Leopold: Part Three Read online

  After walking to my bedroom, I open my closet and pull out some clothes. I didn’t take much with me to Rio de Campo, and I’m pretty happy everything I left still seems to be here. I pull on a sweatshirt and some leggings before I get to work on my hair—it has definitely seen better days.

  It takes a while, but I finally finish getting the tangles out and I slip on some shoes to go out into my kitchen to tackle the glass on the floor.

  I don’t even make it to the dining room—my feet stop moving and I stand to stare into the kitchen, once again frozen in place.

  Leo has his back to me, but I see he has a broom in his hand, and he’s sweeping up the glass.

  After a moment, he seems to sense me there, and he turns to me and smiles. “Ah, I see you’re done with your shower.” He glances down at the floor, motioning to the droplets of blood before he lifts his gaze to meet mine. “You shouldn’t have walked barefoot through the glass.”

  “What. The. Fuck.” I can hear my heart pounding in my ears, and I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with lust this time. My hands ball into fists and I consider walking across the room to punch him in the throat. Or the balls—that might be a better choice.

  The smile falls from his face, but his eyes never leave mine. “I’ve had a change of heart.”

  “Go fuck yourself, Leo.” My eyes narrow to slits. “And give me back my house key before you leave this time.”

  “Ah, I believe the key in my possession belongs to Owen. And he entrusted me—”

  “Would you like me to call the police? Or maybe you’d prefer I call one of the celebrity gossip shows?”

  “I don’t believe…” His words are slow, almost calculated. “That won’t be necessary, as it turns out.”

  My stomach rolls and I clutch at it. I rock onto my heels before taking a few steps back. My voice is low, trying to cover up the trembling in it. “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing.” He flashes a phony grin. “It means nothing.” His eyes roam over me for a moment. “I see you’ve showered again. Pity I wasn’t here. I believe I would have very much enjoyed watching, if not participating.”

  A thrill of electricity runs through me at the memory of what happened in the shower last night, but then I remember the promises I’ve just made to myself. I’m not doing this again. It doesn’t matter if he’s only been gone a little while and now he’s changed his mind. It doesn’t matter if he really did have a change of heart. If he really does want to be with me.

  My eyes roll to the ceiling for a moment and I shake my head. “You are a master at changing the subject, Leo—”

  “I prefer the term master to Your Highness, if you don’t mind.” He grins again.

  My entire body tenses, and I’m not sure if it’s from anger or the lust I’m trying so hard to deny. I let out an exasperated breath. “Go to hell. Seriously.” I point toward the front door. “You walked out of here—it wasn’t even an hour ago. You can’t just waltz back in and think I’m going to drop my panties for you after that—”

  “Of course not. I would never expect you to do that. Not immediately, in any event.” He grins again. “And I am willing to make it up to you.” He pauses. “In any manner you deem fair.”

  I blink a few times. “Unbelievable.” My heart is racing—every word he says seems to make me angrier. And more turned on.

  He rests his chin on the top of the broom handle. “I know of many more ways to make you say that, Elle. You haven’t seen my every—”

  My jaw clenches—no matter what, I need to get him out of here before I regret it. “How can I say this so you’ll understand, Leo?” I glare at him for a few moments for effect. “Get. Out. And leave your key on the counter.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I turn on my heel and start back toward my bedroom.

  “Elle—”

  I spin around. “And if you have alerted the media to your presence in my home, I’ll be more than happy to tell them what an asshole you are. Not that anyone will be surprised about that.”

  He frowns. “Elle…”

  “What? What is so goddamned important that you came back here? You left. You used me and you left. You don’t get to change your mind about that. You made your choice. Now GET THE FUCK OUT!”

  I’m out of breath—I might lose my temper on occasion, but not like this. I seem to have attracted every dickhead guy in southern California to me in the past—and now I’ve attracted the world’s biggest asshole. And I hate myself even more for still feeling the same attraction to him I’ve always felt—even after what’s happened. I’m never going to learn…

  “I can’t.”

  I glare at him again. “The hell you can’t. Take your two legs and walk yourself the fuck back out that door. You did it once—you can do it again.” The sooner, the better.

  He nods and I see his lips curling up into another of his smiles. “Ah, yes. Elle, I’ve not forgotten about your insistence on pointing out nuance.” He bites his bottom lip, giving me another wolfish grin. “How about I won’t?”

  “Fuck. You.”

  He smiles and lifts a brow. “I assume that isn’t an offer?”

  Even though he isn’t too far off, my expression must tell him it isn’t.

  He clucks his tongue, giving me another small shake of his head. “Elle, really. After the night we’ve shared, you won’t give me another chance?” He lifts his brows and his eyes widen—fuck if he isn’t giving me a puppy dog look.

  I let out another exasperated breath. “Tell me what’s going on. Why you changed your mind. Why the sudden change of heart—and no more of the jokes or subject changes. Tell me honestly what’s going on or you can get the fuck out of my house.”

  He nods, the smile falling from his face. He stares at me for a moment before he speaks again. “It’s difficult to discuss.”

  “Try.”

  He lets out a breath and laces his fingers together. “I seem to have caused a bit of a stir.”

  I tap my foot, waiting for him to elaborate—but he doesn’t. “Specifically?”

  “I may not have been as…vigilant as I had intended.”

  I close my eyes for a second and try to calm my racing pulse. “Leo…” I open my eyes and glare at him. “I’m not going to ask you again. I’m serious—this is your final chance. Tell me what’s going on, or you can leave. Your choice. Last chance.”

  He nods and fidgets for a moment. “Yes.” His head bobs again for a few more seconds. “You know, Elle, honesty is not always—”

  I point at the door. “Out.”

  “Okay, yes.” His eyes dart around, and I can see he’s trying to decide what to tell me. He finally looks into my eyes. “It was a fortunate accident that the paparazzi did not follow me to Rio de Campo.”

  I don’t even blink. My shoulders lift in a shrug and I flick a finger at the door.

  “Yes, fine. Elle, there’s no easy way for me to tell you.”

  I drop my hand to my hip. “Just fucking say it.”

  “They know about you.”

  My brows knit together. “Who knows about me?”

  “The press.” He lets out a long breath. “Our press secretary notified Andrew and he, in turn, notified me… I suppose I should just say they have become aware of your existence.”

  “I see. And what does that mean?”

  “Perhaps nothing. I’m not certain they know I’m here…” He splays his hands in front of him. “And as long as we’re careful, no one may ever know anything.” He gives me a sheepish grin. “But I thought that under the circumstances, I should at least come back to warn you.” His eyes skim over my body. “Or…something.”

  My body is betraying me again. It’s almost like his gaze contains some sort of electrical current—I can almost feel his eyes as they roam over my body. And as they do, my anger seems to melt just a little.

  “So what do we do?”

  He runs a hand over the kitchen counter, looking down at it before he looks suggestively back up at me, li
fting a brow. “I can think of a few things…”

  “Absolutely not.” I’m not even sure I believe myself, so I have no reason to think Leo will believe me. I try to change the subject instead. “Why did you come back? I told you I wasn’t worth it.” And I won’t dare allow myself to believe he might think I am.

  “Oh, I don’t believe that to be true at all.” He shakes his head, taking a small step toward me. “Elle, I only left to protect you.” He stares at me for a moment as he takes another step closer. “From me. From my life. I never meant to hurt you. I never would.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  His lips curl into a tiny smile as he tilts his head and takes another step forward. “You are worth it. Very much so. And I would do anything for you. Anything.”

  I shake my head, blinking back tears that seem to have come from nowhere. I back away from him again until my spine presses against the wall.

  It’s happening again. I have to get out of here before it’s too late. Or get him out of here.

  I force my tears away again and finally meet Leo’s gaze. “You should go.”

  He crosses the rest of the room in an instant to stand in front of me. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  I shake my head, trying to push back every emotion I feel welling up inside of me—anger, regret, sorrow. And the goddamn lust. “I should have known better than to ever get involved with you. As soon as I knew who you were—”

  He shakes his head and pulls my hand into his. “Elle, I know it’s difficult right now, but there are ways of dealing with this.” He gives me one of his lust-filled, wolfish grins. “For now, we can enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company.”

  I’m not sure what possesses me, but I reach up with my free hand and slap him with every bit of force I have in my body.

  He only stares at me for a moment, unblinking, before his lips crash against mine.

  Leo

  Heat surges through me at the first touch of our lips. She must feel it, too—she only hesitates for an instant before she grabs my shoulders and pulls me closer, deepening the kiss.

  I wasn’t even gone an hour, but it feels like a lifetime since the last time I kissed her. What sort of madness is this? She’s truly an addiction, an obsession I can’t shake.

  But no—she’s even more than that. My first thought when Andrew told me the press knew about Elle wasn’t, Oh, that gives me the perfect excuse to return to her. Instead, it was, I have to protect her. I wasn’t thinking of my own needs when I returned here—I was thinking of hers. This situation could become messy very quickly, and I refuse to let Elle endure it alone. Andrew wasn’t very happy when I told him I was returning to her side, but frankly, I don’t care. No doubt he and my father will make me—or Elle—pay for this decision, but now I understand that the most important thing is to be with her. To protect her from whatever is to come.

  Right now, though, my thoughts are on one thing and one thing only.

  I slide my fingers through her damp hair and clutch the back of her head. My tongue slides deep into her mouth, drawing a moan from her. My entire body is tight with hunger. Not even an hour ago I thought I had to leave her forever, and now that I have her pressed against me again, I have every intention of taking full advantage.

  Her hands slide all the way around my neck, and her breasts press against me as she leans into me. Her tongue slides against mine, and my cock throbs painfully against the fabric of my pants.

  There are too many blasted clothes between us.

  I drop my hands to her pants. She’s wearing a pair of those intoxicating leggings that American women seem to love so much—the kind that cling delightfully to the skin. They’re so thin I can feel the heat of her body through the fabric, and I let my fingers slide across her hip and then between us. When I reach the apex of her thighs, she lets out a whimper. My hand slides between her legs, grazing across the warm, damp fabric. I can feel every line of her beneath the material. My thumb finds her clit, and I press gently against it as my other fingers find her entrance through the thin layer of cotton that separates us. I curl my hand slightly, letting my fingers slide against her, teasing her through the fabric.

  She groans and bites down on my lip. The sharp stab of pain sends a new jolt of desire through me. Why am I wasting time taunting her through her clothes? I need her. Now.

  I pull my hand away—but not for long. I grab the waistband of her leggings and shove them down over her hips.

  God, she’s not wearing any underwear…

  I almost lose control right there. Instead, I continue to push her leggings down with one hand while my other hand slides between her legs once more. My fingers slip against her, sliding against that heated, velvety skin. She’s so wet…

  “Fuck, Elle,” I murmur against her mouth. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anyone so much in my entire bloody life.”

  I don’t give her the chance to respond. I kiss her again, biting down on her lip the way she bit mine.

  She doesn’t seem to mind. Her hands slide down my body and grab my belt. I tear my mouth away from hers and kiss a line along her jaw toward her ear.

  “There are still plenty of ways for us to explore each other,” I rasp against her skin. “Which would you prefer? Up against the wall? On the floor? Bent over the counter?” She’s managed to undo my belt, and I groan as her fingers brush against my cock through the fabric of my pants. “Or would you prefer all three?”

  I suck her earlobe between my teeth, and she lets out a little gasp.

  “I…I don’t care,” she says in a ragged whisper. “Just…”

  She doesn’t even need to finish her sentence. I feel exactly the same way.

  I slide a finger inside of her as she starts to undo my pants. She moans and squirms, so I add another, filling her as she fumbles with my zipper. She’s probably tender and sore from last night, but she doesn’t seem to mind.

  With my free hand, I help her get my pants down past my hips. My cock finally springs free, and it’s painfully hard.

  I’ll never have enough of her. I spent all night fucking her, and I still need more…

  I pull my hand out from between her legs. My mouth finds hers again. God, who knew something as simple and mundane as kissing could feel like this with her? Every taste of her is sweet agony. Every brush of her lips against mine makes my cock throb.

  “Please,” she begs between our kisses. “Please…”

  I don’t want to wait any longer, either. My knee slides between her legs, nudging them further apart. But it isn’t enough—her leggings are still around her knees, restricting her movements.

  I don’t have the patience to undress her completely. Not when she’s inspired this sort of need.

  Counter it is.

  I stumble back, pulling her with me. She clings to me, never breaking our kiss. When my back hits the counter, I pull my mouth away from hers. I twist us both around until she’s pressed against the counter. Then I turn her away from me so that her back is against my chest and the soft, luscious curve of her ass is right against my cock.

  My lips slide across the side of her throat as I lean her over the counter. My fingers go between her legs again, dancing over her. She trembles beneath my delicate touch.

  Fuck, Elle—you have no idea what you do to me.

  I slide my arousal between her legs from behind, gliding it across her wetness. The skin of my cock is nearly as hot as the silken skin it touches—we’re two beings of heat, ready to be joined.

  I know what it feels like to be overcome with desire. But there’s something more with Elle. With her, this is more than a taking of pleasure. It’s a joining—a coming together. She is the other half of my ecstasy.

  My hardness slides against her, aching to be inside of her again, but I pause right at her entrance. I almost feel the need to take a breath, to prepare myself for what I know I’ll feel when we’re joined once more.

  And then, suddenly, Elle stiffens beneath me
. She says something, but bent over as she is, the word is muffled.

  I frown, trying to understand what’s going on. My need has cast a haze over my mind.

  She straightens slightly, and her voice sounds strangled as she says, “Condom.”

  Oh.

  I freeze. Honestly, condoms are the last thing on my mind.

  “We’re out, remember?” My voice sounds strangely deep and raw. “We used all of them last night.”

  For a moment we both just stand there, our chests heaving. She’s still bent partway over the counter, her back to me, and after a moment I lean down and touch my lips lightly to the base of her neck.

  “We don’t need one,” I murmur gently. “I’ll stop before—”

  “No,” she says. “I…I don’t trust us to do that.”

  Honestly, I’m not sure I do either, but the thought of stopping now is physically painful.

  She lets out a long, ragged breath. Finally, she straightens completely, pushing me away from her.

  “We have to stop,” she says, her voice still shaky. “We have to.” Before I can argue, she reaches down and grabs her leggings, pulling them back up.

  “Elle—”

  “No arguments. I’m not having sex with you without a condom.” She turns slowly, almost as if she’s afraid to look me in the eye. When she’s finally facing me, though, I see that desire is still written all over her face.

  “Elle—”

  “No condom, no sex.” This time, it sounds like she’s trying to convince herself, not me. “But I do think we should go get some condoms. Right now.”

  Well, I suppose that’s an idea I can support. I reach down and grab my pants, pulling them back up. This will be the fastest, most agonizing condom run of my life.

  As I’m buckling my belt, though, a thought occurs to me.

  “It might not be safe to go out there,” I tell her.

  She frowns as she twists her still-damp hair back into a bun. “What do you mean, not safe?”