Page 42 of King of Temptation

I don’t want to ask Leo too many favors, but as I hunt around my room, I’m not sure I want to leave it here either. I don’t think Charlotte or Kendall would steal from me, but some of the guys they bring around might.

And I definitely don’t want anything of value at Charlotte’s place. There is a homeless encampment less than a block from her apartment and I know she had more than one break-in while she lived there.

Picking up my phone, I text Leo. I can’t afford to let pride get in the way of my financial future.

Hey. Can I ask a favor?

He almost instantly replies back. Anything, gorgeous.

I smile as I type back. Can I leave my cash at your place for now?

Three dots appear and then very quickly. Why, is something wrong?

Two seconds later, another text appears. Did one of your roommates steal from you?

And then another. Is there some dick at your place?

I’m impressed he can type that fast as he sends one more. I’m coming back.

I stare at the screen, wondering what just happened. Finally, with a shake of my head. I type. None of the above. No need to come back. Just thinking ahead.

I don’t hear anything from him and so, with a shrug, I put clean dance stuff and a few essentials in my bag, covering the money and then bring the bag to the bathroom with me to pack my toothbrush and my shampoo. Leo’s stuff is really nice, but it smells like a guy’s soap and shampoo. Then I plug in my straightener to do my hair.

But I’m only like a quarter of the way through when a knock sounds on the front door.

I ignore it, assuming that Chandra or Kendall has ordered food.

Until I hear Chandra trill a laugh. “Oh hey, Mr. Kincaid.”

I set down the straightener and open the bathroom door. “Leo?”

He’s marching down the hallway with his face set in hard lines, his eyes narrowed. “What’s happened?”

I shake my head. “I told you. Nothing.”

But Chandra is following, and she starts babbling in her Chandra way. “We’re not kicking her out, we just?—”

Leo pivots, his shoulders expanding, and I catch Chandra visibly start, I can just see her face over his shoulder. “What did you just say, Chandra?”

“Leo,” I say, and now I sound angry. “It’s fine.” I stomp down the hall, tapping his shoulder.

I can see his profile and he is glaring at Chandra as she goes pale. Which is why I switch from tapping to smacking. I finally get his attention. I like that Leo’s strong, I really do, but I don’t need a neanderthal to fix my problems with my roommates. “What’s she talking about?”

“Danielle got engaged, our lease is about to be up, and I’m moving to New York, so Kendall and Chandra are going to get a smaller place just the two of them.”

“How soon?”

“Next month,” Kendall volunteers. “And really nice to meet you. Chandra wasn’t lying, you are really hot?—”

It’s my turn to glare. Kendall will sleep with almost anyone.

But Leo doesn’t even look at her, he’s staring at me. “You’re not leaving Vegas until January.”

“I talked with Charlotte. Her place?—”

Leo’s eyes narrow. “No fucking way. That place is a shithole.”

My tongue clicks on the back of my teeth. “I’m not dancing at Temptation to spend all my money on rent. It defeats the purpose.” My arms cross over my chest. “And you don’t get to tell me no fucking way. I don’t need a babysitter.”

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