon. Right, I’ll book tickets.” I paused a moment. “Actually, let me check the prices. ”

I took off the gloves and grabbed my phone, bringing up my favorite flight page. I put in flexible dates for the next two weeks so it would show me the cheapest version.

“Hey, look, if I come Saturday—”

“This Saturday?”

“Yeah. In the morning. It’s a great price.” Since today was Thursday, it was a miracle that the cheapest one was two days away.

“Then book it, girl.”

I hesitated, wondering if I was truly ready. But would I ever be? It was best to just get it over with.

“All right, it’s booked.”

“I can’t wait to see you. Now, on another topic, how open are you to dating?"

"Zero minus infinity," I replied.

"Not even to cut your teeth? You’ll have to get out on the dating market eventually."

"As you pointed out, it's been two weeks."

"But you haven't gotten laid in months."

I bit the inside of my cheek, considering this. I couldn't imagine going out on a date, but I had to push myself out of my comfort zone. "What do you have in mind?" I asked.

"Ha! That's all I needed. I know a really cute, decent guy. I’ll set something up for Saturday night. Listen, I can't talk a lot right now because my stupid boss still needs me to do my stupid work."

I laughed. "Sure. Call me whenever you've got some free time."

"Will do. Don't break your back cleaning, okay? Or if you do, ask that hunk of man to give you a massage. Then I won't have to bother with setting you up at all."

"Debbie!" I chastised. Why did she have to keep putting ideas in my head ?

"I'm gone. Bye!"

After she hung up, I put on some loud music. I had a system for deep cleaning, and it would help clear my mind of our phone conversation as well. I didn't have all the supplies I needed, though, which meant I had to jump over a few of my usual steps. That was quite okay, considering the place wasn't in need of it anyway.

There was something very soothing about the repetitive work of scrubbing. I even liked the smell of the supplies. It was like they took away the bad energy or something.

I was so far into my cleaning mood that I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings until I heard the front door close. I froze, immediately taking off one glove to pause the music app on my phone.

"Leo?" I asked.

"I'm home early. Didn't you get my message?"

I laughed nervously, looking down at myself. I looked like something out of a bad porn movie, with my short summery dress, one rubber glove on, and holding a dusting pan.

Can I make a run for it to my room?

No. There was no way. Leo would see me.

I took in a deep breath. Maybe I was overthinking it, and this outfit wasn't even that bad. It could pass as some sort of comfy muumuu to wear around the house, right?

Leo stepped into the kitchen, and his eyes widened. He looked me up and down, slowly.

Oh shit, shit, shit.

His look of surprise told me that this was exactly as bad as I’d imagined.

"I can explain," I said as he glanced at the cleaning supplies I'd put in the corner, then the rubber glove on my left hand. "I thought this place needed a bit of cleaning. "

"But we have a cleaning company once a week."

"I wanted to make myself useful." I moved my arms, gesticulating around like that would explain anything.

"For God's sake. You’re my friend."

"I know. I can't exactly explain it. But I'm done, so I'll just put all of these things away."

I hurried to the bucket where I'd put all the chemicals and dropped both gloves into it. Then I bent to grab the bucket when I felt Leo come up behind.

"I'll do that, Tory."

"No, it's fine."

He put a hand on my waist. A bolt of heat took over my entire body. I straightened up instantly.

"You’re nervous," he said.

"What gave me away?"

"The way you move. Is that why you’re cleaning?"

"No, I actually did really start cleaning because I wanted to feel useful."

I turned around and realized it was a big mistake. Leo was even closer than I’d thought. His hair had a disheveled look, like he’d been on a motorcycle.

"I spoke to Debbie. I need to go to NOLA to sort out some stuff. I’ve purchased a ticket for Saturday morning."

"What stuff?" he asked.

It was so hard to think straight when he was this close. His mere presence was all-consuming.

"Walter wants to move out of the house, so I have to sign the papers."

"You don't have to do that in person.”

"I also have to get the rest of my things. "

"Tory, I can coordinate all that. You don't have to face that guy again."

"I don't think I will."

"Let me take that load off you. I've got a huge-ass real estate company, in case you didn't know." He flashed me a cheeky smile.

"I think you might have mentioned it a few times."

He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin turned warm everywhere he touched me.

"Can Debbie pack up all your stuff?"

"She offered, but she's already done so much, and it feels... I think it's the right thing to do, to go and do it myself. I don't want to hide away and pretend everything didn't happen."

"Why not? It sounds like an excellent strategy to me."

"I need a bit of closure."

His eyes instantly changed, and he nodded. "All right. Got it."

"Debbie even hinted that she could set me up with someone to go on a date with while I'm in NOLA."

Leo had been about to take a step back, but he froze in the act of turning around. He zeroed in on me.

"Really?"

"She says I should get back in the dating world. You know... cut my teeth a bit.”

His chest was rising and falling quickly. Was he having trouble breathing?

Then he walked closer again. Why did his proximity wipe away every thought? I couldn't explain it.

"I can help with that."

"What?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"I don't think you should cut your teeth on a stranger. ”

I blinked several times. "What do you mean? Do you want to set me up with a friend of yours? Or one of your brothers? Wait, no. It’s only Nick who’s available, right?"

"Fuck no," he said. Then, after a beat, he added, "You want to go out with Nick?"

"No, no. I was just... Never mind. I don't get it. What do you mean?"

The cheeky smile was back. It looked downright seductive now.

"I can be your dating coach."

It took me a few seconds to process his words, but then I started to laugh and took a few steps back, putting some distance between us.

"That's hilarious. I needed a good laugh. Thank you. I can feel the tension leaving my body."

He was still smiling. "I'm not joking. What better person than me?"

"I see. Singing your own praises. That was always one of your favorite activities."

"Only when I deserve it."

"And you're so great at dating?"

He tilted his head. "Relationships are not my forte. But I’m excellent at dating."

I rolled my shoulders, and a cracking sound filled the air. “Nope, joking. Tension still here.”

Leo walked up to me, and I figured that he wanted to grab something from the counter, but he simply put his hands on my shoulders and started pressing several of my knotted muscles with his thumbs.

"Ouch," I said, then, "Oh, wait. Oh, that's actually so good."

"I learned the technique from a masseuse at Nick's gym."

I softened my shoulders, enjoying the way his hands felt on me.

"So, what do you say?" he pressed.

My God, he’s serious?

"I don't even understand how that'll go. "

"We could go out one evening and pretend it's a date."

"Okay, that sounds easy enough."

In fact, the more I thought about it, the more the idea appealed to me. I trusted Leo. I knew him, obviously. That was a bit of a detriment because it wouldn’t mirror a real date, but I so wasn't ready for that. This was just dinner between two friends, right? What could go wrong?

"You’ll try your flirting game on me, and I’ll give you pointers."

"That sounds like a recipe for disaster."

"It won't be," he said confidently.

He glanced at my lips for a split second before focusing on my eyes.

I hesitated, then figured, Oh, why the hell not?

"Let's do this."

He nodded. "All right."

"So, how exactly is this going to go? I need to know the when, the how, and the where."

He laughed softly but didn't answer right away. Then he brushed his fingers across my skin instead of pressing, moving one up the back of my neck. "Are you free tomorrow evening?"

A shiver went down my spine. I hoped he didn't notice. "I'm free every evening."

"Then it's going to happen tomorrow, and that's all you need to know."

"I'd love some more details.”

He brought his mouth to my ear. “Tory, I'm going to take you out on a date, and I intend to do it properly. I promise you’ll fucking enjoy it.”

He straightened up, and I immediately looked over his shoulder. Apparently, I couldn't look this man in the eye while his hands were on me. It was just too much, and I felt like I might combust any second now. How on earth would I go through with him being my dating coach or whatever we’d just agreed to?

** *

The rest of the evening passed by quickly. Leo got on the treadmill, then closed himself off in his bedroom for a business call. I went straight to my room. He was bound to finish his call at some point, and maybe he wanted the house to himself. I didn't want to be in his way.

And... I wasn't exactly sure how to be around him tonight. Something had shifted between us for sure.

I took a long-ass time with my nightly routine. To give myself something to do, I applied two types of masks on my hair. I loved the aftereffects, as it shone and seemed extra full and wavy. The blonde color popped. Perfect!

After drying it, I went back to my bedroom and checked my phone. To my surprise, Leo had texted me. Then again, it was only ten thirty. He usually went to bed later.

Leo: Want to come down for a drink? We can discuss some more details about our date.

Hmmm... I didn’t want to go to sleep yet, but I didn't want to go downstairs either. I truly didn't know why, but I didn't trust myself to be around Leo tonight. Over these past few weeks, there had been moments when I'd been certain that he was flirting, but truth be told, he was always flirting with everyone. Why should he be different with me?

The real question was why it affected me now when it never had in the past.

I looked out the window, sighing. Then I grinned. There was a new moon tonight. How did I miss it ?

Tory: No, I've got something else to do right now. I’m going to be doing a new moon ritual.

Leo: You're still into the whole astrology thing?

I'd always been a bit quirky like that. I liked to make wishes on new moons and full moons.

On new moons, for example, I made affirmations. On full moons, I released what I no longer needed. I wrote on small pieces of paper what I wanted to let go of, then burned them.

Tory: Yes, of course. I seriously doubt one can be born and raised in New Orleans and not have at least some quirks.

Leo: Enjoy the evening. Tomorrow night, you're all mine.

A shiver ran down my spine. Then heat coiled through me. Seconds later, my throat went dry, as did my mouth.

Tomorrow is going to be interesting for sure.

I sat down at the small desk in front of the window and took a sheet of paper from the drawer underneath it, which I’d stocked with stationery last week.

What should I write as affirmations? Oooh, I have some ideas.

1. Enjoy your date with Leo tomorrow.

2. Don't forget that it’s not a real date.

3. Do not think about Walter. You wasted enough time on that moron.

I smiled, realizing I hadn’t thought about Walter in a while. But it still felt good to write it down.

I looked at my list, feeling very proud of myself. I was going to ace every single one.

Well, except maybe perhaps the second one because Leo was a bit too good at playing his part.