Page 61 of Power

I shook my head. “No, I’m sure. Leon’s a great man. He’s been nothing but good to me.”

Toogood, I thought to myself. He’d been polite, almost hesitant, in bed, and my heart thudded at the memory of every single moment. I craved the roar behind those gentle eyes, the kind of passionate intensity I needed more than he knew.

All the rumors I’d heard about him being violent and wild had left me wondering when that man would appear. So far, Leon had kept him hidden, if he existed at all.

I wanted to talk to my sisters about this, but they didn’t even know we’d slept together at all, let alone what it was like.

“Well, he does seem like a good man, but don’t they all?”Avra said. “The important thing is that he’s gentle and respectful to you the first time.”

Heat once again crept up my cheeks.

I wondered what my sisters would think if they knew I’d already had lots of sex with Leon. I wondered what they would think if they knew what I wanted was anything but gentle or respectful.

“I don’t think that’s anything anyone needs to be worried about,” I said with a chuckle.

I should have known they’d see right through me. They always did. There were times I was sure they were mind readers.

Avra squinted over at me.

Laya cocked her head.

And then they glanced at each other before staring back at me, full of accusations.

“Calista!” Avra exclaimed. “You’ve already slept with him!”

Just before they launched a full-scale attack, our server came over, leaving me uncertain whether to feel embarrassed that he’d overheard Avra’s announcement or relieved to escape further questioning.

Thinking it was wise to let them wait, I grinned and told the server, “I’m starving. What’s the house special today?”

After ordering, Avra frowned at me from behind her menu and whispered, “Don’t think you can escape answering our questions.”

“As if I would ever believe there was even a chance.”

Just under two seconds after our server departed, Layamoved, focusing entirely on me. “Spill it. I want every detail. And how long have you been keeping this from us?”

I groaned, running a hand through the tangle of my hair.

Avra leaned close, concern creasing her forehead. “He didn’t take advantage of you, did he?”

I threw up my hands. “No, my God, stop—please!” My pulse flipped under my ribs.

“Then what happened?” Laya demanded, folding her arms. “Are you going to leave us in suspense?”

I sighed. “It was me. I’m the one who came on to him.”

Avra’s mouth fell open. “You did?”

I shrugged, my cheeks burning. “I took the lead. Pushed him, made the first move. He hesitated, tried to slow me down, but I wouldn’t let him. I might’ve even…scared him a little.”

The look of utter disbelief on Laya’s face was almost comical.

“What?” Avra asked.

“I’m sorry, it’s just the image of Leon, the big, bad mafia boss with the terrifying reputation, looking terrified of our little Cali!”

“Yeah, you’re right, that’s pretty funny,” Avra agreed, smirking.

“I did hear another rumor that Leon was a very considerate lover, despite his reputation for needing to be in control at all times. Apparently, he has a dominant side, but maybe he doesn’t carry that into the bedroom with him,” Laya said.

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