He took her other hand, too, holding tight. “Tessa, I’m so sorry. I had no clue.”
Her pulse was thrumming, her heart pounding. “I did throw the exam.” She took a big breath. “But that’s not all. I had to make sure you wouldn’t ask any questions.”
“There’s more?”
“I made sure you caught me kissing Sam. I wasn’t dating him. I didn’t even start dating him for years afterward. But I had to make sure you were hurt and angry so you wouldn’t ask any questions.” She swiped at her eyes. “But it turned out I was the one who got hurt.”
Leo frowned. “What are you talking about?”
She shrugged. “I had a huge crush on you. It was hard enough to lie to you. But when you laughed at me, I figured you never really liked me to begin with.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “Seeing you with Sam shocked the hell out of me. I—I don’t even remember what I said.”
“You turned to your friends and said it was a miracle anyone would kiss me at all.”
He winced. “I said that because I was hurt, not because I meant it.”
“Sparring with you was the high point of my life at school. Deceiving you almost killed me, and I couldn’t tell a soul.” She shrugged. “I just couldn’t think of another way out.”
He smoothed his thumbs along her knuckles in a comforting gesture that should have been calming but had exactly the opposite effect. “You gave up everything for your family. Including your chance to get out. And I got it instead.”
She shook her head adamantly. “Don’t feel sorry for me, Leo. Everything worked out.” Well, at least now she was determined to make sure it did. “I have no regrets.” What choice did she have, really? Her sister’s life versus her happiness. There was no question.
“You’ve got it all wrong, Countess.” His voice was low and a little scratchy like sandpaper, and it sent a shiver up her spine. “I don’t feel sorry for you at all. What you did at eighteen was selfless and…inspiring.”
His eyes were warm with feeling. But not pity. He was looking at her like he respected her as his equal. And more.
“You still surprise me at every turn.” He brushed her hair back and gazed at her tenderly. “I can’t change the past.” His voice was low, a whisper. “But I promise to do everything in my power to make sure you can lead the life you want to lead in the future.”
She was stunned. She could barely breathe or swallow, and she was still struggling to hold it together. “If we manage to make our businesses successful, I can finally do what I want. Your wild ideas just might make it happen. For that I’ll always be grateful.”
Relief rolled through her. From finally telling her story. To the man she’d least expected to ever tell.
For all these years, she’d believed he thought she was…plain. Unattractive. The sensible, practical sister. That he’d befriended her just to show everyone he was being decent with the competition.
But that hadn’t been true.
And now he was looking at her, heat in his eyes. He met her gaze with a silent question as he leaned closer.
She answered by bringing her lips to his. It was a no-brainer, really. She could no sooner resist him than she could a puffy brioche fresh from the oven.
His lips were soft and warm, and he tasted like…well, like everything she’d longed for. Freed by the truth, their kisses took on a new, wild freedom, so different from those kisses in the garden. Each kiss, each heartbeat, seemed to veer into an exciting, unknown territory she’d never experienced before.
Somehow they ended up horizontal on the couch, their bodies flush. She felt the shock of being against his solid chest, their legs entwined, his hands dragging in her hair.
Leo had a way of moving his lips over hers, slowly exploring, taking his time, that made her melt in his arms. She angled her head and kissed him again, more fully and deeply, her mouth opening on a sigh.
Tessa had been kissed by the same man for years, but she’d never felt this dizzy sensation, this…falling into a place where the world fell away and there was just the two of them, tangled up together on an old purple couch. She met him stroke for stroke, unable to hold back, past all logic and sense. She was too lost in the feel of his hard strength, his simple clean scent, and the honest moment still reverberating between them.
Without even knowing what she was doing, she ran her hands over the hard hills and valleys of his chest, kissing him with all she had. He made a sound in his throat and whispered, “What are you doing to me?” He was looking at her with tenderness and maybe even the same awe that she was feeling. Which pleased her more than she could admit.
He was dangerous to her in ways Sam had never been. Leo was more defiant, more challenging, far more of a risk-taker. And a far better kisser. Yet in his arms she felt…safe. Free to be herself. And she hadn’t felt like that with a man in, well, ever.
In the fog of kisses, a rap sounded, first far away, then more urgent. They broke apart, both of them breathing fast. For once, Leo wasn’t smiling. He looked…dazed. Confused. As floored as she was.
Tessa’s heart was still slamming into her chest, blood rushing in her ears. As their gazes locked, Tessa noticed Leo the Legend Castorini was…trembling.
Just a little. But definitely off his game.
As was she.
They both looked to the door, where Juliet stood, staring at them. Vivienne’s head popped up right behind her.
Oh no.
“You have so many sisters,” Leo whispered, the corner of his mouth tipping up.
“Only two,” she said back.
“Seems like two thousand,” he mumbled as they untangled themselves and sat upright.
Juliet cleared her throat. “I’m sorry,” she said, scanning the scattered pillows and the puzzle pieces on the floor. “I…I was able to rent your old apartment. Isn’t that great? But there’s one tiny problem. I have to stay just one more night. If that’s okay.”
“And I came with her,” Vivienne said, looking uncomfortable, “to see if you guys wanted to hang out…but maybe that’s not such a good idea.”
Tessa got up as gracefully as she could, her legs unsteady, her lips still tingling. Leo seemed unfazed, coming to stand next to her.
Juliet hitched a thumb toward the spare bedroom. “I’ll just—I’ll just be reading. My book. In my room.” Juliet glanced from Tessa to Leo, whose perfect hair, Tessa noticed, was a little mussed.
“And I’ll just take off and see you guys tomorrow,” Viv said.