Page 17 of Proposition 2

“I don’t think we can be Leo. I’m… not like you. It’s dangerous.”

I bit back the disappointment I could feel rising inside me. I knew she was going to resist. Any smart person wouldn’t want to be associated with me unless they were in my line of business. Then they’d try to use me for everything they could.

“I promised to keep you safe. I paid off the house to be sure you had a place to live. Paid the medical debt so your mother can receive the treatment she needs, and you don’t have to worry. I fixed your car, so you have a safe way to get around. It’s not healthy to work and worry as much as you do. Plus, it leaves no time for me to woo you.”

She looked up at me through her lashes, fighting the smile that spread across her face even as the blush deepened. I could see tears shimmering in her eyes as she finally lifted her head, but her brow was raised, and she showed me the fire that first caught my attention.

“Woo me? Is that what this is? I thought you only wanted to buy me for another night or two.”

Unable to resist closing the space between us, I stood and moved around the desk, keeping my eyes locked on hers. Those chocolate depths widened as I came to rest against the edge of wood, close enough to reach out and touch, but resisting for the moment.

I smirked when her gaze dropped to my zipper before jerking back up to my face. I knew she could see my erection, and it twitched as I thought about the last time her face was level with it.

Spearing my fingers through her hair, I cupped the back of her head as I leaned down, but I stopped before my lips reached hers.

“A night or two would never be enough. I want you to be mine.”

Her face clouded but I didn’t let her respond before I crushed my lips to hers. Plunging my tongue into her mouth, I claimed every inch of it before letting her come up for air.

Gasping, her hands clung to my shoulders. Her eyes remained closed as she tipped her head forward and rested her forehead against my collarbone.

“You own me, Leo. You have since that night. But my family…”

“Need you,” I cut her off. “I know. And I won’t get between that. Family is important.”

“And what you do…”

“You won’t be part of,” I cut in again.

She raised her head to gaze up at me.

“It would be impossible to keep people from finding out about us, but I would do my best to keep it quiet as long as possible. I don’t want you associated with my father’s business dealings any more than you do. You and your family would be protected at all times, just like the families of all of our men.”

“You’d let my brother live his life? Not pull him into your… business?”

I snorted.

“He’s a dumb kid who made a stupid mistake. He has better options than getting tangled up with us. I wouldn’t let him in even if he begged.”

Cadence fell quiet and I moved to kneel in front of her. Cupping her cheek, I pulled her closer.

“I want you Cadence, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make you mine. If that means we can never be seen together, I’ll find a way to sneak to you every night.”

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