Page 10 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

“What happened to your face?!” Leo ran to Xander and cupped his cheeks gently.

Xander turned his head out of Leo's grip. “I'm fine. Just a few bruises.”

“Bruises where?” Leo looked down. “What happened to you?”

“There was an accident. It's fine.”

“What accident?” Leo reached for Xander again.

“Leo, don't.” Xander held up his hand. “I just want to forget for a little while.”

Leo's hand fell. “Xander. Who did this to you? It was her, wasn't it? That woman who slapped you the other day.”

“Leo, there's nothing you can do about it. So, let it go. That's how I have survived. I can't react, or it will kill me. I appreciate that you care enough to get angry on my behalf, but I don't want that right now.”

“There must be something I can do!”

“There is.” Xander took Leo's hand and pulled him into an embrace. “Help me forget.”

As Xander kissed Leo, all the Prince could think about was how strong this man was.

How resilient. And how Leo had to do something more than this for Xander.

Even as the passion that always rose between them caught Leo up in its claws, he made a vow to himself that he would see Xander free of this hell.

Even if their love affair didn't last, Leo would make sure that no one hurt Xander ever again.

The vow grew stronger, solidifying in Leo's heart when Xander's clothes fell away, and Leo saw the bruises upon his lover. Fury threatened to overtake lust, but Xander lifted Leo's face and kissed him again. He drew Leo down onto the blanket that served as their bed and kissed him everywhere.

“No.” Leo shoved Xander onto his back. “I'm taking care of you today. At least, you first.”

Xander stared up at him, and the bruises vanished.

All Leo saw was a beautiful man whom he couldn't stop touching.

A man he wanted to do more than touch. Xander was the type of person who could make someone happy forever.

Steady, courageous, and valiant. Leo saw more than Xander's outer beauty.

He saw the glory within. Never had he felt enough for a lover to even try to look past the surface, but Leo had a feeling that if he had, he wouldn't have found anyone like Xander.

His lover was a rare man. A gem tossed in the dirt.

“You are so beautiful.” Leo drew his hand down Xander's chest. “More than outside.” He slid his hand upward and stopped it over Xander's heart. “In here. I see you, Xander. And you are breathtaking.”

Before Xander could reply, Leo lowered his head and kissed him.

Just a brush of lips on lips. Then he moved on, depositing kisses down Xander's neck, in the hollow of his throat, and over the curve of his shoulder.

With gentle sweeps of his hands, he worshiped the hidden hero.

Leo had known there was something special about Xander from the start, and every time he was with him, he learned more to confirm this.

Leo made sure to show Xander how special he was with every kiss.

Every stroke of his fingers. The way he moved carefully against him.

He wanted Xander to feel treasured. As he should be.

One day, he'd get Xander free of that terrible duchess, and then Leo could protect him. Until then, he would give Xander this.