The atmosphere in the office was charged, electric. Evelyn had never felt more alive, nor more torn. Damien's call had shaken something inside her—a memory of the past she had long buried. But Leo, oh Leo, had ignited a fire she couldn't ignore.
Leo wasn't letting this slide, though. Not this time.
He leaned against her desk, his posture relaxed, but his eyes—his eyes spoke volumes. He wasn't going to let Damien's shadow loom over them anymore. If anything, he was going to make sure Evelyn knew just where she stood.
"You've got me, Evelyn," Leo said, his voice low, almost like a whisper meant only for her. "But I don't think you understand what that means. Not yet."
Evelyn met his gaze, a mix of guilt and desire swirling inside her. "Leo, I..."
"You don't need to say anything. I get it," Leo interrupted, his fingers brushing against hers, sending a shockwave of heat through her body. "You're mine now, Evelyn. And I'm not letting anyone take you away."
It wasn't just the words—it was how he said them, how he owned the moment. No one had ever spoken to her like that. Not Damien, not anyone.
But that was the thing, wasn't it? Leo wasn't just asking for her to choose him—he was showing her. Every word, every touch, every action screamed that he was ready to fight for her. He wasn't nonchalant. He was all in.
And Evelyn? She felt it.
Her heart raced as she looked up at him, her body aching for his touch. "Leo, I—"
Before she could finish, Leo's lips were on hers, claiming her in a kiss that was hungry, desperate, yet filled with the tenderness of someone who knew exactly what he wanted. And what he wanted was her.
Damien? He could wait.
For the first time in years, Evelyn knew she wasn't just being pulled in by a past she couldn't escape. No, this was something real. Something that she could have, if she was brave enough to let it consume her.
When they broke apart, Leo's hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing over her lips with a smirk that could only be described as satisfied.
"Let's show him how it's done," Leo murmured, his words dripping with confidence. "This time, you're not going anywhere."
Evelyn didn't respond. She didn't need to. Her body was saying everything.