Page 37 of Innocent

Chapter Nine

That night, I end up rubbing out another orgasm so I can get to sleep. Because my dreams are once again filled with sexy images of Leo, I start the morning jerking off in the shower.

#hotmess

Not even kidding.

I make sure I’m ready for him when he knocks on my hotel door at 6:55 the next morning. He’s always exactly five minutes early in a way that gives me the impression he usually arrives even earlier and takes his time making his way up to my room.

I mean, I’m guessing. Like with everything else involving Leo Cruz, it’s my gut instinct.

I also realize I like it when he picks me up in the morning.

It’s something I’ve quickly found myself looking forward to most mornings. There have been a few days he couldn’t come get me first, because of the president-elect’s schedule. Even then, Leo would text me good morning and ask me to text him when I made it safely to the office. One morning, when it was cold and raining, he had a Secret Service agent pick me up and drive me.

I haven’t had someone looking out for me since Mimi died.

Never realized how much I missed it before.

Today, a sweet, thick tension swirls between us. I know he’s feeling it because he’s giving me little knowing smiles and even winks at me once.

I catch him adjusting himself, too.

Did I mention he’s a fricking hunk in his suit?

#reallyhotmess

Yeah, I’m wondering if this will actually happen or if it’ll fizzle out, but I’m determined to try. Nothing ventured and all that bullshit, right?

After we reach work and go our separate ways, throughout the day my mind keeps focusing on Leo, even when we’re not together.

Tonight’s supposed to be about talking. Getting to know each other.Notsex.

There’s still a large part of me who wants to jump the man’s bones tonight.

Another part of me insists Leo’s a good man, especially if he’s willing to wait and take things slowly. That I should let him set the pace.

Hell, he’s got way more experience than I do.

Except nothing’s settled. Not even close. While it’s fun to fantasize that he’ll sweep me into his bed tonight…

Yeah, I know that shouldn’t happen.

NowI understand why Mimi went through such great lengths to talk to me about relationships and sex—so I don’t sell myself short. If I’d met someone like Leo years ago, I might have tumbled into bed with them the first night, if it wasn’t for Mimi’s cautious counsel pinging around in my brain.

Leo isn’t like any other guy I’ve ever met, though. I doubt I’ll have any regrets sleeping with him.

Maybe I’ll regretnotsleeping with him.

Yeah, I’d definitely regretthat.

Finally, after work’s over for the day, I return to my hotel—yes, I shower and masturbate because I won’t be able to hold a coherent thought in my head, much less a conversation, if I don’t—and change into jeans and a maroon Noles hoodie over a black T-shirt. I hope I’m dressed all right. I’m going for a casual vibe. I pick up a chilled bottle of wine on the way and head to his place.

I’m feeling damned nervous, too. Although the hike up to his third-floor apartment helps calm me somewhat.

Still, when Leo answers the door and looks into my eyes with blatant hunger and need, it makes me want to jump his bones.

He steps aside so I can enter. “Hey, there.”