Page 26 of Proposition 1

I spotted my purse on the floor and headed for it as Leo stood in the bathroom doorway. Keeping my back to him, I pulled on the skirt and top I had worn to leave my house the night before, ignoring the yellow dress still stuffed inside. I couldn’t help the disappointment that flooded through me at the thought of leaving, but I steeled myself.

Leo had bought me for one night. He’d paid for my virginity, and he’d taken it. Now I was free to go, and my brother was free of his debt.

Finally turning to look at him, the expression on his face caught me by surprise. He looked torn.

When he caught me looking, he ran his hand through his hair and cleared his throat. Walking toward a second door that I assumed was his closet, he spoke up.

“Let me get dressed and I’ll give you a ride back to your place.”

Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders.

“No.”

His head popped out of the doorway. He was pulling up a pair of slacks, and while I felt a keen loss as his flesh was covered, it helped me keep my resolve.

“No?”

“I’m sure you have more important things to do than drive me home, and I’m not sure that’s where I want to go right now. I need to think.”

He walked over to me, reaching out to tip my chin up so he could look into my eyes. His face was the blank mask that usually graced his face, but something unnamable seethed in his eyes, and after studying me for a moment he gave a short nod.

“How about a coffee shop on the bus line? Can I take you there?”

My hands and jaw clenched as I fought with myself. Leo was trying to be nice, and I wanted nothing more than to sink into his arms, but I was being honest when I said I needed to think. It was bad enough that he came to the diner I worked at; I wasn’t sure I could risk being seen getting out of his car in a public place.

I shook my head, trying to give him a smile to ease the rejection.

“It’s okay. I’d like to walk.”

He sucked in a deep breath and straightened, hands dropping to his sides as he took a step back.

“I’ll walk you out then.”

Though the pace through his suite was slower this time, I still didn’t notice much of it. I was too busy watching the muscles in Leo’s back as I followed him to the elevator.

Inserting the key, he pushed the button and the doors slid open. When he turned back to face me, we stood in silence as we stared at each other.

Smiling again, I stepped forward and placed one hand in the center of his chest. Standing on tiptoe, I pressed my lips to his for a second.

“Thank you, Leo.”

His eyes darkened as I pulled away. Moving forward as I tried to step away, his arm snaked around my waist as his other hand tangled in my damp hair. Pulling my head back, he crushed his lips to mine, tongue slipping out to claim my mouth.

I whimpered, trembling in his arms as fresh desire filled me. I didn’t think I could get enough of him, but I had to get away. I had to think and figure out what to tell my brother. I had to sort through my feelings about the night and what happened.

He released me when I pushed against his chest though his eyes continued to burn into me as I stepped back into the elevator. Hitting the button to go down, I waited as the doors moved.

Just before they closed, Leo called out to me.

“Don’t think we’re through.”

I shivered as the doors touched, finally breaking the hold his eyes had on me. Sucking in great gulps of air, I tried to calm my racing heart. I didn’t know what he meant, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before I found out.

My brain screamed that I needed to cut all ties with him and let whatever this was between us go, but a secret thrill passed through me at the thought of seeing him again. I expected Leo to be done with me as soon as he got what he wanted. I needed to be done with him; he wasn’t someone I could associate with.

A smile still crossed my face as I stepped out of the elevator and turned to walk out to the street. No matter what happened, I’d always have the memories. Leo wasn’t the type of man that could be forgotten, even if that would be the smart thing to do.

Ducking my head, I turned north, content to walk and think.

---