LEO

"Leo! Leo!"

I shuddered awake. It had been the nightmare about the explosion, like usual, but now a woman was screaming my name? Was she hurt? Bleeding? Dying?

Where the hell am I?

Oh.

In bed.

In Jessica's hotel.

Exhaling, I turned on the light perched on the nightstand next to the sleek, art deco style bed. I blinked several times and tried to collect myself. Had someone really been calling my name?

I heard a knock at the door. It was insistent.

"Leo! Are you okay? Please open up."

Shit.

I groaned inwardly and checked the time. It was three in the morning. I must have shouted loud enough to wake Jessica. Only a few hours ago I'd chastely kissed her goodnight in the kitchen. It was good the guest had come in. I'd been poised to take Jessica to bed. And while it was exactly what I wanted, I still wasn't prepared to tell her about my nocturnal issues. So, I'd been proud I'd mustered the willpower not to bust into her room once the clueless insomniac guest went upstairs.

I rose to unlock the door and opened it slowly, grateful I'd worn a T-shirt and cotton boxers to sleep.

"Oh, thank God, you're fine." She let out a breath.

"I'm sorry. Sorry for waking you."

"I was worried something was really wrong. You were shouting. At first, I thought someone was breaking in, but then I realized it was you. And I got concerned."

I looked up at her, fearing my eyes screamed with fear and sadness. Or worse, weakness.

"You're having a nightmare," she said.

I nodded and stared at the floor, embarrassed.

"Hey," she whispered. "It's going to be okay."

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me. Hesitantly, I returned her hug, running my hands over the soft cotton of her shirt, up and down her back. She wore a matching sky-blue top and little shorts. If I weren't so drained from the nightmare, I would have had a difficult time controlling my desire for her. The little pajama outfit barely concealed her body.

"Come on." She pulled me back toward the bed.

"Jessica, I'm okay. I'm going back to sleep, and you should too," I protested. I wanted her to leave, but was too tired to put up a fight. Or, no, I didn't want her to go. What I really wanted was her comfort.

"Hush. Get back in bed."

She cranked up the air conditioner, and a cool breeze washed across my overheated skin. Since it was so warm in the room, why hadn't I thought of that? I wasn't thinking straight. Hadn't been since...well, for a long time now. I slid between the sheets and tried not to act surprised when she climbed on the bed and sat next to me.

"Lie on your side. Away from me. And take off your shirt. It's soaked with sweat."

I did as she asked, and she rubbed my back. While my skin was scorching, her hand felt soothing, cool. I flopped onto my stomach, and she caressed me with long, slow strokes of her fingers.

"Just go back to sleep," she whispered. "You're okay now. Safe."

I felt her lean over and turn out the light, the movement bathing me in her floral, feminine scent. I rolled onto my side, anticipating she'd leave. It was only right. This was no way to sweep a woman off her feet. Who would want to deal with issues like this? She was just being nice before she made her escape.

But she didn't leave. Instead, she slipped between the sheets and spooned me, her back to my chest. She wrapped my arm tight around her waist and snuggled close, her body soft and wonderful. For a few seconds, I held my breath, not quite believing the joy I felt at being so physically close to her. The last thing I remembered before drifting off to sleep was her contented sigh.

I woke up several times, worried I was going to talk in my sleep and inadvertently reveal my dark secret. Fearful I would wake up screaming—or worse, that I'd get out of bed and do something stupid.

By the time the sun came up, I'd been awake for hours, but hadn't stopped holding Jessica in my arms.

JESSICA

My eyes fluttered open, then widened in panic. What time was it? Where was I? The sheets were white and crisp, not soft and flannel like mine, and the bed was smaller.

I rolled over.

Leo. This was his bed.

I sat up, glancing at the bedside clock, and exhaled. It was six in the morning, later than I usually rose, but not too late to attend early-rising, hungry guests. Stretching, I felt warmth sweep through my body, realizing I'd slept next to him all night. He hadn't tried to get sexy with me either, which was a bit of a shock.

In an early-morning haze, I padded into his bathroom. A vague memory of him kissing my neck and cheek, then leaving the bed washed over me. His lips had lingered on my nape. He had nuzzled me with his nose. And, of course, he had held me, tight and possessive, all night.

My smile faded as I recalled how hesitant, how scared he had looked when he'd flung open the door last night. I couldn't have left him by himself. The urge to comfort him was too strong, and I'd given in to it. And was glad I did, especially because he hadn't tried any delicious shenanigans. He was a true gentleman. Now, however, where was he?

It didn't take long to find him. He was in the kitchen, buzzing around, drinking coffee and baking what smelled like bread. He had a bag of oranges on the counter and had found the juicer. His surplus of energy was impressive considering the night he'd had.

"Hey...you're up early. What are you making?"

"Banana bread. And juice."

It was remarkable how my insides still seemed to liquefy when I heard his New Orleans accent. I grinned. "You didn't have to do all this."

"It's no big deal. I wanted to let you sleep in a little. I figured I'd help with breakfast prep. I found your list of guests and a menu." He pointed to the fridge, where I kept a detailed whiteboard of the week's schedule. "You're very organized. It's impressive."

I must have looked skeptical, because he laughed.

"Jess, I can handle it, so you go back to bed. I've got this covered. It's the least I can do for waking you up in the middle of the night."

He wrapped me in his arms, and I felt a zing of desire rush through me when he kissed the top of my head.

"Seriously, thank you for last night," he said huskily. "It meant a lot to me. Just you being there."

The way he said those words made my throat tighten. I almost wanted to weep from the tenderness in his voice, and I was glad to give him a little comfort. What would he have done if I hadn't been there?

"I couldn't let you be alone," I murmured. "I know what it's like to be alone."

After a few moments, he broke away with a groan. "I don't want to stop holding you, but I have to check the oven."

I smiled. "Okay. I'm going back to my apartment to finish washing up. I'll return to put the food out for the guests."

"Are you sure?" Leo asked. "You can take it easy. I don't mind. Really."

Wow. This, more than anything, was shocking. Jacob would never have offered to jump in and help serve guests, but then, I should have learned my lesson and stopped measuring real men against him long ago.

"Leo?"

He flashed a glance at me. "Yes?"

"Thank you for helping me this morning."

"Anytime."

His smile caused me to practically skip to my apartment like a girl, and as I readied myself for the day, I considered what it would be like if Leo's presence in my life was permanent. I reminded myself he'd said he was eventually returning to Louisiana, but I fantasized for hours about running the hotel with him. Kissing him. Sleeping next to him, naked, all night. Waking up each morning in his arms after hours of hot sexy times like we'd enjoyed all those years ago.

Could I ever allow myself such happiness?

JESSICA

Damn this guava paste.

I was trying to wrangle the sticky substance out of its package when Leo stuck his head in the kitchen door.

"Hey. I wanted to tell you again if you need help with anything tonight for dinner, I'm here for you."

He'd offered to help earlier, but I'd demurred, not wanting to impose on him or press him into working when he had so much to do for his own business. Now, however, I was falling behind.

I shot him a pleading look. "Would you mind putting together these guava and cheese appetizers while I check the roast? I thought I'd be further along than this."

He grinned and strode over to the sink to wash his hands. "No problem."

Today, he wore a tight-fitting white T-shirt and blue jeans. Just the act of him washing his strong hands, his forearm muscles flexing and tensing, made me flush with such intense heat, I had to turn away, otherwise I'd stare inappropriately. I wasn't used to such a sexy, masculine presence in my kitchen—or my life.

After a few moments of assembling the little appetizers, he walked over to me and held out his hand. "It's the last of the guava," he said, wagging his finger coated in pink, sugary fruit paste. "It's all yours."

Grinning, I opened my mouth. He offered his finger. I quickly licked it, like a hesitant feline, then took his finger all the way in and sucked. We each simultaneously raked in a breath and locked eyes. Swallowing, I caved first, turning away from him, my cheeks aflame. Maybe being in a hot kitchen with a scorching man wasn't such a good idea. I certainly didn't feel like cooking.

Over the next hour, my libido on a slow boil, we prepared dinner and talked about everything from our favorite foods to books to movies. We'd talked about so much, and yet it always seemed like there were new topics to explore. Like how we both wanted to see the Grand Canyon someday, how neither understood the appeal of a certain presidential candidate, and how we each loved The Black Keys.

"Do you know how many nights as a teenager I thought about how much we had in common? And it's still true," Leo said as he cut limes into little wedges.

"Does that surprise you?" I retorted.

He shook his head. "Not really. We had the same likes and dislikes five years ago too. Now we're just a bit more mature about them."

"Is there anything 'mature' about loving Pixar movies?" I asked, laughing.

"Probably not, but I don't really care."

Smiling, I excused myself to get ready. Leo said he, too, had to shower, but before he walked out, he stopped in front of me and kissed me full on the mouth. The kiss was hungry but soft, his tongue exploring, demanding, promising.

He stopped himself with a groan. "This isn't the time, I guess. Later? I'm ready. Are you?"

I nodded vigorously, and he laughed, so I tilted my face and brushed my lips over his once more. And when I got back to my apartment, I closed the door and grinned with happiness.

I had originally planned on wearing regular clothes because, after all, it was just my family and Catalina coming over. But I wanted to put in a little more effort now, so I donned one of my more form-fitting maxi dresses—the one that matched my eyes—and tamed my curls with a flat iron.

When I walked into the kitchen to pick up the first tray of appetizers, Leo was already there. His biceps tested the seams of his white, button-down oxford, which was paired with well-fitting khakis and interesting tan leather shoes.

I was happy at how he reacted to me—with a downward sweep of his blue eyes so his long lashes almost skimmed his cheekbones. I always melted when he looked at me like that, all languid and sexy, as if all he wanted to do was slowly peel off my clothes. Like he would be doing in a few short hours.

"Damn, you're gorgeous," he said. "Just when I think I've seen you at your most beautiful, you go and surprise me and look even hotter."

I beamed. Leo had a way of complimenting me that didn't seem fake or contrived. No, the way he treated me seemed genuine, and with each shared moment, I became less skeptical of the possibility of a future.

"Thank you," I said, curtseying. "Oh, um, we're eating upstairs on the rooftop tonight."

We busied ourselves with carting the appetizers and drinks into the hotel's small elevator up to the rooftop, which I'd decorated with tropical plants. This had always been Mom's favorite spot in the whole building, and I knew she would have loved how it looked now, like a lush oasis in the sky, what with the view of the ocean and setting sun, and the little twinkling star lights I'd strung around some of the larger potted palms.

"We have a couple more things to grab," Leo remarked as I straightened the punch bowl on a nearby table. "I'll handle it."

I looked up. "No, I'll ride downstairs in the elevator with you. I think I need more club soda."

We got into the small elevator, and Leo slid the grate shut and pressed the old-fashioned button. He was tall and broad, and the elevator was so tiny, I felt as though I had nowhere to stand but close to his body. When he glanced down, I detected a hunger, a look of pure lust, and that's when I surged toward him, stood on my toes and slid my hand to his neck, my thumb stroking his strong jawline. His lips parted into a small, expectant smile.

"I think I just wanted to be alone with you," I whispered.

We kissed, a fiery, passionate joining. There was no hesitancy this time, just pent-up want. It was too much, our need for each other, and we'd denied it too long.

Leo's big hands slid down my back and cupped my ass, drawing me forcefully into his hips. I gasped a little when I felt his hardness pressing into my body, then rested my other hand on his chest as our tongues mingled. I shuddered, desiring him right here and now. No one, not even the Leo of five years ago, had ever built a heat in me like this.

"I want you. Tonight. I can't hold off anymore, Jess."

His words made me hot and desperate. I wanted to drown in his voice, wanted to beg him to whisper the details of every wicked thing he'd like to do.

"What do you want?" I murmured.

With a groan, his hand cupped my jaw, and he spoke soft against my cheek while the other slid slowly to my breast. "I want this," he whispered, caressing me. "I want you."

I pressed my mouth against his, unable to listen more. Hell, he could have me right there if he wanted.

We hadn't noticed the elevator had stopped, we were so consumed with tasting each other's tongues, but we broke away abruptly when the door slid open to slowly reveal Nicole and Grace.

"Oh!" I said, flustered. I stepped away from Leo, but Nicole still might have seen us kissing. It was obvious enough what we were doing, since Leo's hands had been roaming over my butt. I awkwardly pulled at the fabric of my clothes, and Leo cleared his throat.

"Hey," he said.

Nicole arched an eyebrow. We'd been caught.

We stepped out of the elevator. Nicole and Grace stepped in.

I glanced at my sister. "Oh...uh, hi. Where's Daniel?"

"I told you about five times earlier. He has Florida Department of Law Enforcement training in Tallahassee."

"Guess we'll have leftovers," I muttered.

"Mommy, they were kissing," Grace whispered.

Nicole just smirked as the door closed.

By the heat in my cheeks, I knew my face was bright red. "I guess our secret's out."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No. Not at all." Then I beamed, because I didn't care who knew about us. As long as he didn't, I didn't. We were both adults this time.

In the kitchen, we tried to gather the rest of the food, but paused twice to kiss. Two more blazing exchanges.

"We have to stop," I said weakly. "I hear the elevator. It's probably Catalina, and we've got to serve dinner."

He stole another kiss from my lips. "This is the only dinner I want. And then dessert."

* * *

"So, have you told him?"

I sipped my mojito and watched Leo chat with my sister across the rooftop terrace. "Told him what?"

"About your vagina?"

I rolled my eyes. Catalina could be so crass. "No. God. Shhh," I hissed.

"Are you going to tell him?"

"No! That's not the kind of thing a guy wants to hear, Cat. Jesus." Was it? "And it hasn't come up."

"So, you guys haven't done it?"

"No. But..." my voice trailed off, and I couldn't help thinking about how he'd touched me in the water and how we practically inhaled each other's mouths downstairs in the kitchen. And then he'd talked about dessert, but not the kind you eat. Well, not exactly. I just hoped I could deliver when the time came and not crumble like a dry cake.

"But what?"

"Nothing," I said quickly, deciding not to tell my friend the details of her near-orgasm in the Gulf of Mexico. Still, I grinned at the memory. "We've been getting to know each other. Going out on dates and stuff. Talking. Taking it slow."

"Slow? Did he explain why he disappeared on you five years ago?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, he said it was because he enlisted with the Marines. He was worried he'd break my heart if he died in war, didn't want things to get worse after the whole pregnancy crisis." I paused. "That's kind of vague, I guess."

Catalina shrugged. "I dunno. Could be legit. That's how guys think. They want to protect us women in weird-ass ways. They're not always as logical as we are."

I laughed. "You're probably right."

"Do you feel comfortable with him? Do you trust him?"

I nodded slowly. "Maybe it's a mistake, but I've forgiven him for what happened before. I think he's worth it. And he's a good guy. I know he is."

Catalina sighed. "You are so fucking lucky. I hope you know that."

For the first time in forever, I had to agree.

____