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
Susan stayed quiet for a moment, hesitating. Keeping secrets had become second nature to her lately—a habit she didn’t even recognize in herself anymore. She glanced up to find Caroline studying her, curiosity and concern both visible on her face. “You can’t tell Samuel,” Susan said finally, a hint of pleading in her voice.“Why not?” Caroline’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Well… he doesn’t exactly like Leo,” Susan replied, choosing her words carefully. It wasn’t the whole truth, but it wasn’t a lie, either. She was sure Caroline wouldn't like him either if she knew everything about him. Leo’s world and everything it touched wasn’t something she could easily explain, even to her closest friend.Caroline sighed, clearly not thrilled with the secrecy but nodding nonetheless. “Alright, so what am I supposed to tell him if he asks where you are?”“Just say it’s a work trip,” Susan replied smoothly. “I’ll tell him the same.”She realized, with a mixture of pride and dismay, that she was
After hours of driving, Susan’s eyes were growing heavy, and her head occasionally leaned against the seat as the warmth from the coffee began to wear off. Leo noticed, his voice softer as he said, “Close your eyes if you want. We’ll be there soon.”Susan hesitated but eventually let herself relax, lulled by the steady rhythm of the car, Leo’s presence beside her, and the distant lights that grew brighter as they neared their destination.When she woke, the sun was beginning to rise, casting a pale orange glow across the Atlantic City skyline. The glittering lights of the casinos and high-rise hotels lit up the early morning sky, and Leo’s steady voice brought her fully back to reality. “We’re here,” he said, a hint of amusement in his tone as he glanced at her sleepy expression.Susan sat up, rubbing her eyes. The vibrant city stretched before them, promising all the glitz and glamour she’d heard about. She felt a surge of excitement mixed with trepidation as Leo navigated the car in
Leo guided her over to the bed, and together they sank into its softness, their arms tangled as he leaned in to kiss her again. Leo fought to understand what the hell was going on with him when it came to this woman, but he couldn’t pull himself away and he didn't want to. Their lips made a soft smooching sound in the room. Their tongues met and dueled. He noticed she was more confident and much more passionate, willing to meet him halfway and demand her due. “You're wearing way too many clothes. Maybe I need to get you out of them.” He said. Her smile lit up the entire room. Then her eyes glinted and her smile turned mischievous. She put her hands to his shoulders and pushed until he reclined on the bed. “Yes I agree, but so are you. Granted you have more experience with these matters than I do, but maybe I should be in charge this time. You never know what I'm capable of when I put my mind to it.”He lifted an eyebrow but his eyes gleamed devilishly. “That’s an arrogant statem
She gripped his shoulders and began lifting herself out of his hands, pushing downward, harder and faster until she rode him as surely as he would a steed. Unable to keep the position any longer, he lay back, hitting the mattress as she came down over him. He helped her, but she was a wild thing in his arms, her hips undulating as she took him over and over. Leo had never been so aroused by a woman. He’d never thought a woman so beautiful or giving. He’d never wanted a woman as he wanted her. His release boiled in his loins, rising like a tumultuous storm. Building, burning. Oh God, he wouldn’t last. He slid his hand between their bodies, finding her slick heat. He stroked her pleasure spot and shuddered in ecstasy when she tightened spasmodically around him. “I can’t last,” he cried hoarsely. “Then let go,” she said. She leaned down and cupped his face in her hands. “I’ll be here to catch you.” Her sweetness flooded his soul. With a strangled gasp, he let go and arched up
“I want to take you like this, Suzy. Like a stallion covering a mare. Would you like that?” She closed her eyes and let her chin fall to her chest as she sucked in deep, steadying breaths through her nose. “Yes,” she whispered. Her knees trembled and threatened to buckle underneath her. She braced her palms against the bed in an effort to keep from falling. She felt extremely vulnerable in this position. She had no defense. He could take her as he liked, do anything he wanted, and there was nothing she could do. Again his hand smoothed over her backside, caressing and rubbing until she sighed with pleasure. Then his other hand grasped her hip and he held her in place. She heard him move away and he returned seconds later. She heard a rip, and knew he'd gotten a condom. He slipped it on, and then the tip of his cock bumped against her entrance, moved away, and then back again before he finally plunged forward, burying himself in her damp heat. Susan threw back her head and
Leo’s lips twitched, but he didn’t dare smile. Instead, he leaned closer, his free hand brushing a stray strand of hair from her damp forehead. “You’re doing great, Susan. You’ve got this.”The hours dragged on. The contractions came faster and harder, and each one seemed to drain Susan’s strength. Leo stayed with her the entire time, holding her hand, whispering reassurances, even snapping at a nurse when she wasn’t quick enough with the ice chips.Finally, the doctor returned, checking Susan again. “You’re fully dilated. It’s time to push.”Susan’s heart raced. She looked up at Leo, fear flickering in her eyes.“You can do this,” he said firmly, his hands cradling her face for a moment. “I’m right here.”The room transformed into a flurry of activity. Nurses positioned themselves, the doctor gave instructions, and Susan braced herself.“Okay, Susan, with the next contraction, I need you to push,” the doctor instructed.The pain was overwhelming, but Susan gritted her teeth and pushe
An hour later, Leo’s men drove Vince, unconscious, to an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town. They positioned him in a chair surrounded by stacks of counterfeit bills, the bag of drugs on the table, and the pistol in his lap.Leo observed every detail, ensuring there was enough evidence to connect Vince to the stolen money and illegal activities. He even had Connor take pictures of the setup to send to an anonymous tip line.“Make sure it looks like he was working alone,” Leo instructed. “The last thing we need is this tying back to us.”Asher nodded and set about wiping down any trace of their presence.Once everything was in place, they made the call to the police, disguising their voices as concerned neighbors reporting suspicious activity.Hours later, Leo sat alone in his study, a glass of whiskey in hand as the news played on the television. The headline read: “Local Man Arrested in Connection to Counterfeit Money Operation.” Vince’s mugshot appeared on the screen, his face
There was a brief pause on the other end before Asher replied, “Understood. We’ll keep him... comfortable until you arrive.”Leo ended the call without another word, slipping the phone back into his pocket. He downed the last of his whiskey, the burn of it barely registering as his mind focused on what needed to be done. Vince had made a fatal mistake, and Leo was about to remind him—and everyone else—why crossing him was a mistake no one survived. He'd let Vince go the first time, and now he was going to finish the job. He flicked the cigarette over the balcony railing, watching the ember fall until it vanished into the night. He turned toward the door, ready to head inside, when he froze at the sight of Susan standing there. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her eyes were filled with anger and something else—disappointment.“How long have you been standing there?” he asked, his voice flat, though his jaw tightened.“Long enough,” Susan snapped, stepping onto the balcony. Th
Asher hesitated for a split second, then gave a curt nod. “Understood.”Without another word, Asher turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. Leo sat in silence for a moment, his thoughts swirling. Susan’s rejection, Abruzzi’s attack, Vince’s betrayal—it was all fuel for the fire already raging inside him. He glanced at the gun in his hand, then set it down carefully on the table.His empire was under attack, and Leo Spencer wasn’t the kind of man to let that go unanswered. The game had just changed, and he was going to make sure everyone involved understood one thing: no one crossed him and got away with it.____________The muffled thud of footsteps echoed in the dimly lit parking lot as Asher and Connor moved quickly, their eyes scanning the deserted space. Vince was leaning casually against his car, a cigarette dangling from his lips, utterly oblivious to the trap closing in around him.“Stay sharp,” Asher whispered to Connor, his hand resting lightly on the gun holst
The routine was the same every morning—he’d come in, announce he was leaving, and then disappear for the day. It irritated her to no end, and today, the irritation boiled over.“Got it. Please leave,” she said bluntly, pulling the duvet up to her chin as if to shield herself from his indifference.Leo frowned, his calm demeanor cracking slightly. “Excuse me? I’m only trying to be helpful.”Susan let out a humorless laugh. “Helpful? This is helping? Leaving me here every day while you run off to your club to play crime boss? Doing things that could put you in danger… How exactly is that supposed to help?”Leo’s eyes narrowed. “I’m surprised you care so much about my safety,” he retorted, his tone sharp.“I don’t,” she shot back, throwing the duvet off her legs. She swung her feet to the floor, determined to storm past him, but her body betrayed her. Moving was harder than she’d anticipated, and she struggled to push herself up.Before she could protest, Leo was at her side, his hands f
“So... when do you think we should tell Susan about us?” Samuel asked as he casually buttoned up his shirt.Caroline froze mid-motion, his question hitting her like a ton of bricks. She turned to stare at him, her expression a mix of shock and incredulity, as if he’d just suggested something completely absurd. “Why would we tell her anything?” she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.Samuel frowned, clearly caught off guard. “Why wouldn’t we?” he countered, his voice tinged with confusion.Caroline turned away, unable to meet his eyes. She felt her pulse quicken as she muttered, “Because there’s nothing to tell.”For a moment, Samuel stood there, stunned into silence. But as her words sank in, the weight of what she was saying hit him hard. He recognized this feeling—an ending he hadn’t been prepared for. And if it was going to happen, she’d have to face him when she did it.He crossed the room in a few swift steps and placed his hands firmly on her shoulders, gently but insiste
He didn’t know how to process the ache twisting in his chest. He wanted to hold her, to wipe away her tears, but his own frustration and hurt held him back. Instead, he stepped away, his expression unreadable.After a long, heavy pause, he said, “Will you at least consider moving in? Just until the baby comes. You shouldn’t be alone during this last month. After the birth, you can find your own place when you’re ready.”She hesitated, the thought of being alone during labor and the final stretch of her pregnancy weighing heavily on her. She didn't want to be alone. Finally, she nodded. “Okay. Until the baby comes.”“Good,” he said curtly. “I’ll have my driver take you home. You should start to pack your things tomorrow.”Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Susan standing there, her arms wrapped protectively around herself, tears streaming silently down her cheeks._______________Samuel felt warmth and soft against him. He shifted his weight toward the
Susan stepped closer to the crib, running her fingers over the smooth wood. “This must have taken so much time. I didn’t even know you were doing this.”“I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said, moving to stand beside her. He rested a hand lightly on her lower back, his touch grounding her as she took it all in.Susan turned to him, her heart full. “Leo, this is the most thoughtful, amazing gift anyone has ever given me.”His lips curved into a small smile, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “I just wanted you to know that I’m all in, Suzy. For this whole parenting thing. I want to give it a try… And do it right.”She didn’t know what to say, so she simply stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered into his chest.Leo held her close, resting his chin lightly on her head. That close to his lean, powerful body, Susan could smell the distinctive scent of his skin, an intoxicating mixture of citrus overlaying husky male, and as she
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” he said softly, though there was a flicker of curiosity in his expression. “You're already giving me enough,” Susan shrugged lightly, sitting back down in her armchair. “I wanted to. Just open it.”Leo pulled at the ribbon, unwrapping the paper with surprising care, as if he wanted to savor the moment. When he lifted the lid of the box, his expression froze for a second before softening.Inside was a sleek wristwatch—silver with a black leather strap. The minimalist design was elegant but not ostentatious, exactly his style. Beside it, nestled in a small compartment, were cufflinks engraved with his initials: L.S..For a moment, Leo said nothing, his eyes fixed on the gift. Susan began to fidget, suddenly unsure of herself. “I wasn’t sure if you’d like it,” she said quickly, her voice tinged with nervousness. “I just thought… well, you always wear cufflinks when you're dressed all ‘bossy’ you know, and I noticed you liked them so—”“I love it,” L