Leopold: Part Three Read Online Free PDF

hide my grin, trying not to react to the comment.
    A few children on bicycles pass us on the street. One of the boys does something of a double take, looking back at Leo. He shakes his head with what almost looks like disbelief before he turns back around and pedals down the street with the other children.
    I look over at him again. “I told you people wouldn’t believe it was you.”
    He smiles down at me. “Those were children. It might be a very different story with adults.”
    I give him a small shrug, and we continue toward the store.
    There are several bicycles parked outside the mini-mart. The door opens and the same children who passed us several minutes ago walk out with ice cream in their hands.
    The same boy narrows his gaze at Leo but doesn’t say anything. He leans over and whispers something to one of the other boys, who then also turns his attention to the man holding my hand.
    I tug at Leo’s arm and almost pull him into the store with me. After we’re inside, I spot the section where our needed supplies are stocked. I drop Leo’s hand and walk over to them.
    Leo lingers behind, stopped at the large display of magazines at the front of the store.
    I grab a box of condoms and walk back over to him. “It’s probably a little early for there to be any stories about you being here , isn’t it?”
    He smiles but doesn’t look over at me. He has a tabloid in his hand, and he leafs through it slowly, almost as though he’s actually interested in whatever is written in there.
    I grab it from him. “Here, I’ll buy it for you if you care about it so much.” I shake my head and lower my voice. “For someone who talks about the media the way you do, you sure seem to be almost as fascinated with them as they are with you.”
    He drops his volume to match mine. “We do share some mutual interests, yes.” He smiles. “I was merely checking to see if my arrival in Rio de Campo had been reported yet. I’m trying to protect you, you see.”
    I only barely stop myself from rolling my eyes. “Yes, I see how you wanting to check what’s been written about you is all about me . It’s so obvious.” There’s no way he can mistake the sarcasm in my voice.
    He grins, pulling the magazine out of my hand and placing it back on the rack. “I can admit that I appreciate the press, at least from time to time.”
    There’s no way I can stop myself from rolling my eyes this time, and I decide to change the subject. “I should probably get some food while we’re here.” I turn to walk over to the grocery aisle. “I’m not much of a cook, but I can put together a few things. I seem to remember you liking peanut butter well enough—”
    He interrupts by grasping my forearm. “Elle, did I not mention I had your pantry and refrigerator stocked while I was waiting for you to return home? We’ll not be wanting for anything for days.” He glances down at the condoms in my hand. “Except for those.” He lifts a brow suggestively. “Perhaps you should purchase an additional box? Or three?”
    “You are insufferable.” I shake my head, lowering my voice again. “You realize, of course, if we actually do go through another box or three, I won’t be walking very well by the time they’re gone.”
    A slow grin spreads across his face. “Then you would have no choice but to remain in bed. I would remain with you, of course—”
    “Insufferable.”
    His smile grows impossibly wide. “I do try.”
    “Fine.” I twist my arm from his grasp and walk back over to the condom aisle again, grabbing another two boxes. Just for safety, of course. There’s no way in hell I’m actually going to let him use all of them.
    Probably.
    I glance back over to where I left him, and he’s returned his gaze to the magazines again. He pulls a different tabloid off the rack and starts leafing through it, though more quickly this time.
    Rolling my eyes, I walk over to the cashier and pay for my items. It takes a few minutes—just