Page 56 of Owned
“Really? That will work?”
“It’s foolproof. But in the meantime, you ramp up the tension and flirting. But you don’t take it any further. Okay? You let her make that move.”
I’m not sure if talking with Kai has made things better or worse. My head is now spinning. I’m trying to settle my racing heart and thoughts as I stare into my tea. Apparently, Lily has been subconsciously slipping her thoughts into our minds as I’ve never drunk so much tea.
The front door creaks open, and the sound of keys jingling has my head snapping up.
She’s back.
Okay, you can do this. Flirting. It’s simple.
“Oh, hi.” Ria beams at me as she comes into view. Her beautiful brunette hair is swept off her face in the same tight bun as earlier, but small tendrils have come loose around the front, softening her features. Taking off her jacket, she drapes it on the counter before pinning her cobalt-blue eyes on me as she sits next to me. “I thought you’d be in bed.”
“Um, I was about to go up. Just having this first.” I nod toward my mug. “Did you want one?”
For fuck’s sake, flirt, you fool.
“I’ll get it.” She goes to stand but I grasp her wrist, halting her.
“I’ll get it.” Swiping my thumb across her skin, I stare deep into her eyes. “You just relax.” She swallows and wets her lips as she just nods, and I rise to make her drink.
“Leo, why is there a bonsai tree in my kitchen?”
“That’s Bartholomew. He’s cute, right?” I say over my shoulder as I turn the kettle on.
“He is.” She laughs. “But why is he here?”
“I saw him in that flower shop near the office and thought you might like him. You know, bringing the outside indoors. He’s a tiny tree but he looks like a big tree.” I lean against the counter and cross my arms. Her face is soft as she watches me.
“You bought him for me?” She points her finger at her chest and I nod. “Thank you, he’s beautiful.”
“You’re welcome. Just make sure you look after him. Apparently he needs quite a bit of attention. Very needy.”
“I’ve got this covered.”
“Good.”
Flirt, you fool.
“Anyway, is Jade all ready for the wedding?”
“Yes, all boxes are checked. Jade has to be the most laid-back bride ever.”
“Oh, I don’t know. My bride was no bridezilla.” I wink as I get her mug out of the cabinet.
Seriously, Leo, do better.
“Can you really remember our wedding?”
“Mmm… Not all of it.” Scrunching my nose, I finish preparing her tea and place it down in front of her. “And I hate that, because Grace was right. You deserve to be shown off, Ri Ri. I took that away from you.” Closing my hand around hers, I squeeze as I sit back down next to her, our legs brushing against each other. “You are worth so much more than a quickie wedding in Vegas.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve never been one for being the center of attention,” she says quietly.
Turning my hand in hers, I interlock our fingers. “Maybe not, but you deserve to be.”
“You know when Cole was here you said you would have proposed to me differently?”
“Yes?”
