Chapter 4 Leo
LEO
Ihaven’t smiled this much in a long time, even when I was with my ex-wife.
When I’m around Cecilia, I feel alive, like all my senses exploded.
We’ve been texting each other, flirting, and hanging out when we can over the last two weeks.
Our pups seemed to have a liking to one another, too.
Michael left for his business trip a couple of days ago, and as far as I knew, Cecilia hasn’t mentioned us hanging out to her dad.
I sure as hell haven’t said anything to him.
He’s just aware that we’re going to the charity event together because we "couldn’t find dates. ”
I styled my dark hair, combing it to the side, then trimmed my short beard neatly.
I was starting to get more silver hair sprinkled throughout my hair, but I didn’t care.
I knew I was older and I wasn’t trying to compete with guys in their twenties and thirties.
Looking in the mirror, I straightened my navy-blue tie and gave myself a final once-over before putting my black suit jacket on.
It’s been a while since I’ve dressed up—I think the last time was on my wedding day.
I pushed those thoughts away, bringing me back to the present.
I was dressed to impress, especially knowing who my date is tonight, although I knew I shouldn’t be feeling this way about her.
I got Skip ready and we headed to Cecilia’s place.
Since the charity event was being held in the city, which was an hour away, Cecilia suggested that I bring Skip to her place, so her best friend can dog sit both Skip and Oreo while we’re away.
Since we weren’t sure what time we’d be coming back to town, we wanted to ensure our pups were taken care of.
Arriving to her house, my palms were getting sweaty and my heart rate sped up as I waited for her to open the door.
What the fuck was wrong with me? All these feelings of nervousness and anticipation for this date seemed as if I was a teenager going on my first real date.
The sound of metal grinding against each other and a click filled the cool air before the door opened.
“Hey there, Mr. Cartwright,” Nina greeted from the other side of the doorway.
I’ve met Cecilia’s best friend before, and been in the same room as her plenty of times through the years when I hung out with Michael and Cecilia.
She seemed like a very nice girl who had a good head on her shoulders and was a good influence on Cecilia.
I haven’t heard of any gossip about her or Cecilia in our small town.
“Hey, Nina. Nice to see you again,” I greeted, grinning.
Oreo ran up to the front door, wagging her tail with a sparkle in her eyes, going to Skip and I.
Skip was pulling on the leash, wanting to run toward the little black and white pup.
I bent down and released Skip from the leash, and he dashed to his new best friend.
Both Oreo and Skip ran in circles around each other.
I chuckled, amused to see them so happy.
“That’s so cute,” Nina said, looking at the pups.
“It is,” I responded. “Do you know if Cecilia’s ready? We need to hit the road soon so we’re not late. There’s a storm that’s supposed to roll in tonight.”
“Let me check,” Nina said, heading to Cecilia’s room.
Soon after, I heard the clicking of high heels on the wooden floor.
My gaze met Cecilia’s and my breath hitched.
My God. She looked like a damn goddess. Cecilia wore a navy-blue strapless gown that hugged her curves and had a side-slit in front that reached up mid-thigh, showing off her smooth, creamy leg.
Her long, dark hair was down and curled in waves, pinned to the side, and her make-up was glamourous.
She had a dark eye shadow that shimmered, her cheeks had a slight blush, and her lips were natural and glossy. Her pouty lips looked very kissable.
“Hi, Uncle Leo,” Cecilia greeted me, flashing her beautiful smile.
Uncle. It was a reminder of why I couldn’t be with her. She saw me as her uncle, even if we weren’t blood-related.
“Cece, you look…stunning.” My breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t believe how this gorgeous woman was once the little girl I watched grow up.
“Thank you.” She looked down shyly, blushing adorably. “You look so handsome.”
“Thank you,” I said. “We should go before the storm rolls in,” I suggested.
Cecilia nodded, picking up her clutch then her coat. I took her coat from her and assisted putting it on her. My fingers brushed against the soft skin of her shoulder, and I saw a visible shiver run down her back.
“Bye, Nina. I’m not sure how late we’ll be back—” Cecilia started, turning to her best friend.
“No worries, just text me when you’re leaving. Go! Have fun and drive safely,” Nina urged, gesturing for us to leave.
“Thank you,” I said, petting Skip and Oreo before I escorted Cecilia to my car.
I closed the door after Cecilia slid onto the leather seat of my sedan, then rounded the car and got into the driver’s side.
The aroma of her sweet vanilla scent filled the small space of my car, making my cock twitch in my pants.
I wanted to bury my face in her neck and inhale her intoxicating scent.
I started the car, then we were on our way.
I needed to focus on getting to the event, instead of how this sexy woman sitting next to me was making me feel.
“Are you excited about the event?” she asked.
I turned my head briefly, finding her looking at me.
“I am,” I replied, looking back at the road.
“Me too. Can I tell you something?” she asked.
“Of course, Cece. You know you can tell me anything.” I quickly glanced at her. She was fidgeting. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I wanted to tell you that…umm…I’ve fantasized about you and always hoped that one day you’d take me on a date,” she confessed.
My eyes widened in shock at her confession, the car slowing down. I processed what she said and snapped myself back to reality, pushing onto the gas pedal to return to the speed limit.
“Wow,” I managed to get out. “I didn’t realize that you felt that way about me…I’m flattered—”
“But?” she interrupted.
“I think you’re a gorgeous woman, but we can’t do anything. Your dad will kill me if he ever found there was something going on between us,” I told her.
“So, you thought about me, too?” There was a hint of mischief in her tone. This little vixen knew what she was doing.
“I didn’t say that—”
“You don’t have to. I see the way you look at me, Uncle Leo.”
Hearing her call me Uncle Leo made my cock twitch at the forbidden nature, especially now that she just confessed that she wanted me.
“Even if I wanted you, we couldn’t do anything about it. You’re off-limits…my best friend’s daughter—old enough to be my own daughter—”
“But I’m not,” she cut me off.
“Regardless, your dad will kill me.”
She sighed, then looked out the passenger side window. I knew she was disappointed. I was, too. As much as I wanted her, having her as a date and flirting is as far as I could go. I couldn’t betray Michael’s trust.
The rest of the drive down was quiet except for the sound of music playing in the background. The rain started forty minutes into the drive, but we were almost to our destination.
“I’m sorry for mentioning things to you, Uncle Leo. I hope it won’t be weird between us,” she said softly, regret laced in her voice.
“Of course not, kiddo. Things won’t be weird,” I reassured, glancing in her direction. Calling her kiddo was a reminder to myself, and to her, of who she was to me. Why was I doing this to myself? When she looked at me, she was all woman, the kiddo in her was gone.
She gave me a small, tight-lipped smile, her eyes filled with sadness as moonlight casted a bit of light on her face. My lips tipped up in a crooked grin, hiding my own displeasure in all this.
I hoped it wouldn’t be awkward between us the rest of the night, either. Even though I tried reassuring her that it wasn’t going to be awkward, I had a feeling I might make it awkward. I’ve never had to hide my feelings for someone. If I wanted to be with a woman, I was able to get her.
Pulling into the hotel, I parked my car at the valet, then got out of the car, handing one of them the keys while the other young man opened up Cecilia’s door.
I saw the way he looked at her, his eyes raking down her body.
My jaw clenched. Why was I mad? This kid was probably closer to Cecilia’s age and would be a better fit to date than me.
I watched his hand hold hers as he assisted her out of the car.
Before he could do anything more, I glared at the valet attendant, his eyes suddenly shifty.
Yeah, punk. Don’t mess with my woman. Who was I kidding?
I wanted her to be mine. I wanted to claim her and show every single man here who she belonged to.
I stepped in between them, then the valet attendant finally dropped her hand.
Cecilia looked up at me, her eyes twinkling.
I took her hand, electricity surging up my arm at the touch of her skin, then threaded her arm in mine.
We walked into the hotel, and I felt all eyes on us.
I’m sure it’s because we looked like an odd pair—I was way too old for this young, gorgeous woman.
We entered the ballroom and were greeted by colleagues I’ve met from other fire departments across the state.
“Leo,” one of the guys called out, approaching Cecilia and me.
“Kevin, good to see you,” I said, shaking his hand.
Kevin was in the same fire academy I attended many years ago, but he ended up staying in the city, working at one of the fire stations there when we graduated.
Kevin’s eyes diverted to the sexy woman by my side, flashing a bright, white smile that would make most women weak in the knees.
He was a tall, broad man with beach-blonde hair, blue eyes, and dated a lot of women, from what I remember.
I’m sure things haven’t changed. He wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t married.
That was the type of man that he was, but who knows?
He could have changed through all these years.
“This is Cecilia,” I said, my arm was hooked around her waist as I introduced Kevin to her.
Cecilia extended her hand, and he took it, kissing the back of it. My gaze narrowed at him, watching him charm my date. I pressed my lips to a thin line.
Cecilia quickly pulled her hand back, giving a fake smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I didn’t know you brought your daughter,” Kevin said, smirking.
I glared, my eyes shooting daggers at him, wanting to punch that haughty smile off his face.
“I don’t have any children,” I gritted. “Cecilia’s my date.”
“Lucky man,” he said, eyeing her body up and down again. “Don’t worry, I won’t take her away from you.” He snickered.
My hand that was down at my side balled into a fist, while my other hand tightened the grip I had on her waist, tugging her closer to me. My lips tipped up to a crooked smile, not wanting to give Kevin the satisfaction that he just got under my skin. Arrogant prick.
I chuckled, a darkness in my tone. “We’ll see you around, Kevin.”
I led Cecilia in a different direction, scanning around the room. Kevin wasn’t the only man who noticed Cecilia. I watched as other men were eye-fucking her. My body tensed and jaw clenched as I glared at them. They needed to stop looking at my girl before I beat the shit out of them.
Cecilia must have noticed something, stopping and pulling me to the side, away from others.
“Hey,” she said softly, cupping my jaw and moving my head until our eyes locked. “What’s going on? Why do you look upset?”
Her eyes searched mine, waiting for my answer.
I didn’t want to admit what I felt for her, especially after I told her only minutes ago that she was off-limits.
I couldn’t pursue her even if I wanted to.
And believe me—I wanted to. If I felt this possessiveness for her to be mine, I don’t think I’d be able to hide the way I felt about her any longer.
“I’m not liking the way the men are looking at you,” I said, lowly. “They’re checking you out, eye-fucking you.”
“So, now you’re being overprotective?” She cocked her eyebrow.
We stared at one another, the air sizzling between us.
“What if I am?” I asked, challenging her and erasing any empty space between us, wrapping my arms around her waist and pressing my body against hers.
I leaned down a bit, looking at her lips, which were slightly parted. She gasped before her breathing quickened, watching her chest rise and fall in a hurried rhythm. My eyes snapped back up to hers, her dark hues were sparkling.
“I like seeing you this way.” Her lips slowly tugged at the corners, smirking.
“I want these guys to know that you’re mine,” I growled.
“I thought you said I was off-limits, and we couldn’t do anything?” she questioned.
“I changed my mind. There’s no way I’m going to let another man have you,” I said, then captured her lips with mine before she could say anything else.
Her body tensed before she melted into the kiss, her arms circling around my neck and pulling me down to her.
I licked the seam of her lips, and she parted them, giving my tongue the invitation to explore her mouth.
Our tongues danced and curled around one another, giving me a taste of her that I craved the moment I realized that I wanted her.
I was a goner. This wasn’t going to be a one-time thing.
Now that I had a taste of her, I wasn’t going to let her go.
We’d need to find a way to make this work and hope her dad would understand.