Waterfall Kisses (The Kisses 9)

“More,” I demanded, knowing I sounded like a petulant child. I wasn't ready to leave his arms yet.

Leo sigh

ed. “Unfortunately, dessert is here, and Bastian looks like he's slightly concerned about what I'm doing to you.”

“That's because your hand is on my ass,” I informed him.

“Do you have a problem with that?” he asked.

“Nope,” I replied with a naughty grin. “In fact, I encourage it.”

“Just you wait.” He grinned back at me for a moment before releasing me and offering me his arm to take me back to the table. “I have some other ideas you might encourage.”

Chapter Nine

Leo reluctantly let go of my arm to pull out my chair for me. I tried not to shiver as he brushed his hand along the bare skin of my back as he left to take his own seat. Heat built in my core at the slightest of his touches.

In the center of the table was a beautiful bowl full of meringue covered ice cream. The caterer gave me a nervous smile as she cut an orange peel into a long thin string. After pouring liquor on the meringue, she dipped the string of orange peel into a saucer of Grand Marnier. With a deep breath, she lit the orange peel on fire.

The sweet scent of alcohol and orange filled the tent as she set the pretty dessert danced with blue and orange flames. The caterer carefully made sure nothing burned, definitely hyper-aware of the danger of the flames. It was a beautiful dessert and as the flames slowly died, the scent of sugar hit me.

The caterer let out a small sigh of relief as everyone clapped. She grinned at me before carefully placing seven small cups of perfect crème brulee on a serving plate and hurrying off to the next table.

Bastian scooped the ice cream, cake, and meringue concoction onto plates. The sweet scent of orange still lingered as I took a bite. It was a delicious mixture of hot and cold mingled with wonderful sweetness. This was why we had hired the caterer. It was absolutely divine.

The table fell silent for a moment as everyone tasted their desserts. The Baked Alaska was perfect and the crème brulee thick and creamy, yet with the perfect sugar shell crunch characteristic of the dish. It was almost as good as kissing Leo.

Almost.

It was painful to have him sitting across the table, yet not be able to touch him. Beside me, Ava and Bastian were holding hands. I wanted to do that with Leo. On my other side, Emma and Jack were gazing at one another with adoration. I wanted to do that, too.

But I had to sit, staring at the man of my dreams, knowing that we could be off kissing somewhere and being unable to do it. For the first time in my life, I hated my job. I hated that we had to have a public face and that the cameras were always watching.

Knowing that I could have everything my heart desired, that Leo wanted me and that we had to sit here and make polite conversation, was torture. All I wanted to do was kiss him again. I wanted my love story to begin.

Leo's phone started to ring. He patted his pocket, turning it off and looking embarrassed. “I told Toby not to bother me unless it's an emergency. Please excuse me.”

With a smooth motion and a pleasant smile, he stood from the table and put the phone to his ear. He said something into the mouthpiece as he navigated away from the noise of the tables and to the far corner of the tent.

I tried to pay attention to Emma as she described the adorable antics of her niece, but I couldn't. My eyes just kept going back to where Leo had disappeared out of the tent. I wanted him to come back to the table and laugh along with me. I wanted another dance, and I desperately wanted to end the evening walking back with him.

It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the party. Any other night, I would have been ecstatic for the opportunity to giggle with Ava and Emma, to dance with my brother and Gabe, and to enjoy the food.

But Leo had kissed me tonight. And now, that's all I could think about.

Movement at the edge of the tent caught my eye. Leo was coming back.

I held my breath for a moment, waiting for him to return. He paused at the edge of the tent. His face was pale and the whites of his eyes were huge. He wiped sweat from his brow, despite the fact the air conditioners were keeping the room almost chilly. I'd never seen him look so shaken. He was always the epitome of cool and calm. Something unpleasant had happened in that phone call. He looked up and our eyes met.

He froze. I smiled, hoping he would return to his easy smile and laughing eyes. He licked his lips and his brow darkened. Instead of smiling back, he shook his head and tapped his phone.

Bing. A new text.

I carefully pulled my phone out of my dress and read his message.

Can't stay. Eat my dessert for me. I'll see you tomorrow at the auction. You did great today, and I want to kiss you again.

I frowned, confused at the message. He wanted to kiss me again, but he was leaving? I didn't understand. When I looked up, Leo was gone. The only indication he had ever been there was the tent door slowly fluttering to a standstill.