My body shivers at his words and I just nod.
“We really appreciate it. Thank you, Cole.”
“You’re more than welcome. I hate to talk shop when we aren’t in the office, but I’d like you both to know I will have my decision in a few weeks. I have some pretty big deals going down in Europe at the moment and things are pretty hectic.” He sighs. “Some of the hotels aren’t where we would like them to be and… Actually, you don’t need to know my problems.” He lets out a small laugh. “Look, we’re going in the same direction. Would you both like a lift?”
“Oh, that would be great,” Leo answers for us both, guiding me toward the waiting car as I still can’t seem to form words.
Baby.
One word.
Four letters.
Is all it takes to disarm me.
It’s been a tough few days living with Leo and his ever-increasing touches and soft kisses when no one is watching. But he hasn’t tried to take it any further. It’s like he is testing the waters, but every time I react and lose myself, sensing something is shifting, he pulls away. I’m obviously imagining everything and making up the scenario in my head that he wants me behind closed doors. Add that to finding nothing on Ezra and Dale, and I’m coiled so tight I’m about to snap.
But no amount of yoga or relaxation is relieving the tension.
Dressed in my midnight-blue, floor-length satin dress with a slit up the side revealing my thigh, I twist, examining my look for tonight's gala. The neckline is high, showing a slight hint of cleavage, with twisted thick straps that drape down my back andtie into a delicate bow just above my ass. The dress is completely backless and gives the illusion of a perfect hourglass shape. Gold Gucci sandals peek out from the bottom of the dress, and I have placed quite a few thin gold bangles on my right wrist, framing the gold Patek Phillipe my parents presented to me for graduating from Harvard.
I have pinned my hair up in an intricate half twist with golden pins to ensure it all stays in place, but have left the rest of my waves trailing down my back. My makeup is dewy and natural. I hate being too made up, but for events like tonight, I enjoy putting on my makeup and feeling feminine.
Pleased with my appearance, I grab my gold Birkin clutch and head into the living room, my steps faltering to a stop when I lock eyes with Leo who is pacing, his hand wrapped tightly around a tumbler of scotch.
I’ve seen Leo in a tux before, but it is the look of pure adoration swimming in his eyes that I haven’t seen before. We just stare at each other for a beat, both frozen, neither daring to break the moment. It is Leo who speaks first.
“Ria, Christ, you look sensational.” Placing his tumbler down, he closes the gap between us slowly, and heat rises through my entire body. The sheer intensity of his gaze has me gasping for breath as he reaches down to drop a lingering kiss to my cheek. My eyes close automatically, my body stiffens, and my fingers twitch around my clutch as I force myself not to sink them into his soft blond waves and take his lips in mine.
“Thank you,” I say almost breathlessly.
“We have to work on this,” he says quietly as he pulls away slightly.
“Work on what?”
“You relaxing when I touch you like this.” Resting his hands on my hips, he pulls me into him and my chest presses into his. The contact has tingles rippling down my spine, and my nipplesharden as they brush against the thin silk fabric of my dress and the heat radiating from him. “People aren’t going to believe we’re a happily married couple if you tense up every time I touch you.”
“So that’s why you’ve been more touchy this week?” The thought that he was only playing his part hits me square in the chest.
“Partly. Come on.” Sliding one of his hands around my back, he turns and guides me to the couch. Goose bumps coat my skin at the warmth of his hand on my lower back, and I have to remind myself that this is just my body reacting to a touch it hasn’t had in so long. Jade and Grace have gotten in my head, making me believe this is more than it is. He pulls me down onto the couch next to him. “Here, have a sip of this.” He hands me a glass of scotch before picking his own back up. “This should loosen you up.” We click our glasses together before both taking a sip. The smooth amber liquid slips beautifully down my throat, and the heat of it settles in my stomach, warming me from the inside out.
“Thank you. You’re right that I needed that.”
“You know I’ll never get tired of hearing that.”
“What?”
“That I’m right.” I roll my eyes and he laughs. “People don’t say it enough to me.”
“I don’t think they want to inflate your ego any more than it already is.”
“You wound me, Ri Ri.” Giggling, I take another sip of scotch. “This is what I need.”
“Huh?”
“This.” He drapes his arm across the back of the couch, the tips of his fingers tickling the bare skin on my shoulder. “This relaxed Ri Ri.”
“Maybe I need a few more of these.” I lift the glass to my lips, but he swiftly takes it from me, placing both my glass and his down on the coffee table. “Hey,” I complain.
