“Have you done them?”
“Some of them.Not everything.”I drag in a deep breath, taking in her scent.“Some would hurt you.”
“And if I saidno, or if I saidred, would you do them?”
My voice comes out rough.“No.Fuck no.Never.”
“Then you aren’t a monster.A monster would do them anyway.”
I stare into her eyes.They look black because she’s backlit by a streetlamp, but even then, I think I can see the little flecks of gold within.“Leah, I don’t deserve you.”
“You do.And I know we could argue my instincts are broken—like, what the fuck was I even doing, dating Mick?But everything in me urges me to trust you.I promise, you’re no monster.”
For the first time, I might believe it.I gather her into my arms.
Leah squeezes me back.“Should we get going?”
“I guess so.”I help her off my lap and stand.I’ve had enough of the heavy conversation, and she probably has, too.
“So, where are we headed?”she asks as I lead her toward my car.
“We’ll get something to eat, baby girl.We can discuss your impertinence over dinner.”Although, now that I think about it, she was drinking.It’s a rule at Low Vice not to scene under the influence.And it’s a rule for a reason.Honesty and communication are integral to the motto of safe, sane, and consensual.
Too bad.A full scene, with choking, maybe some other restraints, is fucking tempting.
Leah waves her free hand at me.Her wrist brace surprises me, and I feel angry all over again that someone hurt her.She gives me a little pout.“Psh, I haven’t been impertinent.”
We reach my car and I lean Leah against it, caging her with my arms.She looks so small, defenseless.Like she needs me to protect her.So no full scene for her this evening, not when she’s buzzed.
That doesn’t mean we can’t play a little, though.
I press my forehead against hers.“You’ve been very impertinent.Calling me…what was it?”
She bites her lip.I want to bite it instead.
“Leah…” I slide my hand beneath the bottom of her shirt, stroking her soft skin.“What did you call me earlier?”
“Um, when?”
“In the hospital, you naughty thing.What did you say?”
“I really can’t remember.Sorry.”
I spin her around so she’s facing the car and I’m standing behind her.“Let me remind you, then.”
“Dmitri!”Her voice is low, but outraged.“Nothere.”
“Why not here?You’ve been a naughty brat in public.I should punish you in public.”Also, there’s nobody around.Yeah, it’s possible someone is sitting in their car and waiting for a friend or family member, but I don’t plan to do anything that would really expose Leah.
She tries to turn around again, but I press my hips forward, pinning her in place.
“This is embarrassing.”She shoves ineffectively at my arm and wiggles her ass.
“You’re making thingsvery hardfor me.”I whisper the words against her ear.
Her breath hitches.“Yes, I can feel how hard things are.”
“Don’t move, baby.”I bring one of my hands to the front of her jeans.“I’m hard…so, are you wet?”
