Free Exposed (Tropical Nights) by Emma Barron Page A

strongly she didn’t trust herself to be near him any longer. His glances at her made her blush. Her skin tingled every time he brushed against her with the lightest touch. His nearness made her forget to breathe. The kiss, dear God, his lips on hers had jolted her with such a heated sensation she was surprised she hadn’t passed out. And the way he was looking at her now, with such tenderness and concern, the way he had thrown out the man who had disrespected her even though it cost him a very lucrative deal—all of it had awakened something in her she thought she had been successful in burying long ago.
    “I should get home.” Rachel looked down at her hands, afraid that if she met Leo’s eye her resolve would crumble and she would fall into his arms. She couldn’t let that happen. “I’ve been working some late nights this week and need to catch up on sleep.”
    “I’ll drive you home.”
    “That’s not necessary,” Rachel said quickly. “I’ll call a cab.”
    “I want to make sure you get home safely.” Leo said. Rachel knew there was no point in arguing with him, so she nodded in agreement.
    It was an uncomfortable ride home. Leo was obviously still worried about her in the aftermath of her encounter with Kelley. Rachel was over it, but she didn’t know how to convince Leo she was fine without giving away the real reason for her unsettled demeanor: her feelings for Leo.
    She felt confused and muddled, like she couldn’t make sense of anything. There was one thing, however, that the events of the evening had completely clarified for her : she wasn’t going to do the New York Exposed gossip article on Leo Hanlon. That decision would be a disaster for her in so many ways, but she couldn’t do it, not now, not after getting to know him and seeing the kind of man he was. A kind, intelligent, witty man. A man of great integrity who loved his company. A man who had earned the respect and loyalty of everyone who knew him. A man who would destroy his chances at a multi-million dollar sale rather than tolerate loutish behavior against her.
    A man Rachel knew she was in danger of falling for.
     
     
     
    Leo’s muscles burned to the point of fatigue as he punched and kicked the heavy bag. It was after midnight and he was worn out from work and the cocktail reception, but he couldn’t sleep. He was restless and cagey, and he had decided to work out his energy in the dojo. He was succeeding—physically at least. He could feel the tension leave his body as his movements warmed and loosened his muscles.
    Leo couldn’t seem to shut off his brain though. It was why he hadn’t been able to sleep. His mind was flooded with thoughts and images of Rachel. How the sight of her when she walked into his hangar that evening had taken his breath away. How the short, tight, cocktail dress had skimmed over her body, showing every curve and angle. How her hair had been swept back, fully revealing her beautiful face. He had been hit, full force, with the aching wanting of her. He hadn’t been able to control his reaction to her then, physically or mentally. The memory of her was causing the same reaction in him now.
    The entire night had been exquisite torture. He had laughed privately at Rachel’s high heels, knowing her propensity for klutziness, but he had also secretly reveled in the excuse the shoes gave him to extend his arm to her, to touch her under the guise of steadying her. He had loved the feel of her there, by his side, on his arm. And when he had kissed her, when he had finally gotten to taste the sweetness of her mouth, it had taken every ounce of self control he possessed to not throw her down on the plane’s plush leather sofa and take her right there.
    He had realized his attraction to her earlier, so while he was mildly annoyed with his response to Rachel, it hadn’t taken him completely off guard. He was completely surprised by his reaction to Kelley, though. Seeing that drunk bastard with his arms