Page 124 of Vicious Kingdom

Leo was over-the-top. The man ran a billion-dollar corporation. He employed hundreds and hundreds of people. He donated to charities. And yet, he had his secretary, who likely had more important things to do, waiting outside the store to drive my book haul back to the apartment.

As the taillights faded, I shook my head. “That was one hell of a date.”

“Good.” He tenderly brought me to his side. “Hungry? Want to grab a coffee?”

“Mmm, maybe later, Americano,” I teased. The old nickname made his lips twitch upward. “I want to go back inside.”

“You reached your limit on books for the day,” he warned. His smile grew feral, all teeth and predatory.

I shook my head. “Not for me. You.”

Leo cocked his head. “Me?”

“You read.” I tugged him back inside. “But you could use some recommendations to enhance your tastes.”

Laughing, he followed me.

I had an ulterior motive, as he would soon discover. We grabbed another basket and leisurely browsed the thrillers, true crime, and detective novels.

“No, not that one, I prefer G.R. James,” Leo said, putting a police procedural back on the shelf.

I hid my face in a book, unable to keep the smirk off my lips. I’d seen my books on his shelf amongst some other popular novels. There was no conceivable way he would know it was me who penned the words.

I should tell him.

Later.

Things were good today. It was a start. But we had a lot of work to mend this broken relationship into something solid. Only then would I unveil my deepest secret—my pride and joy.

I could bear a lot of things, but his rejection of my writing was not one of them.

No, that secret would wait.

I led my husband deeper into the stacks, where the people were sparse and the cameras only pointed at the main aisles.

“Travel section? Are you adventurous, Anna?” Leo mused, flicking at a title.

“Yes, in fact, I am.” I pushed him against the books. “And now I’m going to show you.”

His gaze heated.

He didn’t stop me as I fell to my knees.

The carpet was rough under my knees, but I didn’t care. My fingers worked his belt, fumbling with the buckle until it gave way. Leo’s breath hitched as I pulled down his zipper.

“Anna,” he whispered, his voice strained. “Someone could—”

“Shh.” I pressed my finger against my lips. “You’ll just have to be quiet.”

I tugged his pants and boxers down just enough to free him. He was already hard, ready for me. I wrapped my fingers around his length, feeling him pulse beneath my touch.

“Fuck,” he hissed.

Desire heated between my legs. I was so wet for him.

I glanced up at him through my lashes, enjoying the way his muscles tensed in anticipation. Then I leaned forward, taking him into my mouth. His fingers immediately threaded through my hair, not pushing, just holding on as if he needed an anchor.

I swirled my tongue over his tip, testing his resolve and teasing his willpower.