Page 18 of Proposition 2

12. Cadence

My chest tightened at Leo’s words. I wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe he needed me as bad as he claimed to.

But the practical part of me that had always been in the lead was screaming this was stupid. I was risking everything if I gave in. I was already too entangled with him, and it could cost so much more than the money I didn’t have.

“I’m going to repay you.”

His green eyes looked deep into mine before he nodded.

“If you need to.”

“I have to think about the rest.”

His face clouded, the corners of his lips pinching as he pulled his hand from my hair and stood. I shivered at the chill that seemed to move between us. My lips still tingled from the kiss and I could feel how wet I was when my thighs shifted, but I tried to push my physical desires away.

“I’ve been as patient as I can be, Cadence.”

I nodded, rushing to reassure him as I lifted a hand to rest on his arm. I had an idea, but I wanted to think it through before telling him about it.

“Not long. A day or two, I promise.”

It took a moment before he shook his head but dipped his chin in concession. My breath came out in a shaky sigh, my stomach quivering.

Being near him made it hard to think, especially when parts of me were clamoring to throw myself into his arms while other parts were yelling for me to run away as fast as I could.

There was no outrunning Leo. I’d accepted that. As much as I might wish I wasn’t entwined with him, it was too late to change it now. Accepting his offer to be part of the auction had set me on this path.

Forcing myself to stand despite my shaking legs, I tried to ignore how close we were with him leaning on the desk in front of me. Licking my lips, I could still taste him, and I couldn’t stop my eyes from dropping to his mouth.

“I’ll—I’ll call you,” I managed to whisper.

Leo’s hand came up and caught my chin before I could react, forcing my head back so I had to look him in the eyes again. Shaking his head, he smirked.

“No, you won’t. You’ll come see me.”

Swallowing, I pulled my lower lip into my mouth and bit down on it. My body trembled with the awareness of how close we were. How easy it would be to lean forward and press myself against him. I was sure he’d gladly refresh my memory of how it felt to be filled by him.

“I’ll see you soon, then.”

My voice came out breathy, but I was beyond the point of trying to hide my attraction to him. He knew I wanted him, despite the reasons not to. There was no point in denying it.

Releasing my chin, his hand moved to stroke the side of my face, pushing my hair behind my ear.

“I look forward to it.”

His husky tone sent a zing straight to my clit that made me gasp. Stepping back, it took all my will power to turn away and walk to the door of his office.

Risking a glance over my shoulder as I opened it, I could see him still leaning against his desk, eyes perusing my body. I felt the heat in my cheeks as awareness bloomed throughout my body at his frank approval.

Dipping my head, I slipped around the door.

I didn’t remember walking through the club back to my car, or the drive home. I couldn’t think of anything other than Leo’s mesmerizing gaze until I realized I was sitting in front of my house, car idling in the driveway for who knew how long.

Slipping inside quietly so I didn’t wake anyone, I tiptoed to my room before peeling out of my clothes. I was a bit embarrassed that I had been seen by the other men in something so ratty, but Leo hadn’t seemed to mind.

Collapsing on the bed, I expected to have trouble falling asleep due to the thoughts running through my head. I was surprised to blink my eyes open, what seemed like only minutes later, to sunlight filling the room. Sighing, I rolled from the bed to get ready for the day.

Despite my planning, payday was usually a day of anxiety. I’d start off checking that my paycheck had cleared, before going through my list of what needed to be covered. I’d check the account throughout the day to be sure everything went through before heading to the store after work to spend what little was left on food to get us through.

---