Page 19 of The Gilded Heiress

Josie

It was reckless to kiss him. We had agreed to keep our association professional. Platonic.

Except there was nothing platonic about this kiss.

I hadn’t been able to stop myself. Leo was handsome and charming, and when I read the desire swirling in his gorgeous blue

eyes, desire for me , it felt like the most natural thing in the world to lean in and seal my mouth to his.

His lips were soft, much softer than I’d imagined, and I moved gently. I carefully brushed my mouth over his once, then again.

I liked kissing. Been told I’m decent at it too.

But, after a few seconds, it became clear Leo wasn’t kissing me back.

Oh. He wasn’t enjoying this. I’d thought...

Horrified, I ripped my mouth away from his, all the while my mind racing for an acceptable excuse for my bold behavior. I

should apologize. Claim temporary insanity brought on by an exciting day and blue eyes.

Except something remarkable happened. The instant I retreated, Leo suddenly came alive.

In a blink, his mouth latched onto mine as his hands pulled me closer. He didn’t ease into it either. This wasn’t tentative

or unsure in the least. His lips were aggressive, hungry, overwhelming my senses in the very best way. He stole my breath,

but I didn’t mind. Who needed to breathe?

Not me. Not when I could have this instead.

A deep rumble sounded in his chest as his lips slid eagerly over mine. He tilted his head and flicked his tongue over my lips,

so I parted them and he was inside. My head swam with his taste, the slick feel of our tongues dueling, while the wild thump

of my heartbeat echoed in my ears and between my legs. I clung to his shoulders, needing to anchor myself as the kiss wore

on.

Lord, Leo was good at this. Confident. Skilled. It was clear he had loads of experience. I hadn’t expected to lose myself

so completely in the moment. I lost my sense of where we were, and the ache inside me intensified, twisted into something

undeniable and urgent. At some point he shifted toward me, his hands moving to cup my jaw, and I placed my palms on his chest.

The silk fabric of his vest was smooth against the hard planes of his body.

He broke off from my mouth and his lips skimmed my jaw, teasing kisses that sent tingles down my back and along my thighs.

I arched my neck and he took the hint, bending to kiss my throat. My eyelids fell shut, my brain buzzing as my limbs grew

heavy.

“Sweetheart,” he whispered. “What are we doing?”

I hadn’t a clue, but I wasn’t ready for it to end. “Please,” I begged, not even a little ashamed.

Suddenly, it was over.

My overheated skin turned cool and my lids flew open. I found Leo staring off into the trees, his expression one of profound

regret. Stomach clenching, I released my hold on his vest, smoothing the silk before backing off.

He exhaled loudly, his shoulders drooping. “We shouldn’t—”

When he didn’t say more, my back stiffened. For a moment I thought there was something in his eye when he looked at me—a longing,

a flare of desire. But I’d obviously been wrong.

My finely honed survival instincts kicked in. Instead of waiting for him to reject me, I would say the words first.

Face scorching hot with embarrassment, I stood and shook out my skirts. “That was a mistake.”

“Josie, wait.” Out of the corner of my eye I saw him lift a hand as if to touch my arm, but he let it fall to his side. “We

should talk about it.”

“No need. I threw myself at you, we kissed, it’s over. Don’t worry. It won’t happen again.”

“Damn it, woman.” Leo shot to his feet. “There are reasons why this is a bad idea. There are things you don’t know about me.

I’m a terrible choice for you.”

I nearly laughed. Altruism? Leo didn’t have a charitable bone in his body. This was because he didn’t want me—and no way in

hell would I let him see how much that hurt. “Obviously. You’re my manager. Our interactions should remain strictly professional.

Are you ready to return downtown?”

Pushing the sides of his coat back, he put his hands on his hips and stared at the ground. “It wasn’t my intention to hurt

you. I merely think—”

I tried to wipe my expression of any emotion whatsoever. “Leo, stop. I understand. And I agree with you.”

His gaze lifted to mine and we stared at each other for a long moment. Then he drew closer until the tips of his shoes brushed

my skirts. I didn’t move as his knuckles brushed the underside of my jaw. “You’ll thank me one day, I promise. You’re destined

for greatness, Josie Smith.”

Irritation swept through me. I didn’t need him to tell me what my future held. And I didn’t need him to coddle me.

I shoved down the flutters as a result of his gentle touch, along with the memories of our kiss. I intended to wipe every

bit of this encounter from my brain. Stepping away, I gave him a bland smile. “I feel like a walk. No need to wait up for

me.”

A look of horror broke out on his face as I moved around him. He grabbed my wrist. “Wait, you can’t go traipsing around the

city alone.”

Of course I knew this, but at the moment I didn’t care. I’d stick to populated areas after dark and I had enough money for a hansom, if it came to that.

Starting up the path toward the street, I gave a wave over my shoulder. “See you around, tomcat.”

“Damn it, Josie!” He was on my heels. “It isn’t safe.”

“Go away, Leo.”

I hurried to rejoin the parkgoers on the promenade. Headed in each direction were fine ladies and gentlemen, bicyclists, and

children and their nurses—a variety of ethnicities and races. The park was a fascinating glimpse into the heart of this vibrant

city. I could get lost here, which was exactly what I wished for at the moment.

“You’re being stubborn,” Leo grumbled behind me. “Do you honestly think I will allow you to put yourself in harm’s way?”

Allow me? I didn’t need Leo’s permission to do a dashed thing. “Stop following me.”

His jaw was firm as he grasped my elbow. “No. I’m escorting you home.”

I tried to pull away, but he was stronger. “Are you harassing me? Do I need to find a roundsman?”

Leo had the gall to snort. “How is attempting to keep you safe harassing you?”

“Let me go.” My voice was loud and sharp as I tried to extricate myself from his grip once more.

“Miss?” A tall man stepped up beside me, his brow lowered in concern under the brim of his derby. He had kind brown eyes and

a crooked nose. “Have you need of assistance?”

“Yes,” I answered instantly and gestured at Leo. “This man won’t release my arm.”

“Now, see here—” Leo started, but it was too late.

The newcomer grabbed Leo’s shirtfront in a tight fist. Leo was tall, but this man had several inches on him. “You picking

on a woman?”

Leo released me and put up his hands. “I’m not hurting her. I’m trying to protect her.”

“Don’t sound like it to me,” the other man said. “Sounds like you’re a masher.”

“I swear, I’m her manager and am merely trying to see her home safely.”

“Miss?” The man glanced at me for confirmation.

To be fair, I was the one to kiss Leo first, not the other way around. He honestly didn’t deserve a punch in the face for

it. And I didn’t like to lie.

“Josie!” Leo’s eyes were wide with panic when I hesitated. “Tell him the truth.”

I touched the stranger’s arm. “Sir, he is telling the truth. I’m trying to go off on my own and he thinks he needs to keep

me safe.”

My rescuer opened his fingers, freeing Leo’s shirt. “Apologies. I assumed you were in trouble with this gentleman, miss.”

I am, but not the kind you think.

I smiled up at him. “And I appreciate it. What is your name, Good Samaritan?”

“William, but everyone calls me Brick.” He continued to stare at Leo, like he was waiting for Leo to try something else.

“Nice to meet you, Brick. I’m Josie. Would you like to walk with me?”

Leo opened his mouth, probably to launch an argument, but I lifted one eyebrow in challenge. Try it , I dared.

“I suppose that would be all right,” Brick said. “I was on my way home from work.”

I put my hand on Brick’s arm and led us away from Leo. “Oh? And where are you employed?”

“Construction uptown.”

I believed it, considering Brick’s size. “That must be hard work. Shall we go and get a drink somewhere? Or must you hurry

home to your wife?”

Leo cursed behind us.

Brick shook his head. “No wife, miss. I was going home to my cat. And a drink sounds like a fine idea.”

“Excellent! Let’s go explore the city together.” I looked back over my shoulder to where a fuming Leo stood watching us. “And

we won’t let anyone tell us what to do.”

I didn’t wait to see Leo’s reaction. I turned around and put him right out of my mind.

Leo

Of course I followed them.

Josie and Brick entered The Hell Cat, a saloon on Eighth Avenue. Damn it, places like this were not fit for young unmarried

ladies.

I waited a few moments and then went in. It looked like every other saloon in this city, dingy and dark, with a long bar stretched

out on one side and round tables littering the floor. The hour meant it was crowded, men finished with their workday and stopping

for a drink before going home. There were a few women as well, but they were working the room, looking for customers.

I pulled my derby low and kept near the back wall. Josie and Brick were seated at a table and appeared to be engaged in an

honest-to-God conversation. My hands curled into fists. I tried to tell myself she was retaliating because of our earlier

kiss, that this stranger meant nothing to her, but it didn’t help.

“Drink or get out, mister,” a voice said.

I turned and found the bartender staring at me. “I’m staying.”

“Not if you ain’t drinking.” He motioned toward the rows of bottles. “What’ll you have?”

No doubt the liquor was watered down. I ordered the cheapest beer they served, then continued to watch Josie’s table. When the bartender returned, I paid and tilted my chin toward Brick. “You know the big fellow?”

“Sure. Everyone knows him around here. Brick’s a decent one.”

Decent? I frowned. I still didn’t like him.