His hand is back on my knee, stroking the spot that makes my belly tighten. “There was a spark between us from the moment I touched you, Daphne. I’ve never felt that with another person. Maybe it’s your fiery mouth or your beautiful lips, but I can’t stop myself from wanting you. Couldn’t keep myself from taking you home that night and thinking about you nonstop since the moment you walked out of my place, leaving your scent in my bed and turning my world upside down.”
I swallow roughly, knowing exactly what he’s talking about. From the moment I first heard his voice, my body has responded to him in every way. Even his touch sends goose bumps across my skin. I should hate him. I should stay away, but Leo makes that impossible, and my body’s reaction isn’t helping.
“Our fathers are enemies. You said it yourself, neither would think twice about offing one of us. Normal people don’t hop on private planes to fly to a different state to stay under the radar for a date. There’s so much wrong with this, Leo. So much is fucked up about the entire situation.”
Leo’s grip tightens on my leg. “And yet, somehow, there’s so much that’s right. Tell me you don’t feel it.”
God, I want to tell him he’s wrong and to go to hell, but I can’t seem to get the words out of my mouth. I’m having trouble even thinking. Leo’s too close, his skin on mine, and the plane’s vibrating, reminding me we’re high in the air.
Leo Conti could very well be my undoing.
7
Leo
Up until the plane ride,I hadn’t given Daphne one good reason to think I was an honorable man or trustworthy in any way.
Hell, I didn’t even bother to correct her when she thought we’d had sex. It was a sleazeball move, but I liked her thinking we’d done more than actually sleep together.
Tonight, I’d reserved the chef’s table at the fanciest and most exclusive steakhouse in Nashville. Dining in the kitchen gave us more privacy, and I didn’t want her looking over her shoulder most of the night instead of keeping her eyes on me.
Daphne fidgets, touching the silverware on both sides of her plate as soon as we sit down. “This is impressive.”
“Nothing but the best,” I tell her, pouring the champagne I selected earlier for this special occasion.
“You really shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble,” she says as she takes the champagne flute from my hand. “It’s beautiful, but I’m really a simple girl.”
“There’s nothing simple about you, Daphne.”
She blushes and looks away before lifting the champagne to her lips.
“Leo, my dear friend,” Martin, the chef and owner, says as he approaches our table.
“Martin, thank you for having us this evening on such short notice.”
“Ah. Anything for you. Your lady is quite beautiful.” He smiles at Daphne, no doubt just as struck by her beauty as I am. Daphne’s blush only deepens as Martin continues to talk. “But you’ve always been a lucky bastard.”
“I’ve never been as lucky as I am tonight.” I wink at Daphne, wanting her to know exactly how I feel.
“I have to get back to work, but your first course will be ready shortly.”
“Thank you,” Daphne says to Martin with the sweetest smile.
“It is entirely my pleasure, madam.” He tips his head, drinking her in in much the same way most men do when they cross her path.
“He seems really nice,” Daphne says, watching over my shoulder as Martin is no doubt putting on a show. “Have you known him long?”
“For a few years. We used to work together before he decided to open this restaurant. I helped him get it off the ground, becoming part owner until he was able to buy me out.”
“Well, that was nice of you.”
“It was purely a business decision,” I tell her, but I would’ve done anything for Martin. He helped me launch my hotel in Nashville, ensuring it was a success in an already flooded market.
“I find that hard to believe,” she says, smiling at me over the rim of her champagne flute.
“I’m a good guy, Daphne.” I feel like I’m pleading my case, trying to get her to think of me as someone other than Mario’s son.
“I realize that now.”
