Page 16 of The Mogul: Leonard

I also don’t have to marry this guy. I want to have fun tonight, and I don’t have to go home with him for that.

“I get it, don’t worry. But to answer your question, I work with computers.” I always use vague terms to describe my job.

Most people are content with my answer, and if they express further interest, I delve deeper into the technicalities. However, often people lose interest in my explanations. But, when I come across someone who can match my knowledge and engage in a stimulating conversation, I truly enjoy myself. Unfortunately, the person I am currently talking to is not one of those individuals. Despite my attempts to give him the opportunity to carry the conversation further, he smiles and nods without asking any more questions.

“What about you? What do you do for a living?” I try to keep the banter going, hoping to spark more interest.

“I work for my father’s firm.”

I wait for a further explanation that doesn’t come. I guess neither of us wants to dig deeper into our personal life.

“Do you want to dance?” he asks when the song switches to a slower one, and the silence between us becomes awkward.

I suppose it’s better than avoiding a conversation that didn’t take off. I don’t particularly feel the need to learn more about him. I’m not even bothered that he didn’t ask for my name or offer his own. Plus, I can feel Leonard staring at me from the other side of this dimly lit, crowded place. Sulking like I was the one offending him somehow and not the other way around. Fuck Leonard, I’m having fun tonight.

“Yes, sure!” I smile and guide him to the middle of the dance floor.

The crowd is entirely different from the one you would find in a club. Nobody is sensually grinding against each other. The soft jazz sound is perfect for a slow dance.

The surfer boy wastes no time and pulls me close to his chest, placing a hand on my lower back, where my exposed skin is more sensitive. He holds me tightly, and I struggle to keep my distance and avoid getting stuck to his chest.

We sway to the rhythm of the orchestra, and I look around at the crowd surrounding us. The older couples keep a respectful distance from each other, and I feel self-conscious about how we appear to prying eyes—all over each other.

I push my hands against his chest and force a few inches of space between our bodies. It doesn’t last long. In fact, his head lowers on my shoulder, and his hot breath hits the exposed skin. While I usually appreciate this closeness with a hot guy, this feels more creepy than intimate. The last straw is his hand making its way onto my ass, squeezing lightly.

I push him firmly and look at him dead in the eyes. “What the hell are you doing?” I murmur to avoid attracting attention.

He smirks. “Come on, don’t play hard to get. I don’t like that game.”

Anger fills my chest, and it takes all my strength not to slap him. “I’m not playing anything. I don’t want your hands on me. I agreed to one dance, not being groped in the middle of a crowd.”

He chuckles, disbelief covering his face. “You don’t dress like that and not want to be fucked. You’re begging for it.”

I scoff. “Are you serious right now?”

“You’re a tease, you know that?” He sounds annoyed.

At this point, we are not even dancing anymore. He dropped the nice mask, and now he’s just plain disappointed I’m not on my knee sucking him off. What a prick. He doesn’t even deserve my time. I step back to turn around and walk away from him, but he grabs my wrist and forcefully drags me to his chest.

“Don’t be stupid. Do you want to ruin your sister’s party?” he snaps.

So he knows who I am. Was that his plan all along? To fuck Raphael’s sister-in-law to get close to him? Or to get revenge for something?

I don’t have time to ask him because Leonard’s deep voice interrupts our conversation. “Let her go now, or I’ll break every single finger in your hand before I start on the other bones.”

I turn around, and Leonard’s serene face starkly contrasts with the menacing tone of his words.

The guy scoffs. “Do you know who I am?”

Leonard’s lips tip up on a corner. It’s the closest I’ve seen to him smiling.

“I know exactly who you are, and I’m not sure your daddy will be fine with you pissing off his best client.” He tilts his head toward a white-haired man with a scowl. “You fucked and dumped his daughter, am I correct? He’ll be happy to run to your father and tell him you’re groping a woman against her will. The senator’s sister-in-law, no less.”

The surfer boy pales, and his mouth scrunches in a grimace. He turns around and walks away without a word or a glance in my direction.

I sigh in relief. “Thank you for helping me out. I’ll stick close to the bar from now on,” I tell Leonard, peeking up at his eyes.

He is worried. He doesn’t show it through his relaxed posture and hands in his pockets, but his eyes are loud and clear.

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