Page 58 of Leviticus
“I want you to take me to bed.” Her request was the easiest thing she could have asked me. I wanted to take her back to bed, to show her pleasure and care and make love to her again.
“I have no issue with that,” I chuckled. I leaned in to kiss her, needing to touch her again, but she halted my movements, putting her fingertips to my lips before I could lean in further.
“No, I’m not finished. I want you to take me to bed, but not as Levi.” Her resolve was brilliant. She did not back away from my gaze and I could see the passion in her eyes, the truth that shone brightly in their depths.
“I don’t understand.” I did understand. Or, at least, I thought I did. But I needed to be sure.
“I want you to take me to bed as Sir. Not as Levi.” Her eyes lowered beautifully. I knew it. This was it. This was the moment where my heart would finally stop and it would be official: this woman will have been the death of me with the uttering of a single phrase.
“Are you sure?” I asked one more time. I needed to be sure. I had to be sure. I refused to screw this up.
“I would like to submit to you, Sir. If you will show me the way.”
Her words were my undoing.
“I will show you, darling,” I promised, kissing her forehead. “But it’s not the bedroom that I want to take you to.”
She looked up abruptly. Christ, those eyes were going to slay me yet.
“Where is it then?”
“I would like to show you my playroom.” The words were out of my mouth and could not be taken back. This was it. I didn’t want to take them back.
“Lead the way.” Her lips curled up into a coy smile, her eyes full of fire and mischief, but also full of the truth she spoke.
Lead the way indeed.
CHAPTER15
RUTH
“Lead the way.” I couldn’t believe how confident I felt. I had been thinking about this moment for days. I had known, so quickly, when he had told me about his past, when he had told me his secret, that I wanted this. He had pushed me off, stating that I needed to understand it, and he had been right. The last several days had been full of new information and new thoughts. But each thought only solidified the decision I had made that day in the study.
I may have married Leviticus Temple.
But I was falling in love with Levi.
“Okay, but we need to discuss just a few more things,” he spoke clearly, fixing me with a look. I couldn’t help wanting to pout. I didn’t want to talk any longer. I wanted to experience it. I wanted to feel… everything.
“Don’t give me that look,” he chastised playfully. “You remember what I told you about safewords?”
“Yes. Red to stop. Yellow to pause and talk. Green for go and all good.” I rushed the words out in a single breath.
“Yes, good. That is correct, but there’s more to it. I need you to know that you can use those words anytime, for any reason. I will listen, every time. No matter what. If we do this, it is an exchange of power. Meaning we agree to it beforehand. I may be in charge, but you are gifting me that power and may rescind it at any time. Trust has to be built. Do you understand?”
His words were solemn, and I felt the weight of them deep inside of me. This wasn’t a game to him. This wasn’t some fun play in the bedroom. This was serious; almost a way of life for him. Such a question deserved real thought. And a real answer.
“Levi,” I started, reaching out and taking his hand in mine. “I understand that what we are entering is new and fragile. It will take time to build and nurturing to help it grow. I understand that in a power exchange, it is a mutually agreed upon thing that either of us can stop at any time. I promise to communicate with you and work with you to learn this new thing, this new life for me. For us. I understand that you will always listen, just as I will. I understand what the safewords are and will use them if I feel I need to. And I promise you that I want this with every fiber of my being.” My words were honest and passionate. My eyes didn’t leave his as I spoke fervently. I saw the fire spark within his dark blue eyes and felt my own body rise to answer his call.
“Good. Tonight I would like to start small. I would like to show you positions, commands, and I would like to control you,” he added.
“Control me?” I asked, understanding what the power exchange was, but not understanding exactly what he was on about. His hand, still in mine, tugged me closer, and I struggled not to fall forward into the charcuterie board, still partially full of foods. He caught me before I could make a mess of things and my breath caught in my stomach.
“I wish to control your pleasure, Ruth. Will you allow me that?” he asked sincerely. I struggled to answer. Let me rephrase. I struggled to answer aloud. In my head I was screaming yes! But my mouth hung open like a fish stranded on land.
“Ruth?” He asked teasingly, and it was obvious he knew full well the affect he had on me.
“I accept. I will give over that control, Levi,” I barely managed to murmur out. His lips were right there, calling me to kiss him. His eyes were darkened, full of devious and delicious intent. His strong arms held me in mid-fall and I wanted him to do all manner of wicked things to me. I wanted him to teach me. I wanted him to pleasure me. I wanted him to — I just wanted him.
