Chapter Ten
Sophia
The Cohen Club was small and dark in a way that instantly felt intimate, or maybe it seemed that way because of how Leo’s hand grazed my back as he urged me to sit.
The tables were all small and private, made of dark mahogany.
The lighting was as dim as possible while still being able to see your surroundings and came from industrial-style, open bulbs that hung above the tables and the dark wood bar on long, narrow, black pipes.
The entire wall behind the bar was filled with various bottles of liquor—some of them looked old and collectible—mixed with modern bottles and everything in between.
Leo’s parents certainly had a knack for designing their establishments to create unique vibes.
It made for an easy first topic of conversation while I looked at the drink options.
The small parchment menu featuring signature drinks and appetizers made it feel like we were really in an old speakeasy and all the options sounded so good it was impossible to choose.
After confirming that I’d eat his favorite apps, Leo ordered us roasted brussels sprouts and truffle fries to share while I tried to decide between a peach-flavored old fashioned called The Flapper Yapper and a passionfruit-pineapple drink with gin that reminded me of something I’d find back home called The Island Temptation.
Leo ordered his drink, and I felt his eyes on me.
I lifted my head to see him smirking next to me. “Can’t decide?”
“I’ve narrowed it down to two,” I said proudly.
“Get ‘em both.”
I cocked my head in indignation. “Trying to get me drunk?”
“Definitely not,” he said, sounding genuine. “If you want to try two, try them both and drink the one you want.”
“That’s a waste of money,” I said.
“Then it’s a good thing we’re not paying for this. On behalf of my mother, try both drinks. She worked very hard on their names.”
I snorted. “Fine. I’ll have The Flapper Yapper and The Island Temptation.”
“Excellent choices,” the bartender said with a smile. “I’ll be out with those momentarily.”
“Whiskey, Hawaii?” Leo said with a hint of amusement.
“My dad’s favorite. Stole a handle of sips over the years and developed a palate for it, I guess.”
He smirked. “You’re full of surprises.”
“Probably,” I said proudly, crossing my arms over my chest. “Do you always take your dates out to places where you don’t have to pay?”
Leo’s thigh brushed mine under the table as he leaned closer, and I startled at the tingling sensation I felt having him against me.
Smooth choice on the corner booth. We’re basically expected to sit this close to each other.
“I don’t have any experience taking women on dates, Sophia. If you want to call this a date, then I’d say thank you for being my first.”
My cheeks warmed. Of course he doesn’t think this is a date. Why did I say that?
“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I shouldn’t have used that word. I didn’t mean to make this awkward.”
He put his hand on my thigh under the table in a comforting gesture, and my thoughts started racing.
What’s happening? Is he into me? Is this a date? I thought we were just hooking up, but now this feels cozy and intimate and I’m not sure my body knows this isn’t a date because it’s reacting very much like I’m on a date. Is my heart fluttering?
“Do you always overthink everything you do?” he asked, gently.
I pressed my lips together. “Yes, pretty much.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why?” I asked as the bartender returned with our drinks. I grabbed the island one and took a quick sip.
Damn that’s good.
“I mean, I know we’ve only spent a little bit of time together, but I think you’re great. Yet you doubt yourself.” Leo took a sip of his beer and studied my face.
“Only in social situations,” I confessed, taking a sip of the second drink.
Wow, also delicious.
He looked at me curiously, so I continued.
“I don’t lack confidence in general, I just feel awkward in social, romantic, and sexual interactions. Hence why we’re here.” I gestured between us.
He shook his head and looked down at his drink. “No, that’s why you’re here.”
The bartender returned with our appetizers and Leo thanked him before turning back to me and changing the topic.
Two hours later, I’d finished both of my drinks, unable to decide which was better because they were both fantastic, Leo was taking the last sip of his second beer, and the food was gone.
We’d talked so easily that I’d slowly loosened up and forgotten to doubt myself.
Leo was easy to talk to and he’d asked questions about my life and my family like he was genuinely interested.
I wasn’t sure if this was the full Leo experience that every woman he slept with got or not, but it was certainly an effective way to distract me from what we were going to do next.
“Okay, Hawaii. Time to go.” Leo stood up and dropped a few twenties on the table, presumably leaving a very generous tip since he said we weren’t paying and the bartender never brought us a check.
“I can’t buy you another drink and sleep with you in good conscience.
And I think this might have turned into a date an hour ago, which is not what you asked me for. ”
He held his hand out for me and I took it, sliding out of the booth. His palm was warm and a little sweaty but I liked the feel of my hand in his, which I guessed was a good thing since his dick was about to be in my body. My cheeks warmed at the thought.
Thank God the lighting is low in here.
“I’m glad we did this. You were right about it being a good idea,” I said.
“Good night, Mark.” Leo waved to the bartender again as he held the door open for me.
Leo tossed an arm around my shoulders and pulled me to his side as we started walking back to campus, a gesture that immediately counteracted the chill in the air.
“To be clear, Sophia, I am very interested in having sex with you right now. But if you’ve changed your mind, no hard feelings.
I’ll walk you back to your dorm without so much as a kiss goodnight. ”
My chest tightened in panic at the thought that he might be looking for a way out, but the hooded look in his eyes gave me hope that he was just being an honorable guy.
“I want to go home with you, Leo, but you have to promise to give me feedback. Don’t be too nice just because I’ve turned out to be great company.”
He laughed and tugged me closer. “What is with you and feedback, Hawaii? You know this is supposed to be fun right?”
“Yeah, that seems to be everyone else’s experience,” I groaned. “I dreaded having sex with my ex.”
Leo stopped walking and looked at me earnestly. “Did he pressure you?”
“No, nothing like that,” I said. “It just wasn’t good. My vibrator is far better at providing orgasms than any man I’ve been with yet.”
Leo sighed in what seemed to be relief before immediately shifting back into his flirtatious demeanor that I was beginning to think was his norm. “Give me an hour and I’ll give your vibrator a run for its money.”
I laughed and let my head fall to his shoulder.
He stiffened.
I lifted it up quickly, realizing I’d probably gotten too comfortable with him given the limitations of our arrangement.
We walked quietly for several blocks until I saw the lights of campus in the distance. “Thank you for doing this,” I said.
“I really don’t think you need to thank me.
” Leo chuckled. “I know you’re going to think I’m just a fuckboy spouting lines to get you into bed, but I really do think it’s a shame that a woman as beautiful as you lacks confidence.
It took me less than ten minutes with you to figure out you’re smart, funny, beautiful, and kind.
I want you to leave my dorm tonight knowing you’re sexy and any man you choose to sleep with, including me, is the lucky one in the arrangement. ”
I looked up at him. He didn’t look like he was trying to be smooth at all. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye as if he was the one lacking confidence. “Thank you,” I said.
“Also,” he said quickly. “If you decide you want to stop at any time, I want you to know I’ll stop immediately. I will not make sad faces or try to make you feel guilty. You’re as in control as you want to be.”
We approached his dorm building and he swiped his ID before pulling the door open. With his arm off my shoulders, the cool night air slipped through the knit of my sweater. I smiled at him as I walked by. “I don’t think you’re just a fuckboy. I think you’re a respectable and funny guy, Leo.”
He smirked. “Oh, respectable. Damn, Hawaii, you really are hot for me.”
I laughed and followed him back to his suite. He unlocked the door and I stepped through and moved across his living room before stopping in the doorway to his bedroom, immediately feeling awkward.
Should I sit down? Stand? Lie down? Take off my own clothes? Take off his clothes?
Leo closed the door behind us and gently nudged me forward so he could step in front of me and shut the bedroom door. He searched my face as if he could tell my thoughts were spiraling.
Oh great, I probably have a tell. As if the spiraling brain isn’t bad enough, he can also see it on my face.
“I feel awkward,” I finally said.
He stepped closer to me, pressing my back against the bedroom door, his eyes on my lips as he grazed my neck and slid his hand up to cup my face.
“Alright, Hawaii,” he said, his voice low and smooth like honey.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to kiss you in a minute and when I do, you’re going to try to turn off that brilliant brain of yours.
Stop thinking for a few minutes and just focus on your body. Whatever you feel, give in to that.”
I nodded, still at a loss for words.
“I promise you, if you want to walk out that door at any point, I’m capable of stopping. I don’t care where my dick is, Sophia. Do you understand?”
I nodded again.
“Say it.”
“I understand I can stop whenever I want,” I said, already far too turned on to want to stop.
“Good,” he said with a smirk, his thumb brushing lightly over my lips. “There’s only one more thing I need to hear you say.”
He leaned closer, his breath warm on my face. His hips pressed into mine and I gasped as I realized he was already very ready for this encounter.
He took a deep breath in through his nose, and closed his eyes, seemingly distracted. His hand moved to my hair and he buried his nose in it.
“Christ, Hawaii, you smell amazing,” he groaned. “What is that?”
“It’s hibiscus shampoo,” I said, chest heaving with anticipation. “It reminds me of home, so my aunt sends it to me.”
“Fuck,” he shuddered, inhaling again. The slight tremble in his body convinced me this wasn’t an act, and I relaxed a little.
He wants to do this.
He lifted his head from my hair, his eyes hooded and needy as they locked on mine. “I really want to kiss you, but I won’t do it unless you tell me you want me to.”
I smiled, my skin prickling like I was sweating already. “I want you to kiss me, Leo,” I said. I took a deep breath and held it, waiting.
He closed the distance between us and as his lips brushed mine, he whispered, “Breathe, Sophia.”
I took in one deep breath of his spicy scent before his lips pressed to mine and I melted against him.