Chapter 21 #2
His question throws me as I tilt my head at him. I glance down at the fancy underwear, and back up at him. There’s a glimmer of concern in his eyes, and I realize he’s worried I did this to please him, and only him. I nervously giggle.
His expression softens as the giggles continue and I shake my head.
“Because I wanted to, mister. I wanted to surprise you but wasn’t expecting this reaction.”
“What were you expecting?” He places it back onto the bed.
“Well, first I’d be wearing one before you came in, probably awkwardly lay on the bed, and then have you jump my bones.”
He raises a brow, fighting back a smile. “Oh?”
It sinks in that I just said that out loud. My mouth opens, then closes. “I wasn’t gonna tell you that.”
Leo steps closer, crowding my space as I try to take a step back.
His arm quickly wraps around my waist, pulling me close and sharply enough that my hands land against his chest for support.
My heart thunders in my chest as my body tingles.
Leo’s other hand comes up, stroking under my jaw as his eyes roam over me.
“Are the others still here?” I whisper.
“No.”
Leo kisses my neck. My fingers grip his shirt, tugging as I bend towards his warmth. I rasp, “Leo.”
“Check in.”
“Green.”
“How erotic are you feeling, dear Watson?” His words drip with carnal need, rough and wanting. I scramble for a response, mind going blank as Leo gently grasps my chin to look up at him. “We don’t have our violet room, but we still can scene if you want.”
I nod excitedly. Leo lifts a brow, and a giggle escapes me. “Yes.”
“Good girl. Almost thought I’d have to reteach you again.”
“Again?” I lightly smack his chest.
He smirks, caressing his thumb over my chin. “I want you to choose which lingerie to wear, put it on, and then seduce me.”
Pretty sure my brows raise so high they reach my hairline. Seduce…him?
Holy cabooses, how? My seduction skills usually include tripping.
“We can roleplay,” he explains. “You can be whoever you want.”
“Who will you be?”
“Who do you want me to be?”
I search his eyes, hoping for an answer there. Leo caresses his thumb again over my skin.
“Safewords in place, same with limits,” he says softly as some of the nerves dissipate.
The strength of his arm around me and the beat of his heart against my hands calm me.
“You’ve mentioned wanting to try roleplay.
We can go slow. You can even pretend to be one of your movie characters if that’s more comfortable. ”
“That’s a lot of choices.”
“All the more to have fun with.” The purr of his voice makes me shiver. “Do you want to play, sweetheart?”
My breath is shallow. Roleplay. Seduce him. In lingerie I just bought. Talk about a first, and in Rome, too. Well, when in Rome? I don’t think that applies to this.
Finally, I answer, “Yes.”
He places a gentle kiss on my lips. “I’ll wait out in the living room. Take as long as you need.”
Leo steps back and releases me. Ideas and thoughts zigzag in my head, trying to think of what I want to try. Oddly, a fantasy, perhaps not entirely one, comes to mind. A narrative to take back control and honestly the thought of it does make my arousal heighten.
I remind myself it’s just a game. A safe place to try it. We can always stop.
“Leo.” He pauses, about to close the doors. “I know what I want you and me to be.”
“Who would that be?”
There’s a sudden dryness in my throat as I ignore the nervousness that builds. He may say no.
“A…mafia boss,” I answer. “In a club. We’re rivals.”
Something shifts through his gaze and over his face, mostly of surprise. I swallow hard again, wondering if I’m going too close to reality, toeing a line of past and present.
“Leo? Is that alright?”
Another shift happens across his face, but this time closer to a burning need. A slow, dark knowing smile blossoms upon him. “Green. Mistress.”
Leo closes the doors.
Oh…fuck me. Thankfully that’s the goal.
Heart pounding, I give myself a pep-talk and go through my head of all the characters I’ve seen in mafia movies. Enemies to lovers. Sure, got it. Just don’t pull a True Lies fiasco, Autumn.
Taking a few minutes, I decide to wear the black classic lacey bodysuit, which also has cut-out sides. Once I pull it on, I check myself in the mirror, give myself a double thumbs up and stand before the doors. Frozen.
He called me Mistress.
I frown.
What if I didn’t want to play a character from a movie? Pretending to be someone I’ve watched dozens of times.
I look down at my hands, staring at my rings.
An idea forms in my head. It reaches for a craving deep within me.
One I’ve been scared of, but know he’s yearned for.
I was scared as Autumn, but a part of me was courageous.
The one who sat in that mafia meeting. Who married my husband in secret.
Who escaped from New York City on a Harley.
The one who loves when he’s on his knees.
Quickly, I go over our limits in my head, safe words, and mentally prepare for this.
When ready, I take a deep fortifying breath as anticipation and excitement flickers. I place my hand on the door handle, pretending I’m once again walking into a meeting.