Free Leopold: Part Three by Ember Casey, Renna Peak Page B

charming I was that evening.”
    “Oh, I remember.” Fuck, how could I forget? How he sat across from me, shirtless. How he smelled when he held me that night. How he kissed me.
    I stare at him for a moment, unable to read what it is that’s going on behind his gaze. “How are you?” I motion to his torso. “That should have been the first thing I asked you when I came in last night. As a professional, I mean.”
    He grins and rubs the spot just below his chest that I cared for last week. He closes his eyes for a moment before meeting my gaze again. “I’m fine, Elle. Better than fine, actually.”
    “It still hurts, doesn’t it? You really should have a scan done—just to see. X-rays, at least.”
    He smiles and shakes his head. “I love that about you—your compassion…” The smile falls from his lips and his mouth clamps shut. He blinks a few times, the panic in his expression more evident than he probably thinks. “What I meant to say was…you are a fine physician. When…when you decide to return to work…I’ll…I’ll be happy to provide a personal reference…” His cheeks turn a shade of red I can’t even name. “You’re a fine doctor, Elle. That was all I meant to say.”
    I stare at him, my jaw hanging open a bit. My pulse is racing in my chest so quickly I’m pretty sure I’m going to need medical treatment if it doesn’t slow down. Heat rises in my cheeks, but I’m not going to go anywhere near that comment. He clearly didn’t mean to say it—the words fell out of his mouth without him thinking. I’d be a liar if I said that kind of thing never happened to me. I do that sort of shit all the time—I say too much without thinking. Say things that come out wrong.
    That’s all that comment of his was—just an expression that came out wrong. There’s no way he meant anything else by it.
    I decide to change the subject—as much for my sake as for his. “What did you have in mind?” I smile and draw in a long breath, trying to collect myself. “For our date, I mean? If we aren’t going to leave the house?”
    “Ah, I procured some supplies, as I mentioned. I had some particular ingredients delivered that I believe you may enjoy. Perhaps I can surprise you in the kitchen.”
    “I see.” I lift an eyebrow and look into his eyes. “You realize, of course, that I don’t put out on the first date.”
    He smiles and his tongue trails along his bottom lip for a moment too long. “ You realize, of course, that you may have—how did you say it? Put out before our first date, then?”
    My cheeks burn again. “Only because…” I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. “Only because we’d already had a first date.” I nod, mostly to myself. “Peanut butter sandwiches—first date. A full night of cuddling—second date.” My eyes go back to his and I almost have to bite my lip to try to hide my smile—and my embarrassment. “Last night would have been our third date. And a lady never puts out before the third date.” I have to press my lips together to suppress my laughter.
    He lifts a brow, his eyes never leaving mine. “As I recall, the first two dates you mention happened on the same night. A long night, granted.” He narrows his gaze playfully. “But that would mean, Elle, you may not be as genteel as you tell yourself you are.”
    “Mm. I don’t think I’ve ever used that word in my life, actually.”
    “But I suppose that also means that we can have multiple dates on a single day. Which would mean that perhaps by tonight, we could be on our third official date—”
    “Slow down there, friend. You’ve already scored, so I’m not sure why you feel the need to woo me now…”
    He grins. “Ah, but I have much more to show you than what I already have. And I need to prove to you that I can be a gentleman, do I not?”
    I only lift a brow in response.
    “A gentleman could most definitely give a lady a kiss after their first proper date. It would only be