Chapter Eight
LEO
On Sunday morning, the house was completely quiet.
I wasn't used to tiptoeing around so I wouldn't wake someone else up. I’d slept like shit, tossing and turning the whole night, which was unlike me.
But last night at the bar, I'd been dangerously close to crossing the line.
Dancing with her—and simply having her so close to me—was torture.
Once we came back home, I jumped in the shower and turned the water as cold as I could. But it hadn't helped—not one bit.
Running would be very effective in relieving some of the tension, but if I hopped on the treadmill now, I'd wake her up for sure. I went down to the kitchen and made myself a coffee. After a few sips, I noticed a message from Nick.
Nick: Hey! What time are you back? When will you be at the hotel?
Fuck, I’d almost forgotten with everything that happened. Gabe and Maddox were having a brunch of sorts with the family to celebrate the opening of the hotel. I was originally planning on flying back this morning.
Leo: I came back yesterday.
Nick: You missed the wedding?
Leo: Long story.
Of course he called me, and I answered because it was much easier to explain on a call than via text.
"Tell me you didn't stop the wedding."
I blinked. "What the fuck?”
“What happened?"
“Wedding just didn't take place."
"Oh my God, bro. What did you do?"
Now he was pissing me off. "Why would you assume I did something?"
"Because you… I don't know. Never mind. So, what happened?"
"Tory found out that jackass was cheating."
He gasped. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Not at all."
"That's fucked-up."
"I know."
“Fucking hell. Why do people do that? If you can't commit, just don't commit. But don't dip your wick on the side.”
My brothers and I all had strong views about this.
"I agree.”
“So, when did you come back?"
"Yesterday."
"Why didn't you say so? We missed you at the tennis match."
"I was busy. I forgot about the match. And… Tory came with me.”
"Where?"
"Here, to Boston."
After a pause, he asked, "Why?"
"She needed to get away from New Orleans and the whole shit show happening there. I asked her to come with me.”
“That's considerate." He paused again, and neither of us said anything for several moments. Then Nick asked, "So, she's living with you?"
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"What's with the interrogation?"
"You just dropped a bombshell on me. Why am I not allowed to ask details? Besides, look at this as a trial run."
"For what?" I asked, confused. I really needed another coffee.
"The family."
I groaned. "Right." Now it all made sense. There was no way I’d be able to keep this a secret from the family. We were too close.
"You’re slowly starting to realize where I'm going with this, right?"
"I do. Gran is going to have a field day.”
“But look at the bright side.”
I couldn't really see one. Gran had been adamant for a few years now about matchmaking all of her grandsons. Since six of us were now off the market, she was strongly focusing her efforts on Nick and me.
"Gran will figure out that you’re all set,” he continued, “and she doesn't even need to introduce you to friends or find you someone."
I frowned. "I don't want her to get the wrong idea."
"Just so you know, I’m getting the wrong idea already."
"Come on, man!"
"Look, you've never been serious about anyone—no judgment, I'm the same. But Tory is the only woman over the years who seems to have made an impact on you. What do you want me to say?”
“Nothing,” I told him.
“So, are you coming to the hotel today?"
"Yeah. I completely forgot. I'll wait for Tory to wake up, and then we'll be on our way."
"You're bringing her?"
"It'll be a good distraction for her. I can't believe that moron. I never liked the asshat.”
Nick snorted. “I want to punch him, and I don't even know him.”
“Trust me, it took all my self-control not to give him the beating of his life. You should have seen how he treated her. Jesus, I wanted to punch him even before I knew he was a cheating bastard."
"Sure that's not just jealousy talking?"
I groaned. "Why are you giving me such a hard time today?"
"My bad, sorry. This is just surprising."
“Right. I need to get going. See you later.”
I hung up and drank another coffee while pacing around the living room, stopping when I heard sounds upstairs. Tory was awake.
I debated if going alone was a better idea, but Tory would catch up with my family at some point. Why not today? Granted, there was always a possibility that she wouldn’t want to come, but I’d extend the invitation anyway.
After finishing my coffee, I headed upstairs, straight to her room. I knocked twice. She opened it a few seconds later, and I nearly swallowed my tongue.
Is that a nightgown?
It covered absolutely nothing—it was molded to her body, and her nipples were pushing through the fabric. I focused on her face. Her eyes were hazy with sleep.
"Morning," I said.
"Hey!" She looked down and instantly crossed her arms over her chest, gasping. "I'll be downstairs right away."
"No need to hurry. I just wanted to tell you that I’m attending an event with my family today. Maddox and Gabe are opening a hotel together."
Her eyes widened. "Wait, I need coffee. You guys have gone into business with your half brothers? That's amazing."
"Just Maddox for now," I explained, but it was definitely an option for me in the future. "Everyone would be happy to see you."
"I'd love to catch up with your brothers, and Jeannie and Abe too. When is it starting?"
"Two hours, give or take. But it’s a forty-minute drive."
Her eyes widened. "That's not such a long time. Right." She dropped her arms to her sides, frowning. “I can get ready fast.”
With her arms out of the way, I was no longer paying attention to what she was saying. Her nipples were still pushing through the fabric. I took in a deep breath, looking at the wall behind her, swallowing hard.
Why was this so difficult, damn it? It was my own damn fault for knocking on her door the second she woke up.
"I'll be downstairs," I said.
She looked down at herself and gasped before glancing up. "I'm sorry for being indecent. I forgot—"
"It's fine. It's your room.”
“I actually usually sleep wearing nothing, but I figured I should put something on, just in case I wanted a drink from the kitchen."
The image she’d just painted in my mind was surprisingly clear and full of detail. I could almost see her naked body walking through the house, descending those steps and going to the kitchen to fill a glass with water.
I had to get a grip on myself. I would manage it eventually. This was just far too new for me, that was all.
"I'll be with you as quickly as possible," she said.
"Sure."
After she closed the door, I went back downstairs and drank a glass of ice-cold water. If I ever ran into her naked here, I would put her right on this counter and fuck her senseless.
I drank another glass of water. This one was even colder, but my body was still a live wire. But now that Tory was awake, I could hop on the treadmill.
Yeah, I was going to do just that. I was certain that once I'd burned off some of the adrenaline in my body, I'd think with my brain and not my dick.
Tory
I was a mess. It was a total accident that I flashed Leo last night at the bar, but this morning? I should have put on a robe or something. Only, I didn’t have one. Regardless, it couldn’t happen again.
I was beyond excited to see the rest of the Whitleys.
I couldn't believe that Gabe and Maddox had gone into business together.
As far as I remembered, Gabe had always been friendly with Nick, Leo, and Maddox, but there seemed to be a perpetual state of tension between the half brothers.
I was happy that had changed over the years.
I dressed in jeans and a sweater—it was sunny today, but better safe than sorry. Then I decided to double-check with Leo about the dress code. I didn’t want to be too casual if everyone else was dressing up.
Opening the door widely, I loudly called, "Leo?"
A few seconds later, I heard the treadmill.
I wasn't going in there again while he was running.
I definitely didn't need another eyeful of that sexy torso.
Then I got another idea and googled “Gabe Maddox Whitley Hotel.” I kept my fingers crossed for the search to give me something useful. Pictures popped up.
Oh, wow. It was so elegant. The interior was all stone and marble. Jeans and a sweater would definitely not do, even for a brunch, so I changed into a sweaterdress paired with tights.
Once I was dressed, I could still hear the treadmill, which meant I had plenty of time to apply makeup. Some light eye shadow and lipstick would do. I was leaving the mascara off. I was always good at dressing quickly, but styling my hair and applying makeup always took longer.
I didn't even realize how long until I heard a knock at my door, followed by "Hey, we should get going."
"I'll be right out," I yelled.
I closed my powder compact and looked in the mirror. I was ready. I opened the door and came face-to-face with Leo.
"I didn't realize you were waiting here."
He grinned. "Figured you’d need some incentive to get ready faster.”
“Oh? And what did you have in mind?”
“Threaten to throw you over my shoulder and leave the house—that sort of thing.”
I laughed, feeling myself blush. "I'm still chronically late. Sorry about that."
He was wearing jeans and a shirt and a suit jacket.
"Is this appropriate?” I asked. “I can change."
"It's perfect," he said.
"Are you saying that just so I don't change again? Because let me tell you, I can put on something else on real quick. Hair and makeup are the problem."
"You look perfect." His tone dropped an octave or two. The way he looked at me simply took my breath away.
"Okay," I murmured.
"Then let's go."
"Where are we going exactly?"
"Essex."
"I don't know where that is."
"About forty minutes away, give or take."
"Right, you told me that before. So, that means you have plenty of time to fill me in on what the family’s been up to.”
Leo started to laugh. He sounded the exact same way as he did in college, laughing without any restraint.
"That would take far longer than forty minutes, but I'll do my best."
Leo was right. By the time we entered Essex, he hadn't even managed to tell me half of the things I wanted to know. At least I'd gotten all the names of the women who’d joined the family.
I stared out the window, smiling. "Essex is so cozy. I understand why they built the hotel here."
"Wasn't exactly the first choice, but things turned out that way."
He’d tensed up, and I noticed his hands gripped the wheel tighter.
"What do you mean?"
Leo glanced at me briefly before saying, "They were looking at a small town on the other side of Boston.
But then we got wind that Father wanted to build a hotel here, so they decided to buy the property instead.
Gabe was thinking about building a distillery.
One thing led to another, and he and Maddox wanted a hotel too. "
"That’s complicated. So, your dad is still firmly out of the picture?"
"Yes. And we’re doing our best to keep him that way."
"Got it. You know, I was never a small-town girl, but Essex has a charm."
"That's what Maddox says too. I still can't believe he actually lives here."
"Holy shit, he does?"
He chuckled. "I hadn’t gotten to that part yet. But Cami lives here. And it does make sense. The hotel could use one of my brothers on location, and Maddox's office design business can be run from anywhere."
"I feel like I need another three hours just so you can catch me up on things."
I kept saying Leo was my best friend, but we’d drifted apart over the past few years.
Ever since I’d started seeing Walter. Our phone calls became rarer, and they were always rushed.
Walter wasn’t a fan of me talking with Leo, so to avoid his nasty comments, it was just easier to not call when he was around.
"I'm sure Gran will be more than happy to take up that role," he said.
We arrived a few minutes later. The hotel looked even more impressive in real life than in pictures. There were already quite a few cars in the parking lot.
Turning around, I grabbed his wrist. "I didn't even think about asking, but is it okay that I'm here? It’s a family event. Do they know I'm coming?"
"Nick knows," Leo replied, and then he covered his hand with mine, rubbing his thumb at the point where my wrist connected with his. I shuddered lightly. "And they'll be very happy that you're here. Gran especially. Maybe too happy."
"What do you mean?"
He started to laugh. "You'll see soon enough."
"How do I look?" I had to ask.
Leo leaned in closer. "Fucking amazing."
My eyes went wide. Oh my.
"You're just trying to build up my confidence."
"Swear to God, I'm not. These curves—” He stopped and looked down, then back up at me. "Let's just say, it's a good thing my brothers are all taken."
"Nick isn't, right?" I asked with a coy smile.
Leo straightened up, and I felt him stiffen.
Hmmm, what’s that about?
"No, he's not. But as much as I care about my brother, I have to warn you, he's a bit of a…"
"Ladies' man like you?" Yes, I was teasing him.
He seemed to relax then, which was good. I wanted us to have fun and not have him worry about me being here.
"Yes."
"Well, thanks for the warning. Now, shall we go in?"
He smiled. "Let the show begin."