Page 20 of Proposition 2

13. Leo

Iwas surprised to see Cadence striding up the stairs to the balcony of the club. She’d said a day or two, but I honestly hadn’t expected her to return within that time frame, much less the next night.

And I certainly didn’t expect what she was wearing.

That neon yellow dress she’d tried to wear at the auction hugged her body so tight it was like a second skin. It was barely long enough to cover the important bits, and the tops of the white lace stockings sheathing her legs were in clear view.

I tried to cover my grin with my hand as she made her way toward where I sat on a couch overlooking the dance floor. As she moved closer I could see the makeup she’d carefully applied, and while the eyes of every man she passed showed her sex appeal, I couldn’t help missing the girl-next-door look she’d had the night before in her jeans and t-shirt.

“Hello Leo.”

I sucked in a deep breath, removing my hand from my face once I had it under control. Tipping my head to acknowledge her, I patted the spot beside me.

“Cadence.”

She ignored my invitation, pulling her shoulders back and lifting her chin.

“I have a proposition for you.”

I stilled, eyes locked on hers. I’d teased her about making the next offer, but I hadn’t expected her to do it. I was torn between wariness about what more she would ask for and wanting to laugh at how she’d turned my words on me.

My dick wasn’t torn about anything. It was screaming yes with every rush of blood thickening it behind the fabric of my slacks.

“Can we go to your office?”

The way she rocked from one foot to the other and adjusted her grip on her purse gave away her nervousness despite the façade she tried to show. Curiosity ate at me, so I nodded and rose from my seat.

Extending my elbow to her, I waited until she slipped her arm through mine before leading the way to the door we’d passed through barely twenty-four hours prior. In moments, the lock on my office door snicked shut behind us and we were alone.

Cadence released my arm as soon as we stepped through the doorway, so I moved around the desk and took a seat in my chair. She still stood beside the door, so I tipped my head to the chair she’d sat in the previous evening.

“Take a seat and tell me about this proposition.”

She hesitated, chest rising with a sharp intake before she stepped forward to slide into the seat. Folding her hands over top her purse, she nodded to herself before speaking.

“I’m willing to give you what you want, but there are going to be rules. My mother and brother will have nothing to do with you and your business. They will be kept in the dark as much as possible. If any harm comes to them because of my association with you, the deal will immediately end.”

She paused, licking her lips before continuing.

“I owe you for paying off our debts, and I plan to pay you in cash. I will pay as much as I can each month, but it will take some time. I can start today with four hundred dollars.”

She looked down at her lap before pulling a stack of folded bills from the purse and sitting them on the desk between us. I had no doubt that it was the exact amount she said it was, Cadence was too careful for it to be any less, but I didn’t reach for it.

After another hesitation, she pushed on.

“I’m willing to meet you here or at your home any night you wish, but I do have a day job Monday through Friday and need to be able to return home to sleep. I’d prefer not to be kept too late.”

My chest tightened with each of her rules, and I couldn’t hold back anymore. I didn’t know what else she’d planned to say, but it didn’t matter.

Leaning forward, I placed my elbows on the desk and clasped my hands in front of me.

“No.”

Cadence jerked back as if I’d slapped her, eyes widening as her breaths grew short and quick.

“N—no?”

I shook my head, repeating, “No.”

---