Page 79 of His Two Hidden Masks

“I think we can find you something spectacular for your apartment,” Leo said, eyes dancing. Odessa and Leo chatted about different price points and options. I loved that Leo might end up making a sale, but I knew that hadn’t been his goal this evening.

At some point in the night, I realized that Leo had succeeded in distracting me from my problems. I wasn’t thinking about my failing business, my father’s anger, Roberto’s threats, or the touch of a man that I was pretty sure would break my heart.

Leo also didn’t seem actively heartbroken over David. I knew the heartbreak was there and it would come to the surface when he was ready. For one night, I hoped we were both getting a much-needed break from our real worlds.

As if reading my mind, Leo whispered in my ear. “Glad you came tonight, Bella.”

“Me, too. Thank you for this.” I squeezed his hand under the table.

His bright green eyes swam with tears. I was so grateful for his friendship, grateful for his support. This dinner offered me more than just a view of life beyond the city of Venice. It wasshowing me another beautiful friendship. It was good not to be alone in this world.

“Do you have a favorite place to travel?” Odessa asked Leo in between bites of pizza.

“Impossible to choose,” Leo said. “I travel to the U.S. every year, once, sometimes twice. But it depends on my clients’ schedules.”

“What Leo means,” I said, teasing, “it all depends on whether he can manage juggling the multiple invites he gets to stay at gorgeous homes with gorgeous women free of charge.”

Leo gasped in mock surprise and laughed along with me. “You are terrible. She’s right, but still terrible.”

“Leo has an army of women in America, willing to give him a free bed for the week,” I said. “Look at him, he’s irresistible.”

Leo shrugged, looking pleased with himself. “It’s true, true. Women love me. What can I say?”

Odessa leaned forward, a mischievous smile on her lips. “Leo, I didn’t think you and women danced to the same music.”

“Oh, darling,” Leo said. “I may not fuck the women I meet in Venice, but that doesn’t mean I don’t sleep beside them. My strong arms wrap around their beautiful bodies. I am the best snuggler in the world.”

“Oh, snuggling is the best,” Shea said, giggling. “Sometimes, it is better than sex.”

Odessa raised an eyebrow.

“Wait, no,” Shea said. “Nothing is better than sex, good sex, but you all know what I mean.”

Good sex. Dylan sex. I thought of his body hovering over me, his muscles taut as his hips rocked forward, pushing his hard dick deep inside me. Yes, nothing was better than good sex.

“Bella,” Leo said, snapping his finger in front of me. “Earth to Bella.”

“Sorry.”

“What were you dreaming of?” Leo said in a sing-song voice.

“I was thinking about men and sex and men,” I said, my voice trailing off.

“Men, yes. We love to fuck them, to ride them,” Leo said, his voice tipsy and giggling. “Trust me, ladies. I love men. I love women. I love life.”

“What about you, Bella?” Shea said. “Do you have a favorite?”

“Position?” Leo butted in.

“No.” Shea swatted his arm. “Place to travel. I was going to ask her about her favorite place to travel. Everyone knows cowgirl is the best sex position, Leo.”

“In the U.S.?” I said, still flushed from my lust-filled vision of receiving Dylan’s enormous cock.

“Oh, my Bella is a true Venetian,” Leo said, leaning into me.

“Is that like a degree?” said Shea.

“What he means is, true Venetians often don’t travel outside of Europe,” I said. “I’ve been up and down the Mediterranean, and I think my favorite place is Lagos, Portugal. It’s quite beautiful and I found the loveliest cocoa beans there one trip.”

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