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The problem was, I had no idea when it would come.
Chapter Thirteen
Leo
Iwas surprised to see Cadence striding up the stairs to the balcony of the club. She’d said a day or two, but I honestly hadn’t expected her to return within that time frame, much less the next night.
And I certainly didn’t expect what she was wearing.
That neon yellow dress she’d tried to wear at the auction hugged her body so tight it was like a second skin. It was barely long enough to cover the important bits, and the tops of the white lace stockings sheathing her legs were in clear view.
Blood surged to my groin and I tried to cover my grin with my glass as she walked toward where I sat on a couch overlooking the dance floor. As she came closer, I noticed the makeup she’d carefully applied, and while the eyes of every alpha trailing her as she passed showed her sex appeal, I missed the girl-next-door look she’d had the night before in her jeans and T-shirt.
“Hello, Leo.”
I sucked in a deep breath, trying to catch the scent of honeysuckle as I lowered my drink from my lips once I had my amusement under control. There was nothing I could do about the tent in my pants, and I didn’t bother trying to hide it. Tipping my head to acknowledge her, I patted the cushion beside me.
“Good evening, Cadence. Come sit with me.”
She ignored my invitation, pulling her shoulders back and lifting her chin.
“I have a proposition to discuss with you.”
I stilled, eyes locked on hers. I’d teased her about making the next offer, but I hadn’t expected her to take me up on it. I was torn between wariness about what more she would ask for, and wanting to laugh at how she’d turned my words on me. I should have known to be more careful with someone as smart as her.
My dick wasn’t torn about anything. It was screaming yes with every pulse of blood making it twitch behind the fabric of my slacks, the crush growing uncomfortable.
“Can we go to your office?”
The way she rocked from one foot to the other and adjusted her grip on her purse gave away her nervousness despite the façade she tried to project. Curiosity ate at me, so I nodded and rose from my seat.
Extending my elbow to her, I waited until she slipped her arm in before leading the way to the door we’d passed through barely twenty-four hours prior. In moments, the lock on my office door snicked behind us and we were alone.
Cadence had released my arm as soon as we stepped through the doorway, so I moved around the desk and took a seat in my chair. She still stood beside the door, so I tipped my head to the chair she’d sat in the previous evening.
“Take a seat and tell me about this bargain you’re offering.”
She hesitated, chest rising with a sharp intake before she stepped forward to slide into the seat. Folding her hands overtop her purse, she nodded to herself before speaking.
“I’m willing to give you what you want, but there are going to be rules. My mother and brother will have nothing to do with you and your business. They will be kept in the dark as much as possible. If any harm comes to them because of my association with you, it will end immediately and you will not contact me ever again.”
She paused, licking her lips before continuing.
“I owe you for taking care of our debt, and I plan to repay you in cash. I will pay as much as I can each month, but it will take some time to settle the full amount. I can start today with four hundred dollars.”
She looked down at her lap before pulling a stack of folded bills from the purse and setting them on the desk between us. I had no doubt that it was the exact amount she said it was, Cadence was too careful for it to be any less, but I didn’t reach for it.
After another hesitation, she pushed on.
“I’m willing to meet you here or at your home any night you wish, but I do have a day job Monday through Friday and need to be able to return home to sleep. I’d prefer not to be kept too late, and sleeping over is out of the question.”
My chest tightened with each of herrules, and I couldn’t hold back my growl anymore. The first had been understandable, but the rest were ludicrous. I didn’t know what else she’d planned to say, but it didn’t matter.
Leaning forward, I placed my elbows on the desk and clasped my hands in front of me. My growl had silenced her, making her eyes widen as she sucked in a gasp, and I cut it off to respond.
“No.”
Cadence jerked back as if I’d slapped her, her breaths growing short and quick. Her scent turned sharp from anxiety, but I was glad it didn’t grow bitter with fear.
