Page 31

Azura

T he door shuts behind Leo, and I let out the breath I was holding. It’s weird. I don’t know if I prefer him in the suit that he was wearing last night, his leather jacket, or in those sweatpants. Fuck, this guy is far sexier than he should even be allowed to be.

I miss my own workouts, but being pregnant and with everything going on, I have fallen behind. I know that training during pregnancy is fine as long as you don’t have any frontal impact on the stomach.

“Let’s eat, Azura. Daddy makes the best food,” Corrado declares, drawing me out of my thoughts. Leo made these…

I don’t even know what to think as I sit down, my heart still racing from the way he had brushed my arm on purpose. What does he want from me?

I look at the plate in front of me, crepes folded into triangles drizzled with Nutella, a dusting of icing sugar, and strawberries on top. So aesthetically pleasing. This plate looks almost as good as Leo. Almost.

“Oh, it looks very yummy!” I exclaim, smiling at the gorgeous little devil sitting there, smiling sweetly.

“It is, and Daddy even made it look nicer today. I think for you,” he adds thoughtfully, making my heart skip another beat.

“Hmm, he was probably worried that I can make better crepes than he can,” I tease.

“Oh no, Daddy knows Azura can’t cook.” Thanks, kid.

“And you like to make that clear, huh,” I tease as I take my first bite. He grins and nods. “Oh, these are good.” I have to admit it because they are perfect. Damn, I could get used to this… No, I can’t because he’s not mine. I won’t lie, the way he had spoken to me last night remained in my mind. He isn’t a bad person. Well, aside from being a dick.

“You’re very lucky, Azura. Daddy only cooks for me, but he cooked for you, too,” Corrado says, watching me eat. I pour us both a glass of milk, placing his next to him.

“I sure am lucky, so what else can your daddy do?” I ask, resting my chin on my knuckles. Aside from being deadly sexy, being incredible in bed, an- stop it, Azura.

“He is good at everything! He is the best Daddy in the world! He always takes care of everyone; he is my hero!” His eyes sparkle with light and hope. It is obvious that Leo isn’t lacking when it comes to being a father. I wonder where Corrado’s mama is… does Leo let him see her? Or is he keeping him away from her? Or did something happen to her? I push the thoughts away, placing a hand on my stomach slowly.

“Oh, I’m sure he is an incredible daddy,” I reply, giving him a small smile. The fact that he even left me alone with him, from the point he didn’t even allow me to be with him around Winona… is a big change.

“Yes, and I think he’s very sad now,” he adds, sighing.

“Sad?” I ask curiously. He nods as I pick up my glass.

“He broke up with Nikki, so he’s all alone now.”

My heart thunders as I freeze. He broke up with Nikki? I don’t want to be one of those people who asks kids for answers, but...

“Oh, how do you know?” I ask, feeling a tad guilty. He looks at me as if I am asking a silly question.

“I know everything. She and Jackie were packing her stuff. She was crying and saying Daddy broke up with her.” He finishes off his pancakes and licks his lips. I grab a tissue and wipe his face.

“Oh. Are you okay?” I don’t know what to say. How do I react to that? Were they not in a committed relationship? What caused him to break up with her? Is it because of me? Who am I kidding? Leo wouldn’t choose me over her. But this does mean Leo is now single…

Don’t go there, Azura.

“Yes, I’m okay. Nikki didn’t really spend time with me, so it’s okay! I’m just sad for Daddy, so sad,” Corrado sighs, watching me pointedly. “Will you be Daddy’s girlfriend, please?” I blink as I stare at him, taking a few seconds to comprehend what he just said.

“I don’t think that’s for us to decide. Besides your Daddy and me… we…” I shake my head, unable to explain myself, and he simply looks disappointed. “Ooh, let’s have a race! Who can eat faster?”

I am able to distract him quickly. After we devour our crepes, I wash up before putting the TV on for him, telling him I am going to quickly get ready. He nods, and I get dressed super fast in a white vest top with leather pants, not sure if he is safe to be in a room alone. I don’t trust kids; if they are alone for even a minute, they can wreak havoc. Trust me, I’ve been there. Surprisingly, when I come back, he is sitting where I left him, and everything is in order.

After that, we play tag in the apartment before having a pillow fight. I love kids, and Corrado is a pretty well-behaved kid, but I know if taught well, he’d be up to lots of mischief! We have a lot of fun. He is just adorable. By the time we are done, the apartment looks like it has been hit by a tornado, but it is worth it. Corrado’s laughter is contagious, and it takes my mind off everything I am feeling.

A knock on the door makes us finally get up from the pile of cushions that we have been lying on as he tries to tickle me. I go to the door, pulling it open to reveal none other than Leo, who is glistening with sweat, pouring water into his mouth from a water bottle. For a moment, time seems to stand still as I simply stare at his gorgeous brown locks that are falling in front of his forehead. From his broad shoulders, his lats and traps are as defined as ever, and his shirt clings to his narrow waist and deliciously defined abs. Then there is the front of those sexy sweatpants that -

He clears his throat, and I feel my cheeks heat up when he snaps his fingers in front of my face.

“I’m here for Corrado. If you aren’t too busy enjoying the view, how about you call him?” He mocks arrogantly.

“Nah, I was just wondering how you aren’t even blessed with one good feature. I’ll call him,” I lie, hoping I am convincing enough. The reminder that he has broken up with Nikki returns to my mind, and I force it away.

He steps closer, raising an eyebrow when he places a finger under my chin. My heart thunders, and I can’t ignore the tingles that rush through me.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Nothing,” I manage to say, realising I have spaced again. He narrows his eyes, searching my eyes for an answer he won’t get.

“Corrado?” He calls, looking away from me.

“Corrado isn’t here,” Corrado’s voice calls, and I can’t help but smile. This kid is damn cute.

“Well, I was planning to take Corrado out for dinner and a movie tonight. It seems like he doesn’t want -”

“I’m here! I’m here!” Corrado comes running. His eyes are shining with excitement. “You mean you’ll spend the full evening with me?” He asks with barely contained anticipation.

“Yeah, I am. If, of course, you want to?” Leo raises an eyebrow, and Corrado nods.

“Oh, yes, please, Daddy, I always like spending time with you!” He grabs Leo’s hand and smiles at me. “Thank you, Azura. I had lots of fun today.” I smile at him, crouching down and plant a kiss on his forehead.

“I had lots of fun, too,” I reply, poking his little dimple, only to be rewarded with a bigger smile. I suddenly feel overwhelmed with emotions. This is my pup’s sibling…

I look up at Leo only to realise I am pretty much level with his dick and smoothly stand up, trying not to think of anything explicit.

“The crepes were pretty nice,” I find myself saying.

“They were pretty basic,” comes Leo’s cold reply before he leads Corrado away.

Once they are gone, I close the door, looking around my apartment. Well, I guess I should clean up…

A few hours later, Winona comes with lunch, and I’m not going to complain, considering everything she brought is delicious. I am falling asleep on the sofa when I hear a knock at the door. Who is it now?

I walk to the door, fixing the strap of my bra as I open the door, only to be hit by none other than Leo’s intoxicating scent. Our eyes meet, and he brushes past me, not even waiting for an invitation.

“Sure, why not just come in without an invitation,” I remark, shutting the door. Leo turns towards me, totally unbothered by my remark. He is dressed semi-formal, in black jeans with a smart white shirt that has its sleeves pushed up and a few buttons showing the necklaces that hang around his neck.

“I already did,” he shoots back arrogantly. I frown, about to respond, when he holds out a phone. I raise my eyebrow as I take it slowly. “You can call your friends and family. That bastard will not be able to contact you. To make sure he doesn’t even trace this back to you, the only numbers that can contact you are those on the phone already,” he says as I stare down at the device. “The password is the same as your last phone.”

“I’ll be changing it,” I state. Like hell, I will allow him to know my password… although I have a feeling a password isn’t enough to keep him out of it.

“Go ahead.” Our eyes meet, and an intense silence falls over us. Fuck, there is no Corrado here to distract me, either.

“So I -”

“I wanted to -” he starts at the same time. We stare at each other before he looks away for a second.

“Uh, you can go first,” I say, running my fingers through my hair.

“No, it’s okay, what did you want to say?” He asks. What did I want to say?

“I’ve forgotten.” He raises an eyebrow as he closes the gap between us, and I slowly step back, trying not to focus on how good he looks.

“You really are crazy.”

“Yeah, I am, and proud to be,” I shoot back, giving him a withering glare.

“Do you always have your claws raised to attack?” He asks mockingly.

“Oh, yeah. I’m ready to bite if I have to. So, back off. Ever hear of personal space?” I frown as my ass touches the counter. His eyebrow seems to go up higher as he looks down between us, and I realise he has stopped two feet away...

“I think this is pretty sufficient… it would be a different story if I was closer.” His voice is low and dangerous, and when he steps closer, I feel like I can’t breathe. My heart thumps when he places his hands on either side of the countertop, his arms brushing my waist. Oh, Goddess, what is he doing?

“What did you want to say?” I ask, staring at him defiantly and trying not to focus on the fact that he has me trapped once more and the way I can feel his body heat… Focus, Azura.

My words seem to bring him back to reality, and he frowns. Despite not moving back, his eyes are sharp as they look directly into mine.

“I spoke to Emmet, who denied it. Strangely, I couldn’t differentiate whether he was lying or telling the truth.”

Does that mean he doesn’t believe me? No! Emmet practically admitted to me that he had hit her and that I should mind my own business! I am about to speak when he places his thumb against my lips, his fingers curling under my chin, making my core clench.

“Let me finish.” I nod slowly, very aware of his finger against my lips. “I then spoke to Jackie, who, unlike Emmet, isn’t really good at lying. There is something going on between them, and I will get to the bottom of it. For now, I’ve removed Emmet from the position of Delta until I look into this properly. I need Jackie to speak before I can do anything, but rest assured, I will not let anyone get away with abuse.”

Every word he speaks affects me. He didn’t need to explain this to me, yet here he is explaining it all, and I sure as hell appreciate it. I nod. His finger is still on my lips, and when I part them to speak, his finger brushes down my lower lip before he removes his hand, making me swallow. His eyes flash when I lick my lips, and I look down, staring at his neck rather than those piercing eyes.

“I… thanks for letting me know. You didn’t need to, and I actually appreciate it,” I reply, my throat feeling far too dry, and it suddenly feels too hot in here.

“I also want to apologise,” he murmurs, frowning deeply. Apologise? I look up sharply as he stands straight and steps back.

“For?” I ask.

“For overreacting when I found out you spent time with Corrado. Not only did I hurt you, but I abused my position as someone who is stronger -”

“Oh, please, I did equal damage,” I scoff. “I’m just as strong as you.” Is he actually apologising? What the hell has he eaten? Wait, is he drunk or something? Something is up… this is too suspicious...

“Yeah, sure,” he replies in a tone that makes it clear he doesn’t think so. I cross my arms now, looking at him defiantly.

“Wanna try me?” I challenge.

“I already did,” comes his cocky reply.

Our eyes meet, my eyes widening in surprise and my core knots. Oh, this guy is totally messing with my head...