The Playroom

Chapter Seventeen

T he drive to the station is tense and silent. Leo keeps glancing at me, checking to see if I’m okay, and I appreciate it more than I can say. I take a deep breath, trying to steel myself for whatever comes next.

Inside, an officer is at the front desk, just as promised, and directs us to a small room where Chief Reynolds waits. He immediately stands as we enter, extending a hand.

“Drew, Leo. Thank you for coming on such short notice. But you gentlemen left before we could get any sort of statements from you.”

The man is as tall as me, older by twenty years, and extremely fit. He is dressed very clique; dress pants, button up shirt accompanied by an underarm holster. He has peppered hair and a dark thick mustache.

Yep, clique.

“That’s my fault, chief,” Leo says, “I didn’t want Drew there just in case Kyle came back.”

I shake his hand, my nerves fraying at the edges, “I just want to get this over with.”

The chief nods, motioning for us to sit.

Leo stays beside me, a comforting weight as I recount the events-Kyle cornered me in the bathroom, the threats, the unwanted touches, and how I struggled to fight him off. The chief listens intently, his face stoic but sympathetic.

“Firstly, do you have any idea why he would do this to you?” the chief asks, ready to jot down anything valuable.

“Kyle and I went on one date, and apparently, he’s holding a grudge. I told him back then it wasn’t going to work between us, but I think he took it harder than I realized,” I explained.

“If I may,” Leo interjected, “has Kyle given his statement about the encounter?”

The chief nodded in a way making it seem what he was about to say we weren’t going to like.

“He claims that you started the whole thing and you attacked first. Kyle was defending himself.”

”That is not true,” I said, raising my voice a bit.

“Chief, I came into the bathroom searching for Drew as he was gone for a while. When I had entered, Kyle was all over Drew, touching him inappropriately. I pulled Kyle off and threw him to the ground. That’s when Kyle wanted me to leave so he could finish his ‘conversation’ with Drew. Please take down my statement as well. There was no way in hell Drew would start any of this.”

Chief Reynolds started writing down what Leo said, “I’ll take your statement, hopefully it helps with the trial.”

“What’s next,” I said, in a cautionary voice.

“Well, there will be a trial and decision made then. For warning, he has a clean record. Which means he may get off with just a fine.”

My stomach dropped. How could someone get off with just a slap on the wrist for doing something so horrible. It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.

“I don’t want you to be surprised. If that does happen, file for a protection order. It's the next best move you have and will guarantee two things; if he’s smart he’ll stay away or if he doesn't he’ll go straight to jail with time behind him. Either way it’s a win, win for you, Drew.”

“Thank you,” I told him, as sincere as possible.

As we leave the station, a heavy mix of relief and dread settles over me. Giving my statement should make me feel better, and in some ways, it does. But what’s the point? No matter what Leo and I say, Kyle’s going to play the victim, twist the story until it suits him, and I’m the one left fighting against the narrative that paints me as the aggressor. It’s infuriating. It's exhausting.

Leo squeezes my shoulder as we walk to the car, and I lean into the touch, then he generously opens my door, and I slide into the passenger seat. Leo hops in the driver seat and starts the engine, while I stare out the window, watching the blur of the world pass by.

Leo breaks the silence, “I’m gonna take you somewhere,” Leo says.

He glances at me, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

I look over, “Where?”

“You’re just along for the ride, mister,” he says, with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Leo has always been good at surprises, but this feels different, personal. For a second, I hesitate, the weight of today still pressing heavily on my mind. Maybe this is a good idea, to just go with the flow of things, and I doubt Leo would put me in a situation that would make me feel more uncomfortable.

“I’d like that,” I say, letting the tension in my shoulders ease just a little.

The rest of the drive was in silence-it’s calm, filled with unspoken understanding, the kind that needs no words. I watch Leo’s profile as he focuses on getting us to wherever we’re going . His jaw tightens in concentration, how his eyes flick to the road and then to me as if checking to make sure I’m still okay. I wonder if he knows how much those little glances mean to me, how much they steady me when everything else feels like it’s spinning out of control, especially with the whole Kyle situation.

Leo turns off the main road, steering us onto a narrow path surrounded by towering trees. The sun filters through the leaves, casting dappled light across the air, feeling like we’ve entered a whole another world-one far away from the police station, police interviews and statements.

The branches intertwine like old friends sharing secrets as it blends into a canopy above a mix of deep greens. I rolled down my window letting the cool air rush in, a scent of pine and damp earth filling my lungs, with just a hint of the salt carried from the ocean. There’s a crispness to it that’s different from the city-clean, fresh, almost intoxicating. Almost like what Bath and Body Works tries to bottle up, but can never get it exactly right.

Leo drives slowly, gliding down the windy path more, carefully maneuvering through as if not wanting to disturb the serenity of this hidden place. The trees grow denser, thick trunks covered in patches of moss that cling stubbornly to the bark, adding a touch of ruggedness to the scene. Every now and then, a wildflower burst through the foliage, bright pops of yellow and purple that contrast beautifully against the greens and browns.

The car glides to a stop in a small clearing, sunlight filtering through the trees and scattering golden patterns across the windshield. I close my eyes, letting the faint whispers of the ocean waves drift to me—soft, persistent, like a distant welcome carried on the breeze.

The tension from earlier melts away, replaced by the sense of calm and stillness here. It’s peaceful in a way that feels almost sacred, like we’ve stumbled upon a place the world forgot. My boyfriend looks at me with that knowing smile, and as I step out of the air I can already tell this is exactly where I need to be.

“Come on,” he says, nodding toward a narrow path that snakes through the trees.

He grabs a blanket from the truck, and I follow him, our footsteps crunching softly against the pine needles and sand between our shoes.

We emerge from the woods, and the world opens up. The ocean stretches wide before us, a stunning expanse of blue that seems to go on forever, meeting the sky in a soft, hazy line in the distance. The beach is secluded, tucked away from prying eyes, with a smooth golden sand that dips down to the water’s edge. Waves rally gently, their white crest dissolving into the shore with a soft hiss, leaving behind a shimmering trail of sea-foam.

Leo spreads the blanket out on the sand, and I sit down, feeling cool grains beneath me while the sun's rays beat down upon my skin. He sits beside me, close enough that our arms touch.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the way the light highlights the sharp lines that outline his face, looking completely at peace with everything, so in his element, and it makes me wonder about all the parts of him I’m still learning.

I feel a surge of gratitude for him, for this moment, for everything he’s done to make me feel safe, comfortable, and seen. Leo has been so patient with me and allowing me to venture through the life of a submissive and a dominate at my own pace, let alone coming to my rescue, ready to defend and protect me.

He’s the perfect boyfriend.

Well, perfect for me that is.

Maybe I shouldn’t say something like that as our relationship is still new and things are still undiscovered. Leo leans back on his elbows, looking out at the ocean, and I follow suit, stretching out beside him.

“What made you bring me here?” I asked.

He tilts his head to look at me, his smile gentle but laced with a hint of something deeper.

“You needed an escape, as you were in your head. This place...is my go-to place when I need to clear my head. It might help you, too.”

Leo looks back at the water, and I notice there’s something on his mind as it’s written all over his face, even the way he lies tells something is bothering him.

“What’s on your mind?”

”Nothing at all,” he tells me, shortly.

“Liar.”

He chuckles.

“This whole thing with Kyle,” Leo continues, his voice tightening, “was because of me. I hate that it happened to you. I hate that there’s still this chance he could get away with it. When we were at the station...my mind kept thinking about what could have happened if I hadn’t found you in time. It scared the hell out of me, and I don't ever want to feel that way again. All of this is my fault, if you hadn’t met me.”

“Hey!” I interjected.

I can hear the frustration in his voice, the unspoken anger simmering just beneath the surface. Reaching out, I squeezed his hand to let him know I’m fine and right here with him, that I’m okay because he’s here.

“I just...I care about you so much, Drew,” Leo confesses, his voice cracking slightly, “More than I think I’ve ever cared about anyone. And I don’t know, maybe that scares me a little, too. I’d do anything to keep you safe.”

His honesty catches me off guard, and I feel a rush of affection swell in my chest. Him admitting his fears, his worries, makes me realize how deep his feelings for me go.

“Leo,” I start, my voice barely audible, but he cuts me off, shaking his head gently.

“I’m serious, Drew. I need you to know how much you mean to me. I didn’t bring you here just to distract you from everything-though I hoped it would help. Bringing you here, to my serene secret beach location, is because it’s a part of me, and I wanted to share it with you because...because you’re becoming the most important part of my life. Fuck, you already are.”

The sounds of the waves mingle in the air along with Leo’s words and I can feel the sincerity in every syllable dripping from his lips. Hearing him lay everything out like this, so openly, makes my heart ache in the best possible way. Turning to face him fully, reaching up to touch his cheek, my thumb brushing over the faint stubble that’s grown-in since this morning.

“You’re everything to me too, Leo,” I say, my firm with conviction, “It’s not your fault. I don’t want you beating yourself or blaming yourself for what happened with Kyle.”

Leo leans into my touch, his body, his body softening against my hand. His blue eyes flutter shut, a faint, unguarded smile crossing his lips, as though he’s holding onto this moment.

“You’re my boyfriend, and part of my job is protecting you, as you would with me. It’s going to take some time for me to be okay with what happened.”

My breath catches as I try to find the right words to say. I don’t want Leo to carry this guilt, to feel responsible for something he couldn’t control. But I know how fiercely protective he becomes, especially when it comes to me.

Leo sits up, his gaze fixed on the horizon again, lost in thought. I can see the weight on his shoulders, the quiet battle waging within him. I scoot closer, resting my head against his shoulder. For a moment, we sit there in utter stillness, watching the waves roll in and out.

And then, an idea sparks in my mind, something wild and impulsive. Maybe it’s the heat of the sun on my skin, or the adrenaline of Leo telling me how he feels about me, or it simple the desire to shake off the lingering shadows of Kyle and the station and everything that’s weighing heavy on this day.

Without thinking, I stand up and start walking toward the water, peeling off my shirt and tossing it onto the sand behind me. The cool breeze hits my bare skin, awaking every sense in my body feeling the surge with every step.

“What are you doing?” Leo calls out in a mix of confusion and amusement.

I turn around, grinning at him as I strip off my cocks and shoes, then jeans, leaving a trail of clothes in my wake.

“Why don’t you come and join me to find out?” I yell, kicking off my underwear.

Leo’s eyes widen, and for a second, I’m sure he’s going to tell me I’ve lost my mind. But then that familiar mischievous glint flashes in his gaze, and instead of trying to change my mind, he starts to laugh—a deep unrestrained laugh that seems to carry on the salty breeze. He shakes his head, caught in a tug-of-war between being responsible and giving in to the chaos of the moment.

“God, you’re insane,” he says, grinning. With a defiant shrug, “Screw it.”

He stands, peeling off his clothes in a quick movement, unselfconscious tossing them to the side. There’s no hesitation when he strides forward, matching my reckless energy with a kind of ease that’s entirely his own.

I wade the water, the cold shock hitting me immediately, making me gasp and slightly scream. It’s invigorating, a jolt to my system, to my very core. Diving under, I let the waves pull me under for a second before I resurface, laughing breathlessly as the saltwater clings to my skin.

He walks into the ocean with the same enthusiasm, swimming to me, diving under for until he resurfaces next to me, shaking his head to flick off the water. His smile is wide and eyes shining with joy.

We swim out a little further, just enough to where we can still touch the bottom, the cool water lapping around our chests. My boyfriend swims closer, his hands brushing against mine, as my legs wrap around his waist.

Leo leans in, meeting him halfway, our lips brushing softly, the kiss is slow and sweet. We pull away, still close, and I rest my forehead against his as my hand trails down his chest, fingers splayed over his pecs.

“I love you, Drew,” he murmurs, the words soft and heavy with meaning.

His hand slips to the nape of my neck, holding me there like I’m the anchor keeping him steady, “You don’t have to say it back,” he adds, his lips ghosting over mine.