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

me.
    Almost like he cares.
    He rests his cheek on the top of my head, holding me like that until I’m calm enough to pull away. He takes my hands in his. “Elle, I’ll do what I can. Not that my family’s reach extends to California, but I might have a few ideas about giving them something else to distract them. And if we’re lucky, a bigger story will tempt them away in the next few days. Perhaps the announcement of a divorce or a celebrity arrest—”
    “I…can’t…” My breaths are still hitching in my chest, making it difficult to speak.
    “I know you’re concerned about them finding out about what happened to you. But even if they do find out, it will be forgotten quickly. It is perhaps one of the only good things about celebrity news—the shelf life is quite short. This entire incident will likely be forgotten in only a matter of few weeks.”
    It’s the likely part that worries me—if it was definite , it might not be as big a problem. And it isn’t so much the story about my boss—or my teacher—getting out that concerns me. There’s a much bigger issue at hand—one I never want the media or Leo finding out about.
    I need to talk to Owen .
    Maybe a fling with Leo isn’t worth it, even if the sex is amazing. It’s probably best for both of us if we end it now—forget it ever happened, at least to the extent the media will let anyone forget. And I got what I wanted from him. I have enough fantasy material to last me the rest of my life. And I have a story to tell my grandchildren, should I ever have any.
    “I think…” Tears fill my eyes, and I’m not sure where they come from. Or why they’re there at all. “I think maybe you should go.”
    He tilts his head. “Elle, I know you don’t mean that. I… If I came on too strong before, I apologize. If I offended you by bringing up your past—”
    “It isn’t that.” I glance over at the door before I look back up at him. “I just… I guess, if it’s going to end sooner or later, it might as well be sooner, you know? I mean, why drag it out?” I blink back the tears still in my eyes. “You have a reputation to protect or whatever. And I…” I have things to hide. Even from you .
    He stares at me for what feels like an eternity. “What do I need to do to prove to you—?”
    “Nothing.” I shake my head. “This isn’t about me not believing you. This is about me not wanting to drag you down. I know it’s scandalous for you to be here.”
    He chuckles. “Elle, everything I’ve done in the past ten years has been something of a scandal. What this is…” He motions between the two of us. “I should be grateful to have a story reported about the two of us.”
    My gaze narrows as I search his eyes. He must be lying—there’s no way he could actually have some sort of pride about what’s going on here. But I don’t see any hint of dishonesty in his gaze.
    A slow smile spreads over his lips. “Why don’t you join me for a shower, Elle? I’ll prove to you how much I want to be here. And…” He reaches out and pulls a leaf from my hair, holding it out to me in his palm. “And I’ll be happy to help you wash away any evidence of what just happened in the park.”
    I nod, staring down at the leaf before I look up into his eyes. “Why don’t you start without me? I have something I need to do…” I press my lips together, trying to figure out if I should tell him about the call I need to make. But I decide not to. “I promise I’ll come in and join you in a minute.”
    He narrows his gaze for a moment. “You aren’t thinking of going out there, are you? Because I can assure you, Elle—”
    “No.” I shake my head. “I promise I won’t go out there. And if I’m not naked in the shower with you in ten minutes, you can come out here and strip me yourself.”
    “Well.” He grins. “I might like to do that, regardless.”
    “Fine.” I force a smile. “In ten minutes.”
    He gives me a slow nod as he backs