Shay sauntered across the parking lot, smothering her elated grin at the sight of Leo leaning against the side of her car. The sun was fading, the birds chirping, and there he stood, a sight to behold in his suit pants and business shirt.

Wakey, wakey, uncontrollable hormones.

She’d been worried earlier, not knowing how Brute and T.J. would react to the storeroom issue or their relationship in general. But Leo hadn’t come back to speak to her, so she assumed everything had worked out for the best. Good thing too, because she didn’t know how they were going to hide this connection between them when they couldn’t even keep their hands off each other.

“I hope you weren’t waiting long.”

The idea of him waiting at all made her belly flutter. Never before had she been a giddy girlfriend…or lover…or whatever the hell this was. The mere sight of Leo had her body on high alert.

“No.”

She ignored his gruff tone and sidled up to him, yanking her handbag strap onto her shoulder. They’d only spent one night together, yet he’d instilled enough confidence in their future for her to wrap her hands around his neck and press her body into his. “Do you want to come back to my place tonight?”

Her stomach dropped when he stiffened, his lips thinning to a tight line. He looked straight through her. There was no heat or passion in his expression. Nothing. Only cold disengagement.

“Leo?” When he remained silent, she dropped her hands and stepped back. “What’s going on?”

“Sorry.” He blinked the light back into his eyes and reached for her. “Nothing’s wrong. I just need to discuss a few things with you.”

She brushed away his touch and remained out of reach. “That sounds delightfully ominous.”

“It isn’t.” His words lacked the enthusiasm to back up the statement.

“Well, spill.” She crossed her hands over her chest and it didn’t skip her attention that he ignored the intentional plumping of her breasts. Something was wrong. Big time.

“I’m going to be in the office all week, so we probably won’t get a chance to see each other.”

She frowned, fixing him with a what-the-fuck expression. “That’s it?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. I told you it was nothing.” The indifference in his voice said otherwise. “I doubt if I’ll get the chance to see you until Saturday night. I need to plow through a heap of book work.”

And I won’t be plowing you at all. “Right. So, in other words, Brute and T.J. are pissed.” Alarm bells started to ring when he broke eye contact. “Or maybe this is you backtracking. Again.”

“No.” His tone was harsh as their gazes met. “I’m not backtracking. I just need to figure some shit out.”

He reached for her, and this time she went willingly into his arms, needing his touch. She didn’t want to lose him this time. Even though her own emotions had her threatening to run at the thought of Vault of Sin, she didn’t want to be rejected by him again. Not when she knew they could be great together.

“I’m serious about us. But T.J. and Brute made me realize there’s a lot to lose if this doesn’t work. We both need to appreciate what’s at stake.”

She could understand the need for caution. Hell, she had already come to terms with resigning from her job if things turned sour. What clenched her heart was his waning enthusiasm. After this afternoon, she’d expected to move forward with increased flirting and maybe more heated moments in more secluded areas. Not the cold shoulder currently being shoved down her throat.

“I understand what’s at stake.”

He inclined his head. “Well, then take the time to contemplate what will happen in Vault of Sin. Not only as an employee, but how you will feel when you finally let me take you down there as my partner.”

She shuddered at the image. The internet research she’d done on sex clubs during her days off hadn’t bettered her opinion of the erotic scene. Every site had a different outlook, and none sat favorably. One even claimed most clubs ran like brothels, with all single females in attendance being paid sex workers to heighten the chance of men getting their money’s worth. Distaste had accompanied her Google search. It hadn’t stopped her fingers tapping the keys though. She spent hours reading through lurid information, searching for a place like Vault of Sin. Leo, Travis and even the woman who’d approached her in the bathroom had spoken of a respectful environment. One Shay could probably grow to enjoy. Yet, all the pages she found contained sleazy information more focused on male bragging rights.

“I know it won’t happen for a while.” Leo ran a hand through her loose hair and focused his gaze on her lips. “But it’s better for you to determine you don’t want to be part of the lifestyle now instead of becoming disgusted with yourself, or me, later.”

She gave a jerky nod, wishing she could argue or rally against him and confidently say she was happy to move forward. Only her anxiety over sex in that sort of environment still plagued her. “Okay. So, the plan is to ignore each other until Saturday?”

“Like I said, I’ll be in my office concentrating on orders and tax bullshit. I won’t be ignoring you, but I doubt I’ll see you either.”

Another nod. She was the weaker party in this duo and the realization didn’t sit favorably. Men usually fawned over her, clinging to every opportunity to smother her. Leo’s ability to brush her away so easily was like a kick in her overly sensitized ovaries. The grass definitely didn’t seem so crisp on this side of the fence.

Time apart might be a good thing, though. It would give her space to strengthen herself against his appeal. It could even work in her favor, if he began to miss her. All she could do was hope he succumbed to the memory of her charms and came running for her before she did it first.

“No problem,” she lied and retreated from his embrace. “I guess I’ll see you Saturday then.”

“Yeah.”

She smiled through the disappointment and unlocked her car. “Bye.”

He grabbed her hand as she made to leave and pulled her back into his arms. She had a second to catch her breath before his lips brushed hers, delicately sweeping and disappearing just as quickly.

She inwardly cursed her need to take things further, to run her hands under his shirt and mark his skin with her nails. Instead, she strode the remaining steps to her car, not bothering to wait for another farewell as she ignored the devil on her shoulder who chanted she’d just been ditched by Leo.

Again.