Page 27 of Leo

Which was crazy! The entire thing was out of control. Closing her eyes, she inhaled and exhaled. Her thoughts veered to what Michael would make of this.

“There is no way on earth you are going to be that close to a man like that and not want to jump his bones. Unless there is something absolutely wrong with you. Unless that son of a bitch you were engaged to took your feelings along with him when he succumbed to his damn injuries, and I know that is not possible.”

But she was not in the market for a relationship. This was just a charade, one that he had agreed to. She had made her position clear enough. No sex.

She had had enough of getting her heart broken. And besides, Leo Coleman was a fricking multi-billionaire and an extremely attractive one at that. He could have any woman he wanted and probably had.

“Enough!” She whispered harshly. “It’s not going happen and that’s that.”

Upstairs, in the bedroom he had always chosen, Leo was prowling the length of the blue and green room restlessly. A shower had not helped a damn bit. He wanted her. And want was too mild a word for what he was feeling. He had almost kissed her.

If she had not jumped back like a scared rabbit, he would have gone for it. Dragging his fingers through his hair, he realized that his hands were trembling.

How in the hell was he going to get through the next few days? They were going to be in Paris for three whole days and then were heading to Italy. He had a few minor businesses there of course but had planned both trips specifically for her.

And had hoped to extend it for much longer. Perhaps a week and a half or even two weeks.

Was he supposed to dance around her? Avoid touching her? To hell with that. Suddenly, he went from agonizing to furious. He was a man, and she knew that. She surely could not expect him to meekly stand by while she was in the room with her, did she?

And how naïve could she be to think that this was just going to be a neutral agreement. If that was the bloody case, she should have asked her gay friend for the favor. He had blood running through his veins, did he not?

And he had not had sex in several weeks. Granted that was his choice, but still. She was here, was she not? Right here in the room a few feet away.

He had spent last night even though he was battling anger, and pictured her curled up in bed, wearing something slinky or even a plain t-shirt. It did not matter what she used to cover herself with, he could still imagine what she looked like naked. All that soft and flawless caramel skin. Her breasts… He groaned and wheeled around to sit on the sofa.

Clasping his hands between his thighs, he cursed the flesh throbbing against the sweats he had donned after taking a shower.

He was bloody thirty-two and was not lacking in female companion. Right now, he could call one up and she would be happy to accommodate him. Sophia was still waiting to hear from him even though he told her he was married.

“If you change your mind, Cherie, I am here.” She had assured him in that throaty voice of hers.

He could call her and go on over to her flat. Leaning back, he closed his eyes wearily and realized that he just could not.

Chapter 7

They did not mention ‘the moment’. He had an early meeting and when he went downstairs, it was to discover that she was already up.

“I made coffee.”

“You did not have to. I could have grabbed something on the way.”

“It’s no trouble.” She avoided his gaze as she poured the coffee and set it on the counter.

“Where are you off to, today?”

“This delightful café that I passed as I was doing my exploring.” Taking her coffee with her, she sat at the counter and cradled the cup. “I went in for a minute and surprise! The woman, her nameis Aimee speaks English – albeit with a heavy accent, but if I lean in - I could actually hear what she is saying.”

He grinned and sent her heart into overdrive. She did not need this, not now. Last night she had tossed and turned in bed, wondering if he slept in the nude and what his chest looked like. And the rest of him.

“I wish you luck.” He finished his coffee. He wanted a refill, but being so near to her, inhaling her scent and looking at her was making him decidedly edgy.

Um, have a good day. I have a feeling you are going to nail that hotel today.”

“Your lips to God’s ear. I will call you when I am leaving.” He hesitated a minute and she held her breath.

“See you later.” He turned at the doorway. “No cooking this evening.”

“Why?”

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