Chapter Eleven #2
He began to laugh, but his voice was throatier than usual.
Desperate for a neutral topic, I said, "Tell me about your day."
He spoke about a new residential area that he'd discovered uptown and how several houses were gold mines that he couldn't wait to flip. I listened to him with rapt attention.
"I love that you're so passionate about your work," I said.
Leo glanced at me. "Aren't you?"
"I like my job, but you sort of transform when you talk about it. You know, when you first told me that you went to work in Whitley Industries, I almost felt like you did it out of some sort of obligation."
He gripped the wheel even tighter. "It’s true in a sense.
Maddox and Nick were already thinking about going into the family business.
Our grandparents were adamant that there was a place for us there, and that it would bring us closer as a family.
Mom was very happy that our grandparents were embracing us.
I felt like I would be letting everyone down if I turned my back on the family business.
But I was also excited about getting into real estate.
I’m so damn proud to be part of the Whitley legacy. "
"I'm glad. And by the way, you should wear suits more often. It was such a shock to see you in one."
He wiggled his eyebrows. "I put it on for your benefit. You know, to be more irresistible."
Ha! He’d dressed up for me. That made me feel so much better about agonizing for half an hour deciding what to wear.
“Oh yeah, like you need help in that department.” I covered my mouth again. “Sorry. Too much info again.”
Leo grinned. “Not at all. So, you think I’m sexy?”
Hmm… the man was openly flirting, so why shouldn’t I do the same?
“Hell yes. You always were, but you’ve aged like fine wine. And the suit is fantastic. I definitely appreciate it."
Leo’s nostrils flared, but he didn’t reply. He hadn’t expected me to flirt back, huh? I wanted to tease him about it, just to loosen things up, but we arrived at the restaurant a few moments later. The building was on one floor only, with huge windows on all sides.
He stopped the car in front of the restaurant.
"So odd that we found a parking space right here," I said as he opened my door.
"It's just a drop-off zone. The valet will take the car somewhere."
"Oh, right!"
He put an arm around my back and led me inside. The decor was minimalistic and mostly black. What I liked the most was that there were partitions between the tables, so everything looked very intimate. Ours was at the back of the room in a corner.
"I specifically asked for this spot because it has a cushioned bench. I know you don’t like wooden benches."
His thoughtfulness caught me off guard. I’d told Leo that about a million years ago, and he still remembered it. Yet Walter never did.
I opened my mouth but wasn't sure what to say.
"I know you, Tory. I know what you like." His smile turned seductive as he leaned in slightly. "And tonight I'm all about pleasing you."
Oh yeah, the innuendo wasn’t lost on me. It went right to my head… and between my thighs.
Leo sat on the adjacent side of the table from mine. The atmosphere here was dark and somehow alluring and oh so inviting.
"What do you want to order?" Leo asked as we opened the menus. "Let me guess, tuna and salmon sushi?"
I smiled sheepishly. "You know me. They’re my favorites."
"You’ll love them here. I called to make sure they have it."
"Leo?" I whispered, then stopped myself.
Maybe he didn't hear me, but of course he did. When I didn't say anything else, he cocked a brow. "Yes?"
"Are you actually like this when you take someone on a date? Always thoughtful, always…"
He frowned. "If it's okay with you, I'd rather not talk about what I do when I take out women. Let's just enjoy each other."
"Okay.”
The service was impeccable. Leo ordered an assortment of sushi, but I stuck with my mix of salmon and tuna. We even got our drinks almost the second the waiter left.
"Oh, he sent the order directly to the kitchen and the bar. That's so smart," I said as they put down the sake glasses in front of us.
I held mine up and clinked it to his. "To excellent friends who like to put themselves on the line for a friend in need."
He wiggled his eyebrows. "To a date to remember."
Leo looked straight at me as I sipped from my drink. I might have been confused about many things tonight, but one thing I knew for sure: I wouldn't forget this date anytime soon.
I moved my legs under the table, uncrossing them, and accidentally brushed Leo's. I immediately felt hot and subtly brushed my face.
Holy shit, my cheeks are on fire!
I moved my legs off to one side, then reached down to make sure my dress hadn't completely slipped upward, but I somehow managed to touch Leo's thigh. Instead of taking my hand away, I found myself squeezing it. Those muscles were hard. He groaned, and I moved my wandering hand back onto the table.
"Sorry," I mumbled, looking straight at my glass, hoping my reaction had gone unnoticed. My voice didn't sound right.
"No problem," Leo replied. His voice was just a bit off as well.
Every cell in my body was on edge. I craved to touch more of him.
Goodness, this is feeling too much like a real date already.