"I want to see you naked, Suzy," he told her gruffly as one of his hands moved to the zip on her jumpsuit, "Naked and wanton!"
She felt hot, feverish—she was making out with Leo! Had she forgotten who he was?
"No!" She pulled out of his arms, her expression one of panic as he reached for her again. "Let me go," she instructed coldly.
Puzzlement darkened his eyes at her vehemence, but he sat back in his own seat, his hands held up defensively. "Think all you want of me, but I've never tried to force a woman," he assured her raggedly.
She knew he had never needed to, that his brand of lovemaking could become addictive. "I know that," she conceded shakily, shaking back the swathe of her hair. "I—it was a mistake, that's all."
Leo shook his head, his eyes steely. "I don't make mistakes, Suzy. I want you. And a minute ago you wanted me too—"
"No," she denied heartedly. "I told you, it was a mistake. I have to go in now." She swallowed hard, wishing she had found the strength to go in earlier, much earlier. This was insane. Leo wasn't the kind of guy to make out with. If she had any sense, she'd stay very far away from him, and that was what she was going to do.
He gave an abrupt inclination of his head. "I'll be seeing you—"
"No," she told him sharply, haltingly turning to look at him, realizing how wrong she had been to let him know where her home was. He could cause so much trouble for her if he chose to! "I don't want to see you again."
"I'm afraid that's impossible." He shook his head. 'You see, I—"
"You aren't listening to me! Can't you take no for an answer?" she snapped impatiently.
"You weren't saying no to me a few minutes ago," he shrugged.
"Well, I'm saying it now," Susan rasped. "I don't want to see you ever again, Leo. Do I make myself clear?"
"Very," he drawled, very relaxed as he sat back in his seat watching her.
"Good." Her eyes flashed before she stepped out onto the gravel driveway.
"Once again, thank you for the lift home."
"Believe me, it was my pleasure," he mocked. "All of it."
She slammed the door in his face, standing on the top step to watch the car— and Leo!— go out of the driveway before turning to enter the house.
__________
It had been two weeks since that night. Two weeks since the kiss.
Susan hated that she'd responded. Hated how her lips had instinctively parted for him, how her body had leaned into his as if it craved him. The taste of him still lingered on her tongue, a reminder she couldn't shake. She remembered the way her heart had pounded when his mouth claimed hers, a mixture of fear and undeniable attraction. That kiss had crossed a line she'd sworn never to cross. She remembered the heat, the way her body betrayed her, and how terrifyingly good it had felt to lose herself in that moment with him.
She never wanted to see him again, she told herself over and over again. The problem wasn't just the kiss, it was everything—what he was, what he'd dragged her into. She had committed a crime because of him. And now, she was kissing him. How had she let it get this far?
She'd felt like she was spiraling down a dangerous path, and that night was the wake-up call she needed. She couldn't afford to get involved with a man like Leo anymore than she already had—no matter how much he stirred something deep inside her. She couldn't lose herself like that. She couldn't lose control.
Yet despite everything, Leo hadn't forced his way back into her life after that night. Samuel had paid him back ten grand and promised to return to rest as soon as he could and surprisingly, Leo had accepted it without a single complaint. He'd even returned Samuel's car. She'd expected him to contact her, to come after her again because the money was incomplete, but he hadn't. And maybe that was what bothered her most.
She should have been relieved, but a part of her wondered why he hadn't reached out. Why hadn't he called? Was he really going to respect her wish to stay away, or was this just the calm before the storm?
Susan pushed the thoughts aside as she tried to focus on her work. She had a job to do, and after weeks of being distracted by Leo, she needed to get back on track. Joseph Graham, her boss, had already complained about her absence and tardiness. Today, she was determined to make up for lost time.
The couple she was showing houses to had been difficult from the start. The first house was too small, the second was too old, and Susan had been fighting the urge to scream as they dismissed each one with a single glance. She could feel the frustration building with each rejection, her patience wearing thin. But on the third house—a cozy, modern home with sleek interiors and a well-maintained garden—they finally seemed to soften. They walked through the rooms, talking excitedly, envisioning their future here.
Susan stood back, watching them, and for the first time in weeks, she felt like she was back in control of her life. As the couple confirmed they were ready to make an offer, Susan forced a smile, though the knot of tension in her stomach hadn't completely unraveled. Maybe this would be a turning point—she could get her life back. No more Leo, no more crimes, no more walking on the edge of disaster.
After everything was settled, Susan headed home, the sun beginning to dip behind the horizon as she drove. She tried to focus on the road, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Leo, to the memory of his lips on hers, and the dangerous attraction she couldn't deny.
She parked her car, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Pushing the thoughts of Leo away once more, she walked into her house, her heels clicking softly on the tile as she made her way to the kitchen. She dropped her bag on the island and went straight to the fridge, eager for a cold drink to shake off the day.
Just as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and twisted the cap off, a voice boomed behind her.
"Hello, Suzy."