Leo’s lips curved in a small, enigmatic smile of his own. He knew what she was doing, and he didn't push. “I didn’t realize you had so many friends,” he replied, his tone soft but teasing, his gaze fixed on her in a way that made her feel exposed.She crossed her arms, shifting under his gaze. “I don't have a lot of friends. Some of them are my coworkers and some are people I met at the gym. Although I don't know why you sound so surprised. I do have a life, you know. Outside of… all this.” She forced a small laugh, though her voice came out quieter than she’d intended.His expression softened slightly, a warmth flickering in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before. “Good,” he murmured. “I’m glad to know that.”They fell into a silence, the air between them thickening with each passing second. Leo’s gaze lowered to her lips, and she felt her pulse racing, her breath hitching as the space between them seemed to shrink. She could feel the tension humming between them, raw and unspoken, fil
“Leo….” Susan whispered, barely able to recognise her own voice. “Suzy,” he replied, grinning wickedly, and then he kissed her again.Her heart was still banging away from the exertion of their previous kiss. Her body was hot. So was his. Resistance was simply beyond Susan at that moment. Her arms automatically lifted and wound themselves around his neck again, and she kissed him back with equal fervor.Leo swiftly took advantage of her surrender to his seductive sensuality, changing his kiss to one of driving passion, tightening his embrace, clamping her lower body to his, and Susan was bombarded by so many exciting sensations, it was totally impossible to extract herself from them. The desire she’d tried so hard to hold in check burst through her in a raging compulsion to experience all of him.Her fingers spread into his hair, clasping his head as her mouth ravaged his as intensely as his ravaged hers. Her breasts, pressed so hard against the hot heaving wall of his chest, tingled
She didn’t. It was impossible to lie in the face of the desire that had brought them both to this bed. “I’m not sure it’s ever that simple,” she said ruefully. “There are always…other considerations.”“We’re both adults,” he argued with arrogant confidence. “We don’t have to answer to anyone except ourselves for what we do.” He grinned again. “And don’t tell me this wasn’t good. It was great! No reason to beat yourself up about it.”He was right, Susan thought. It was great, but she still felt like she'd done something wrong. Like she'd betrayed her brother… And herself somehow. But she didn't want to think about it right now. She didn't want to ruin the moment. Maybe she could let herself be selfish today. She refused to think about anything else… She could do that tomorrow. All she knew was that right now, she was satisfied, sated and too tired to think. She was still in Leo's arms and he was holding her so close and so tenderly that all she wanted to do was remain there. It was we
Detectives Justin Beck and Collins Hallman pushed through the large glass doors of The Summit, their footsteps echoing against the marble floors as they moved into the low-lit luxury of Leo’s club. The place was practically empty this early in the day, the lights dim and the tables neatly arranged, as if waiting for nightfall to wake it up. Beck scanned the room, taking in the opulence—the leather couches, the gleam of polished wood, the subtle scent of expensive cologne lingering in the air. It was a place that spoke of quiet wealth and darker dealings beneath its classy veneer.At the far end, Leo was waiting for them. Dressed in a charcoal suit and standing by the bar, he looked entirely at ease, an air of confidence in the way he held himself. His gaze met theirs as they approached, and he offered a polite but guarded smile.“Detectives,” Leo greeted, his voice smooth as he extended a hand to each of them. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”Hallman exchanged a quick gl
Susan took her time getting dressed that evening, convincing herself that she wasn't putting in extra effort for Leo. Yet, deep down, she knew that he was exactly the reason she was doing it. If he thought he could just walk away from her after their night together without so much as a phone call, then she would make sure he didn’t get the satisfaction of seeing her flustered. She was determined to keep her emotions locked away, hidden beneath her polished exterior. She'd told herself repeatedly that she didn't care, but the truth was that she did. She chose a sleek black crop top and a mini jean skirt, paired with black, short-heeled sandals that clicked with confidence when she walked. Her hair cascaded in loose, shiny blonde curls over her shoulders, giving her an effortlessly bold look. For makeup, she kept it simple—powder, a touch of gloss, and smoky eyes that made her look fierce. Her reflection showed her someone who didn’t care, or at least someone who could pretend she didn
Leo’s gaze held her captive, his dark eyes glinting with an edge of amusement. “You don’t look very happy to hear that,” he murmured, studying her closely through hooded eyes when she said nothing, “I thought you’d be thrilled. Haven’t you hated every second of this?”Susan’s eyes narrowed. “I do,” she said stubbornly, but her own words rang hollow in her mind.Did she really hate it? The question lingered in her head. Did she despise everything about the danger, the thrill, the forbidden rush that had started to seep into her bones? The question gnawed at her, twisting her gut. She didn't want to admit to herself that a part of her was starting to enjoy it. Maybe, just maybe, she liked the money she was getting from it. Maybe she liked the danger. The adrenaline that coursed through her veins as she did what had to be done. She hated to admit it, but there was something exhilarating about it all—about Leo, about the risk, about the way her heart raced in his presence. He was dangerou
“So soon?” he asked, voice smooth as velvet, though there was a hint of challenge in it. His gaze held hers, searching, testing.She met his stare head-on. “Yes,” she replied, keeping her tone light yet firm. “Since it's clear that you have nothing else to say,” He raised an eyebrow, the smirk deepening, and for a moment it seemed as though he might try to stop her, to coax her into staying, to weave more of that spell he cast so effortlessly. But instead, he merely gave a slow, approving nod, his eyes gleaming as he took a step back.“Alright,” he said, as if conceding, though she could feel the weight of his gaze lingering on her.Susan made to move past him, but she didn't get to take more than two steps. She should have known that Leo, being the man he was, wouldn't have let her go just like that. In an instant he had reached out to haul her into his body, his hands tight around her upper arms. Susan opened her mouth in shock, and had the split-second realization that Leo was goi
Her mind was afire with naughty, delicious thoughts of him touching her even more intimately with his tongue. She tingled from head to toe, and the room was so hazy around her that it felt as though she were swimming in waters heated by the sun. “Oh,” she gasped when his fingers gently parted the delicate folds between her legs. His thumb brushed over the sensitive little nub, and he trailed a single fingertip to her opening where he continued to tease. When he touched his tongue to where his thumb had rested, the most peculiar, spectacular sensation thrilled through her pelvis and into her limbs. Her belly tightened with unbearable pleasure. It flooded her, tightening every muscle until her body quivered with the strain. He continued a slow, decadent dance over feminine flesh, lapping and licking like she was a sweet treat. Her legs shook uncontrollably. Her senses spiraled out of control. She reached down and thrust her fingers into his hair. Her breaths came in ragged, painfu
Slowly he rose to his feet. “What a charming idea,” he breathed, his dark brows drawing together as he studied her hectically flushed face and air of decided purpose. Then he stole a fleeting glance down at the narrow gold watch on his wrist. He dealt her a distinctly tense smile. “Unfortunately, I'm afraid you've chosen-----”“I just couldn't wait until you got home,” Susan broke in feverishly, his glance at his watch not having been lost on her and serving merely to stoke her tension to new heights. His black lashes dipped lower over his intent, dark eyes, clear bemusement etched into his rigidity. “Wait for what?” he asked with a dismal lack of comprehension.Susan abandoned the idea of a slow, seductive wriggle and pitched off her coat to grab his attention. “I couldn't wait for you,” she said huskily, and embarked on the buttons of her black, narrowly cut coat-dress.Leo's gaze had whipped over to the coat now lying in a heap and back to her fast. He seemed welded to the floor
Shaken by the storm she had ignited, the roughness of his strained intonation, she stared at him, devoured by pain.“Why?” Leo repeated fiercely.Because I love you...she wanted to say. “And you're all over Sophie at every hour of the day. She coughs and you can't get there quick enough!” Leo slung from between gritted teeth. “In spite of the fact that we have a nanny with several willing supporters, you install a baby alarm and you get out of my bed to go to her! I'm not even half as important to you. Is that how it's supposed to be?”Very much taken aback, Susan surveyed him with shocked eyes. Evidently the baby alarm in their bedroom was viewed as some kind of ultimate insult. Did he think she was smothering Sophie? Was that what he was saying? That she was threatening to turn into one of those ghastly suffocating mothers one read about?“'I'm sorry if you think I'm taking my responsibilities too seriously.”“If you're that obsessed with babies, why should we wait to extend the fa
Leo needed sex the way she needed air to breathe, and those needs needed to be met in the marital bed. She was just a body, and if anything had been required to prove that point his silence did so. In this new brave relationship they were trying, lies were no longer permissible, so Leo was not about to tell her how ravishingly irresistible she was. She was fanciable enough to arouse him but that was the height of her pulling power and, with a male as physical as Leo, maybe it didn't even take that much... maybe he just fantasised about somebody else. A choked sob escaped her. He thrust her away from him with positive violence. Her eyes flew open as he threw back the sheet and sprang out of bed.“Leo ... you misunderstood!”He spun back, dealing her an incredulous glance.“I was thinking about something else... It wasn't —I mean…” she stumbled in desperation. The tip of her tongue stole out and darted along her taut lower lip. “I want you,” she whispered finally. Dark eyes held her
Susan woke up in the middle of the night to take a shower and check on Sophie, after which she went back to bed. When she awakened, little men were morris-dancing inside her thumping head.Thankfully she'd not taken enough alcohol to give her a major hangover, she registered miserably, but she was still a little tired. She slid out of bed and weaved a far from straight passage to the bathroom. A shower would make her feel better. She was emerging from the bathroom, swathed in a towel, white as a ghost and suffering from a raging thirst, when she noticed Leo .“Oh, no,” she mumbled. “Not now.”Leo filled the doorway. She refused to look at him and concentrated on his feet.“Shouldn't you be out working or something?”she whispered.“It's Saturday.”“I thought you went every day.”He certainly hadn't spent any days at home. Her clouded gaze worked up his legs. He was wearing black jeans that hugged his long, lean thighs and narrow hips, and an Aran sweater which accentuated his dark skin
Leo didn't even try to deny it, “Maybe a little bit,” he replied and shrugged, “Besides, you're at the club. When was the last time you let yourself go,” He was right. It had been a while. After a few seconds, she nodded and Leo didn't hesitate to place the order. The drinks kept coming and as the night went on, the atmosphere lightened. They talked about small, inconsequential things—the music, the crowd, even a particularly flamboyant dancer on the floor below. Susan could slowly feel herself letting go and soon she was laughing heartily at almost everything Leo said. He was clearly enjoying her laughter, because he continued to whisper things in her eyes. Things that sometimes made her laugh and sometimes sent arousal coursing through her veins. It was amazing, and for a brief moment, it almost felt normal, like they weren’t two people locked in a complicated and often contentious marriage. When their glasses were empty again, Leo leaned closer, his eyes intent on hers.“Dance wi
Susan blinked. So he was serious? Was their marriage even worth celebrating? Out loud, she asked, “Go out? Where?”“Anywhere you want. Just to have some fun.”She narrowed her eyes at him, searching his face for hidden motives. “I’m not really in the mood, Leo.”He shrugged, unfazed. “Then let me change that. How about somewhere familiar? My club, The Summit?”Susan paused. The Summit wasn’t exactly her idea of a relaxing evening, but it was better than sitting in awkward silence at the dining table or a long, restless night alone in her room.After a moment, she sighed. “Fine. I’ll go.”Leo’s lips curved into a satisfied smile, and he straightened. “Good. Wear the necklace.”Susan hesitated, her hand instinctively brushing against her collarbone. “Why does it matter so much to you?”“It’ll look good on you,” he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.Her eyes locked with his for a moment, a silent battle of wills passing between them. Finally, she nodded, her voice soft b
Susan cringed. Leo had strolled out of his bedroom, positively re-energised by the completeness of her surrender. And she had smiled dizzily back at him with what lingering energy remained to her, possessed of an utterly appalling belief that Leo was so incredibly wonderful that she was blessed above all other living women. Passion killed her intelligence. In bed, she didn't think with Leo, she merely functioned like some sort of passion toy, programmed solely to give and receive pleasure. And she didn't think she could blame her response on anything else anymore. It was that simple. She was still madly in love with Leo, falling like a brick from the top of a high building, her feelings rushing faster and faster as she headed for sure and certain devastation when she hit the ground. Now she knew why it hurt when Leo accused her of being a liar. She knew why she hadn't had the strength to fight him off. On a deep atavistic level she wanted Leo any way she could get him.Why? How coul
“Here I am,” he said with such staggering self-assurance, as if she could not fail to be grateful to win such a prize. “After all, you fought back like an Amazon warrior,” Leo told her thickly, his dark head lowering inch by inch. “You ignored me, you ignored it all and the more you ignored what I was doing, the more I seethed... I discovered that the one thing I cannot stand is to be ignored.”She didn't know what he was talking about. He appeared to be suggesting that her avoidance of him had been part of some sly, manipulative female plot to attract him and his unquenchable ego took to that idea like a duck to water. On the brink of acidly disabusing him of that notion, her parted lips met on a shocking collision course with his.Leo groaned against her mouth and possessed it again with renewed vigour and a force of hunger that ran a scorching blaze of heat right down to her toes and back up again. She fought the effect, concentrating her mind on the picture of herself pregnant and
Susan reddened but pressed on, her sole ambition to show him that they need not participate in sexual intimacy simply to produce another child. She marvelled that Leo appeared so ignorant of such processes. Then all of a sudden she registered that it was not ignorance that had silenced Leo but a kind of unholy and incredulous fascination backed by rather daunting signs of gathering rage. A dark tide of blood had flushed his features, a tiny muscle tugging relentlessly at the corner of his eloquent mouth.“You have to be out of your mind to suggest such a thing to me!” he told her rawly.“Leo... if we could for once move away from this macho conditioning of yours and talk about this sensibly, you might see that it is actually a very sane solution to the problem.”Leo strode forward and pulled her up out of her seat with two powerful hands. “There's no problem. My children are not going to be conceived in a test tube and that has nothing to do with my "macho conditioning",” he spelt out