When the food arrived, Leo watched her closely as she tried each dish, his attention unwavering. She felt herself gradually relaxing, the rich flavors and ambiance drawing her into the moment.
After they'd finished the main course, Leo surprised her by ordering a rich, dark chocolate mousse. "A reward," he said with a grin, "for taking a risk with me tonight."
She couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, this is a risk?" she teased.
His eyes darkened slightly as he leaned forward, his voice a quiet murmur. "For someone like you, I'd say so."
The air between them was charged with an unspoken tension, and the world seemed to slip away until all that was left was the space between them. She felt the familiar shiver race down her spine as he held her gaze, his hand just barely brushing hers on the table. It was both an invitation and a warning, one that she wasn't sure she was ready for but couldn't resist.
Once they'd finished dessert, Leo took care of the bill without so much as a glance, his authority clear. He stood and extended his hand, helping her to her feet. They made their way back to the elevator in silence, but the energy was palpable, each stolen glance heavy with anticipation.
When they finally returned to his car, he opened the door for her and helped her in, his hand lingering at the small of her back before he rounded to the driver's side. He was being a perfect gentleman, and for a second Susan wondered if he was the same man she met weeks ago. There was something different about him tonight, and she could feel herself getting more comfortable around him. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? She honestly couldn't tell anymore.
The drive back to The Summit was quiet, both of them lost in their own thoughts, but the tension hung thick in the air, a silent promise of something yet to come. When they pulled into the club's garage, Leo cut the engine but didn't immediately get out. Instead, he turned to her, his gaze unreadable.
"Did you get what you wanted from tonight, Suzy?" he asked, his voice a soft murmur.
She met his eyes, feeling the pull of that invisible thread between them, and for a moment, she didn't know how to answer. She wasn't sure, as she'd not been expecting the night to go this way when she'd left her house that evening. Her pulse was racing, and a part of her didn't want the night to end.
She swallowed, finding her voice. "That depends. Did you? I mean, it was your idea,"
Leo's lips curved in a slow smile, a hint of something dark and dangerous in his gaze. "I don't know, Suzy," he said. "But I did have a nice time, and I hope you feel the same way."
Her heart thudded in her chest as his words lingered in the air between them. She had the distinct feeling that this night was only the beginning of something much more complicated—and far more dangerous.
"I…. I have to go home now," she said. Mostly because she had to put some distance between them before she did something crazy. There was something unspoken going on between Leo and her. Something was forming here… And it scared her. She shouldn't be feeling this way. He wasn't the kind of man she should want. She should want someone like Jeremy… Someone safe, and Leo was anything but safe.
Leo could sense that she was tense again, and he knew why. He couldn't exactly blame her. Their lives were completely different, and they'd only met due to the rare circumstances that had brought them together. Normally, a girl like Suzy would never be out on a date with a man like him, knowing what she knew about him, but it didn't stop the fact that he was very attracted to her. Who wouldn't be?
She was beautiful. Every part of her was, and he'd have loved nothing more than to lean over to her side and capture her lips with his. He remembered the last time he kissed her. He remembered how great she'd felt pressed up against him and he wanted to do it again, but he also remembered that she'd regretted it and he didn't want that to be the case tonight. He realized he wanted tonight to go well with her, and so he didn't want to kiss her again if she'd hate it, so instead he said,
"Don't you think it's too late for you to drive home tonight?"
Susan's eyes widened at his comment and immediately Leo realized how it must have sounded to her.
"I mean… I have private, quiet and safe rooms upstairs and you can spend the night in one of them…. Alone," he added quickly.
She looked relieved, and Leo wanted to punch himself. Did the idea of spending the night with him sound so appalling to her?
Susan considered his offer for a while. It really was late and she didn't like the idea of driving her car back home alone. If he really did have a place where she could spend the night, then it would be nice to just stay there and return home the next day, "That sounds great," she found herself saying after a while. "I mean, if it wouldn't bother you,"
Leo smiled, "No, I'd be my pleasure actually,"
As they stepped out of the car, the air between Leo and Susan felt charged, lingering from the quiet intimacy of their evening together. Once again Leo's hand found its place at the small of her back, guiding her into The Summit with that quiet, commanding presence he always had. His hand was warm, firm, and though she told herself she shouldn't, she leaned into it just slightly, enjoying the protective gesture.
He led her down a quiet corridor upstairs, past the pulsing life of the club below, until they arrived at a room set apart, away from the noise. Inside, the space was simple yet elegant, dimly lit with soft, ambient lighting that cast a warm glow over the deep blues and dark woods of the decor. The bed looked inviting, the kind that would promise a deep, undisturbed sleep, while a small armchair and table by the window offered a view of the city skyline.