Page 62 of Split or Swallow

She snorted at that.

“Do you really think I’d stop you from leaving?” he asked.

“No. But I want to stay.”

The words were out before she could stop them. Tem didn’t even know why she’d said them. Leo’s eyebrows shot upward at her admission.

“Do you? You won’t even accept my gift.”

She put her fork down.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t want to stay,” she said quietly.

It didn’t matter that she didn’t want Leo’s gift. If she left now, she’d be out of the competition. If she left now, she’d have to go home to her mother, to the farm, to Vera’s cruel taunts. She was telling the truth: she wanted to stay. So she might as well make something of it.

Tem shifted in her seat, leaning forward so the dress offered an especially flattering view of her cleavage. Leo’s jaw tightened at the sudden movement, and she took advantage of his surprise to say:

“Do you know what else I want?”

Leo took far too long to answer.

“What’s that, Tem?”

“An apology.”

He blinked.

“For what?”

“For ranking me last during the first elimination.”

His eyes slowly found their way back up to hers.

“I thought we were past that.”

“We aren’t.”

Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“I’m sorry I ranked you last.”

Tem shook her head. “Say it like you meet it.”

He flashed his gold teeth.

“Is that an order?”

She held his gaze.

“Yes.”

The abject hunger in his eyes was undeniable. He trailed a single finger down the stem of his wine glass, taking his time before answering.

“Tem,” he said quietly, “You were the most beautiful girl in the room that night. I never should have ranked you last. It was just another way to lie, and I’m sorry I did it.”

For the second time tonight, Tem felt a chill. Leo seemed to sense her moment of weakness, because that infernal smile spread across his face once more.

“Do you accept my apology?”