Page 18 of Off-Limits Bad Boy Protector

I let out a sigh of relief as I got on the bus. I have many reasons to dislike Leo. But, thanks to this job, I could finally leave my home without feeling like a thief. My landlady would be furious, but it was all thanks to Leo.

Arriving at the bus stop, I hurried towards SoundEase’s enormous building. I barely made it past the gate and was about to enter when I heard a voice behind me.

Oh no! Oh no! Not today again. At least not this morning.

His voice was cold and unfriendly, sending a chill down my spine. It was the same tone he used with my coworkers, and suddenly I understood why they were all so intimidated by him. He sounded capable of anything, even murder.

“You’re late.”

I froze and turned just in time to collide with him. I stumbled back, nearly losing my balance. My eyes widened in shock. “I'm sorry, Leo. It was the traffic and...” I rambled, my voice trailing off. He nodded, his lips held in a thin, unfriendly line. I cursed myself internally. Why did I have to be late? I turned my eyes away, unable to bear the emotionless gaze he fixed on me.

“I’m sorry.” I muttered beneath my breath. “I didn’t mean to run into you or come late to work.” Leo shrugged, tucking his hands into the pocket of the pants of his tailored charcoal suit. "I always watch where you’re going," he replied. He reached forward, putting his index finger under my chin and lifting my face to face him.

I stepped back, his touch igniting something within me. I stared at him for a moment. I hoped to see his eyes show the turmoil I felt. But, they remained empty. I swallowed, realizing there was no point in continuing to engage with his attempts. With a sigh, I stepped away from him. I knew I had to distance myself from all of his efforts. It was the only way forward.

Leo's smirk widened to a full-blown smile. He stepped forward, clearly enjoying my discomfort. With each step back I took, he advanced, his confidence evident in his posture. “We need to talk,” he muttered.

I blinked and shook my head slowly. I ignored the curiosity in me. It wanted to know what he wanted to talk about. I spoke shortly. "Is it about work? If not, then there's nothing more to say, Leo."

I looked away, hoping for a way to escape him right now. I just wanted to focus on my job for heaven’s sakes! Was that too much to ask for? Leo stepped forward, invading my personal space. My eyes darted around. They were standing right in front of the company! Didn't he care? Oh, goodness! What if someone saw them? I swallowed, feeling my heart thudding insanely against my ribcage.

"You know it, and I know it. Despite all the drama, there's still something between us," he whispered softly. His voice felt like rich velvet cloth enveloping my skin.

Oh this was hopeless!

"Something worth exploring," he murmured softly.

I bit my lip, torn by the desire for his embrace, yet repulsed by the idea. Shaking my head, I broke eye contact, trying to banish the tempting thought. Frustration surged within me. "Leo, you don't get it!" I groaned. "I can't dwell in the past. I came here for a job. I want to focus on my work. It's better if we don't dig into anything and just continue as we have for the past three years!" My chest heaved beneath my blue shirt as I spoke.

He smirked and cocked his head. “Have you?” His eyebrow raised teasingly as though he was mocking me. As though he knew something I didn’t know.My heart ached. I hadn’t moved on. If I had, there wouldn’t be this yearning within my belly for him. I turned away, and his smile grew wider. I needed to leave, that was the only way I could get out without losing my mind.

He stepped even closer, and my heart threatened to jump out of my chest. He reached out and placed an index finger beneath my chin again, lifting my eyes to meet his blue ones. It was like swimming in an ocean, and I wanted to stay there.

"How about we give things another chance?"

Cassie’s eyes widened. His question hung in the air, stirring up strange emotions within me. He couldn’t be asking me that! There was no way he was asking me that sort of question, not after what he had done to me back then in school.

He freaking called me dumb. I shook my head and pushed his finger away from my chin, my eyes blazing with anger.“No. Leo Woodrow. It’s too late” My voice came out firm, masking the confusion and pain within my belly. “You cannot undo what you did in the past.”

I turned away, risking both my job and choosing to ignore him, but it was the only way. If I stopped moving, my heart would seek a different outcome, and I would fall for him again. This time, I would only have myself to blame.

I had barely taken a step on the stairs when his voice broke through the air.“Oh Cassandra Evans, you never learn, do you second best?” I bit my lower lip. Hard. He was trying to push me to the edge. There was no other logic. I turned around and stared at him.

He stood in the car park. He oozed all the handsomeness and devilishness that only Leo Woodrow could emit. His hands were casually in the pocket of his black pants. He wore a crisp white long sleeve shirt tucked into the pants.

Leo raised one blonde eyebrow and flashed a cocky smile at him. “You can’t run from me second best. You work for me. I’ll simply ask Jack to call you back into my office”! Cassie’s heart sank. I let out a sigh. “Oh, come on, Leo! What do you want? Weren’t you happy when I cried? Wasn’t that good for you? Why are you playing games now?”

He chuckled, keeping that smirk on his face. “It’s not a game, princess. I’m just asking you things you keep avoiding.” He took his hands out of his pockets and crossed them over his chest. “How about dinner? Italian place nearby?” He raised an eyebrow.

His intense blue gaze bore into mine, leaving me momentarily stunned by his request. I blinked, processing his words. Did he just ask me out? My eyebrows shot up in surprise. The audacity! A tiny butterfly fluttered in my belly. It danced at the thought that he wanted to take me out to an Italian restaurant. I brushed it away and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Why on earth would I want to go on a date with you?"

He smiled and walked closer, confidence oozing in every step. “Three reasons,” he shrugged.

Leo stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Firstly, you know there's still chemistry between us. You can deny it all you want, but we still have unfinished business, and this date will give us a chance to explore it."

His words brushed against my skin bringing goosebumps. He leaned back and cocked his head. He raised his index and middle fingers to represent the number two."Secondly, you work for me, If you say no, I could easily set it up anyway as a work meeting and force you to come nonetheless. And thirdly? Should you choose to resign, SoundEase is the biggest broadcasting house in California. I'll get you back with ease," he shrugged.

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