Loving the CEO (Whitley Brothers #7)

Chapter Eleven

Tory

––––––––

The next morning, I woke up feeling jittery. I couldn't quite explain it. And then, while in the shower, I remembered that Leo and I had agreed to go on a date tonight.

Holy shit.

Remember, it's not a real date, Tory. It's just a practice one, okay? Get that into your thick skull.

I wondered if he was still home. When I opened the door to my bedroom, I cautiously listened, but the house was completely silent, which was a sure sign that I was alone. No matter how big the house was, I always knew when he was home.

I went straight to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. A yellow Post-it next to the coffee maker caught my attention.

Good morning, beautiful. I hope you slept well. I can't wait to see you tonight.

I smiled, putting a hand on my belly. Oh, the clever charmer.

I took the note with me, reading it a couple more times. I hadn’t seen Leo’s handwriting in years, but I instantly recognized it. I'd always teased him that he purposefully scribbled almost illegibly so I couldn't copy his homework, but in time, I'd learned to decipher it.

Grinning, I folded the note, shoving it into the pocket of my jeans. It was cute. Did he do this for all his dates ?

A bout of jealousy coursed through me, which was so unexpected that I was completely shocked.

I took out my phone to text him, then stopped midway through typing. What could I ask—if he was this charming with everyone? That was ridiculous and none of my business. He was just doing me a favor, nothing more.

But I kept thinking about the note the entire morning. I was extra productive at work, but I constantly looked at the clock in the right corner of my computer screen. I couldn't wait for the evening to come.

At lunchtime, I ate a quick salad. I'd gotten used to stocking up on prepackaged salads because I didn't like to interrupt my workday long enough to even consider what to make. And besides, if I didn't fall into a carbs coma, I was more productive in the afternoon and could finish my day much quicker.

While I was leaning against the kitchen counter, eating today's salad—Caesar this time—the doorbell rang.

I'd always relied on shopping online, but things had escalated completely since I moved here. I was missing far too many things, and I ordered a lot. It was a good thing I was going to NOLA because I could finally get all the stuff I needed.

I left the bowl on the kitchen counter and went to the front door. When I opened it, I was momentarily confused. A man was holding a huge bouquet of yellow roses.

"Wow. These are my favorite flowers. But I think you've got the wrong door. I didn't order flowers."

"Ms. Tory?"

"Yes."

He gave me a triumphant look. "I got the right address, then. They are for you from—" He checked his phone. ”—Leo Whitley.”

"Oh my goodness. Thank you."

"Please sign here."

He held a mini tablet for me, and I signed using the special pen attached to it. I took my flowers, carrying them inside with a huge grin. I put them on the counter next to my salad and looked at the bouquet, placing my hands on my hips.

Oh, this man.

I didn't text him after finding the Post-it this morning, but I couldn't help myself now.

I was still not completely sure what to write, though. What was the protocol when you’d agreed to let your sexy guy friend be your dating coach and he was more swoon-worthy than any guy you’d ever dated for real? Including your ex-fiancé?

Just follow your instinct, Tory .

I grabbed the phone and snapped a pic of the flowers, sending it to him.

Tory: These are gorgeous. Thank you.

There, that sounded neutral, and it was true. But then I couldn't help myself and teased him.

Tory: You really have this dating thing down to a T.

He replied right away.

Leo: I’m making an extra effort here.

Oh my God, for me? I was swooning for real now.

This isn't an actual date. You’re just role-playing.

Was I supposed to flirt with him now? I wasn't even sure how to do it.

Leo: I remembered they were your favorite flowers. I wanted to make your day better.

I sighed. Was he flirting? Because it sounded very much like that.

Tory: Thanks. Mission accomplished .

Then the dots appeared, indicating he was preparing to send another message. I waited with bated breath.

Leo: I can't wait to see you tonight, beautiful. It’s going to be great.

Tory: Is it okay if I wear a dress? Or should I pick up something super fancy?

Leo: Whatever you want. You’ve got great taste, and as we already established, you’re fucking beautiful no matter what you wear.

Yeah, he was definitely flirting, and I enjoyed it far too much.

***

As the afternoon rolled by, I got progressively more nervous. I could barely focus on my work, so at four o’clock, I closed my laptop. I’d planned to work until five, but I couldn't even complete the simplest tasks. Instead, I headed to my room to prepare for my date with Leo.

Your pretend date, Tory. Don't forget that.

It wouldn’t do well to accidentally swoon while he pretend-flirted with me. Although I was well on my way to swooning already, what with the note and the flowers.

He hadn't been exaggerating—he really was good at this.

I started by packing my bag for tomorrow morning. The flight was at the crack of dawn, and who knew how long dinner would take.

After I zipped up the bag, I started getting ready for my date. I took out a few outfits, laying them on the bed. I hadn't brought many fancy clothes with me, but I did have a few that could work. Option A was a short black dress. Option B was a jumpsuit .

Nah, I couldn’t wear a jumpsuit on a first date. It screamed trying too hard.

Putting the black dress on, I assessed myself in the mirror, just to check if it was a good idea. I loved it. This was definitely going to make Leo pay attention to my legs. But did I actually want that?

God, this was so confusing. I couldn't understand why I was so nervous. I should have asked for more details about this coaching thing.

I took off the dress and went to take a shower, making sure to apply lotion after so my skin would be smooth. I stopped before putting it on my legs. There was no way Leo was going to actually touch me, so it didn't matter, right? Then I decided to go ahead and lather it on anyway because I was doing it for myself—I liked to feel good in my own skin.

I dressed quickly so I could start styling my hair and put on makeup. It was a good thing that I’d started an hour earlier, because I put the finishing touches on just as Leo arrived. This was my superpower—making sure I was late no matter how much time I had to prepare.

"I'm coming!" I called, then put on my heels before throwing a small bag over my shoulder.

It was warmer outside, so I only took a very flimsy jacket with me that I carried on my arm as I descended the steps.

Leo was typing on his phone and didn't look up until I was at the foot of the stairs in front of him. He was wearing a suit, and I couldn’t stop staring.

"I'm ready!" I announced when I finally managed to rein myself in.

He looked up, and his Adam's apple bobbled up and down. "You look fucking sexy."

I gasped. "Leo! That’s a bit straightforward, don't you think?"

He tilted his head to the floor for a few seconds, and I thought I heard him take in a deep breath.

Is he bracing himself? Oh, he's good at playing this .

"You're right.” He cleared his throat. “Tory, you look amazing tonight. I look forward to our evening together."

I smiled. "You're so charming. So do I."

He gestured for me to walk in front of him and put a hand on my back. I had a V neckline both in the front and the back, so his hand was splayed wide on my bare skin. My skin instantly turned hot where he touched me.

We went out just a few weeks ago. Why did this feel so different, though?

He opened the car door for me, and as I got inside, I noticed him glancing down my cleavage.

Holy shit. The man truly is checking me out.

My skin turned to goose bumps, and Leo’s gaze skated up my arms as they appeared. I prayed for a gust of wind to explain the sudden ripple in my skin, but no such luck. He didn't say anything, though, just went around to the driver’s side, climbed in, and closed the door.

I suddenly got even more nervous. Pretend or not, Leo and I were going to dinner.

"So, I need some pointers here. How are we going to play this? Act as if we don't know each other, or...?"

I fiddled with my thumbs. Leo glanced down into my lap and then held his hand out, palm up. I gave him my left hand, and he interlaced our fingers, rubbing his thumb on my palm.

"Let’s keep it as real as possible. Why don't we pretend that you and I are going for a real date."

I laughed nervously.

He frowned. "That makes you uncomfortable?"

"No, but it's bizarre," I confessed. "And you know me anyway. Not sure how it’s going to help me... you know. "

"If we pretend we don't know each other, everything is going to be completely fake. I don't think it would help you at all. Tell me why you're nervous." He let go of my hand.

I licked my lips, trying to think about where to start.

"First, I don't know if I dressed appropriately. I mean, this is a little black dress, but—"

"I told you before, you look fucking sexy. I meant it." He looked straight at me. "That was my honest reaction."

I sucked in a breath. Holy shit.

I decided to be completely honest with him. "I was overthinking everything today. If this dress was appropriate, if it made sense to apply lotion to my thighs. For a real date, I would apply it everywhere. But it's not like you're going to touch me on my inner thighs, so..."

"Fuck." He froze, gripping the wheel tight.

"What?"

"Fucking hell, Tory. I'm a red-blooded man!"

I put a hand over my mouth, realizing what I’d just said. "Sorry. That was too much information."

I looked out the window as my cheeks went up in flames.

A few seconds later, the sexual tension was unbearable. I needed to break it somehow, so I turned to him.

"At least we have the awkward part of the first date down already."

He began to laugh, but his voice was throatier than usual.

Desperate for a neutral topic, I said, "Tell me about your day."

He spoke about a new residential area that he'd discovered uptown and how several houses were gold mines that he couldn't wait to flip. I listened to him with rapt attention.

"I love that you're so passionate about your work," I said.

Leo glanced at me. "Aren't you?"

"I like my job, but you sort of transform when you talk about it. You know, when you first told me that you went to work in Whitley Industries, I almost felt like you did it out of some sort of obligation."

He gripped the wheel even tighter. "It’s true in a sense. Maddox and Nick were already thinking about going into the family business. Our grandparents were adamant that there was a place for us there, and that it would bring us closer as a family. Mom was very happy that our grandparents were embracing us. I felt like I would be letting everyone down if I turned my back on the family business. But I was also excited about getting into real estate. I’m so damn proud to be part of the Whitley legacy."

"I'm glad. And by the way, you should wear suits more often. It was such a shock to see you in one."

He wiggled his eyebrows. "I put it on for your benefit. You know, to be more irresistible."

Ha! He’d dressed up for me. That made me feel so much better about agonizing for half an hour deciding what to wear.

“Oh yeah, like you need help in that department.” I covered my mouth again. “Sorry. Too much info again.”

Leo grinned. “Not at all. So, you think I’m sexy?”

Hmm... the man was openly flirting, so why shouldn’t I do the same?

“Hell yes. You always were, but you’ve aged like fine wine. And the suit is fantastic. I definitely appreciate it."

Leo’s nostrils flared, but he didn’t reply. He hadn’t expected me to flirt back, huh? I wanted to tease him about it, just to loosen things up, but we arrived at the restaurant a few moments later. The building was on one floor only, with huge windows on all sides.

He stopped the car in front of the restaurant.

"So odd that we found a parking space right here," I said as he opened my door .

"It's just a drop-off zone. The valet will take the car somewhere."

"Oh, right!"

He put an arm around my back and led me inside. The decor was minimalistic and mostly black. What I liked the most was that there were partitions between the tables, so everything looked very intimate. Ours was at the back of the room in a corner.

"I specifically asked for this spot because it has a cushioned bench. I know you don’t like wooden benches."

His thoughtfulness caught me off guard. I’d told Leo that about a million years ago, and he still remembered it. Yet Walter never did.

I opened my mouth but wasn't sure what to say.

"I know you, Tory. I know what you like." His smile turned seductive as he leaned in slightly. "And tonight I'm all about pleasing you."

Oh yeah, the innuendo wasn’t lost on me. It went right to my head... and between my thighs.

Leo sat on the adjacent side of the table from mine. The atmosphere here was dark and somehow alluring and oh so inviting.

"What do you want to order?" Leo asked as we opened the menus. "Let me guess, tuna and salmon sushi?"

I smiled sheepishly. "You know me. They’re my favorites."

"You’ll love them here. I called to make sure they have it."

"Leo?" I whispered, then stopped myself.

Maybe he didn't hear me, but of course he did. When I didn't say anything else, he cocked a brow. "Yes?"

"Are you actually like this when you take someone on a date? Always thoughtful, always..."

He frowned. "If it's okay with you, I'd rather not talk about what I do when I take out women. Let's just enjoy each other."

"Okay. ”

The service was impeccable. Leo ordered an assortment of sushi, but I stuck with my mix of salmon and tuna. We even got our drinks almost the second the waiter left.

"Oh, he sent the order directly to the kitchen and the bar. That's so smart," I said as they put down the sake glasses in front of us.

I held mine up and clinked it to his. "To excellent friends who like to put themselves on the line for a friend in need."

He wiggled his eyebrows. "To a date to remember."

Leo looked straight at me as I sipped from my drink. I might have been confused about many things tonight, but one thing I knew for sure: I wouldn't forget this date anytime soon.

I moved my legs under the table, uncrossing them, and accidentally brushed Leo's. I immediately felt hot and subtly brushed my face.

Holy shit, my cheeks are on fire!

I moved my legs off to one side, then reached down to make sure my dress hadn't completely slipped upward, but I somehow managed to touch Leo's thigh. Instead of taking my hand away, I found myself squeezing it. Those muscles were hard. He groaned, and I moved my wandering hand back onto the table.

"Sorry," I mumbled, looking straight at my glass, hoping my reaction had gone unnoticed. My voice didn't sound right.

"No problem," Leo replied. His voice was just a bit off as well.

Every cell in my body was on edge. I craved to touch more of him.

Goodness, this is feeling too much like a real date already.