Waterfall Kisses (The Kisses 9)

I'd never wished for anything so hard in my life.

Leo pulled the Silver Lightning into the empty stall next to his racing boat. I glared at the red painted monstrosity next to me. The words, Speed Demon printed in bright yellow mocked all decent thoughts of safety. I hated that boat so much.

“Mr. Westbrook.”

I looked up to see Toby, Leo's personal assistant, waiting for us on the docks. I was so busy trying to sink the Speed Demon with my eyes that I hadn't even noticed him. It didn't help that Toby, with his short, pudgy stature, floppy brown hair, and unassuming posture was easy to overlook.

“Toby? What are you doing here?” Leo asked, cutting power to the engine and tossing him a rope. I had gone on enough boat outings to know how to help tie up, so I grabbed a rope and assisted.

“I'm very sorry, sir, but there's a matter that needs your attention.” Toby fidgeted slightly, pulling at his dress collar. He was wearing dark blue suit slacks and I could see the matching suit jacket hanging off a bench. Unfortunately, I could also see a very large white bird poop squarely on the arm of the dark jacket.

“What do you mean, Toby?” Leo asked, confused. “Is this about the new phone app?”

“No, sir,” Toby said slowly. His brown eyes skittered over to me and then back to his boss. “It's about the other thing.”

Leo stilled, his hands stopped in mid knot. “I thought that was taken care of.” There was an edge to his voice that made me nervous.

“I'm afraid not, Leo.” Toby shifted his feet. I wondered if he had a fear of the ocean. He was never nervous at the offi

ce or on the phone, but today he seemed out of sorts. Maybe it was just the heat of wearing a full dress suit in the Caribbean sun, maybe it was whatever thing he and Leo were talking about, but the man was off.

Leo finished tying off the boat and sighed. “Charlotte, I hate to do this to you, but I need to take care of this.”

“So no lunch?” I tried really hard not to pout. This was my day off and I didn't get many. I had been looking forward to spending the entire day with Leo.

“I'm afraid not.” Leo's blue eyes held a shadow of fear that I'd never seen before, but then he blinked and it was gone. “I promise I'll make it up to you, though. Best lunch ever.”

“All right,” I said reluctantly. “As long as you promise.”

Leo smiled, the sparkle coming back to his eyes. I took a step forward, wanting to kiss him, but he subtly shook his head. His eyes darted over toward Toby and he frowned.

“Right.” I understood that. Not in front of Toby. I sighed. I wondered if we'd ever go public. I wanted to tell the world that Leo was finally mine, but he was being so damn careful not to tell a soul. Did he really want me- or was he just stringing me along as an easy thing?

“I'm sorry, Charlotte,” Toby replied, not sounding sorry at all. I wanted to hit him. Not only was Toby taking my boyfriend away, but he was unwittingly denying me a goodbye kiss. I hoped that what ever the two of them had to deal with was worth it.

“Do you need any help?” I asked, hoping that maybe we could spend some time together that way.

“No!” Leo's response was almost too quick. “I mean, it's not business related. This is a personal thing. Just some purchases and such.”

“Uh huh.” I didn't believe him, but I wasn't about to call him out for it. Both Leo and Toby looked far too glum and nervous for it not to be a serious problem. “Okay. Maybe I'll see you later?”

“I'd like that,” Leo assured me. He paused, obviously wanting to kiss me goodbye, but still not wanting to show our relationship to Toby. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I'll see you later, Charlotte.”

I wasn't sure what to think of this whole situation. It felt off in a way I couldn't describe. Something was going on with Toby and Leo, and it stung a little that Leo didn't want to share with me. I sighed. Leo must have his reasons, I thought. I just wish I knew what they were. I'd just need to trust Leo. I'd trusted him most of my life, I could trust him on this.

Even if it felt like something dark was going on.

And with that, he turned and walked off the docks with Toby.

Chapter Seventeen

I stepped off of the Saunders' sailboat and then turned around and waved goodbye. Since Leo had ditched me to go take care of his problem, I had decided to take Robbie and Sam up on their offer to go sailing for the evening.

It had turned out to be a wonderful way to spend the day. It would have been better if Leo had been there, but I was trying very hard not to complain. I'd lived without Leo in my every waking moment this long, I was sure I could handle it a little bit longer.

So, I had done my best to be social. And really, being with Robbie, Sam, Emma, and Jack was a good way to spend the evening. We had sailed around the island, enjoying the sights and being out on the water using only the wind to power us. It was so different that powering across the water in a speed boat- more relaxed.

The sky was slowly turning dark purple as the sun slid beneath her dark ocean blanket. The crickets were starting their noisy chorus and the temperature was now perfect. I took a deep breath of warm air and let it out slowly. A motion out of the corner of my eye caught my attention.