Page 17 of Reckless Love

Chapter 7

Did you know you can squeeze into the tiny space between a toilet and the cabinet in a bathroom? Well you can. I discovered this when I was fourteen and hiding from...everything...and it was a habit I continued. Take right now for instance. When I feel like myinsides are exploding or maybe my skin might come to life and leave me, I squeeze in to keep it from happening.

Kind of morbid I know, but when my skin starts crawling and I can’t breathe, well...it’s either have a full public meltdown or crush myself into the smallest space possible. Luckily my father has an army of maids and rarely uses any room in his many houses. Otherwise I mightbe grossed out to be squished against a strange toilet while wearing a cocktail dress.

But as it is, I’m so close to having an all-out panic attack that I stopped caring.

Why? Why did I do this to myself? Every moment in his world is a moment sucked from my life. I knew tonight was a risk...I just didn’t realize how desperate Edmund had become.

I touched my throat; gratefulhe hadn’t done more than cut off my air supply for a few moments. He’d never hurt me before and the combination of physical threat thrown together with a taunt at the way I lived my life...well let’s just say I was having a hard time getting my shit together. That’s why I was here, squeezed into a bathroom instead of screaming toward an exit.

“Fuck, Esme. Are you okay?” Leo stood inthe bathroom doorway scowling down at me. It wasn’t a mean or even a judgmental frown. It was a worried, heartfelt, helpless frown.

Ihatethat I did that to him but I don’t know how to stop.

“I’ll be fine as soon as I stop shaking.”

There was a growl and then the door was locked and Leo was pulling me into his arms. God I love his arms. They always feel so safe. So secure.Most of the tension melted out of me as he positioned me in his lap and held me tight—tighter than any toilet-cabinet combination ever could. Fixtures and particleboard were cold and unforgiving while Leo was warm and tender.

Seriously, he had to have been sent to me by some sort of divine power. He’s so good and kind and hegets it.Gets me, gets my father, gets this entire fucked up problemI somehow created and he doesn’t judge me.

I sank into him a little deeper, shivering as his hands ran up and down the exposed skin at my back and I nuzzled his neck. His skin was so warm and just a little salty under my lips. Before I knew what I was doing I had his tie loose and the top button undone. Touching Leo calmed me but having Leo inside me blocked out every single thought inmy head...well except for thoughts of Leo. And those thoughts were good thoughts.

“Here?” His fingers gripped the back of my neck, tilting me up until I had no choice but to look into his searching eyes.

“Please?”

He growled, causing my stomach to flip. “What happened?”

“It doesn’t matter right now.” It didn’t. My father was going to threaten me and there was nothingI could do about it.

Leo searched my eyes. I willed him to simply give in to my request, to leave the questions until after. After I would be able to think again. Now? Now I was a spinning mess of fear, panic, and worthlessness.

But that wasn’t how Leo operated and really, that was why I loved him so much. He took stock of me as he held me to him, as if he were taking inventory ofevery piece of me from my hair to the speed of my heartbeat.

Then his gaze locked on my throat and I knew Edmund had left his mark because Leo froze. His nostrils flared and fire blazed in his eyes. I could read the thoughts in his head. He wanted to kill my father. He wanted to walk right out of this bathroom and strangle Edmund the same way he’d strangled me. Only Leo wouldn’t stop.

He didn’t move though. He didn’t even speak. Instead his fingers brushed over the skin of my throat with soft, tender strokes. He watched as I relaxed, a look of determination transforming his elegant face. He pulled towels out of the cabinet, creating a makeshift bed on the tile floor. “Down, Esme.”

I placed my knees on top of the folded up towels. He bent me forward until I wason my hands, then pushed my skirt up over my hips.God yes.I needed this. Needed the reset only Leo could give me with his strength and security.

“Look at you,” he murmured. “That beautiful ass on display for me. I love seeing you plugged, Esme.” He bent his long form over mine, his breath whispering over my neck just before his teeth gently nipped at my earlobe. “Do you remember our firstnight? Do remember begging me? I do.”

I dreamt of that night often.

It was the night I finally felt safe. It was the night I was found. “Yes, Leo. It was the most important night of my life.”

He hissed. “Jesus Esme. Yes. It’s the night that changed my life too.” His hands roamed, soothing me until I was practically ready to purr. Then he freed his cock, sliding into me, pullingme up so I was on my knees with my back molded to his front. He pulled frantically at my dress, lowering it enough to free my breasts from the strapless bustier.

“I love this dress.” He pinched my nipples lightly, then rolled them again and again until I was gasping for air and my core clenched at his cock in erratic patterns. Then he took my throat with one hand, pressing my head backonto his shoulder. He whispered in my ear. “Does this hurt?”

“No,” I whispered back, surprised by how emotional it was to be touched like this, how carefully Leo was banishing the ugly reality of what just happened.

“I will never hurt you.” His warm breath danced along the sensitive skin of my ear. “My touch is for pleasure. It’s to love you and make you feel safe. Does this stillfeel safe?” His voice broke on the last word and that made my chest ache with joy.

“Yes. With you I’m always safe.” No matter how scared or broken or vulnerable, I was always safe with Leo.

“That’s right. Now I’m going to give you what you need. Are you ready for me, Esme?”

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