“Please, Leo.” What she pleaded for was up in the air at this point. A light kiss to her temple was the only response he gave her, but after a moment, he did move back. She turned around on unsteady legs and stared up at him. His presence was so pronounced that if she could have taken a step back, she would have. The sight of that red lipstick became a harsh reminder that she was in way over her head.
Leo followed her gaze to his collar, and his teeth snapped shut and ground together. His eyes met hers. “Is that why you’re angry?” He didn’t need to emphasize what he meant. They both knew.
She needed to go for it and not beat around the bush. Being honest and upfront at this point was the best course of action. At least, she hoped it was.
“There is nothing, absolutely nothing, going on between me and any female.” His expression was fierce. “Do you understand me, Tatum? You are the only female I want. The. Only. One.” He said it with so much conviction she felt her eyes widen and any thought on the contrary leaving her. Maybe she was a fool, but this man had gotten under her skin in the best, or maybe it was the worst, of ways.
“I want to know what you see when you look at me. Honestly.” She crossed her arms and feigned confidence she so didn’t have. His jaw worked, and she watched the muscles jump under the skin. For several long moments, neither said anything, yet she felt the tension in the room grow.
When he exhaled roughly and turned from her, she let herself breathe. It was like watching a caged animal as he paced his office. The square room seemed tiny in comparison to his massive frame. He speared a hand in his tawny hair and gave it a tug before turning back toward her.
A frustrated sound came from him, then he strode toward her. Hands on her arms, Leo led her over to the leather couch against the far wall. He gently pushed her down on it and took several steps back.
“Leo?” Looking around, she felt the air become filled with something strange.
“You said you want to know what I see when I look at you?” She nodded. “Fuck, this is so much harder than I thought it would be.” He went back to pacing.
“Leo, can you please stop that and just tell me whatever it is you’re struggling to say?”
He stopped and looked at her for several long moments. He then started to unbutton his shirt.
Holding up her hand, she felt her mouth dry at the sight of the tan, hard flesh that was revealed. “Leo, I don’t think now is the time for this.” Her panties were uncomfortably wet and became even more soaked when he gave her a lopsided grin.
“Baby, we aren’t going there, even though that sounds like a fantastic idea.” He rolled his shoulders and moved his neck from side-to-side. “I need you to promise me something.” He moved until he crouched on his haunches before her. Her hands in his, she stared into his eyes. “No matter what you see, you will try to not freak out.” She felt her brow furrow at his words. This whole situation went from strange to fucking bizarre.
“I’m not sure I know where this is going, Leo.” He leaned in and kissed her. Tatum wanted to push him away, to get on with why she actually came here, but she knew that whatever Leo tried to get across to her was important to him.
“I promise everything will be answered in the end.” He tightened his hold on her hands and leaned back. “I just need you to trust me.” That was easier said than done. “Please, Tatum.” His voice sounded sharp like shards of glass, yet his words were smooth. She had no idea what was about to happen, but she felt herself nod in agreement.
“Okay. I trust you.”
He stood and took several steps back again. His hands went to his belt, and he deftly undid it. When he became completely nude in front of her, she felt her arousal heighten. Tatum had no idea what in the hell Leo planned on doing, but whatever it was caused her insides to turn to mush.
He moved to his desk, pressed a button beneath the top, and a click sounded as the lock on the door slid shut. Leo stood in front of her again. She didn’t speak, just sat there with her hands in her lap, her heart beating wildly. Suddenly, the air thickened, became charged with electricity. The hairs on her arms stood up, and the flight-or-fight instinct instantly kicked into overdrive.
Whatever was about to happen had her urge to run strong.