Page 24 of Royal Sin

“You're wearing it again,” he observed, his finger brushing the golden book pendant. “Do you only wear it when you come over?”

“Actually, I haven’t taken it off,” I admitted, the word carrying more weight than I intended. Four weeks, four beautiful weeks, and I’d worn it the whole time.

Something shifted in his expression—a softening, a vulnerability I hadn’t seen before.

“I want the world to know you’re mine,” he whispered, leaning down to taste my pulse.

He had to feel how wildly it beat, but it wasn’t from the intensity of the orgasm. This was it. We were in a good spot. But the future—

“There’s things we need to talk about,” I gulped.

Leonard pulled back and studied me. “I’m listening.”

Right there, the openness I saw in his expression, it hit me. I could lose Leonard. One wrong move and this was over.

Suddenly, it wasn’t about sticking it to my parents. It was all the secrets I kept. How would he react when he learned who and what I was? I didn’t want him to run.

“I’m scared,” I whispered.

“Anna,” he murmured. His lips pressed gently against mine. “There’s nothing you can say that will make me feel differently.”

I wish that were true.“I can’t do this right now, not like this.”

To emphasize, I tightened my legs around his waist.

“I have a meeting, but then we can go anywhere you want.” He smoothed my hair back. “Navy Pier? Five o’clock?”

I nodded. I had hours to figure out the right words.

Chapter 11

Tourists thronged the Pier, their excited chatter and laughter creating a backdrop of white noise as I waited. The summer sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the boardwalk and turning Lake Michigan into a shimmering sheet of gold. I clutched the railing, the metal warm beneath my fingers as I rehearsed what I would say.

“I’m Alfred Hertz’s daughter.” No, too abrupt.

“My family owns Hertz Media Group.” Too boastful.

“There’s something I haven’t told you about who I am.” Maybe.

Nothing felt right. How do you tell someone you initially approached them as a pawn in your rebellion against your parents? That your relationship began as a scheme?

I touched the book pendant at my throat, drawing strength from it. Whatever had started this, it wasn’t that anymore. What I felt for Leonard was broad and undefined.

As if summoned from my nightmare, the CEO strolled down the Pier. His black suit a terrible shroud, and his stern expression a foretaste of what was to come if he didn’t like whatI said. That sharp gaze cut over the crowd, taking in the people around him.

The moment it landed on me, it was as if the sun broke from the clouds. Those harsh lines softened, his lips twitched, and the fire in his eyes turned hungry.

I watched Leonard approach, his confident stride parting the crowd effortlessly. Gone was the stern businessman from his office - his tie was loosened, jacket unbuttoned, a more relaxed version of himself emerging as he neared me.

“Little author,” he greeted, pressing a kiss to my temple. His arm slid around my waist, a casual claim that sent warmth spreading through me.

“You look different, Americano,” I observed, leaning into his touch.

“I’m not at work anymore.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Here, I’m just a man meeting the woman who’s been occupying his thoughts.”

The simplicity of his statement made my heart race. This was what I stood to lose with my confession.

“Shall we walk?” he suggested, guiding me away from the railing.

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