Tequila Nights (5 page)

CHAPTER
10

“Hi!”

“Hi, yourself,” I greeted after finally departing Marge. Unfolding his arms, his warm hands cupped my cheeks pulling me in, lips lingering on mine in the most tantalizing way.

When he finally pulled away, Leo took my bag from my shoulder and opened the car door.

“Where are we going?” Excitement had bubbled its way to the surface pushing aside my thoughts of the letter in my handbag.

Rounding the car, he opened his own door and leaned against the roof. His smile was contagious. “To my favorite place.”

***

We traveled south for almost thirty minutes before Leo pulled into a carpark. Ahead, where the rolling waves crashing further out in the ocean, the salty sea mist catching onto air particles around us.

It had been so long since I’d last come down this far, my life consisting of all work, study, and no play. “This is beautiful,” I admired the deep sea blue that was darkening with each minute the sun went down.

“Come,” Leo ushered. Meeting him around his side, he pulled a bag from the back and took my hand. Leading me up the hill popular for its look out, we stopped on the grass slope that descended down to large white boulders before it reached ocean level. The waves crashed against the point providing a natural soundtrack. Retrieving a picnic blanket from the bag he carried, Leo spread it out across the green grass. Sitting down in the middle, Leo took my hand guiding me to the front and positioned me between his legs. Resting my head against his chest we sat in silence absorbing nature’s perfection ahead of us. The sun’s rays still carried heat, its warmth tickling my skin.

“This is a beautiful favorite spot to have,” I said quietly, my body relaxing against Leo’s.

“I couldn’t agree more. Where’s yours?” His lips kissed the back of my head.

The answer was easy. “In my art studio at Uni.”

“Why there?”

“I love being pulled into another world, one I construct, one I control.”

“You don’t like your world?”

“I do. I like it very much. Sometimes I just like to tune out and forget…stuff.”

“Stuff?”

“My mom passed away only five years ago from Alzheimer’s. Painting kind of eases the pain.”

“Bella, I’m so sorry.” There was such a genuine caring tone in his voice that further broke my heart.

“We didn’t know what it was for quite some time. We actually put it down to depression as she would spend most of the day sitting, looking blankly out the window, seemingly lost in thought. But when we noticed she was forgetting names and looking at us like we were strangers on occasion we knew we’d been wrong. As soon as she was diagnosed by the doctor, it seemed to be the end. It was quick and it was cruel.”

Leo’s arms tightened around me and I felt the safest I’d ever been.

“We were all at the hospital by her bedside knowing she wouldn’t see the week out and she looked to me. Suddenly, that veil was lifted and she saw me as her daughter again. She could recognise me for just a few seconds. And she said, “Paint the world beautiful again,” and then she was gone. The curtain came over her eyes and my mother vanished. She had always been my number one supporter. She kept every artwork I’d ever completed.”

“I had my few years of angry rebellion. Hating the world for being so cruel. But,” my sigh was heavy, hurting my chest, “I couldn’t disappoint my mother in life or death. So I quickly got my act together and enrolled in art college.”

“So when you paint?”

“When I paint, I forget about the pain, even though she’s the reason I’m there. I forget about it because I’m so focused on creating emotion through the figures on my canvas.”

Leo’s lips grazed my cheek and I closed my eyes enjoying the moment. “That’s a beautifully tragic memory, Bella.”

Considering his words, I wondered about my future. “I want to create new beautiful memories. Hopefully without the tragedy part.”

His fingers interlaced through mine and I closed my eyes on the stunning sunset and relished in Leo’s touch. He inhaled deeply, his arms circling tighter.

“Stick with me, Bella, and we can make them better than beautiful.”

***

The sunset had coloured the sky in the most magnificent desert-orange hues. Before the darkness could dissolve the last remaining light, Leo drove me back to my place where he waited while I showered. Our date was apparently far from over and I was looking forward to spending as much time with this man as possible. Cutting my shower time in half allowed me a chance to curl the ends of my long hair. Wrapping a towel around me, I went in search of Leo. From the top of the stairs, I saw him with his arms crossed moving his way down the living room far side studying the various artworks I had adorning the walls.

“Um…since I’m not sure where we’re going, how should I dress?”

Leo spun around hearing my voice but remained silent. I hadn’t really thought much wrong about walking out in a towel, yet now as I stood waiting for my answer, I could see just how provocative it may have been. Instead of studying the artwork, Leo’s dark chocolate eyes were scaling the length of my body making no apology for his evident desire.

“Bella,” his voice sounded hoarse. “I want you to see me as a gentleman, not a savage.”

Biting my bottom lip, I hid my smile while taking two steps down. “Even a gentleman can be a savage.”

Accepting my challenge, Leo climbed three stairs. “And every second that passes with you naked under that towel makes me wanna be just that.”

A pang between my legs threatened to reveal just how much I wanted him to forget his moral resolve. His words from earlier in the week had me clenching my thighs.
I want to taste you. Devour you whole.

Taking one more step down, I moistened my lips, his eyes following my tongue’s movement. “I’ll take you any way you want.” Leo’s brows shot up in both shock and amusement, but it was too late, I couldn’t take the words back. “I meant, gentleman or savage not the other way it may have sounded.”

One more step up, closing the space between us, his fingers clasped my chin until I was staring into his endless irises. “I have lots of wants especially when it comes to you and the things we could be doing.”

My panting was audible, eyes hooded as an electrical current passed between us. Leo’s forehead rested against mine, the only point of contact. He was teasing me beyond belief, deliberate and enticing.

“I…I need you to show me what you want,” my words were breathy. Gripping the towel corners tight in anticipation, I leaned in, tentatively grazing Leo’s lips. He responded by adding pressure, his mouth consuming mine and taking control. Groaning with the pleasure of his taste and the delight of his tongue dancing with mine, my body fell into his, strong arms wrapping around my waist. Feeling Leo’s hardness between us only encouraged the dull throbbing of my clit, my need for him beyond stoppable. Wrapping both hands around the nape of his neck, I deepened the kiss, the towel falling to the floor revealing my nakedness. Knowing my bare nipples were grazing his chest, Leo groaned, his own hands traveling the length of my body. My nerve endings were ablaze with delight and an eagerness to feel him inside me. Cupping my ass, he lifted me off the stairs until my legs wrapped around his waist. His hard cock, straining against his jeans rubbed my clit with each step up the stairs. I couldn’t remember the last time, if ever, that I was this turned on.

I was already making light work of the buttons on his pristine white shirt. When on the second floor, Leo lowered me to my feet and backed me up against the wall.

Holding me at arm’s length, he clasped my wrists, pinning them above my head. Naked and exposed, he drank me in, eyes greedily roaming my body.

“Bella, you are beyond a beauty.”

From my heaving chest to my throbbing clit, Leo could sense my want for him. He pressed his groin against mine and as my head lolled back, a sound that was akin to begging erupted from my mouth. Leo’s lips traveled down my neck, teeth nibbling a path and edging me closer to release.

Just as his lips returned possessively to mine, trapping me in a world that faded to black around us, a beeping sounded. The noise cut through our little world like a knife, the moment teetering on the edge. I’d expected Leo to ignore it. Instead, regretfully, he pulled away wearing a look of both dissatisfaction and apology.

Leaning his forehead against mine he heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, Josie.” The beeping from his back pocket continued. “I have to go.”

I was in too much shock to say anything. Was he actually leaving me…like this? Squeezing my wrists in reassurance, he lowered them between us before interlacing his fingers with mine.

“Before your beautiful head tells you this is something it’s not, I need you to come with me. If you want to?”

Speechless and confused, I just stared at the man who had gone from heatedly intimate to saddened all in the space of half a minute. Nodding, although still not understanding the situation, I pulled away and headed to my room leaving Leo behind.

***

“I’m ready,” I announced, startling Leo, who was waiting with his back to me where I had left him. Rubbing his chin in deep contemplation, he closed the space between us and gently kissed my lips.

“I’m so sorry, Josie. That’s not how I had anticipated the evening running.”

“Leo, it’s all right. I’m not sure what’s happening, but I trust you.”

Nodding his head, he gave a weak smile, his eyes radiating a sadness that broke my heart.

“We have to go before it’s too late.”

CHAPTER
11

Leo had remained silent in the car, his hand squeezing mine every so often in what could have been reassurance. I just didn’t know what was transpiring. Ten minutes into the trip, he rang through his Bluetooth and another man answered. Their conversation was brief.

“Sorry, I had to go back in,” the man on the other end said skipping the greeting.

“I understand,” Leo responded, their voices just as sad as each other. “I’m five minutes away.”

“Bye,” was all the other man said.

Seven minutes later the glowing fluorescent Red Cross sign illuminated the hospital’s car park. My curiosity immediately faded and was instead replaced with concern.

Leo took my hand in his and together we walked through the entry and up to the third floor in the elevator. The heavy doors slid open to reveal the children’s ward. Making a left, we walked the long hall passing nurses in blue who seemed unperturbed by our presence. Because it was going on closing time, the hall was almost empty of visitors. Machines of various kinds beeped around us and a cleaner rotated his floor polisher, the thrumming of the machine bouncing off the walls. Still holding my hand securely in his, we rounded the corner into a room. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wasn’t sure who we were meeting here or what their unfortunate circumstances were.

The curtain was partly open and I saw a man sitting by the bedside of a small child. My heart dropped with the realisation we were here to see Jase and his daughter Mimi. Leo’s head chef and best friend.

“Uncle Leo,” the small raspy voice sounded from the bed. Her gray eyes flicked with a love that made a lump lodge itself in my throat. Her skin was deathly pale, a bandana wrapped around her bald head. She was so incredibly tiny, like a little doll.

“Hello, my darling.” Leo wore a mask of happiness to see her. Settling down on the other side of the bed, Leo took Mimi’s miniature hand and kissed it before holding it to his heart.

“You must be Josie. I’m Jase.” He offered a small smile. His eyes were swollen and red-rimmed and immediately I felt like I was imposing on his private moments with his daughter.

“Yes, hi. I’m sorry, I can wait outside if you need.”

“No, please stay. Mimi has been eager to meet you.”

This both caught me by surprise and reassured my presence.

“Mimi,” Leo interrupted, “this is Josie.”

Rounding the bed to stand next to Leo, I greeted the little girl with my warmest smile. “Hi Mimi, I’m so pleased to meet you.”

“Josie is a pretty name,” her quaky voice managed.

“So is Mimi. I’ve never met someone with that name before.”

Her eyes lit up with delight and my throat constricted that little bit more. It was heartbreaking seeing someone no small and defenseless so sick.

“You’re the first lady I’ve seen Uncle Leo date.”

“Hey!” Leo playfully chastised. “I thought we pinky swore never to tell each other’s secrets?”

My giggle only encouraged Mimi, whose face was brightening.

Turning to face Leo, she whispered loud enough for me to hear. “She’s beautiful. You should keep her.”

With a half embarrassed laugh, Leo threw me an ear to ear smile. “Well, I do hope she will stick around. But, hey listen. I’m going to talk to Dad in the hall, okay? Josie will stay here with you.” Rising from his seat, he leaned over and kissed Mimi’s forehead. It was evident how much he adored her and she idolized him. Walking behind me, he squeezed my hip before letting his fingers run tantalizingly across my lower back.

Leo followed Jase to the door and turned before he exited. “And no more secret-spilling young lady.” With a wink, he encouraged more giggles from Mimi.

“Josie,” her sweet voice brought me back to present. “Can you please read to me?”

Feeling my heart swell, I took the chair Leo had occupied. “Of course I can, sweetheart. Which one would you like?” I asked, eyeing the four books on the bedside table.

“Alice, please.”

Picking the third in the pile, I turned to the first chapter. “Why do you like Alice so much?”

“I love the Cheshire cat. I have a cat at home and he doesn’t smile like Cheshire does.”

“Maybe if he keeps practicing he will one day.”

With a small smile and tired eyes, Mimi held my left hand in hers. Tears prickled and burned for the frail girl but knowing she had already seen her fair share of grief, I swallowed my sadness. Beginning the chapter, I glanced at Mimi at the end of every sentence to ensure she was doing okay. I watched as she fought to keep her eyelids from closing until eventually they grew too heavy. When her head lolled to the side and her breathing slowed, I placed the book back on the table. Leo and Jase made their way back in quietly, worry etched on their handsome faces.

Taking my hand, Leo guided me around the bed and Jase embraced me in a hug and thanked me for my time reading. Nodding and feeling completely helpless, I walked with Leo down the long corridor. We moved in silence until we reached the car where Leo released a heavy sigh.

“Bella, I’m so sorry. I was selfish. I had planned to spend my night with you but not in that way. Thank you for coming.”

“Please don’t be sorry,” I reassured, taking both his hands in mine. “Thank you for including me in your life. Will Mimi be okay?”

“That’s the worst I’ve seen her in a long time. She had gone into remission, but the leukemia seems to be making a return. She’s brave. Braver than most adults. My ringtone, the beeping you heard, it’s a special one. Jase uses that number to contact me and I know when I hear the beeps that Mimi is at the hospital in a precarious state. I always respond to it just in case she passes.”

“That’s terrible.” My words were strangled and Leo took my hand. It should have been me comforting him not the other way. “She adores you.”

Leo smiled weakly. “I adore her. When Mimi’s mother left, I helped fill the void as best I could. So she will always be special to me.”

“Will she make it?”

“The doctors are doubtful. But she’s a fighter.” Leo stroked my cheek, the parking lot lights casting him in shadow.

“You told her about me?”

This time, Leo’s face lit up. “Of course I did. Mimi has a way of knowing everything before she’s even been told. I always tell Jase she’s an old soul. She likes you.”

My heart broke that little bit more.

“She thinks you’re a keeper, and I happen to agree with her.”

***

I didn’t see Leo over the weekend and that was partly because he had to go into damage control. Jase was unable to work as Mimi was to remain in hospital. Understandably so, he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. That left Leo to hold the fort at the restaurant. And then there was the art history exam I had scheduled for early Monday morning. It was based on a topic I was familiar with, but what I lacked was date retention and key terminology from the era.

Nicole was in and out over the weekend, mostly working shifts and cramming for her own exams at the university library. Leo had kept in contact, texting me throughout the days and calling at night. We would speak for close to an hour every time and our topics of conversation never ran dry. I was delighted to hear Mimi was doing slightly better, some colour having returned to her cheeks. But sadly, she was still too sick to enjoy the comforts of her own home and remained in hospital.

“I have something for you,” Leo announced during our chat on Sunday night.

“Oh, do tell.” I was lying in bed with just the glow of the bedside lamp listening to his silky smooth voice. He sounded tired and overworked but still his accent helped carry a rhythm.

“No telling. You’ll have to wait and see on Tuesday night.”

“My mind wanders.”

“I would love to know the places your mind wanders.”

“I would love to show you.”

“Bella,” Leo sighed. “You’re going to leave me craving you in real life and my dreams.”

“Maybe that’s my plan.”