He closed the distance between us without dropping his gaze and kissed me as if he had no choice.

“Good morning.” His husky morning voice made it so.

“A hot man’s made me coffee and a sandwich. It’s a great morning.”

“I heard you were a coffee lover from Bea.” He handed me a steaming white mug.

“I’m a self-confessed addict, but I don’t care. I love it.”

I closed my eyes and pressed the mug to my lips, inhaling the steam. Feeling his eyes on me, I peeked over my mug, still holding it to my lips. He was staring at me with unashamed intensity.

After taking a long draw, I put my mug down and reached for a sandwich.

“So, about last night.” It wasn’t really a statement or a question. It was just a group of words thrown out there for me to do something with.

I’d already taken a mouthful, so he had to wait while I chewed slowly for my thoughts on the matter. I swallowed and placed the rest of the sandwich down.

“Look, Leo. I know the score. It’s okay.” I was clearly struggling to maintain his eye contact and instead stared at my remaining sandwich while I continued. “I had a really good time last night, but I don’t have wild illusions of this being a happily ever after. I just came out of a long-term relationship, my life is a nightmare at the moment and I really appreciated the escape from reality you gave me last night.”

Leo’s brow furrowed and his jaw tightened.

He looked like he had something to say on the topic but chose not to. We had both succumbed to a lust built up from the second we laid eyes on each other. It had felt so right. We just stared at each other. I wasn’t sure of what to say or do.

“Let’s go sit down while you finish your sandwich.” His casual tone relaxed me. “I’ll be offended if you don’t finish my pièce de résistance.”

“You like sandwiches.” It was a statement rather than a question.

“My sandwiches are epic. Don’t bother denying it.”

I just nodded and smiled. The smile was all for him. We sat down next to each other on the lounge.

“Please don’t feel you have to stick around.” I glanced at him then took a bite of the sandwich. I had no idea what he was thinking. “I actually thought you’d left when I woke up. I’m totally fine with what this is.”

“Let’s get something straight right now.” I was a little taken aback by his tone. “Last night shouldn’t have happened.”

Even though I’d said I was fine with it, I couldn’t help flinching at his words of regret. I put the plate on the coffee table and propped my leg up so we were facing each other.

His eyes softened slightly before continuing. “Don’t misunderstand. I wanted you, but I never wanted a one-night stand with you.”

“You didn’t?”

He placed his hand on my cheek, and I instinctively leaned into it. “Your strengths and your weaknesses are black and white, Juliette. I wanted to see the colours in between. I wanted to get to know who you really are behind your masks, and sex has a way of complicating things.”

I was both thrilled and saddened. His only regret was not getting to know me before our first sleepover. His eyes watched me intently.

Reaching between us, he took hold of my hand. “I think I’ve seen a little of it already.” His killer smile disarmed me. “They are moments of pure heaven.”

“Tell me?” My voice shook.

“I’ve seen moments when you let go, and it’s breathtaking. I saw you laughing with Angus and Bea at the bar last night and I watched you dancing by yourself, oblivious to everything and everyone around you. When you fell asleep in my arms, I knew I wanted to see a whole lot more of you, Jules.”

I huffed out my held breath, and my free hand clasped one of my heated cheeks. “Wow.”

“That’s all you have to say?” Leo chuckled.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“What are you thanking me for?” He appeared confused. “If anyone should be grateful, it should be me thanking the powers of the universe for you.”

My eyes cast downwards and my cheeks warmed. “You make me feel special and…” I paused.

“And what?” he pushed.

“You make me feel special and sexy.” I sneaked a glance back to his face and found a look of shock. “I’ve never felt sexy before.”

“Are you fucking serious?” He now appeared mad. He cupped my chin and forced my eyes to his. “You’re an intoxicating vixen and you’re sexy as hell.”

“No one has ever really seen me like you do,” I whispered, an unwelcome sadness now prickling my eyes.

He kissed me lightly on the lips and reminded me how we fit so perfectly together.

“Come with me.” He held out his hand and I took it without hesitation.

Leaving the plates and mugs where they were, he led me back to my bedroom. Neither of us spoke as we walked, lust crackling between us.

When we stepped into my room, he pushed me up against the wall and kissed me hard, tugging at my robe and breaking our connection for only a few seconds before crashing his lips against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body into him.

“Take me right here against the wall.” His lust-filled eyes drove me wild. “I want you right now.”

“Badass Juliette is a massive turn-on. I’ll grab a condom.”

He made it to the bedside table in a few strides and retrieved what he needed. Turning, he stopped dead, perusing my completely naked body. My robe pooled at my feet. His eyes stopped on my breasts, partially hidden by my long hair.

His trousers and boxers appeared to melt off his smoking hot body. Ripping the packet open, he sheathed himself in the few seconds it took him to cross the room. I felt possessive and desperate to claim him when he picked me up and propped me against the wall. I kissed him with a need I knew was mutual. I wrapped my legs around his waist and lowered myself in one smooth motion. There was nothing awkward about sex with this man. It wasn’t strained or rushed. It was as natural as breathing and, in that moment, felt as vital as oxygen.

“Leo.”

As I came, his name rolled out of my mouth from somewhere deep inside me, and I felt him tense then groan out his own release. I was done for. Completely owned by a man who, in a few weeks, knew me better than anyone ever had.

He lowered me to the floor and stroked my face. His piercing blue eyes sought mine. “How about a shower?”

He kissed me lightly on the lips then pulled me towards the bathroom, where he reminded me again how sexy he found me.

Showered, dressed and thoroughly sated, we relaxed on the couch, still tired from our late night. It was far too easy to let the outside world fade away with Leo’s strong arms around me. While he spoke so openly about my life, he had his own unspoken issues. What the hell had happened in his family home that made him so edgy? Was that the reason he fought with such ferocity at fight night?

“So how is your mother taking your breakup?” His shoulders sagged slightly. “From what little I know, she really wants you to marry Dick. She seemed kind of obsessed by it.”

“Ugh. I know. She has always had my life mapped out, and I’ve never made a stand against her before. She’s giving me the silent treatment at the moment, so I’m not exactly sure how she’s taking it. Richard is pissed off enough for the both of them though.”

“You’re an incredible woman, Juliette.” He stroked my face. “Can’t blame the guy for being upset about losing you, even if he is a complete douchebag.”

“I’ve seen a very different side of him since I broke up with him.”

“What do you mean?” Leo sat up a little straighter.

I’d hesitated telling him last night, and I still wasn’t sure how much to share. He had already told me he felt protective of me.

“Tell me what you meant.” His eyes hardened and he clenched his jaw. “Has he hurt you?”

“He just got a little rough. Nothing I couldn’t handle, but it just seemed so out of character. I think he’s worried about the impact on his business. He’s a financial adviser, and my mother’s foundation is his biggest client.” I shook my head, still confused. “I don’t know why he’s worried though. Sometimes I think my mother likes him more than me.”