Leopold: Part Three by Ember Casey, Renna Peak Read Free Book Online Page A

next day or two—”
    “Uh, hopefully, a lot more than a day or two . I think I mentioned how I might not be able to walk…” And it’s not like I’m not already sore from being with him more times than I can count.
    “And I believe I mentioned how positively fantastic it would be to lie about in bed while you…recover.” He grins. “We could start now if you like. I don’t believe either of us is completely satisfied just yet.” He narrows his gaze a bit. “And trust me, Elle, I intend to leave you completely satisfied.”
    His words ring in my ears for a moment before I realize what he’s actually said.
    I intend to leave you .
    I’m not sure why I’m surprised he admitted it, or why I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach at the realization. I stare at him, unblinking for a moment. “How long?”
    He lifts a brow. “Hmm, I don’t know that I’ve ever timed myself, but I would guess at least—”
    “I’m not asking about your world record for how long you last in bed, Leo. I’m asking how long they’re going to be out there.” I motion toward the door. “How long are you planning to stay ?”
    “Ah.” He glances over his shoulder at the door before he turns back to face me. “I couldn’t say how long they’ll be here. Perhaps only a few days, though it could be much longer. I was once trapped in a hotel in Rome for nearly two weeks, though I’ll admit I didn’t have nearly as pleasant a diversion as I have in you.”
    My mouth falls open for a second—it’s a little hard to believe he just said what he did. “A… diversion ? So you admit it? I’m a diversion ?”
    He shakes his head, taking a step toward me. “Of course not, Elle. I only meant that we don’t need to give the media any of our attention at all. We are each other’s diversions.” He closes the distance between us, placing his hands on my shoulders. His voice lowers to almost a whisper. “I can make you forget about everything else, Elle. Just as you’ll do the same for me.”
    My jaw tightens for a moment, but my flash of anger is nothing compared to whatever it is that’s making my heart flutter in my chest.
    But I shake my head, trying to clear whatever the hell it is that’s forcing me to lose all sense of control around him. “I can’t…I can’t stay here for two weeks. I need to try to find a job. And… And…”
    He reaches up and places a hand on my cheek. “You’ll want for nothing while I’m here, Elle.”
    While I’m here.
    I take a step back and he drops his hand. “And I can’t have them…” I wave a hand toward the door. “I can’t have them digging around for stuff. I…I don’t want them to. I mean—”
    “It’s a bit too late for that, though. Your name is the registered owner of this house and they’ve already tracked me here. I’m sure they already know your name.”
    “But there has to be something you can do. Something I can do. What if… What if I just go out there and answer their questions? Do you think they’ll leave me— us— alone if I do?” It has to be worth a shot—maybe if I tell them what they want to hear, they won’t try to dig anything else up. Maybe they’ll leave me alone. Maybe they won’t find out about anything.
    “Oh, Elle.” His brow furrows, almost as though he pities me. “If that tactic worked, there would be many fewer tragedies when it comes to the paparazzi. They never have enough information. You can tell them anything you like, but it is never enough for them. It will only feed their hunger—make them want more. Trust me—our best course of action is to remain here. To wait for them to lose interest.”
    My breaths are coming way too fast, and I think I’m about to have a full-blown panic attack. What if they find out? What if they blame me? What if…
    Leo seems to sense my fear and he steps forward, taking me into his arms. He slides his arms around my waist and pulls me tightly to his chest, embracing me. Holding