Page 53 of Loving the CEO

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 werehard.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.

Chapter Twelve

Leo

Tory was nervous even though I was doing all I could to put her at ease. I wondered if this had been a good idea in the first place. Frankly, I started to wonder the second I saw her in that black dress. My first instinct had been to pin her right there against the staircase and kiss her senseless instead of going out. She looked fucking amazing. Those blue eyes stood out even more than usual tonight. I was fighting my instincts with all that I had to not to put my hands on her.

When the waiter came with the food, her entire face lit up. I’d done the right thing bringing her here. I just had to control myself and not screw this up. I was trying to help her get her confidence back—or at least that had been my intention. Now I wasn’t so sure. The longer we sat here, the more real it became.

"So, Tory, if this were a real date," I said, keeping my tone playful because that seemed to relax her more, "I'd ask you how long you planned to stay in Boston." This was a real question. I wanted to know.

"I know it’s wishy-washy, but I don’t know.”

Well, fuck. I’d hoped that after a few weeks here, she’d have a clearer picture in her mind.

"You think going to NOLA will clear up a few things for you? Where are you even staying? With your mom?" My voice was harsher than intended.

"Oh God, no. She’d drive me crazy. I'm staying with Debbie."

"Good!"

"And I do think it’ll help. And I do need my things. I keep realizing every day that there's stuff I don’t have. I can’t just keep buying stuff."

"You can order whatever you want and put it on my credit card."

She frowned. "Why would I do that?"

"Because you're my guest."

"Leo, that doesn't mean I get to take advantage of you."

"That's not how I see it. I want to take care of you."

Out of instinct, I tilted toward her, putting a hand on her thigh. Fuck, I’d completely forgotten that she wasn't wearing jeans. Her skin was so damn smooth. I took my hand away casually, grabbing my glass of sake and taking a sip.

"Thanks, but it’s not necessary. Besides, I'm getting all my stuff back soon anyway."

I put my glass down, contemplating my next question.

She pointed at me. "You look like you’re trying to trip me up with a question.”

“Not exactly. Here it is. What are you looking for in a guy?”

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