Page 32 of Leo

“You had better.” She touched his cheek intimately. “Now shoo.”

He kissed her again and let it linger this time. “Come on buddy, let’s go and buy ourselves some overpriced liquor, while our women gossip about us.”

“Your colossal ego is going to be the death of you.”

With a laugh, he followed Leo to the elegant bar.

Sherrian had to swallow the lump that had formed inside her throat as she watched the intimate foreplay between the couple. She wanted something like that, the thought slammed inside her with a force that had her sitting up.

She barely saw when Hailey nodded to the hovering waiter who came forward immediately.

“Two glasses of Dom,” she told him in French.

“Now darling, shall we get started?”

“There is really nothing much to tell,” Sherrian hedged slightly.

“Why don’t I go first.” Hailey gave her an appraising look. “When I met David, I was not looking for a relationship.” Merci.” She gave the man a dazzling smile that had him blinking as he brought the glasses of wine. “I was forty-five and he was ten years younger.”

She took a sip and nodded in approval. “I was a respected professor at a well-known university and worked my ass off to get where I was. I had a one-night encounter with him at a party and thought that was it. The sex was amazing of course, the best I ever had, but that was to be expected. He was David Synder.” She smiled whimsically.

“I thought that was it. But he found me and pursued me until I gave in. At first I just wanted it to be something physical, but who was I kidding? I was hooked from the very beginning.”

“Yet there had to be doubts on your side. The age factor, his reputation, and the fact that he was heir to a fricking fortune.”

Hailey laughed huskily, eyes dancing. “I really like you. Yes, all those were in play and I tried my best to make him go away. But he stuck. I even went as far as getting engaged to another man.” She laughed again at the look on the younger woman’s face.

“Yes, darling. I went to the extreme. The man was more of my age and solid. And I wanted to show David that it would not work between us. I ended up wounding a good man because of my utter selfishness. I had fallen head over heels in love with David and I was pregnant, at my age.” She shook her head.

“He came to my place; guns blazing and told me in no uncertain terms that he was not going anywhere.” Her expression became luminous as she gazed over at the bar where they were seated. “I had my doubts and told him in no uncertain terms that if he cheated on me even once, I was going to slice off his cock and feed it to him in increments.”

The two women’s laughter had heads turning, including the two men at the bar.

Chapter 8

What do you think has them so amused?” Leo murmured, staring at Sherrian.

“What else?” David’s eyes danced. “The story about us – Hailey and me of course.” He contemplated his friend over his glass. “Stuck on her, are you?”

“Big time.” He admitted wryly. “Is it that obvious?”

“I am familiar with the look and feel of it. Having been there myself, am still there,” his gaze flickered towards the woman who had turned his life upside down and put a spanner into his running around, just cruising through life.

She had brought him the miracle of purpose and a love that was so powerful, it made him giddy. Even now after years of marriage and children, he was still reeling. The emotions churning inside him made him sick to his stomach and sometimes he would wake up in fear and wondered if she was still next to him.

She was his life and without her, he was nothing at all.

“When are you going to tell her?”

He grinned at his friend’s wry expression. “It is also clear that she does not know. You are so careful not to touch her even though you are dying to. My advice? Go for it. Seduce the hell out of her.”

Leo took a fortified sip of his cherry bourbon. “You’re the playboy with all the moves.”

“Former and you are not too shabby yourself. I am assuming there is some sort of arrangement going on?”

Leo nodded. “I am not at liberty to disclose the details, but yes, there is.”

“And you want it to be more than that. Man, you are in this city, the most romantic in the world. For how long?”