Page 5 of Proposition 2

4. Leo

Cadence was out of the car before I could stop her, but I wasn’t letting her leave things the way they were. I darted into the rain after her, and she didn’t hear me coming until it was too late.

My hand wrapped around her throat from behind. I was careful not to apply pressure as I used my arm to pull her against me, and I could feel her pulse fluttering under my fingers. The scent of her hair engulfed me as the rain drenched us both.

“I told you I wasn’t through with you Cadence. You can’t brush me off and think I’m going to forget about it.”

My words sent a shiver through her body, because despite the rain, the night is warm. I couldn’t help the erection that throbbed between us and grinding it against her was pure reflex. I needed to show her what she did to me.

“I didn’t get enough of you. I want more, and you’re going to give it to me.”

“I told you I’m not a whore you can buy.”

Her quiet whisper didn’t hide the tears in her voice. She really thought I saw her that way.

“No, you’re not a whore Cadence,” I whisper into her ear. “I simply want to offer what you need in exchange for what I need. You shouldn’t be working yourself so hard.”

She sniffled, the small hands clinging to my arm trembling despite the way she tried to hold herself still.

“What do you want from me?”

She was even quieter, and I almost didn’t catch her words, but they sent a fresh pulse of blood to my groin. I leaned down to run my nose along her ear.

“You let me have something precious. Priceless. I want more of it. I want your innocence. Your loyalty.”

I almost stuttered on the last word, my mind wanting to let a different l-word slip. It was shocking, yet it made sense the more I thought about it.

I wanted her to love me.

Despite the way we met, what happened, and the differences between us. Even though she thought I was some hardened criminal, or worse.

I wanted Cadence to love me.

She tried to pull away and I reluctantly released her. She turned to stare up at me, her eyes searching my face before she ducked her head.

“I can’t be involved with you Leo. It’s not safe. For me or my family.”

I closed the space she put between us, hand lifting to grip her jaw. Forcing her to lean her head back, I got lost in the dark irises reflecting the light from the streetlamp.

“I’ll protect you. And your family. I’ll keep you safe. You won’t be involved with any of the illicit aspects.”

My other hand moved to circle her hip, thumb rubbing the wet material over her stomach.

“Its been a month. Have you cycled?”

Her pupils expanded, lips parting on a gasp, but she nodded. I couldn’t help the punch of disappointment I felt. We didn’t use protection, and I assumed since she was a virgin, she wasn’t taking a preventative. I hadn’t planned to knock her up, but a baby would have been the perfect excuse to tie her to me.

Would have marked her as mine.

“I’m… I’m not…”

She couldn’t get the words out but thinking about my baby in her had me rock hard and ready to try. A grin pulled at my lips, but she started shaking her head.

“No. No way Leo.”

She struggled to pull away again, but I didn’t let her. Keeping my grip on her jaw and hip, I pressed my lips to hers, thrusting my tongue inside when her mouth opened in shock.

I poured every bit of my desire and need into that kiss. Every ounce of the possession I felt when I thought of her.

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