Page 31 of Protected By Him

"Holyshit,"Isaidas Laura opened the car door.

"Tell me you recorded that," she said with a grin creasing across her face.

"I got it," I said, gesturing with my phone as I drove the car out of the parking lot. "To be honest, I didn't expect him to be too talkative." I could hear the surprise in my own voice.

"I know, right?" Laura said in bewilderment. "I know Rob said that they were old buddies, Harvey and Wilkins. But I’m still not clear on how Harvey got mixed up in all this."

I shrugged. “I guess they are closer than Rob thought they were. Money is a powerful motivator, and you said Harvey is going through an expensive divorce. Maybe he went to Wilkins for help.” I paused, then glanced over at her and said, “Laura, this is huge!"

Laura was glowing with satisfaction. It was a struggle to keep my eyes on the road and off her face. Her dark hair was pinned up, her lips moving fast as she worked to put all the pieces together out loud. She was half-turned in the seat, looking at the highway and glancing at me occasionally. She was so beautiful in this moment.

"Didn't you say you know the editor-in-chief ofSvelte?" Her question broke me out of my trance.

"Yes, I do," I answered, as if I’d been fully paying attention the whole time.

"We need a plan; we need someone we can trust to publish this story. I can write it, but I don’t have a way to get it out there." She looked at me, clearly questioning if I thought my friend atSveltecould be the answer.

"I will give him a call. I have no doubt he’ll be interested in a story like this." Her hand was softly propped on her half-bent knee in the seat, and I reached out and covered the top of her hand with mine. “You’ll get to tell the story, but then we need to turn over everything we have to Rob. He’s going to be beyond pissed when he finds out about the meeting with Holston and that you broke the story without his permission. We’ll have to give him a heads up before it hits the stands so he can get everything in place in case Wilkins and Harvey try to flee.”

She smiled softly, like she enjoyed the comfort of my touch, but it quickly turned to a frown as I could tell a thought was creeping into her mind.

"I need to speak with Emily," she sighed and looked out the window. "I didn't want to involve her, but she deserves to know what’s going on. I’ve been avoiding calls, and I know it’s hurting her that I’ve ignored her."

We arrived home, and I put the car in park. "Laura, this will end. Emily will understand."

Laura looked at me and chuckled. "Knowing Emily, she will get a thrill from this once she learns the truth. The drama in it will be enough to persuade her to forgive me."

I didn't know Emily, but Laura had spoken of her during small talk at dinner over the last couple of years. I couldn't be certain, but I speculated that Emily inserted herself in drama to avoid what was happening between her and her husband.

I slowly nodded my head to Laura in agreement. "I think you are right about that. I am going to visit Mom and Ella. She is probably home from preschool by now." I grabbed Laura's hand and kissed the back of it.

"Why don't you go in and run yourself a bath and rest, you’ve had a big day." I wanted to kiss more than just her hand. I wanted to take her lips, taste her tongue, but I restrained myself. "I will bring home dinner."

"That actually sounds amazing." She leaned back in the seat momentarily as she exhaled before opening the door to step out.

I watched her as she took one step at a time toward my house. She glanced back and gave me a sexy little wave goodbye.

I took a deep breath. “What a beautiful sight,” I spoke out loud to myself.

I put the car in reverse once she disappeared through the front door. I wanted to make sure she was in safely. She knew how to set the alarm, so I was not as worried once she was through the threshold.

I sent her a quick text, reminding her to set the alarm.

Yes Leo, it is set, was her response.

I set my phone down and eased off the brake, my thoughts going back to the night before.

I was not sure how we’d finally gotten here, but I was so glad we had. I had waited for this for so long.

Chapter Sixteen

Laura

IglancedbackatLeo idling in the driveway. He was just staring at me. It was the kind of stare that immediately warmed me from deep within, made me want him to put the car in park and charge me, claiming me as his. There was adoration in his gaze. Love.

But I just waved seductively, a gentle back and forth sway of my hand. I knew he needed to go see Ella; I knew he missed her so much already. And I felt horrible for being the reason they weren't together right now.

“Not much longer,” I murmured to myself as I turned to continue inside the house.

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