Loving the CEO (Whitley Brothers #7)

Chapter Twelve

Leo

Tory was nervous even though I was doing all I could to put her at ease. I wondered if this had been a good idea in the first place. Frankly, I started to wonder the second I saw her in that black dress. My first instinct had been to pin her right there against the staircase and kiss her senseless instead of going out. She looked fucking amazing. Those blue eyes stood out even more than usual tonight. I was fighting my instincts with all that I had to not to put my hands on her.

When the waiter came with the food, her entire face lit up. I’d done the right thing bringing her here. I just had to control myself and not screw this up. I was trying to help her get her confidence back—or at least that had been my intention. Now I wasn’t so sure. The longer we sat here, the more real it became.

"So, Tory, if this were a real date," I said, keeping my tone playful because that seemed to relax her more, "I'd ask you how long you planned to stay in Boston." This was a real question. I wanted to know.

"I know it’s wishy-washy, but I don’t know.”

Well, fuck. I’d hoped that after a few weeks here, she’d have a clearer picture in her mind.

"You think going to NOLA will clear up a few things for you? Where are you even staying? With your mom?" My voice was harsher than intended .

"Oh God, no. She’d drive me crazy. I'm staying with Debbie."

"Good!"

"And I do think it’ll help. And I do need my things. I keep realizing every day that there's stuff I don’t have. I can’t just keep buying stuff."

"You can order whatever you want and put it on my credit card."

She frowned. "Why would I do that?"

"Because you're my guest."

"Leo, that doesn't mean I get to take advantage of you."

"That's not how I see it. I want to take care of you."

Out of instinct, I tilted toward her, putting a hand on her thigh. Fuck, I’d completely forgotten that she wasn't wearing jeans. Her skin was so damn smooth. I took my hand away casually, grabbing my glass of sake and taking a sip.

"Thanks, but it’s not necessary. Besides, I'm getting all my stuff back soon anyway."

I put my glass down, contemplating my next question.

She pointed at me. "You look like you’re trying to trip me up with a question.”

“Not exactly. Here it is. What are you looking for in a guy?”

She laughed. “Would you ask that on a real date?”

“No,” I admitted. “But I’m allowed to ask you, am I not?"

"Oh, you can get away with anything, really. Especially tonight."

If only she knew exactly what I wanted...

She tapped her chin a couple times. "Let's see. Someone who doesn't really care about appearances and wants me for myself, not because his family expects him to settle down or something. Someone who wants to have two or three kids and likes the idea of raising a family."

Well, I was definitely on board with the first two things. I didn't give a shit what others thought about me, and I sure as hell didn't do stuff just to please others. But the last two could never apply to me. Settling down was not my thing. I couldn't imagine myself doing it—not in a hundred years.

"So, you already feel ready for a relationship?" I asked before biting into my sushi.

She put down the salmon sushi she’d just picked up. "Not really. I guess that's what the healed version of me would want."

"Tory," I said, straightening up, "what do you need right now?"

She laughed. "To get laid, probably. I mean, I haven't had sex in months. I feel like I might combust soon."

Fucking hell. Fucking hell. No way.

She was laughing even harder.

"Oh my God. I can't believe I told you that." She dropped her head in her hands. "I would never share that with anyone. I'm not sure what's gotten into me tonight."

Come on, Leo. Market crashes, inflation, high interest rates. Think about anything that will take your mind out of the gutter.

But it was useless. I could vividly imagine pulling her onto my lap right here, right now and making her come so hard that she’d be completely breathless. I could definitely help out with that.

"Leo?" she asked tentatively.

I realized I'd been completely silent since she dropped that bombshell on me.

"I'm really sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to be so crass."

I looked her straight in the eyes. She couldn't tell where my mind went? "I asked and you were honest, and that's what tonight is all about."

I was such a fucking liar. If I were honest, I'd tell her exactly what I wanted to do to her in detail. That tonight was a complete charade. I didn't fucking want to coach her to go on a date with anyone else.

I wanted her .

But she’d just described someone I could never be, so that train of thought was completely pointless.

"Tell me about this guy Debbie set you up with," I said through gritted teeth. I took a deep breath, unclenching my jaw. "Think it’ll go far?"

"I don't know anything about him. But I've never slept with someone on a first date," she said. "I don't think I've even kissed anyone on the first date, so I don’t see things getting hot. Unless he’s just that awesome, I guess."

I saw red. I already hated that bastard.

Fuck no. He couldn't put his hands on her. He just couldn't. I wouldn't allow it.

"Leo, are you okay? You look a bit on edge."

I was close to losing my mind with jealousy.

"All good," I said.

"Okay, then it's my turn to ask questions. Where do you see yourself in five years? And I'm not talking about your company but your personal life."

"Easy," I said without hesitation. "Right where I am right now. I love my life the way it is. I'm free. Nothing is tying me down. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want."

She rested her chin in her palm, looking at me with interest. "Hmm. So, you’re going to break hearts well into old age, huh?"

"I don't break hearts. I just don't do commitment. And I'm always very clear about that."

"Interesting," she murmured, then went back to her sushi. After eating another piece, she asked, "So, as my dating coach, what’s your advice for my first date?"

"Be yourself. ”

She rolled her eyes. "Leo, come on. Being myself got me into a relationship with a jackass."

"No, that's on him. You thought he was a decent guy."

"Yeah, but still."

"Tory, I can't imagine anyone knowing you and not worshipping you every single day."

She giggled. "Oh, Leo, the things you say. That has never happened one day of my life."

How the fuck? That was impossible.

"Look for someone who’d do that."

"Okay, so what are the signs? What should I be looking for?"

I rubbed my hand on the back of my neck.

"That’s stumped me," I admitted.

"See?"

"Just someone who treats you right."

"You mean someone who calls to make sure they have my favorite food and chooses a seating arrangement I’d be comfortable with? How about I just date you instead?"

"Yes. Fuck yes." I looked straight at her, and she giggled again.

"See? If I'm being myself, I'm just awkward."

Did she mean it?

"No, you are fucking amazing, okay? If you don’t have a good feeling about that guy, just ditch him. Don't even bother scheduling another date. Tell him what you like, what you don't like, your dreams and expectations."

She frowned. "Hmm, won't that scare him away?"

"Not if he’s man enough. And if he gets scared away, at least you won't waste your time. "

"You know what? You’re totally right. I'm going to do that. And if he turns out to be a good guy, maybe he'll even earn a good night kiss." She looked at me. "What's the etiquette on that?"

I gritted my teeth again. At this rate, my jaw was going to be permanently locked.

"Whatever you feel comfortable with.” If I said anything else, I'd be a complete hypocrite given my track record with first dates and one-night stands.

She threw question after question at me, but my mind was only half on our conversation. The other half was on her date in New Orleans.

I needed to find a way to stop her from going.

***

The evening passed far quicker than I wanted it to. I could stay out with Tory for hours, and I was glad that she'd finally relaxed.

As we left the restaurant, she got a message from Debbie.

"Oh, here’s a picture of the guy. He’s cute."

She showed me the photo. That urge to punch him just became stronger. How the fuck was I going to let this woman fly to New Orleans and go out with another guy?

I needed to clear my mind. I’d go for a run once I got home. That would help me get rid of the adrenaline, and I wouldn’t do anything stupid.

On the drive home, we spoke about her job a bit. Once we got inside the house, we both headed upstairs. I’d decided to forgo the treadmill; I’d run around the neighborhood three times, four times, five times—however long it took until I calmed down—and only then would I come home. Otherwise, I was liable to bang down her door and cross a line.

When I reached the top of the staircase, I nearly collided with a suitcase. It was somewhat dark up here because we’d both forgotten to turn on the light.

"Oh, sorry. I put this here after I packed it," she said. "Hmm... I just realized I didn’t include an outfit for a date. I’ll take this dress.”

"Fuck no," I said. "Do you know how sexy you are?"

I was so dangerously close to losing it.

She looked at me, an eyebrow raised. "That's the point. I want to look good."

I opened my mouth but didn't say anything. Fuck, I needed to calm down.

"I'm going for a run" was all I managed.

"Leo," Tory said. She stepped right in front of me, putting a hand on my chest and then lowering it straight over my navel.

I needed to get out of the house, or I was going to do something I couldn’t take back.

"Are you okay? What's wrong? Why do you need to go for a run? Did I do something to upset you?" she asked.

"No," I said as she lowered her hand a fraction of an inch until her small finger rested on my belt buckle.

Fuck, did she know what it did to me?

I grabbed her wrist, taking her hand off me. And then my resolve weakened.

"Don't go."

"To New Orleans?"

"On the date. Don't go on the date."

"Why? You said yourself that it's good for me to get back in the game. "

"I can't stand the idea of you with another man."

I looked her straight in the eyes. She parted her mouth in a perfect O .

"Leo," she whispered.

"Fuck!" I dropped my head back. "I need to go on this run and clear my hand or I’ll—”

"You’ll what?"

"Kiss you," I admitted.

I dropped her hand and half turned away, but once again, she stepped closer.

"Don't go," she said.

"Tory..."

"I understand what you said. I don't want you to go."