14. Eliza
ELIZA
“My feet are killing me,” I groaned to Louise as we cleaned up the bar and Lake Ridge emptied out. “Also, I’m good to close up tonight if you want to head out.”
In the blink of an eye, April had turned into May, which was typically still considered the off-season.
But if today was any indication of how the weekend would be, tourist season was in full swing.
Normally, we didn’t work shifts together, but Wes had booked us both just in case, anticipating the rush based on last year.
“You did good today, hon. Even got a number, huh?” Louise tipped her head toward the stack of receipts. I’d moved the one with the number to the top.
A group of guys had come in tonight from a neighboring town, and I thought flirting with one of them would solve my problems and distract me from the tattooed chef plaguing my mind. Nope.
“Are you going to text him?” Louise asked. It wasn’t unusual for us to talk about my dating life, but for the first time, I found myself hesitating, because I wasn’t sure what to do.
“Text who?” a voice rumbled behind us.
“Just this guy who was in tonight,” I answered Leo, playing it off.
“He was cute,” Louise sing-songed with a sly grin. She then turned to Leo. “Eliza’s going to close up with you tonight. I’ll see you both tomorrow night!” she called over her shoulder, grabbing her things to head out.
Leo grunted in response—he was spending too much time around Wes—and walked back to the kitchen.
I rolled my eyes, unsure what had him all moody.
He’d been quieter than usual all night, and even Ray—who typically took the medal for quiet chef minding his own business—had asked Louise and me if something was up.
It’d been five days since Leo had been at yoga, and five days since we’d been alone. The week had flown by, and while we’d seen each other at work, things had been too busy.
Which was good. I needed to stay busy. I was coiled so tightly, seconds away from snapping. Anyone would be after existing in such close proximity to Leo.
During our shifts together, I had to see him in his chef’s coat, sleeves rolled up to display his tattooed forearms. I had to watch his hands move expertly as he chopped vegetables or prepared food.
I had to listen to his stupid rough voice and his stupid raspy laugh.
I had to think about how three years ago, I was this close to finding out what his mouth felt like. If he was rough or gentle.
I was losing my goddamn mind.
Maybe I should text the guy who’d left his number, after all. What was his name, again? Fuck, if I knew.
I let out a heavy exhale and grabbed the broom and dustpan from the supply closet, turning my focus to sweeping the floors instead.
Louise and I had done most of the closing work together, so it was really just sweeping and mopping I had left. Once that was done, I went back to the kitchen, grabbed my things, and clocked out. Not seeing Leo, I went to his office, about to knock on the door when it opened.
“Oh, hey,” I said, being met face-to-chest with Leo. He was out of his black chef’s coat and instead in an unbuttoned linen short-sleeve shirt with a white tank top underneath. The tattoos on his arms were on full display. “I was just coming to find you.”
“You heading out?”
“Uh-huh. Wanna walk back together?”
“Sure.” His tone wasn’t unfriendly, but it was more clipped than usual. Okay, then.
I hiked my purse onto my shoulder and held my jacket in the crook of my arm as we walked to the back door.
“Thought you were gonna meet up with that guy. You were talking to him all night.” There was a bite to his tone, a slight rasp. I didn’t think he’d noticed or cared. The fact he did sent a delicious shiver up my spine.
I rolled my eyes as I flicked off the last of the lights, the bar falling quiet behind us as we made our way to the door. “I wasn’t talking to him all night.” We stepped outside into the muggy, still air, and I locked up before we started our walk home.
Almost immediately, a light drizzle of rain kissed my skin, the air smelling like petrichor with heavy clouds looming overhead.
“Besides,” I continued, looking over at him, “how do you know I’m not meeting him after we walk back?” I wasn’t actually planning to see that guy again, but I had to give Leo a little bit of trouble for his moodiness.
A muscle in his jaw ticked, and I was certain he was seconds away from cracking a molar. “I suppose I don’t know that.”
“I mean, my cursed sex life isn’t going to fix itself.”
Now I was just poking the bear.
Leo’s nostrils flared, and the street lights illuminated the intensity of his gaze. I knew I was playing a dangerous game, but I hadn’t ever done a very good job at playing it safe.
“You thought sex with that guy was going to fix everything?” he asked with a pfft. “Highly doubt it.”
“Yeah? How come?” I challenged, just as the rain picked up. “What do you think I need?”
Leo ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek, as if he was contemplating whether or not he should answer my question.
In an instant, the rain turned into a downpour, saving Leo from answering.
Leo swore under his breath at the rain that pelted down, but all I felt was relief as the water cooled my hot skin and eased the tension I’d been feeling all week—even if it was momentary.
“C’mon, let’s book it back,” I called over the rain, reaching for his hand with a grin. He didn’t miss a beat. His large hand captured mine, and we ran the last couple of blocks.
We slowed once we made it to the front door and into the building.
We climbed the steps in silence, only the sounds of our ragged breath and water dripping from our clothes. I expected to part ways once we got to the second floor, but instead, Leo walked me to my door.
“I think you need someone who can keep up with you. Who doesn’t need step-by-step instructions on how to make you feel good. Who knows when and how to take control.” I could hear his heavy breathing behind me, unsure if it was from running or something…else. Maybe, he was as pent-up as me.
I turned to face him, my back hitting the door with a thump.
His wet shirt molded even more to his body than it had earlier, showing every sculpt, ridge, and muscle.
My chest rose rapidly, and heat pooled in my stomach.
Everything he’d said was spot on. I’d had good sex, but even good sex required some instruction on my end.
That was what happened when you had sex with someone one time.
It wasn’t enough to get to know their body and what they liked—and that was fine.
But…maybe having someone who paid attention would make all the difference.
“Am I right?” he rasped, leaning closer.
The intensity in his stare let me know there was no point in lying. He’d be able to see right through me.
“Yes,” I breathed.
He was close. So close.
Closer than he’d been in years. It’d be so easy to wrap my hand around his shirt and pull his mouth to mine.
I typically had no problem making the first move, but in this moment, I wanted Leo to do it. I wanted him to be sure of this—even if it was just a one-time kiss that led nowhere.
I wouldn’t be a regret. I didn’t think I could bare it.
Leo started to pull away, but I wasn’t letting him off that easily. He froze when I asked, “Is that what you would’ve done three years ago?”