Leopold: Part Three Read Online Free PDF Page B

like it always seems to when I’m purchasing items like these—and I only barely notice the jingling of the door.
    I try to ignore the judgment in the cashier’s eyes as he hands me the bag—it’s not like it’s any of his damn business what I’m buying. I’m a grown woman after all. A responsible woman, who won’t be contracting any diseases or acquiring any pregnancies while I have Leo in my life.
    I smile to myself. While I have the pleasure of having Leo in my life . For as long as it lasts. I can do this—I can have a little fling with a prince. It’s not like I have anything else going on right now. And whatever this is doesn’t have to mean anything—I can enjoy him while I have him.
    And I will enjoy him. Very, very much.
    I smile again at the thought, but my stomach quickly hardens as I turn to Leo. Four teenage girls, probably no older than fourteen or fifteen, surround him. And I’m not sure what’s worse—that they’re giggling and cooing over him or that he seems to be enjoying their antics a bit too much.
    It’s difficult to ignore the burning in my chest, and I’m not sure exactly what it is I feel until I walk over to the group.
    One of the girls sneers at me. “Wait your turn, lady.”
    My pulse speeds, my entire body tensing. I open my mouth to tell the girls to back off, but before I can say a word, one of them shoves a phone in my hand. “Will you take our picture?”
    I have to blink a few times. And I’m not sure what comes over me, but I hold the phone up and snap a photo of the young girls with a grinning Leo.
    After throwing the phone back at the girl, I edge myself around the group to get to the exit. I push the glass door so hard it sticks open.
    I don’t even look behind me—I march across the street and head back toward my house, walking as quickly as I can without breaking into a full sprint.
    I should have known he would do something like that if he was recognized. He’s a celebrity, after all. And he clearly enjoys his role. There doesn’t seem to be much room for me in that particular choice of lifestyle. And I’m not sure why I ever thought there could be.
    I’m an idiot . I never should have allowed myself to think for even a moment that I had a chance to mean anything to him.
    I’m passing the park that’s only a few minutes away from my house when I feel a hand on my shoulder. “You’re jealous.” There’s a hint of amusement in Leo’s voice.
    I stop, spinning to face him. “I am not jealous.”
    He grins, nodding. “You are .” He reaches out to me, tracing a finger across my cheek. “Your face is a most intoxicating shade of pink.” He pauses, trailing his finger down my jaw, then my neck. “I rather like the color of jealousy on you.”
    Growling, I spin on my heel and start walking down the street.
    Leo catches me by the top of my arm, spinning me around to face him again. “They’re just girls , Elle. They mean nothing.” He shrugs. “ You on the other hand…”
    He laces his arms around my waist and dips his head to whisper in my ear. “ You mean something.”
    I take a step back, pulling away just enough to look up into his eyes. “You can’t tell me that you have to stay in my house to hide from the media and then go and have photos taken with teenage girls.”
    “I told you I would be recognized, Elle. I always am. And I have a reputation to uphold. I realize it may not be the best reputation—”
    “Do you have any idea how much I want to slap you again?”
    He grins. “I seem to remember what happened the last time you slapped me, so I can’t say I would object. Much.”
    “I hate you. I hate you so much .”
    He shakes his head before he slides his hands to my ass, pulling me so tightly against him I can feel his erection. “I don’t believe that for a single moment.”
    Electricity bolts through me again, centering itself at my core. I tilt my head to look up into his eyes. “You should.”
    “I should do many