Page 85 of One Night Together

CHAPTER 35

CASSIE

After checking the time all day, Cassie closed her laptop and grabbed her jacket.

“Do you have any plans for the weekend?” Zhara asked, coming into their shared office.

“I’m seeing Leo.” She wanted to shout it out loud for the entire office to hear.

“Tell me you’re going to wear that dress,” Zhara said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Cassie stood and picked up her bag. “I sure am.” During their business trip to Paris, she and Zhara had passed by a small boutique with the perfect little black dress in the window. It was sexy with thin spaghetti straps, a snug bodice that displayed just enough cleavage, and a generous skirt that accommodated her full hips. She tried it on and fell in love with it, despite costing most of a month’s salary.

“Then why are you still here?” Zhara used her hands to shoo her away. “Go home and get ready for your date.”

“Thanks, Zhara. Have a great weekend.” She rushed out of her office.

After a shower, she dug through her cosmetics bag. The last time she wore makeup was when she was a bridesmaid in a cousin’s wedding over a year ago. Applying mascara, her reflection shifted from plain to polished. Satisfied with her efforts, she dried her hair into thick waves. She didn’t need her glasses, but just in case, she’d store them in a clutch purse. Once she was dressed and done fluffing her hair, she applied her favorite red lipstick. Taking a final look, she turned right and left and liked what she saw.

The doorbell rang, and she glanced at the time. Leo was a few minutes early. She stepped into her heels, picked up her clutch purse, and headed to the door, her pulse increasing with every step. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.

Leo stood in front of her wearing an impeccably tailored dark suit, his face was clean shaven, and he’d had his hair cut. Their eyes met, and he gave her a languorous smile.

“I know I’m repeating myself, because every time I see you I tell you that you’re beautiful, but tonight you take my breath away.” He lifted her hand to kiss.

His lips brushed against her skin with the softest touch. The pull toward him was irresistible. “Thank you. And I will never get tired of you telling me I’m beautiful.” It wasn’t just that Leo complimented her, she could see the sincerity in his eyes.

Leo handed her overnight bag to the driver and helped her inside a waiting Bentley.

The car pulled away from the curb, and they made their way through London traffic.

“So, where are you taking me for dinner?”

Leo took her hand. “A place that’s been in my family for generations.”

“Your family owns a restaurant?”

“No, we used to own the building a long time ago.”

The Bentley entered the St. James area of London and eventually passed under a stone archway and through a pair of ornate, wrought iron gates, which opened into a grand courtyard. An enormous stone building, complete with elaborate baroque architecture, stood in the center.

“Where are we?”

“This is the Leyton Hotel. It has one of the finest restaurants in the city. Charles Sutton built it.”

“It’s stunning. I’ve never heard of it.”

“Since he had so many affairs, building a small private hotel was more discrete without anyone meddling into his personal life. The Leyton is named after Louisa Leyton, his favorite mistress. Eventually, though, the press found out.”

“It must have caused a huge scandal.”

“It did. That’s why his son was such an uptight guy, but he was also pragmatic. Leonard recognized a good business opportunity. He expanded the building and kept the name because people loved the hotel’s notoriety. It was a huge success.”

“It seems a little hypocritical.”

“Definitely,” Leo said with a laugh. “Once the hotel was established, he sold it. From then on, Sutton Properties built hotels for others to manage. Leonard made a fortune off the sale and was motivated to create even more wealth for the family.”

The car parked in front of the hotel, and a valet opened the car door. “Good evening, Mr. Sutton. Miss,” he said, tipping his hat.

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