Page 17 of Burning Bridges

Our conversation yesterday is still playing over in my head. How is it possible he’s alive? Axel said the boat he was on blew up. There was also that police report I read the week after he didn’t return home. From all accounts, he had blown himself up on the boat. They called it suicide, even though they never found any signs of his body. But it was clearly his voice on the phone and in the way he would talk to me. It was him, all right, there is no doubt in my mind. It’s just so hard to come to terms with. And where has he been all this time? Is he still on the island, staying in Aventurine Manor? I guess it’s possible that he could be. The place has been abandoned since he died. It’s just something else to add to all the pressure I’m feeling, having him back giving me orders. Especially orders that involve me spending time with Leo.

After my disappointing night at Queen of Hearts, I came home and showered, hoping to wash off the feelings of regret and failure from my body. I don’t like not getting what I want, and even though I knew tonight wouldn’t be easy, I didn’t expect the rejection I would feel either.

I walk back through my room from the bathroom, the hairs on the back of my neck suddenly standing on end, the way they always do when I sense his presence. I glance out my window, and sure enough, in the light of the streetlight, I can see a Leo-shaped, shadowy figure, cigarette in hand.

Asshole. I stomp my foot, furious.

He dismisses me like we didn’t just share the most earth-shattering kiss of our lives, and then he turns up here so he can what? Watch me get ready for bed while I sulk? He’s infuriating. I grab my phone, fed up with his bullshit, and type out an outraged text. I won't pretend it’s not happening anymore; I’m calling him out on it.

Piper:You’re a coward, you know that? Can’t admit you want me, but you're happy to lurk in the shadows watching me like a fucking creep.

I hit send before I even check over what I wrote. He’s unbelievable, and as much as I know I shouldn’t let him get to me, he does. The dots dance across my screen, and I wait for whatever response he cares to give me. I know it won’t be the truth, it never is with him.

Leo:Sorry to disappoint you, Princess. Your mind must be playing tricks on you. I’m still working at the club.

Bullshit. I stomp my foot again, the frustration getting too much for me.

Piper:I can fucking see you.

I type it out, but when I go back to my window, the shadowy figure is gone. Goosebumps rise over my skin, even though I know he was there. It was without a doubt him I saw. He must just be hiding now, back in the shadows. Playing with my head and trying to creep me out must be part of the fun he's having tonight, messing with me. It’s not going to work, though, because I know him, and this is exactly what he would do. I glance back at my phone, and when I see no response, I throw it onto my bed, furious.

I don’t know what game he’s playing, but I’m going to make sure I come out the winner. I know it’s my fault. I went around there provoking him, but there is no way he can say he didn’t enjoy the interaction. When I was sitting on his lap, I could feel the very hard evidence that he did. He might have cut our evening short before we got to the good bit, but I know he wants me more than anything he has ever wanted in his life. I could literallyfeelit. He’s just wary because he knows he can’t trust me. And he shouldn’t. I do want to fuck him over in any way possible to regain my place at the top.

Think, Piper, think. I drag a hand through my long hair, trying to work out the best angle to tackle this. Leo’s not like other men. They can be so easy to manipulate because they think with their dick. He’s harder to read and more in control of his body parts, but I know he has a soft spot for me. I just have to work out how to charm him into my bed. Because I know when I do, he will start to trust me whether he likes it or not, and I’ll be able to get close enough to get what I need from him.

I should feel guilt for what I intend to do to him, but I don’t. I know he would do the same. In this life, you’re either the one fucking with someone to get what you want, or you're being fucked over. I know who I would prefer to be. Even if I am really just doing this to help Tony get the intel he requires. An in with Leo’s life and learning what he and the other Rivera brothers are up to. Putting the Acevedos back on top.

A warm excitement sweeps over me. I’ve got it. Leo wants to watch me instead of having the real thing when it’s presented to him in a cute set of lingerie. Then I’ll put on a show for him. I might not be able to see him right now, but I know he is still out there watching me. He can’t help himself, and with what I have planned, he won’t be able to resist me this time. Even if he can, I’m sure it will weaken his reserves, and I will come up with another plan, and another, until I have him right where I need him. Eating out of the palm of my hand.

I position myself in full view of the window, pulling my hair out of the ponytail it was in, letting it flow down my back. I study myself in the full-length mirror as I take my brush and slide the bristles through my long dark hair. He’s obsessed with my hair; any chance he has to get his hands on it, he does. I brush through each section until it’s sleek and glossy.

In the reflection of the mirror, I notice the figure has reappeared, and I smile to myself.Hook, line, and sinker, motherfucker. I do know him as well as I thought. The voyeur can’t help himself. My bedroom is on the main floor of our mansion, and even though there is some distance between the house and the street Leo is standing in, he has full view into my room when it’s lit up at night. I know he can see me well enough.

I untie the silk drawstring of my robe, letting it fall open to reveal my naked body. I imagine he’s right in front of me just like he was tonight, his eyes heated with the undeniable lust he has for me. I slide my hands over my smooth skin, over my stomach, feeling my heavy breasts as I run my hands over my chest to my shoulders so I can slip the robe off completely, letting it pool on the floor. I spin around slowly like he had me do earlier tonight, putting on a show for him. Then I lean against the window frame, letting my hand slip between my legs, finding my clit, while the other toys with my breast, rolling my fingers over my hardened nipple, dying for some release after the way he left me. I’m wet for him, and I slide my fingers over my swollen nub easily.

I close my eyes and can’t help the moan that escapes me. I want him to be here doing this to me. I have imagined it many times before tonight. Every time it’s us, but we're not these people we have become; we're the people we should have been, the ones who fell for each other when we were just kids. We’re in love and happy, and life is so different it might as well be another universe.

My body shivers with my building pleasure. I don’t think I have ever been so worked up over a guy, but this is years in the making, and until tonight, I didn’t really think he would ever let me get close enough to him again that we would actually kiss. My body tingles all over, and I feel the tell-tale signs that I’m close. And man, do I need this release. I need to know this is real. In a world where everything feels so distorted and messed up, I need something real, even if it's just the fantasy in my head.

Right as I’m about to tip over the edge, a text pings on my phone. I let out a frustrated groan, the sound pulling me from my happy place. I should stay here just like this and finish what I started, keep torturing him the way I know it would. But the moment passes, my head now too distracted with what is on my phone screen, knowing it will be a text from Leo. I walk back to my bed and pick it up. Sure enough, his angry words light up my screen, making me smile.

Leo:Don’t you fucking dare! Your next orgasm’s mine.

I can almost hear the possessive growl as I read his words. I scan it again, my racing heart beating out of control as a thrill rushes through me. Hewaswatching me the entire time, and my little plan worked. He couldn’t stand watching me knowing what he was missing out on. I want to laugh at how easy it was, but I keep my emotions in check, knowing he’s looking for my reaction.

Piper: I thought you were done with me for tonight.

I message back, trying to push him. I want to know how far I can go till I force him to give me what I want.

Leo:Meet me tomorrow nine pm at Queen of Hearts. Use the front entrance. Your name will be on the list.

Not quite the response I had hoped for. Part of me had wished he would be so desperate he would be banging down my front door to get to me. Unfortunately, he still thinks he has all the power here. Thinks he can call the shots. But I’m not some pushover who takes orders from the likes of him. I’m not doing what I’m told. Without responding, I stroll leisurely back to the window, making a point of returning my hand to where it was, sliding through my now-soaked folds.

My phone rings, the tone surprising me. I answer it, looking out the window at the dark figure.

“Touch yourself again and we're done, Piper,” he growls, sounding furious. Poor Leo doesn’t like it when things don’t go his way.

“What’s done?” I ask innocently.

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