Page 84 of Loving the CEO

"Good morning. I brought something for you."

My lips parted as he handed me a cup of coffee.

***

Leo

The surprise on her face was priceless.

"You came all the way here just to bring me coffee?"

"Can I come inside?"

"Yes, of course. Oh goodness, my brain really isn’t functioning yet."

I chuckled. "That's why I thought you’d appreciate the coffee."

She took a sip and closed her eyes. "Oh yes, this is good. I've missed this while drinking my Earl Grey."

I’d missed her. Waking up today without Tory in the house had been strange. Something had shifted, and I couldn't put my finger on it.

"How was it to wake up and have the house all to yourself again?" she asked.

“Awful”was what I wanted to tell her, but that sounded insane. I didn’t want to scare her. But then I couldn't keep myself in check anymore. "I liked having you at the house."

"But I'm sure you like having your space as well."

Doesshewant to have her space? Was living with me too much? Did she use the excuse of moving to Boston for moving out?

I couldn't even believe my own train of thought.What the hell?I knew this was for the best. It was the smart thing to do. Of course we couldn’t live together forever. That just wasn't what this was.

And yet, I hated that she lived here. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and take her back to my house.

"I have something for you," I said.

"Besides the coffee?"

"Yes. I left it at the door."

I hurried back to the entrance, opened the door, and brought in the huge box.

“Oh my God! That's a telescope," she said.

"I know."

"You bought that for me?"

"Babe, I sure as hell didn't buy it for myself. Of course it's for you." Why was this so hard for her to believe?

She opened her mouth and closed it again. "But they’re exorbitant."

Ah, that's why she was so shocked. She clearly didn’t realize that these days, price was no object for me.

"Tory, enjoy it. Don't think about the price. Don't think about anything else."

She licked her lips and then looked up at me with a huge smile. "This is the best present I’ve ever gotten."

I grinned. "I'm glad I bought something that made you happy."

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