38. Chapter 37
Leo
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I growl, towering down at Ezra.
“Just giving you some home truths. I know you’ve always had a thing for Ria.”
“A thing?”
“I saw how you looked at her when we were together.” He snickers. “You may have had Hunter fooled, but I saw. You wanted Ria and you hated that I had her.”
“I hated that you treated her like shit.” Snarling, I get right in his face.
“Well, now you have your wish,” he grits out. “You get to be her husband, but I’ll have her company.”
“Like fuck you will.”
“We will see.”
“Leo?” Trixie’s soft voice has me holding back from pummeling my fist into this posh prick's face. “I just passed Ria and she looked really upset. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, it will be.” Giving Ezra one last scowl, I straighten before turning to leave, my muscles bunched tight.
Finding my sweats in the changing room, I throw them on along with my T-shirt, my whole body vibrating as I toss my bag over my shoulder and head to find Ria.
What the fuck did he mean, he’ll have her company? What the hell is he playing at?
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I dial Ria’s number, pressing it to my ear, but it goes straight to her voicemail. “Shit.” Pacing the impressive reception area, my mind races with where she could have gone. I know that asshole has hit a nerve, pushing a button that she has carefully guarded.
I was hoping after last night, today would be the perfect time to show her more of what we could be like together, and not just the physical because she is more to me than that.
She always has been.
The wall I built to keep her out, keeping my feelings locked away, didn’t fall down brick by brick. She fucking obliterated it the first time our lips touched.
My eyes frantically scan my surroundings before landing on a fountain through the window. And sitting on the stone edge beside it is my Ria, trailing her fingers through the trickling water, lost in thought.
Letting out a long breath, I walk slowly toward her, watching as she picks a flower that has fallen into the water and carefully brings it to her nose, closing her eyes as she inhales its scent.
“Can I sit with you?”
She nods and opens her eyes but doesn’t look at me as she fidgets with the flower in her hands before placing it next to her.
“I’m sorry he said those things to you.”
“Don’t be. He wasn’t lying, was he? I am a control freak and not your type.”
“You’re exactly my type.” I grasp her hand in mine, but she still doesn’t look at me as she huffs out a laugh.
“Don’t believe me? Do I need to show you exactly how much you are my type?
” She doesn’t answer me, so I use my fingers to tilt her face up to meet my gaze.
“Because I’m happy to show you. I’ll show you every way you’re my type. ”
“How?”
“I’ve shown you in private a small part, but now let me show you in public.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m going to date you.”
“Date me? But you don’t date.”
“Exactly. You’re special, baby.”
“But this isn’t real.”
“Ria.” Bringing her hand to my lips and kissing her knuckles, I vow, “This is as real as you want it to be.”
“What does that mean?” she says softly.
“I mean that this can be whatever you want it to be.”
“And what if I want it to be nothing more than an act?”
“I’m used to acting, Ri Ri.”
She tilts her head and assesses me. “And what if I want more of what you showed me last night?”
“Then it would be a fucking honor to show you how free I could make you feel.”
Dropping her gaze, she intertwines our fingers before she answers. “Do you, um… do you…”
Dipping my head, I try to capture her gaze. “Do I what?”
Squeezing her eyes shut, she says almost silently, “Do you have a type in the bedroom?”
“Kinks, Ri Ri? You want to know what I like?”
“Shit, I can’t believe I asked that.” She snatches her hand away, but I hold tight, and her face morphs into shock.
“I like control.”
“I’m sorry?” Her eyes connect with mine, and I see a flicker of lust in her ocean eyes.
Placing one of her hands on my thigh, I release her other and tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear before cupping the back of her head.
Sinking my fingers into the strands and tugging very gently elicits a reaction.
Her breaths quicken and her shoulders relax.
“Control. It’s something I need in the bedroom and something that the women I’m with need to give up.
They do it easily because I allow them to get lost in so much pleasure their minds are clear.
I surround them with an intense feeling of safety so they hand over control to me.
” She sucks in a sharp breath and leans in closer.
“I control their movements, their pleasure, and sometimes…” I trail my lips along her jaw, and she shivers and trembles, her nails digging into my thigh as she grips me tighter.
“Sometimes, baby, their pain.” A soft groan falls from her lips when I nip her ear lobe, and fuck, if it doesn’t make my blood rush to my cock.
“I don't like pain,” she mumbles but it is a halfhearted response.
“I think you’ve just never been touched in the right way.” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip, but I pull it free with my thumb. “I can get you out of your head.”
“I think I want that.” Tremors run through her body as she glides her hand up my torso and rests it on my heart that is practically beating out of my chest. “I want you to take me to Enigma. I want to experience that with you.” Vulnerability flickers in her eyes as she bares herself to me, and on instinct, my grip on her neck tightens and she leans closer into me.
Jesus, I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve wished I could have this incredible woman on her knees for me when I’ve been at Enigma.
Had her spread out for me to pleasure and edge until she’s begging and crying for me to give her that release.
I’ve only dreamt about it. But she’s here, soft and pliant in my arms and asking me to show her the darker side of me.
The side that I need to release when the mayhem and mess of my mind takes over.
Resting my forehead against hers, I swallow roughly before answering. “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, baby. You ask and I’ll make it happen.”