Leah's Seduction: 3 (Gianni and Leah - Leah's Seduction) by Emily Jane Trent

avoid that. At least a while longer.”
    “I don’t care about Vadim.” Gianni’s eyes narrowed. “He’s an asshole.”
    She fingered her glass. “What about the media running with the story that we are a couple? Does that bother you?”
    Gianni shook his head. “I’m used to the media. They will publish anything controversial.”
    That wasn’t the answer Leah was expecting. “What do you mean?”
    “The media is always guessing about me. It’s all speculation. It passes.”
    Leah had a sick feeling in her stomach. She put her fork down. “Is that what we are, Gianni? Just speculation?”
    She had hoped to see love in his eyes, and for him to offer reassurance. But that’s not what happened. Gianni’s jaw stiffened, and he sat straighter. “What do you think we are, Leah? I thought we had agreed on the nature of our relationship.”
    Leah was stung by his words, and could think of no quick reply.
    “Were you hoping I’d go to the media and confirm that we are a couple?” Gianni’s eyes were cold. “They don’t need insight into my sex life.”
    Tears welled in Leah’s eyes. “Is that all I am? Your sex partner?”
    Gianni shook his head. “Don’t I treat you well, Leah? Aren’t you happy with our arrangement?”
    Crushed, Leah was unable to reply. She covered her face with her hand, tears streaming down her cheeks.
    “Don’t do this, baby.”
    Looking up, Leah gazed into the eyes of a stranger. “Do what?” She was shouting now. “Care about you? Love you?”
    Gianni shook his head. “No, Leah, you don’t.”
    “Don’t tell me what I do and don’t feel. You are the last person who would know.” Leah trembled with rage. “You are a cold-hearted bastard. I was seduced into thinking you were kind and caring. But all along, it was just the sex.”
    Gianni looked stricken, but Leah couldn’t stop. “You won’t talk about other women you’ve been with. Why? Because you treated them the same way? You didn’t love any of them. Just like you don’t love me?”
    For once, Gianni wasn’t in control. He looked devastated, and in her fury, Leah was glad. He deserved to know what he was doing to her. She couldn’t hold it back any longer.
    “I love you, Gianni. Even though you won’t share your feelings with me. You won’t talk about women. You won’t trust me with your business.” Leah stood up and pointed toward the hallway. “And what in the hell is that room down the hall that is always locked?”
    Gianni looked like she had slapped him. He rose from his chair and stepped toward her. “Please, don’t do this. You ask for more than I can give. I need you to understand.”
    Leah shook her head and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I do understand. Before I didn’t, but now I do.”
    Gianni stood inches away from her, but didn’t reach out.
    “I understand that you have a heart of stone. You are amazing in the bedroom, I’ll give you that. It’s like you know my most private fantasies, like you can read my mind.” Leah paused. “But I don’t know if I can do it anymore. Am I to understand that you are asking me to live the rest of my life without love? To not expect it?”
    Gianni didn’t reply.
    Leah brushed past him and headed for the door. “Call your driver and tell him to meet me in the garage. I’m going home.”
    She opened the door and stepped out. A part of her hoped that Gianni would run after her and tell her that she was wrong. He would confess love, and say he’d been remiss in not telling her sooner.
    But there was only silence behind her. Leah shut the door and pushed the button for the elevator, blinded by her tears. Her life was over. She couldn’t live without Gianni, not after what they’d shared. But she couldn’t love him as she did and not have the feeling returned.
    Leah had thought she could do it, that her love would be enough for both of them. But the intimacy of the weekend away, things they’d done together, had moved her with a power she