“I remember plenty about you.” I don’t take my eyes off her. “I remember the pink bike you rode around the neighborhood, bullying half the kids to get your way.”
“I loved that bike.” Her eyebrows draw downward. “Why don’t I remember you?”
“I’m older, and I didn’t go to St. Catherine’s.”
“Ah. Wait. So you did know who I was at the wedding, then. I mean, we grew up with each other. How could you not know?”
“The last time I saw you, you were seven. You’ve changed a bit.”
When shit went south between my father and hers, we moved out of the neighborhood and away from everyone and everything I ever loved. It wasn’t until years later that I really understood why we’d had to move.
She grabs her breasts, lifting them higher and giving me a show in her V-neck T-shirt. “I know I didn’t have these,” she teases, knowing full well she’s driving me mad and loving every second of the sweet torture she’s inflicting.
I close my eyes, wishing the elevator moved a little faster or I lived on a lower floor. “Your mouth hasn’t changed at all.”
10
Daphne
Leo’s penthouseis nothing short of amazing. With the floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek hardwood floors, and modern furniture, everything about the place screams single male and excess wealth.
“Make yourself comfortable,” he says as he tosses his keys on a table near the door.
I walk toward the windows, soaking in the decadence. The city lights twinkle in the distance like a cloudless sky, sparkling against an endless backdrop. “The city’s beautiful from up here.”
Leo stands behind me, his body heat licking at my back. “I’ve spent many nights staring out across the city.”
I smile over my shoulder, but I don’t let my gaze linger too long. His cocky smile and luscious mouth are like my kryptonite, making it almost impossible for me to hold true to my promise to be done with him. “I can see why. It’s so beautiful,” I say, keeping my focus on the skyline in front of me.
“Want to sit outside?”
“Yes,” I say quickly. I know staying inside means we’d sit on the couch, and the likelihood I’d end up in Leo’s lap or in his bed is extremely high. I need to maintain a safe distance because my willpower around him is damn near nonexistent.
Leo grabs a bottle of red and two wineglasses before I follow him onto the patio. I’m not planning on staying long enough to polish off a bottle, but Leo doesn’t seem to care. I settle into the chair near the railing, on the opposite side of the table, and swallow down my fear of heights.
The best course of action is to get right to the point and not to veer off topic. “What did you want to talk about?”
Leo stares at me for a moment as he pours two glasses. I drink him in, noticing the silver cuff links sparkling like the stars above our head. They’re expensive, just like his penthouse.
“I need to know who saw us at the airport.”
“You’re not going to…” I pause and look out across the city, wondering if I should tell Leo the man’s name. While the physical attraction to Leo is undeniable, I don’t know enough about him to know if he’s dangerous or not. I bring my gaze to his and soak in his piercing eyes. “You know…”
“I’m not going to hurt anyone, Daphne. I’m not my father,” he says.
“Fine. All I know is his name is Billy. I don’t know a last name or what he does, but he knows my brother and was all too quick to call him and report on my whereabouts.”
“I’ll take care of him.” He hands me a wineglass like he didn’t just say he was going to off someone, and my eyes widen in horror. “I’ll talk to him,” Leo corrects and shakes his head slowly. “Again, I’m as much like my father as you are yours. Stop thinking the worst of me.”
I glance down, running my fingers along the base of the wineglass. I feel so out of place and like a fool. “What are we doing here, Leo?”
“Talking,” he says like it’s that simple.
“I know that, but why?” My gaze flickers to his for a brief second, but the lust is too strong, and I have to look away. “I told you we were through. I sound like a broken record at this point.”
“If my father wasn’t my father and your father wasn’t yours, would you still be telling me there’s no future for us?”
I don’t answer right away. I ponder the question along with the complexity and simplicity of the entire situation. I want to lie to him. It would be easier for both of us if this were nothing more than a passing attraction. I really wish I’d fucked him out of my system, but that only seemed to make matters worse.
