Read Online Leah's Seduction: 5 (Gianni and Leah - Leah's Seduction) by Emily Jane Trent - Free Book Online

chair next to Gianni, and took his hand.
    He didn’t pull back. “That room…it was a reminder.” Gianni squeezed her hand. “I shut away that part of me. I wasn’t willing to have anything like that happen again.”
    “It must have been so hard.”
    “I did nothing for months. Just spoke to Ava on the phone a few times. I struggled to work.” He leaned back in his chair. “I haven’t been back inside the room. I locked the door. Only the maid goes in there.”
    The question seized Leah’s heart. But she had to know. “Did you love her?”
    Gianni looked at her. Seconds ticked by. “No. I didn’t love her. I couldn’t have done what we did together if I didn’t feel something for her. An attraction. A fondness.” He shook his head. “But love? No, that wasn’t part of it.”
    Leah breathed a sigh of relief.
    “I cared, though. I still care.” Gianni took both of Leah’s hands in his. “Ava became too attached.” Their gazes locked. “Like you,” he said in a low voice.
    Leah lifted one of his hands and kissed his knuckles. “No. Not like me. I do love you, Gianni. But earlier I was willing to end it. Even though that would have devastated both of us. Because sooner or later, the dark secret you wouldn’t speak of would have torn us apart.”
    He didn’t say anything.
    “I’m not like her, Gianni.” She got up from the chair and sat on his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Leah continued, “You don’t have to worry. I’m strong.” She paused. “I won’t break.”
    Gianni pulled her down and kissed her tenderly.
    “We are going to be okay,” she said, “as long as there are no secrets between us.”
    *****
    When they landed in New York, Leah was glad to be home. She was so relieved that Gianni had told her what had happened. Things felt different between them. Better. And, looking ahead to the future, Leah was confident everything would work out.
    They had a couple of days to unpack, and catch up, before New Year’s. The room was still locked, and Leah didn’t bring it up. The emotional upheaval of hearing the sordid details about Ava had left Leah drained. And now that she knew, it was fine for Gianni to take some time.
    What better place to spend New Year’s Eve than in New York, seeing the ball drop in Times Square? Gianni decided they should celebrate in style, and took Leah to a trendy downtown bar with a live DJ. They ate, drank, and danced until nearly eleven.
    Despite living in New York, Leah had not seen the live celebration. She had always watched it on television. With bodyguards hovering close, Gianni took her to Broadway to watch the sparkly sphere lowered in Times Square.
    They saw the last burst of pyrotechnics that were shown every hour until eleven. At midnight, the huge sphere covered with Waterford crystal triangles descended seventy feet. Immediately, a sixty-second fireworks display exploded and confetti was released into the sky.
    Seeing it live was so much better than television. As noise erupted, Gianni pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. Pulling back, he said, “Happy New Year, baby.” Leah pulled him to her for another kiss. It was going to be a good year.
    *****
    It was well after midnight when they got back to the condo. In front of the windows, above the city lights, Gianni pulled Leah into his arms. Pressing her close, he kissed her hard, and she felt weak. He tasted so good, and with his strong arms around her, Leah felt an urge she was familiar with.
    She wanted to submit, and with the openness between them strengthened, she trembled to think of how good it would be. Looking into her eyes, Gianni ran his hand down her spine and cupped her ass. Then he fisted her hair, and Leah wrapped her arms around his waist.
    A moment of silence transpired, and the agreement between them didn’t need to be voiced. Gianni released her and, taking her hand, led her down the hall. On shaky legs, Leah followed, willing but uncertain. Lifting the lid