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“A couple more days and then we are off to Italy. I had business here and a bit in Italy, but it is mostly for her. She wanted to explore the different pastries.”
“Take advantage of it and stop being such a bloody gentleman.”
Leo chuckled softly at that. “I would have, except the fact that her cheating bastard of a fiancé was doing it with her best friend. They were on the very verge of getting married. Plans were in place, church booked, invitations sent out and honeymoon destination – right here in this wonderful city.”
“Oh, good Christ.”
“Yeah.” Leo took another sip and glanced over at the two women. They were attracting quite a bit of attention. Hailey was so elegant and sophisticated with her short crop of hair and cool mannerisms and Sherrian – well she was magnetic, wasn’t she?Her hair bounced with every move and the energy just crackled around her.
“You don’t want to push and end up shoving her away.”
“No.”
“At the same time, you do not want to wait to cement her in that betrayal mode. I say, go the hell for it and damn the consequences.”
“It is not just physical for me. I am in love with her.”
“All the more reasons for you to get a move on. Don’t wait until you get back home where it is familiar. Start working on it now.”
*****
“You’re drunk.” He laughed as she stumbled on her way towards the door and he had to grab her arm, to help her along. All through the journey home, she had slept, her light snore amusing him.
“I am no…, not.” She spoiled that by giggling and leaning against him. “I am pleasantly buzzed and loose. Is that a term? Loose. And I think my head is spinning. That Hailey can sure handle her liquor.”
“I have never heard of anyone getting drunk on champagne before.” Supporting her frame with one hand, he pressed the code to open the door.
“I drank several glasses. Did I tell you that I have a very light head?”
“No,” he locked the door behind them and helped her out of her jacket. “I know now. Easy darling.” The endearment came naturally and none of them noticed it. “Here we go.” He wrapped a hand around her waist, and she leaned into him.
“I like her, and David is so gorgeous.”
He stiffened at that. “He’s happily married.”
She laughed and leaned in even more. “You are gorgeous too and so sexy. Did I tell you that?”
His heart did a song and dance, and his body shuddered.
“I don’t recall you saying anything,” he guided her up the steps carefully.
“Well, you are and there are times when I want to jump you and bite you on the lip. You have this smoldering sexiness going on.”
He was not sure how much more he could take. Her words were an aphrodisiac, which combined with her slender curves against him was making him crazy.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed her door open and led her towards the bed. Flopping down, she lifted her hands in the air. “I feel so good. Paris is wonderful, isn’t it?”
He knelt to take off her boots and socks.
“It is, yes.”
“And so romantic. A city for lovers. But we aren’t – are we?”
“Sadly, no.”
“We should change that.”
He went as still as a stone and lifted his head to stare at her.