Page 99 of Gideon
“I love you.”
CHAPTER24
NAOMI
I replayed my words to Gideon over and over in my head as I got ready the next morning. We had laid in bed after everything, talking well into the night.
“I don’t think I can be owned by anyone ever again,”I had stated to him as we lay in the dark, snuggled under the covers.
“I can’t blame you for that,”he had muttered against my temple, pressing yet another kiss to my skin.
“I won’t let you own me. But I will choose you. I choose to be with you. I choose to give over to you; to submit to you.”The words had been easy to say. So much easier than confessing my thoughts of love earlier in the evening.
“And that, love, is the very definition of submission. It is a power exchange. It is a choice. You choose to give over. I would never force your submission, or expect it,”he had reiterated, reassuring me.
“Outside of the agreement we make, you mean,”I corrected him, smirking against his chest. I could feel his heart beating against my cheek, soothing me and making me feel safe and protected.
“You’d want a full dynamic?”he questioned, sounding surprised.
“Maybe someday,”I shrugged.
We had fallen into a peaceful sleep after that, both of us content and satiated beyond belief. For me, it had been the safest I could ever remember feeling. I smiled at myself in the mirror’s reflection as I fastened the last of the buttons on my dress. It was one of my nicest dresses, which was fitting as it was Sunday. Sunday meant church.
Church meant I would have to face the Reverend. And the Elders.
I felt the smile slide off my face, my expression souring as my stomach clenched with dread at the intrusive thought. But just as the feeling began to take hold, Gideon entered the room, a towel around his waist and another in his hand as he dried off his damp mop of hair.
“About ready?” he asked, that signature smirk poised on his handsome face.
“More ready than you are,” I teased, shooting him a look in the mirror and trying to mask my uneasiness.
“Nah, it’ll take me five minutes to be ready. But we should get going soon,” he brushed my sassy remark off.
“I hate men,” I groaned, rolling my eyes dramatically.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” he asked, feigning irritation as he practically stalked over to me.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Was it hard to see? Here, let me do better,” I shot back, rolling my eyes even more so.
“Oh, you’re going to get it now,” he warned with a smile, playfully smacking my ass repeatedly as I yipped and moved away from him. He lunged for me and I shrieked.
“Gideon, stop! We don’t have time,” I scolded through a litany of giggles.
“Ugh, you’re right,” he grumbled.
“I tend to be,” I teased, smiling so widely that it hurt my cheeks.
“Oh, you’re cruising for a red ass, Mrs. Temple,” he warned, pulling away from me finally. It still didn’t stop him from pouting.
“Aw, poor baby. Did I spoil your fun?” I mocked him in a pitiful voice.
“Christ, woman. The things I want to do to you,” he growled with a giant smile on his face.
“Let’s get going,Mr. Temple,” I chided, rolling my eyes at him again as I walked out of the room and down the stairs. I was already ready to go, shoes on and everything, when he finally bounded down the stairs.
“Okay, so,” he began, his hands resting on my shoulders as he leveled me with a comforting look. “Are we ready to face the masses?”
I took a deep, cleansing breath, steeling myself for the day to come.
