Page 46 of Loving the CEO

"Let me take that load off you. I've got a huge-ass real estate company, in case you didn't know." He flashed me a cheeky smile.

"I think you might have mentioned it a few times."

He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin turned warm everywhere he touched me.

"Can Debbie pack up all your stuff?"

"She offered, but she's already done so much, and it feels... I think it's the right thing to do, to go and do it myself. I don't want to hide away and pretend everything didn't happen."

"Why not? It sounds like an excellent strategy to me."

"I need a bit of closure."

His eyes instantly changed, and he nodded. "All right. Got it."

"Debbie even hinted that she could set me up with someone to go on a date with while I'm in NOLA."

Leo had been about to take a step back, but he froze in the act of turning around. He zeroed in on me.

"Really?"

"She says I should get back in the dating world. You know... cut my teeth a bit.”

His chest was rising and falling quickly. Was he having trouble breathing?

Then he walked closer again. Why did his proximity wipe away every thought? I couldn't explain it.

"I can help with that."

"What?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"I don't think you should cut your teeth on a stranger.”

I blinked several times. "What do you mean? Do you want to set me up with a friend of yours? Or one of your brothers? Wait, no. It’s only Nick who’s available, right?"

"Fuck no," he said. Then, after a beat, he added, "You want to go out with Nick?"

"No, no. I was just... Never mind. I don't get it. What do you mean?"

The cheeky smile was back. It looked downright seductive now.

"I can be your dating coach."

It took me a few seconds to process his words, but then I started to laugh and took a few steps back, putting some distance between us.

"That's hilarious. I needed a good laugh. Thank you. I can feel the tension leaving my body."

He was still smiling. "I'm not joking. What better person than me?"

"I see. Singing your own praises. That was always one of your favorite activities."

"Only when I deserve it."

"And you're so great at dating?"

He tilted his head. "Relationships are not my forte. But I’m excellent at dating."

I rolled my shoulders, and a cracking sound filled the air. “Nope, joking. Tension still here.”

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