Page 29 of Leo

He picked her up in a spiffy red sports car at noon.

“This yours?” She asked as she slid in, the warmth of the leather enfolding her in comfort.

“No. Strap in.” He waited until she did before pulling away from the curb. “How was your morning?”

“Eventful.” She told him about William and Aimee.

“You got the recipe?”

“I did.” She leaned back and stretched her legs out. “it was cold as crap, and I forgot to check the weather. My jacket was inadequate.”

He glanced over at the tan leather.

Without warning, he made a turn that took them into the parking lot of Romano’s.

“Why are we here?”

“To buy you a coat.”

“Leo, I didn’t mean… No…”

He simply opened the door and came around to open hers. The building was even bigger than the one she had visited in New York and speared upwards with glistening glass and chrome.

“Please don’t spoil this for me.” He murmured as she stood there with the wind blowing around them.

“Nothing over the top expensive.” She warned, then rolled her eyes at what she just said. “Who am I kidding? This is Romano’s.” She bit her lip. “Okay, fine. It is your money.”

He hid a smile as he touched her elbow lightly to guide her towards the revolving glass doors where a snappily dressed man was waiting to usher them into the brilliantly lit entrance. Women dressed in glitters – from dresses to jewelries rode the transparent elevator that seemed to zip upwards in seconds.

Leo knew where he was going, but a chicly dressed svelte blonde materialized out of nowhere and spoke to him in sultry French. Squelching the desire to rip the woman’s blonde hairs out by the roots, she did the next best thing.

Sliding her hand through his arm, she surprised both of them by the contact. She felt when he stiffened slightly. But instead of pulling away, he placed a hand over hers as they made their way towards the massive coat section.

The woman was waving poetic about the merits of cashmere and wool when they heard his name.

“Leo, what the hell are you doing here?”

He turned, a smile widening his lips. “David. I thought that was you.”

“You’re in France and did not contact us?” He stared at Sherrian curiously. He was gorgeous, breathtakingly so. She knew who he was of course. David Synder of Snyder’s fortune in sporting goods. She had read where he married a woman ten years his senior after running around as a playboy for most of his life.

“Where is Hailey?”

“She is – here she comes. We just stopped in to talk business. Darling.” His quick intimate smile tugged at Sherrian’s heart as the stunning woman draped in gold cashmere glided towards them.

“It’s Leo.”

“So, I see, darling.” Gliding over, she kissed him on the cheek before turning towards Sherrian, who felt dowdy and unattractive in her denims and sweater. “And who is this?”

“My wife, Sherrian.” Ignoring the clutching of her fingers into his arm, he smiled at the couple who stared at him in shock.

“You are married. Why the secrecy?” David demanded.

“it was low key.”

“Dinner.” Hailey’s husky tone brooked no refusal. “Pierre’s is a lovely little restaurant that I discovered since living here.” She glanced at Sherrian, a smile glowing in her dark brown eyes.

“It is a casual place. A jacket over your jeans and that should do it.” She held out a hand to Sherrian. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, darling, and I am looking forward to hear you dish on this hunk right here.”

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