Burn (Virtues & Lies 1)

“Leo!”

I have to resist the urge to pull her to me and distract her. Standing right there with her hands on her curvy hips and her chest heaving like if I say or do the wrong thing, she might actually kick my arse. It’s hot.

She’s fucking hot.

“I swear to God if you carry on looking at me like that…” Anger looks devastatingly beautiful on her that I’m tempted to look at her like this forever.

Taking one of her hands, we start to walk towards the swing and as soon as Toby sees us on the move, he’s following like a crazed bear.

“Stop him!” she squeals as he comes bounding at her, his mane wet from where he’s been playing in the water. “Stop him, Leo!”

I can’t help but laugh at the way she’s all bunched up, leaping on the spot as she tries to avoid getting soaked by him, but honestly, it’s a pointless task. “Just embrace it…”

“Screw you!” Her laughter is gritty, and although her eyes are narrowed at me, she’s laughing so hard she snorts.

“Come on, Toby, enough.” He pauses for a moment looking at me confused before he jumps at her and they both come crashing down onto the grass.

Shit.

Cassie’s buried in a tonne of dog and fluff, and Toby looks way too pleased with himself as he licks her avidly.

“Enough now, dickhead. Off! You’re going to squish her.”

When I finally mange to pry him off her, she’s looking up at me breathless, a big fuck off smile on her face.

Oh boy.

“Help me up, Neat Freak.”

Oh fuck.

“Seriously, a hand, please!”

I manage to help her up, and as I brush her down, she stands quietly still, watching me. When I guide her towards the swing, with Toby panting beside us, she feels more relaxed. And I’m not dreading our conversation as much anymore.

Sitting on the plank, I pull her to me and help her straddle my lap. Her chest is still heaving from Toby’s surprise attack, her sweater is wet and clingy.

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten our conversation,” she says, pinching my chin.

“You smell of wet dog.”

“Your wet dog.”

“He may as well be yours now, he has no interest in me.”

“Leo…” Looking for my eyes she tips my face up with a brush of her nose on mine. “Talk to me.”

How can I not when she’s looking at me like that—all innocent need and fiery demand?

“You already know your dad works for the government, but there are certain things he does that they can’t be seen to meddle in. Political alliances are a fucker, and no one wants to rock the boat, much less the Prime Minister who needs all the votes he can get.”

“What are you telling me?”

“I’m telling you that we’re not doing anything wrong. The money I handle for Francis is legit, I pass it through the hedge fund so it can’t be traced. From the outside it looks like your dad is drawing down investment dividends.”

“So what went wrong this time?” Holding on to me tight as I swing us gently, she studies me. “Why am I a target, Leo?”

“My dad.”