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.