Leopold: Part Three Read Online Free PDF Page A

out there. We already looked—”
    “Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. And when they do find us—and believe me, they will —they’re going to want to know everything about you.” His lips flatten into a line. “ Everything , Elle.”
    My heart skips a few beats at the way he says the word everything . Leo doesn’t know everything. He has no idea what’s happened. Why I really need to avoid the media.
    But surely the paparazzi have better things to do than to bother some random, unknown woman. Or maybe they don’t. And maybe the threat of the media is a perfect reason to push Leo out of my life now—before he or the rest of the world find out what I’m really hiding. What my family is hiding. But for some weird reason, I don’t care. I don’t want him to leave again—not without me, anyway.
    “Surely there’s a delivery service we might utilize, isn’t there?” He grins, taking a step toward me. “I’ll happily pay them to bring whatever supplies we might need—and I’ll be glad to offer them a premium to do so with some urgency.”
    He closes the remaining distance between us in only a few steps, pulling me into his arms again. He slides his hand under my sweatshirt and up my spine. “It would be better to stay here. And I can think of a few things we can do that would be mutually pleasurable while we wait. Things that don’t require condoms. I’m certain you might think of a few, too.”
    I take a step back, pulling his arm away from my body. “No. Sorry. I can’t think of anything. What I can think of is not being able to stop myself once we get started. I have a feeling you can understand my reasoning here, considering what just happened.”
    “Ah, but we did stop, did we not?” He grins. “And I can assure you, I’m quite adept—”
    “Leo, no. I know that isn’t your favorite word to hear—”
    “Indeed, it is not—”
    “But I am not changing my mind about it.” I point at the door. “You think whatever is on the other side of that door is bad? Imagine what would happen if…” I mock a gasp. “…I was to announce that Prince Leopold is the father of my child? What would the vultures do with that kind of information?”
    He levels his gaze at me, his smile falling. “Say no more. But I will not allow you to go out there alone.”
    “Fine. Then you’re welcome to come with me. There’s a convenience store about a mile down the street.” I point in the direction of the mini-mart.
    He lifts a brow. “A mile?” He hitches a thumb in the other direction. “What about that way—?”
    I tilt my head. “ That way, there’s a mall and the beach. I’m sure we could find some sort of birth control there, too…maybe. But we’d also find a ton of people. Tourists. Many of whom will no doubt recognize you.”
    “Ah. Yes. That could be a problem.”
    “The convenience store is farther away, but it keeps us in the residential area of town, at least, and away from the tourist part. And it’ll be a lot less likely that anyone will recognize you. And even if they do… I mean, what would Prince Leopold be doing walking down the street in Santa Monica? I didn’t recognize you at first when you showed up in Rio de Campo. If it’s out of context, you’re less likely to be recognized, right? And the mall here—where celebrities go to be photographed shopping—is definitely not out of context for you.”
    “You make a very good point, Doctor.” He smiles and extends a hand to me. “Shall we, then?”
    I nod and take his hand, trying once again to ignore the thrill of electricity that bolts up my arm when he touches me.
    We finally leave the house, walking for several minutes before Leo breaks the silence between us. “What are you thinking, Elle?”
    I glance over at him. “Probably the same thing you’re thinking.”
    He squeezes my hand. “I doubt that. The things I’m thinking are not very noble.”
    I press my lips together to