Chapter 10 Bravery in Many Forms #2
Not tempting fate for another headache, I start searching through the fridge for something to eat. Close to calling Christopher, I notice something in the freezer. Oh, bless Alba. I reach in, pulling out a bag of pizza rolls.
Half the bag is devoured as I sip the scotch, watching Dracula starring Christopher Lee.
I debate going somewhere else like to see Chiari, but wasn’t feeling up to leaving the apartment.
I’m slowly able to relax as I continue with my marathon of Dracula movies.
I’ve gotten through the Taste the Blood of Dracula and Scars of Dracula, and a bit into The Satanic Rites of Dracula when there’s a noise from the front door.
He’s actually home in time for dinner.
I pause the film and step out of the television room. Leo pulls his suit jacket off and folds it over the sofa, going still when he sees me. Relief floods me that he’s home earlier than usual. That he is at all. His gaze roams over me, landing on my hair.
“No wig?” He asks, slowly unbuttoning his shirt, moving towards me.
“Maybe next time.” I touch my hair. “You like it?”
He stops, taking my hand as endearment spreads on his face, noticing my nails next. Leo strokes his fingers through my short hair, smiling softly. “I love it.”
I wrap my arms around him, sighing as my head lays against his chest to hear his heartbeat. Leo strokes my back, easing what tension was left in my body. A shudder comes over me ready to melt into his arms.
“Check in,” he whispers.
“Yellow.”
His hand movements falter. “Did something happen when Jameson came to talk to you?”
“No, we’re fine. We’re good.” I step back, keeping my hands upon his waist. His brows furrow, lines appearing upon his forehead. Faintly smiling, I press a finger over one of them. His expression relaxes. “Isaac and I argued. A lot.”
“Given recent conversations with him, doesn’t surprise me.” His voice is cold and rough. Ah, so our argument today was not the first.
I let out a huff, falling back against his chest.
“Autumn, you rarely get angry and when you do it’s usually for good reason. Whatever argument you had…I’m sure it’ll be alright.” His voice is quieter on the last part, like he doesn’t believe his own words. He clears his throat. “He takes his position very seriously.”
“Like Jameson,” I murmur.
“Yes.” I squeeze my arms around him, and he kisses the top of my head. “Did you eat?”
“Pizza rolls.” Leo releases me, going back to unbuttoning his shirt. I raise my brows. “No comeback? No snark?”
“You ate something other than cereal for lunch. I feel that requires a bit of praise for you,” he smirks, grabbing his jacket then heads to the bedroom.
“Okay, you’re sassy. Meetings must’ve gone well.” I follow him, sitting on the bed as he undresses.
“Thankfully, they did.”
“Even Finstrum’s?”
He pauses. “Jameson tell you?” I nod, and he hums, stripping his shirt off.
“Finstrum won’t be an issue, especially after practically being given two of Curione’s clubs.
DeLuca can be handled; he won’t go against Finstrum and I.
The other families are too small to risk losing their territories nor do they have the pull within the police force.
If they side with Matteo, they’ll lose more than they gain. ”
“And be blackmailed.”
“Exactly.”
Leo’s pants come off, leaving him only in his underwear which he strips out of. Suddenly, my body squirms with need. My core clenches as I bring my legs in close as I watch his tattoos flex. Warmth spreads over me as Leo reaches up, pushing his hair back. I swear I could come right now.
Long day apparently equals a very horny Autumn to help sad feelings disappear.
More fun than grabbing a razor. Okay, dark humor, simmer down.
I shake off that thought as Leo goes into the bathroom. My throat becomes dry, stomach filling with butterflies. I’m turned on, clearly, far too aware of my body now.
Just ask him. Ask your husband to fuck you. You know the thing you should completely be used to by now.
I don’t move.
Off to a great start. Why are some days harder than others?
I hear the water turn on for the shower.
Slower than I’d like, I get off the bed and undress. I attempt to purge the rampant thoughts in my head, wiggling my limbs and try giving myself a mini-pep talk. I can do this. I take a step towards the bathroom, freezing in place.
What if he doesn’t want to? He’s had a long day, so have I, maybe he’s tired. Or what if he wants me to Top him? If that’s true, I should plan something. How much thought do I even need to—?
I inwardly groan, spin around and flop onto the bed before I grab a pillow and scream into it. This should not be this hard when I’ve already done it! I bang my head into the pillow, huffing in exasperation. I’m half-tempted to lay down naked and hope for the best. Maybe he’ll—
“Autumn?”
I yelp, instinctively throwing the pillow at the voice. It thumps against Leo’s naked chest as he blinks at me. Socks, now a pillow. What else shall I throw at my husband?
A towel is tied around his waist, the rest of him still glistening from the shower. His wet hair is pushed back, droplets sliding down his confused expression. His gaze goes to the pillow and then back to me.
“I want sex, but wasn’t sure if you want to,” I blurt out.
He tilts his head, face softening. Nervous rambling takes over me.
“Or maybe you wanted me to Top you? I didn’t know what to suggest. Like do it in the shower?
Bed? Counter? Or maybe, not at all, but I took my clothes off thinking…
” Leo prowls towards me, “…that’d be a good start, hopefully.
Then I was yelling into the pillow to help clear my thoughts, but… ”
Words vanish as Leo stops before the bed, grabbing my chin and tilting my head back. A gentle smile rises on his face. “I find it endearing that you still get flustered with me.”
Not what I was expecting.
My face contorts with confusion. His thumb strokes over my bottom lip.
“You’ve come a long way since that night in your old kitchen,” he explains. “Learning to be bold, but you’re still you. You, who giggles when you’re nervous or flustered. Smiles unapologetically. Willing to be vulnerable with me.”
As he speaks, one of those nervous giggles come out.
“There she is,” he whispers, leaning down to tenderly kiss me. My breath catches, swallowing hard against my dry throat while shivers run over my skin.
Once he gives me enough room to speak, I ask, “How am I supposed to be your Dom?”
Leo trails his hand under my jaw, moving to place his palm against my throat. Calm settles through me, making the fluttering thoughts and nerves disappear with that simple touch.
“Be yourself. Don’t change who you are, dear Watson. I feel safe with you not a caricature of something you’re not. Knowing you’re thinking so much on how to pleasure and love me is proof enough you’d be a good Dom for me.”
My hands trail down his stomach to the curve of his towel. “So…giggling or floundering trying to figure out what to do next…you won’t be turned off? Still find it…sexy?”
“Yes,” he says with a smoldering smile. “We’ll learn how to make it work.
Together. It’ll get easier as it already has been with us.
” His other hand lands against mine on his towel, and he leans in close so his warm breath brushes over my ear.
His voice is rough and practically dripping with desire.
“I want to be dominated by my Mistress who already ignites my soul.”
A shudder wrecks through my body at his words.
Fingers tracing over his towel, I dip them under the cloth and help it fall to the ground. I keep my hands on his hips, tugging him closer as he kisses under my jaw.
“Check in,” I whisper.
“Green, my dear Watson.”
I pull him towards me, falling back into the bed.
Leo drags his body over mine, releasing my throat as his hands move along my shoulders and waist. He hums while dipping his head lower to trail his tongue between my breasts.
I grab his soft wet hair, the strands sliding between my fingers.
His mouth caresses my skin, licking up my breast and then towards my nipple, tongue circling.
My body jolts from desire as I stare up at the ceiling, hoping I can do this.
Be yourself.
Resolute that I can, I grab his arms and move my leg around his to flip him over.
Leo easily follows where I’ve encouraged, landing on his back as I quickly throw my leg over his hips.
I straddle him, staring down at his satisfied smirk.
A giggle bubbles up in my throat as he reaches for my thighs, but I grab his hands and lean over to place them above his head.
His smirk vanishes, replaced by a look of pride and… relief.
Leo’s eyes smolder as he gazes up at me, while I pin his hands above his head. My fingers trace down his forearms. “So…can you keep your hands there or do I need to tie you up?”
Eyes yearning with need flash as I see the answer there. “I want to be dominated—"
“Stay. No moving,” I instruct, getting off him and wagging my finger a little. I feel him watching me as I scramble to the closet, not at all sultry about it. Quickly, I find two neck ties and then grab lube next. My eyes flick to his growing erection as Leo remains where he is.
I straddle him again, sitting in front of his hardening cock that brushes against my ass. He groans as I lean forward, beginning to wrap a tie around his wrists. I don’t quite trust myself to fully bind him, not without hurting him, so I tighten it enough to keep them together.
“Don’t move your hands, unless I tell you.” My voice is a little shaky, including my limbs. I hold up the other tie. Leo flicks his gaze to it. A debate runs through my head on whether to cover his eyes or not. Another idea flickers.
I must sit there debating longer than I think because Leo’s words break through. “Check in.”
I clear my throat. “Yellow.”
“What are you unsure about?”