Chapter 51.

Chapter 51.
Lexi's POV.

I opened my eyes and was grateful for the solitary—I was the only one in bed. Glancing around the room, I breathed in relief at the absence of Leo. I wasn’t in the mood to face him right now.

What came over me last night? I couldn’t control myself; I was overwhelmed by desire, and coupled with Leo's irresistible charm, I gave in.

Slowly and quietly, I rose from the bed and walked to the wardrobe. Taking out a dress, I quickly put it on, grabbed my purse, and, thankfully, the conference had come to an end last night, allowing me to return to my adrenaline-filled life.

I tiptoed to the door and jolted when I heard his voice, “Where do you think you’re going?”

Cursing under my breath, I turned to face him. “Hi,” I forced out a smile, attempting to keep my nerves at bay.

“Why do you keep trying to escape each time we—”

I cleared my throat, cutting him off. I really didn’t want to hear that word right now, the one that described our activities from last night.

“Why do you always try to run away each time we…?” He didn’t finish his sentence, but I could see the mischievous glint in his eyes.

“About last night…” I began, searching for the right words. “It was a mistake... unintentional,” I said, hoping to convince him.

“Unintentional?” he repeated incredulously. “It didn’t seem so. Your eyes, your body—everything about you screamed you wanted it.” His intensity made my face flush with embarrassment.

“All I’m saying is just forget it ever happened,” I said, turning on my heel, but he stopped me again.

“Forget it ever happened?” He scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“You were screaming harder, deeper, faster the whole night, begging me to… you know what.” His voice dripped with incredulity, and I felt my cheeks heat up even more.

“Please, don’t push it anymore,” I pleaded. “This is already very embarrassing.”

“Why? How? We just…,” he trailed off, searching for the right words.

“Leo!” I cut him off sharply, trying to regain my composure.

“Fine!” He relented, his tone softening. “Come, let's have breakfast," he offered.

"No, thank you," I replied firmly, trying to keep my tone light. "I'll have breakfast in my room. Besides, I'm really not hungry right now."

A knock interrupted us, and Leo's face lit up. "I think that's the food!" he said, striding eagerly to the door.

After a moment, he pushed a trolley filled with an extravagant spread of breakfast into the room—fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked steak. 

"Please, just have a little something before you leave," he pleaded, his eyes imploring.

"Leo, seriously, I’m not hungry," I insisted, my tone leaving little room for negotiation.

"But how can that be? After the grueling workout we had last night?" He shot me a teasing glance, and despite my irritation, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of warmth.

"Are you really this stubborn?" I retorted, narrowing my eyes at him.

He shrugged, a smirk creeping onto his face as he set the breakfast on the table. Exasperated, I made my way over to him and plopped down beside him.

He placed a steak on my plate with a cheeky wink. I rolled my eyes and promptly returned it to his plate. 

"Why must you be so unromantic?" he scoffed, half-jokingly.

"Why are you so obsessed with being dramatic?" I shot back.

"Because I love you," he said suddenly, his voice steady and sincere. I turned to him, startled by the depth of his gaze. "I don't act this way with anyone else. You're different, Lexi. This is how much you're doing to me."

"To break it to you, Mr. Lover Boy, I’m not looking for your love drama," I replied.

"You're hopeless," he sighed, shaking his head. I suppressed a smile as his focus shifted back to the food, the moment of seriousness evaporating like steam from the breakfast.

As silence draped over us, I poked at the food on my plate, struggling to summon any appetite. My mind wandered back to last night—the heat, the intensity, the way he made me feel both exhilarated and vulnerable. But I couldn’t let myself get lost in those thoughts. Not now. 

“Why are you so quiet?” Leo asked, breaking the silence between us. His gaze was steady, concern etched deeply in his features, making it impossible for me to brush it off.

“I’m just… processing,” I replied, my voice wavering as I struggled to keep it steady.

“Processing what? The fact that you actually enjoyed yourself last night?” He raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes. I shot him a glare, which only fueled his amusement.

“Seriously, Lexi, talk to me. What’s bothering you?” he pressed, his tone shifting to genuine concern.

"You," I answered, locking eyes with him. Confusion flickered across his face.

"I'm thinking of how I'm going to stay clear of you, how we'll never cross paths again," I elaborated, feeling an unsettling knot in my stomach.

"Well, I'm wishing you good luck with that, my dear, because you'll never succeed… never," he replied, a playful challenge lacing his words.

I picked up my fork, brandishing it like a weapon. “Do you have a death wish?” 

“Maybe,” he answered casually, resuming his focus on his food, as if I hadn’t just threatened him.

“But seriously, Lexi,” he said, turning back to me. “What were you doing with that motherfucking…" he paused. "Why did you go back to Sam last night after calling the FBI?” He rephrased, more carefully this time.

“You asked me to go back to him, don’t you remember?” I shot back.

“I was…” he paused, a look of frustration crossing his features like storm clouds. “I didn’t mean what I said, and you knew it.” 

I shrugged, unwilling to let any emotion show. 

“So you really went back to him on purpose,” he accused, his voice low but intense. I ignored him; he was right, but I wasn’t ready to admit it.

"Lexi, why do you keep breaking my heart?" He held his chest dramatically, feigning pain.

"Why do you keep making it seem like we’re in a relationship when there’s clearly nothing between us?” I retorted, my irritation simmering just beneath the surface. 

“Why do you keep denying the chemistry between us?” he challenged, leaning towards me. 

"What chemistry?" I raised an eyebrow, my voice dripping with skepticism.

"That undeniable chemistry between us. The irresistible connection we share," he insisted, his tone both playful and earnest.

I shook my head, defiance rising within me. "We share nothing!"

"Liar," he countered, a hint of mischief in his eyes as he said the word. The tension in the air thickened, wrapping around us like a tight rope.

I scoffed, irritation bubbling beneath my composed facade. Rising to my feet sharply, I felt a rush of frustration surge through me. "Thanks for the breakfast. Do enjoy your day." My voice was steady, but my heart raced with annoyance.

With a swift turn, I headed for the door, my footsteps echoing on the floor. Leo called after me, his voice a mixture of pleading and exasperation, but I refused to look back. 

Stepping outside, I slammed the door behind me, the sound reverberating in my chest.