Page 69 of The Exposed Heiress

She held her breath as he slowly undid each clasp.

Stepping out of the gown, Emma placed it back on a hanger and smoothed out the fabric.

Leo stood behind her and pulled her into his arms. His hands touched her waist and then slid over her hips. Her limbs began to feel weak.

“This isn’t a private area, Leo. There are curtains for walls.”

He kissed her neck. “I don’t care.”

She slipped out of his arms and shook her head. “We have to find another place.”

Grabbing her grey dress off the chair, she pulled it back on. Looking around the floor, she found her shoes. Picking them up, she balanced on one foot at a time as she slipped on the heels.

He laughed. “I have a hotel suite a few blocks from here.”

Emma took the gown. “Do you think...?”

He shook his head. “No, no one will mind a newly engaged couple leaving before everything is taken care of. Come.”

Leaving the dressing area, Emma gave the gown to Claire and then hugged her.

Claire said, “I’m so happy for both of you.”

“We’re going—”

“Go.” Claire waved her away.

Emma followed Leo out through a series of hallways that led to the loading docks. “The main entrance is probably insane. Is your car parked close by?”

“I walked.”

She looked at him.

“I know. Let’s Uber.” He pulled out his phone and placed the request.

Silencing her phone, Emma said, “The news of our engagement is out there already.”

Leo watched for the Uber driver. “The dress is a brilliant visual, so it’ll spread far and wide.”

Emma crossed her arms. “It’s not something I’d have planned. I’d much rather have it be a private moment.”

Looking into her eyes, he said, “We can have a private ceremony, but somehow that rather public disclosure and then proposal worked for us.”

She took in a deep breath and stepped forward into his arms.

A minute later, Leo ushered her into a waiting car. They arrived at the Mondrian London to a hectic scene of reporters and interested bystanders.

Leo leaned forward and said to the driver, “We have to go elsewhere. Can you keep driving?”

The young man pulled his car back into traffic. “This is not how Uber works.”

“We’ll figure it out. I’ll modify the request in the app. Can you take us to Rotherhithe?”

Emma leaned back against the seat. “It’ll be mobbed there.”

Leo looked at her. “We can go in through the garage.”

She asked him, “Do you have the electronic key?”

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