27. Chapter 26 #2
“Oh, thank God.” Leo comes into view, dabbing the napkin against his brow. “I thought I might have to bring out the big guns.” He perches on the edge of my desk, his signature lopsided smile plastered on his face.
“And what would they be?” I question, raising my eyebrow at him.
“Well, these, of course.” He proceeds to take off his suit jacket, roll up his sleeves, and flex, treating me to a show of his impressive forearms as I shamelessly track his movements.
Tampering down the inappropriate thoughts running through my head, I roll my eyes and throw the shoe-shaped stress ball Jade gave me as a stocking stuffer for Christmas at him. “Stop preening, pretty boy.”
“You think I’m pretty, Ri Ri?” He flutters his eyelashes at me, and I push my chair back to stand, picking up my water spray for my plants.
“No, you think you’re pretty.” I spritz the large yucca plant I keep next to my bookcase, trying to rid myself of the thoughts of what Leo could do with those arms. Clearing my throat as I pluck a stray browning leaf, I ask, “What can I do for you?”
“Just wanted to check in to make sure you’re okay after this morning.”
“I’m okay. Don’t worry about me.” Placing my spray back on my desk, I turn to face him, a fake smile plastered on my face. “I always bounce back.”
“You do. But Ria, don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not lying.”
“You are.” Stalking toward me, his eyes are locked on mine, and my skin prickles as he breaches my space.
“You get this.” Gently he strokes the pad of his thumb between my eyes, smoothing out the skin.
“This cute little line. Your face tells a different story, Ri Ri.” My breath hitches at his proximity and his featherlight touch. “Don’t lie to me.”
“I…” Stuttering, I drop my head, but he trails his fingers down my cheek, leaving me completely breathless as he tilts my face up to meet his.
“I feel like I’m losing control,” I say quietly.
“Losing control of what?” I’m mesmerized by his steel-gray eyes that are full of concern and the heat radiating from his touch, and I speak before my brain engages.
“Everything.”
“Let me help, Ri Ri.” Cupping the back of my neck, he brings his forehead to mine, and instinctively my eyes flutter closed as I fall into him.
“I had a plan for everything and it’s all slipping away.”
“Then you make a new plan.” His hand squeezes my neck as his breath fans across my face. “What do you need, Ri Ri?”
My hands roam, finding his hips, and I glide my fingers tentatively up his sides, making him shiver. His other hand curls around my waist, pulling my body flush with his, and I’m completely lost in his touch, tremors creeping up my spine at his proximity. “I think I need—”
“Ria, babe?” We break away, our eyes wide, and Leo swipes his hand through his hair as Grace storms into my office. “What’s going on here?” She motions between me and Leo, a playful smirk playing on her lips.
I’m asking myself the same question. And why did it feel right? My mind stopped running and it was calm and quiet.
“Nothing.” I wave her off, moving to sit behind my desk.
“Yeah, I was, um… just leaving.” Leo throws his thumb over his shoulder, walking backward out of my office. “I’ll see you both later.”
“What’s up?” I say when the door closes behind Leo.
“Okay, so we’re deflecting. I see you, Ria Stone, and I will not let this go.”
“Nothing was going on.”
“I am not the brightest, but I’m also not blind.
You both had your hands in not a friendly way, more of a newly married couple who can’t keep their hands off each other way.
Babe, what is going on?” Hopping onto my desk, she crosses her legs and beams down at me as my head hits the back of my chair.
“I have no idea, Grace.” Staring up at the ceiling, I keep going. “I’ve lost my mind.”
“I can see that,” she says smugly. “Are you fucking your husband?”
“No, I’m not.”
“But you want to?” She bounces eagerly from her perch on my desk.
“No?”
“Why did that sound like a question?”
“Because it is.”
“Oh. My. God. You do want to fuck your husband,” she shrieks, jumping off my desk.
“Quiet,” I grit out.
“Oh, shh, this is big. Ria Stone, do you fancy your fake husband?”
“I think I might.” Groaning, I drop my head in my hands.
“I approve.”
“I’m sorry?” Frowning at my best friend, I rest my chin on my palm.
“I approve. Chuckles is hot.” She shrugs.
“But he isn’t my type. He couldn’t handle me.
I need someone who can handle all of my personalities.
Even though I can imagine he can control everything in the bedroom, he couldn’t control me.
I’d eat that man alive. But I've seen how he commands a room full of men with big-dick energy to do what he wants. I bet he’d have fun controlling you though.
” She wiggles her eyebrows and I roll my eyes.
“Also, I may have heard a few stories from Deacon in Vegas when he was a few scotches deep, and they were colorful. The man apparently has a wicked tongue and women are always very satisfied.”
“Dear God, Grace.”
“Babe, you deserve a man who knows what he’s doing. You've been celibate for too long. Stop thinking and have your husband fuck you.”
“You really think I should?”
“Yes. Jesus, Ria. The man wants you; it’s fucking obvious.”
“But wouldn’t it be weird? You know I’ve known him forever.”
“Did it feel weird just now?”
“No.” Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I think about how right it felt to have his hands on me, how it lit something inside me that went out years ago. “But I don’t do casual sex.” I chew on my thumbnail, contemplating what she’s suggesting.
“Live a little.” She shrugs.
“And sleep with my fake husband?”
“What could go wrong?”
“I fall for him and he doesn’t feel the same.”
“If he doesn’t fall for you then he’s more of a fool than he plays.” She spins my chair to face her and leans down. “Have a little fun with this situation, and remember the unknown can be exciting.”