A Woman's Empire

XLVIII

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

Just when Audrielle thought that the night couldn't get any better, Leo parked the car on top of a hill. The grass was long and the orange rays of light made the paddocks look like fields of gold. They wandered their way through, hand in hand until they made it to the very top, underneath a tree. Audrielle gasped at the view. It was beautiful. The rolling hills seemed to go on forever and small houses were scattered throughout. Leo sat down under the tree and Audrielle joined him.

They sat in silence, staring out into the horizon until Leo suddenly broke the silence. "You're right." He mumbled and Audrielle casted her attention on him.

"Huh?"

"You're right. I do love you." Leo whispered as he stared deeply into her eyes.

Audrielle was quick to advert her eyes as she looked down. A blush tinted her cheeks and she let out a small chuckle.

"You don't love me Leo."

"That's where you're wrong. Audrielle. I love you. I love the way you're so kind to everyone. I love the way you see good in people. I love the way you gave me chances even after the cruel things I have caused. I love the way your hair falls around your beautiful face when you try to hide your blush, like right now. I love your soft lips and warm morning smiles that I would look forward to waking up to. I love the way you capture everyone's attention in a room full of people." Leo whispered and Audrielle thought that was all.

"I love your beautiful brown eyes that have rings of gold and wisdom in them. I love the fiery side of you. I love the way you stay true to your words and you don't back down. I love the ruthless side of you. The side who shot my father to save me and my brother. I love the way you don't back down from a challenge. I love the innocent side of you too. The side that's pure like snow and couldn't hurt a single fly. I love how mature you are and how I have been able to watch you grow stronger and stronger everyday." Leo leaned forward and caressed Audrielle's cheek. Tears streamed down her face and what Leo thought to be sweat running down his face was actually a tear too. But he didn't wipe it away. For once in his emotionless life, he let himself show his feelings.

"Audrielle, I love you and I'm so, so, so fucking sorry it's taken me so long to realise that." Leo mumbled and his voice cracked.

A heavy ball of emotions sat in the pit of Audrielle's heart. She had waited so long to hear Leo say those words to her. But was it too long? She couldn't handle the look of sadness in Leo's eyes so she leant forward and their lips connected.

It had been so long since they had kissed and Leo didn't know he had been starving from her touch until he tasted her cherry lip gloss. They kissed passionately on top of the hill as the sun started to set. Audrielle climbed onto Leo's lap and not once did they let go of each other.

Suddenly a raging fire ignited in Audrielle and she craved more of Leo's touch; she needed more. They didn't part away as Audrielle began to fiddle with the buttons on Leo's shirt. The longer it took to get the buttons undone, the more frustrated she became. Ripping the shirt, buttons flew everywhere and Leo pulled back in surprise.

"Aggressive much?" He chuckled. Audrielle rolled her eyes.

"Shut up and just kiss me." She muttered and leaned forward, embracing Leo's touch once again.

With the sky darkening from a vibrant orange to a pastel blue, Audrielle pulled off her dress. The black material fell into the grass somewhere and she was now completely exposed to Leo, the only piece of material that covered any skin of hers was her navy blue thong.

Leo started to unbuckle his belt when Audrielle started to dig through his wallet. "I don't have one." He mumbled.

"Why not?" Audrielle questioned him.

"Because I wasn't really planning on this to happen." He mumbled as he sat up and started to kiss Audrielle's exposed neck.

"We don't have to continue if you don't want to." He muttered as he pulled back to look Audrielle in the eyes.

"No it's okay. I'll just have to take the pill tomorrow." She mumbled.

"Are you sure?" Leo asked, sincerity laced in his voice.

"I'm sure." Audrielle said as she pushed Leo back down onto the grass.

—————

When they got home, it was well past nightfall. Audrielle was fast asleep in the passenger seat and Leo's hand caressed her exposed thigh. In less than a few hours, they would have to board the plane back to America.

Something that Leo was not looking forward of.

It was going to be dangerous. There were some very unhappy people when they found out that Christian had died and it didn't take long for them to find out Audrielle was the one who shot him. Leo had some serious issues on his hands and with confessing his love to Audrielle and his son Orlando, he only had very little options.

Audrielle woke up to Leo picking her up. "I can walk." Audrielle mumbled.

"Are you sure about that? I don't think you can love, after the workout I just gave you." Leo snickered and Audrielle gasped.

"Oh shush you, I was the one doing all the work." Audrielle smirked and Leo wrapped his arm around his waist as he leaned forward, whispering in Audrielle's ear.

"Trust me princess, when we get inside I'll be showing you what a real workout is and I'll be in charge this time." Audrielle's knees weakened at the threat but she shoved Leo off of her.

Quietly, they walked inside and Camilla was sitting on the sofa with a cup of water in her hands. She smiled sleepily when she was the two and switched off the tv. "Orlando's upstairs fast asleep. He went to bed a couple of hours ago."

"Thank you so much Camilla." Audrielle smiled and she hugged her.

"No problem, sweetheart. I'll look after Orlando anytime, he's an absolute angel." Audrielle smiled and made her way upstairs to bed. When she entered the bedroom she saw baby Orlando sleeping in his crib with his dim night lamp going in the corner of the room. Bending down to switch it off at the wall, Audrielle felt someone grab her hips until she was pulled back against their upper thigh. She bit back a subtle moan as she stood up straight.

"How about a round two, hm?" Leo whispered as he slowly kissed her neck.

"Leo, we can't." She whispered as he continued to place little kisses on her neck down to her shoulder.

"Why not?"

"Because your mom's sleeping next door and what happens if Orlando or even worse, Stella wakes up?" Audrielle questioned.

Leo spun Audrielle around and walked her over to the bed. "Well, I guess you'll have to be quiet then. No screaming my name." He winked as he began to slowly pull her dress.

Audrielle rolled her eyes. "I'm tired too. We should probably get some sleep before we have to be up to catch our flight tomorrow morning." Audrielle suggested. Leo sighed and caressed Audrielle's cheek with his thumb before trailing her plump lips.

"Okay. Get some sleep, princess." He whispered and sat up on the bed before removing his clothes. Audrielle did the same but chucked on an oversized T-shirt to sleep in.

Once they were comfortable, Audrielle quickly began to fall asleep just before she heard Leo whisper, "I love you."