Chasing after You, page 10
I’m frozen in place. “It isn’t about taking care of me. You have been for as long as I’ve known you. I’m a simple girl, Leo. What I want aren’t things. I want a man who will stand beside me. I want a man who looks at me like my father looks at my mother. How you look at me. I want you. I want us. The rest is just stuff.”
He exhales sharply and looks skyward. Whatever he has planned for the rest of the day is more than simple.
I continue before he can speak. “I appreciate whatever you have planned for the rest of our date. I need you to know being with me doesn’t require over-the-top anything each day. You have been giving me what I need for years; it just took us unbearably long to make it official.”
“I hear what you’re saying, but a man wants to take care of his woman. I need you to grant me the opportunity to do it. I love you, Lilianna. I have since the day we met.” Leo curls his arm around me and draws me flush against his body. His lips seize mine in a possessive, no-holds-barred kiss that is barely appropriate for our location. Regardless, we kiss and kiss and kiss some more. I can barely breathe.
I tug his lower lip between my teeth and break our kiss slowly. “I love you, Leo. I have since before I knew what love was.”
Silence surrounds us. Not even the tourist crowd is registering in my mind. I’m a private person, but having Leo claim me on a public street is more than I thought it would be.
“Want to get ready for dinner?” Leo murmurs near my ear.
I drop my head in acknowledgment, and we finish our walk back to my car. When we arrive home, I note my sister Lia’s car parked outside.
“Why is Lia here?”
“I thought you might want some help getting ready,” Leo proudly answers.
He’s absolutely right. Also, he knew I would choose Lia instead of my older sisters. Lina or Frankie would’ve been fine, but I’m closer to Lia. His attention to me is astounding. There was no reason for him to notice this detail over the last twenty-plus years. Yet he did. “Thank you.”
“No digging for details. Pip only has what she needs to know. I only shared the necessary information with everyone because you’re relentless when you want to garner information.” Leo coined her “pipsqueak” soon after they met. He shortened it to “pip” when she was a teenager.
“You know me so well.”
He leans over the armrest and brushes his lips over mine. “Yes, I do. You need to be ready by five.”
I glance at the dashboard clock. An hour and a half is more than enough time, isn’t it? What on earth is he planning? Once we’re inside, Lia whisks me away to my bedroom.
“How was your teenage date and early-morning date with Leo?”
I grin at her. “Good. How much detail do you know?”
“Not falling for it, Lily. I want details. Lots of details.”
“If I’m sharing, so are you,” I state pointedly.
She huffs. “You first.”
“We’re figuring out how we work… romantically. Are you even old enough for this conversation?”
“Very funny. You know how old I am.”
Was I old enough when I was twenty-two and dating Matt? No, but I did it anyway. “At first I thought it would be weird kissing Leo, but it’s far from weird. It’s like coming home. Part of me wishes I spoke up sooner, but it wasn’t the right time for us.”
“Awwww. I’m so happy for you. Leo is my favorite brother. It was nice to have a ginormous big brother in elementary school who happened to be one of the best football players in town. Please don’t tell Luca.”
I pretend to zip my lips shut. “You and Leo always had a special relationship.”
“Get in the shower, Lily. Your man has a few more tricks up his sleeve.”
My man. I seriously love that. “Fine, going.” I step into my shower and hurry along. Then a wave of trepidation slams through me—hard. Hard enough for me to set my hand on the Carrara marble title. Are we really doing this? Despite our slow-down agreement, I could feasibly have sex with Leo at any time going forward. Leo, my best friend for my entire life. Holy fuck! Butterflies flutter in my belly, and my heart starts to race. I never felt this way before or after sleeping with…. I push out a harsh breath, add more hot water, and gather my composure. I soap up my legs and shave from my ankle to… everywhere. The water is cold by the time I finish. I don’t believe it has ever happened before.
“Lily, are you okay in there?” Lia calls.
“Yes.” Got lost in my head for a minute, but I’m going to own my feelings and allow our romantic relationship to proceed. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
I throw on my robe, and Lia joins me in the bathroom. “Ready for more?”
I lift my eyebrow at her and take her extended hand. Lia leads me into my closet. Hanging beside my mirror is a garment bag from So Elegant.
“He didn’t…,” I whisper.
“Yeah, he did,” Lia whispers back.
I unzip the bag and find a long, fitted-to-the-waist, burgundy silk dress with a plunging neckline, slightly flared skirt, and thigh-high slit. “Wow! Did you already look?”
“No, it’s gorgeous. You have a similarly colored lingerie set, don’t you?”
“Close enough, yeah.” I look down on the dressing bench and find a box with a pair of fancy shoes. How did he get these here so quickly? I pull the heels out of the box and take a moment to gawk at the red soles. I don’t need any of this, but damn if it doesn’t feel good to be a little spoiled by Leo. “Did you help?”
“No. He did this all on his own with a little help from Kelly and the card with your measurements from Frankie’s wedding. Now, sit so I can dry your hair while you do your makeup. You can’t be late for your first date.”
Blushing and unable to control my smile, I take a seat at the vanity, and Lia gets to work on drying my hair. I apply more makeup than I usually wear, not surprising given I rarely wear any at all. Lia assists me in stepping into the dress. The silk is soft and smooth against my skin.
“You look beautiful, Lily.”
“Thanks, Lia. Is this all he has up his sleeve?”
She shakes her head but zips her lips at the same time. Lia grabs her bag and I walk her to the living room. I look around, but Leo is nowhere in sight. As Lia hugs me close, the doorbell rings.
“Have a wonderful time. Love you, Lily,” she says, pulling away.
“Thanks. Love you too, Lia.”
She grabs her keys. “You should answer the door.” She winks at me, then slips down the stairs toward the garage.
Feeling confused but excited, I answer the door, and the sight of Leo dressed in a suit and tie on the other side with a huge bouquet of flowers nearly knocks me on my ass. I’m entranced by him and the weight of this date.
“Lilianna, you look stunning.”
“Thank you. You look pretty hot yourself.” I reach a shaky hand forward and take the flowers. I inhale the scent before setting them on the console table near the front door.
“Can I come back in?”
A small smile curls up at the corner of my mouth. Then I stifle a giggle. “Yes, please come in.”
“No reason to be nervous, Stella. It’s just me.”
“Just you is precisely why I’m nervous and trying like hell not to be.”
As if he knows I need more reassurance, and he likely does, Leo draws me into his arms. I set my hands on his chest when one arm slides over the flare of my hip and rests at the curve of my ass. The other glides under my arm, and his big, warm hand heats most of the exposed skin of my back. The instant his strong arms tighten around me, every fiber in my body calms… or at least the nervous ones. The part of me noticing the effect I have on Leo is another matter for later.
“I know I said this already, but you look gorgeous.”
“Thanks. Did you decide on the dress or let Kelly choose?”
He loosens his hold on me slightly and tilts his head downward. “I gave her a loose idea of what I wanted, and she ran with it.”
I’m almost afraid to ask but do anyway. “Which was?”
“I asked for a body-hugging, moderate cleavage-baring dress with soft fabric. Kelly has skills.”
“Is this why you were worried before? My reaction to the dress and shoes.”
“Partially. I’m trying my best not to attempt to make up for lost time. Please allow me a little latitude for tonight.”
“I will.”
With the added height of the shoes, kissing Leo requires less stretching. I meet his mouth with mine and twist my tongue along his. He lifts my toes off the floor and takes two long strides further into the house. I grip his lapels and melt into him. The consuming surge of desire casts aside the awareness that Leo is kissing me with abandon. It takes restraint not to push his suit jacket to the floor.
I clench my thighs together to slow the flood of wetness. “Leo, we’re going to miss our reservation if we don’t leave soon.”
He sets his forehead against mine. “We aren’t leaving here. Matteo will be here in—”
The doorbell interrupts his response.
“Right now?”
Leo laughs softly and kisses the tip of my nose before answering the door. “Hey, Matteo. Thanks for coming.”
“You’re welcome, Leo. Family first. Cugina! Sei bellissima!” Matteo greets me with a kiss on each cheek.
“Grazie, cugino!”
“Now go. I’ll bring your appetizers in fifteen minutes.” Matteo swerves around us and steps into my kitchen. Matteo is a celebrity and athletic chef. He also happens to be my cousin. When I bought my house, it needed work, and I enlisted Matteo to assist in designing the kitchen. It closely mirrors his personal kitchen in his home, which is a few miles away.
Leo offers me his arm. I graciously loop our arms and allow him to lead. My patio looks like a scene from a romantic movie. Twinkle lights hang low enough to cast a gorgeous glow on the round table and two covered chairs that now occupy the patio. Soft jazz is playing in the background. Most notable and much like last night, the privacy screen is set up, though my neighbors aren’t close.
“How did you pull all this off?”
“My crew is exceptional. Also, they’re rooting for us and have been for a long time—at least that’s what they’ve been telling me.”
In a whisper, I ask, “My siblings?”
“Your parents too.”
A tear slips over the ball of my cheek. Leo kisses it away.
“When I asked you on a real date, I knew I would need help pulling it off. My boys are great, but none of them live close enough to assist with courting you properly. Although I’m sure they would show up to see me finally give in.”
“Who knew?”
“Back in college? Just Mo. They all suspected and respected me enough to stay away from you.” He pulls out my chair and sits beside me before continuing. “The first call was difficult, Lily. I was terrified they would shut me down and convince me we weren’t going to flourish as a couple.”
“Who did you call first?”
“Lina. I would’ve called Frankie first, but she’s not home yet.”
Matteo steps through the French doors with a pitcher. He silently fills our glasses and retreats. Leo doesn’t continue, as Matteo quickly returns. He sets a sharable plate of bruschetta with burrata and heirloom tomatoes in the center of the table and a second dish with watermelon, prosciutto, and mozzarella skewers on the other. Then he disappears.
I slide a serving of bruschetta onto each plate and grab a skewer. After a huge bite, Leo continues. “I was wrong, so wrong. If I was unaware you didn’t share with them, I would’ve thought everyone knew about your feelings other than me.”
I shake my head. “No one knew until a few weeks before I told you. I couldn’t deal anymore. I was close to imploding. I spent one of our movie nights in Boston to avoid you altogether. I couldn’t bear to be here alone again.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You know why. I would never give you an ultimatum.” I don’t need to add “like Danica did.” I would prefer to never utter her name again. “I didn’t know about your feelings then. You hid them exceptionally well, especially from me.”
He takes my hands in his. “I never will again.”
With a sweet kiss to my wrist, we return to eating and polish off the appetizers a few minutes before Matteo serves the main dish—seared scallops over a citrus salad with tomato and zucchini risotto. He leans closer to Leo and whispers some instructions.
Matteo straightens and turns to me. “Nice to see you two finally together.”
“Thank you, Matteo. Everything is perfect,” I offer before he slips back inside. “What was he whispering about?”
Leo winks at me. “He made dessert too.”
“Of course he did. Will you share what he made?”
“Nope. You can wait until after the dancing portion of our date.”
“Dancing, how fancy.” I try to keep a straight face, but I can’t.
Relief washes over him. “I was going to corner you at Frankie’s wedding.”
I set down my fork and verify I heard him correctly. “Meaning?”
“With Frankie’s wedding party being small, she asked me to dance with you at the reception. I planned to win you over with our shared history and divulge my true feelings. Circumstances dictated otherwise.”
“While I would’ve preferred to skip the hospital and damaged bar aspect, the time apart may have been a blessing.”
“Why?”
“I wouldn’t have accepted your invitation if it came any sooner.”
His brow furrowed. “Because?”
“I would’ve been afraid to be a rebound and ruin our friendship.”
“Is now long enough?”
“Yes.” It’s a small, seemingly insignificant word that states volumes.
Chapter Thirteen
Leonardo
I set my napkin on the table, rise from my chair, and extend my hand toward her. “May I have this dance?”
Her hand glides along my palm as she stands from her chair. My body craves to feel her curves molded against me again. I press a few buttons on a remote Lia set up earlier. She assured me the music would be perfect. Honestly, I don’t need music. All the noise in my heart and mind quiets with Lily in my arms.
With one hand curled tightly around her waist, the other linked with hers bent between us, we move slowly to the music. Time stands still. Her breathing is measured as her head rests on my chest.
A memory from the past crashes into my thoughts. Junior year of high school, we won the state championship for football. The homecoming dance followed the game. I embodied the captain of the football team, popular guy vibe. Yet I refused to date the head cheerleader, although Macie tried her best to make it happen. Instead, I used Lily as a buffer. I didn’t bring a date but told Macie I had one. It was the last time I danced with Lily. I realize here and now, it wasn’t my smartest move.
“I’m sorry, Lily.”
She lifts her head and looks up at me. “For what?”
“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I don’t want anything else unsaid between us.”
Silently she waits for me to continue.
“I used you as a buffer for the homecoming dance junior year.”
A slight pause later, Lily bursts into laughter. Aside from the reason she’s laughing at me, her laughter is melodic and glorious to my soul. “Oh, Leo! Girls talk way more than you think. I heard Macie and the rest of her squad talking about how she was going to make you hers at the dance. I knew before you asked me to go with you. I was never under the impression it was an actual date. I only went because you asked. Otherwise I would’ve gone home after your game and spent the night reading or hanging out with my siblings.”
“Seriously?”
“Of course! That all you got?”
“Yeah. You have something you need to share?”
“I can only think of one potential faux pas you may not know about.”
“Do tell.”
She laughs softly. “In college, Gina came to me and asked me if there was any way I could help her get you to give up football.”
“Did you give her ideas?” Levity laces my tone.
“No, of course not, but I never shared with you.”
“The irony is we met when she gave the freshman athletes our tour of the team facilities. She knew from the beginning I was there to play football.”
“I thought she was brighter than that.”
“No, not even close. I think even then it was on purpose to be with the new star recruit.”
Lily’s eyes flutter closed.
Rather than push further down memory lane, I set my hand on Lily’s waist and turn her away from me. The loss of her flush against me leaves me feeling cold and bereft. Once I surround her in my arms again, I dip her and grip her thigh with my hand. I set a possessive, spine-tingling kiss to her lips before drawing her upright again.
“Dessert now or later?”
“Now works. Will you share what Matteo crafted now?” She bats her eyes at me.
If I crack, she’ll learn another weakness when it comes to her. Her innocent look is too much to handle. The fact is I’ll do anything for Lily until my last breath. I would before we leapt into a relationship. I groan and answer, “Apple tart with almond mascarpone topping.”
“Did you request that? Matteo doesn’t know my favorite fruit.”
“I requested something with apple for dessert. He handled the rest.”
She clasps her hands around my neck and goes up on her toes as tall as she can to plaster a grateful kiss to my lips.
“Come on, let’s go plate dessert.” I take her hand in mine and lead her into the kitchen. Matteo left strict instructions for proper presentation of his magical confection.
Step by step, we follow his rules and plate the tart. I carry two waters and two forks while Lily carries our dessert to the table. We retake our seats and dig in. I watch the first bite of what I know will be a delectable dessert disappear into Lily’s mouth.
As predicated, her moan of appreciation says it all.
