Leah's Seduction: 10 (Gianni and Leah - Leah's Seduction)

GIANNI AND LEAH

LEAH’S SEDUCTION 10

A Rinaldi Romance

By

Emily Jane Trent

Chapter 1

It had only been a day since Gianni had recited a romantic poem to Leah, and said, “I love you.” Tears came to her eyes when she remembered the special moment at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The man she loved had opened his heart to her. He had taken the risk, and allowed the wall around his emotions crumble.

Lovemaking that night had been sweet, and hot. But professing love brought new challenges. How Gianni would deal with it in the playroom was still in question. Yet Leah chose not to dwell on that issue. They were still in Paris, and madly in love. Treasuring their time away, she pushed aside any worry.

It had no place in the romantic setting of Au Port Du Salut bistro, near Luxembourg Gardens. The very French setting of the gastro pub, with its contemporary French cuisine, made it the ideal place to say goodbye to Paris. It was one of their last nights in the city.

The décor was medieval style, with curved wood chairs and white tablecloths. The wood-framed windows were open, adding to the Parisian experience. Leah admired the view of the narrow streets and centuries-old buildings, defining the city that inspired love.

Leah looked across at Gianni and smiled. She couldn’t help it. He took a bite of his foie gras, following it with a sip of champagne. In his white shirt, sleeves rolled up and top buttons open, Gianni looked absolutely edible. His blue-gray eyes contrasted with the white he wore, making them even more striking.

His sandy blond hair defied grooming, disheveled in the sexiest possible way. The memory of her hands buried in it, not long before they came to dinner, excited her anew. Gianni looked at her as only he could. The sharpness of his gaze softened when he looked into her eyes, and Leah melted.

Gianni rubbed his knee against hers and squeezed her hand. “It’s because of you.”

Leah skin tingled at the feel of his strong hand. “What is?”

“It’s because of you that I fell in love.” Gianni kissed her knuckles. “Your love is so strong. Nearly enough for both of us.” He looked intent. “You broke through, baby. And you are the only woman who could have.”

Leah’s eyes welled with tears. Hearing Gianni speak of love moved her deeply.

“You have a big heart. And you are a beautiful, passionate woman.” He paused. “And now you’ve unleashed a monster.”

Leah laughed. “Meaning what?”

“I love you so much. There’s no going back. Are you prepared for what that means?”

She furrowed her brow. “Of course. As long as we are together, it’s what I want. Do you mean something in particular?”

Gianni leaned closer. “As long as I was blind to my feelings, I could continue as we were. But you brought to life the fire within me that had been suppressed for a lifetime. Having felt the depth of love I have for you…I will always love you, baby.”

“I’m so relieved you are finally saying it.”

The blue of his eyes darkened. “I couldn’t stop loving you, even if I wanted to.”

Leah studied him. “Why would you want to?”

Gianni looked thoughtful. “For so long, sex
was
love to me. At least subconsciously, it was sex-focused. Sex equaled intimacy.” He took a breath. “In fact, I purposely avoided emotional intimacy.”

“But you don’t have to close off emotion anymore.”

He shook his head. “It’s not that easy. In the time we have been together, you’ve acclimated to the playroom. Your submission allows you the pleasure you seek…the pleasure I want to give you.”

Leah knew the answer before she asked the question. But she wanted to hear Gianni’s response. “And now that concerns you?”

“It does,” Gianni said. “I can no longer shut out my feelings. Yet in the intensity of a scene, I have to be strong. Just enough pain is part of the experience. And pushing you to the limit of your tolerance.”

“I want you to do that.”

“Yes, my love. I know you do,” Gianni said. “But you touch my heart. My greatest joy is loving you and protecting you. Can we shift from that to the intensity of the playroom in a heartbeat?” Gianni said no more, giving her time to absorb the concept.

Leah didn’t want to brush it off. The relationship was everything to her. Gianni’s love, as well as his domination. “It is something we will face together,” she said. “I know we can. We will just have to figure it out, that’s all.” She looked into his eyes. “We’ve come this far. It will work. I just know it will.”

*****

The romantic days in Paris came to an end, and they returned to New York to find out what awaited them. Gianni arranged for his staff to cover Paris Fashion Week, instead of staying to do it. He needed to personally handle some business at the showroom, which required them to fly home sooner than anticipated.

On the first day back at GR, Leah got updated on marketing for the Chicago division. Aida had put a couple of decisions on hold, needing Leah’s input and final approval. They spent hours going over the details, and hashing out the solutions that had the most potential.

On a coffee break, Leah told her assistant about Paris, hitting the highlights of the amazing trip. Aida got tears in her eyes listening to how Gianni had professed his love to Leah. “The Eiffel Tower,” she said. “That’s just too romantic. You are so lucky.”

Leah was about to tell her more when the phone buzzed. It was Gianni. “I think you need to hear this,” he said. “Can you come to my office?”

Leah stood up. “That will do it for now.” It was nearly lunchtime, and she hoped after the meeting she could persuade Gianni to take her out.

Roston appeared in the doorway and smiled at Leah. “Good to have you back.” There was something different about him.

Aida rose from her chair and blushed. She looked at Roston, then back at Leah. “I guess I’ll go to lunch now,” she said.

Leah raised her brows and smiled. “Guess we will talk later.” She watched Aida take Roston’s arm when he offered it. Her assistant glanced back with a shy smile. They would definitely have to talk later. Leah had been so busy sharing her love life that she hadn’t asked about Aida’s.

Grabbing her notepad, Leah went down the hall and opened Gianni’s office door. He was at his desk, with Joshua and Dawson across from him. She closed the door behind her and went to sit down. The men were chatting, but looked up when she entered.

Gianni smiled at her. “Okay, we’ll get started. My attorney is waiting for my call. I’ll put him on speakerphone so we can all hear. I’d make it a private call, but he tells me it is good news about the lawsuit. It’s better for you to hear it than for me to relay it secondhand.”

Leah sat up in the chair, not wanting to miss anything. Joshua put his elbows on his knees, propping his chin up close to the desk. And Dawson leaned back with one ankle crossed over the opposite knee. Gianni made the call.

It was good news, as promised. Ava had agreed to settle, and though the amount was significant, Gianni agreed. He told his attorney to conclude matters right away, before the woman changed her mind. Ava’s attorney would have her sign a release in exchange for the funds, and the agreement prohibited her from taking any further action against Gianni.

The call ended, and Gianni looked at them. “So that’s it. It’s finally over.”

Dawson nodded. “Good job.”

Leah knew that Gianni had not told anyone what had happened in the condo that day. Dawson was the only one who knew Ava had been there. But he had no idea what had transpired. Gianni had assured Leah it would remain their secret.

Joshua looked over at Dawson. “The lawsuit is over. But what about Ava? Will she be trouble?”

“I’ve discontinued the surveillance,” the security chief said. “At Gianni’s request, I arranged for the jet to fly her to her sister’s home in Canada. It’s been a few weeks now, and Ava has started therapy. According to her sister, she ditched the drugs she was on and is getting help with addiction.”

Gianni spoke up. “What about the men she was connected to in New York?”

“I handled that,” Dawson said. “When they didn’t find her at home, they came to her modeling agency, as I suspected they would.”

“And?” Joshua said.

“They were told the agency had been sold, and that Ava was in a private facility for substance abuse. The location would not be revealed to anyone.”

Gianni raised his brows. “Did they go away?”

“Yes, they sure did.” Dawson shrugged. “I suppose once there was no money in sight, they moved on.”

“It’s sad, really,” Leah said, “that they didn’t care about her.”

“Hopefully she will pick her men better from now on,” Gianni said. “Excluding me, of course.” He smiled at Leah. “I’m taken.”

*****

The lawsuit was over. With nothing to fuel it, the social media flurry quickly died. The press floundered with reports that the case had settled, and speculated about what had gone on behind closed doors.

But there was no one to answer their questions. Gianni’s story became history. And the media moved on to other controversy. Leah was relieved. She finally didn’t have to dodge reporters wherever she went.

Yet Gianni’s press agent wasn’t satisfied with that. It wasn’t enough to make up for all the harassment. He leaned on his connections, demanding redress. Subsequently, an article about GR Showroom came out. It touted Gianni Rinaldi as a brilliant entrepreneur, as close to an apology as he would get.

If nothing else, the good press succeeded in calming the family down. Leah’s mother called to express her relief that it was over, and asking when she would bring Gianni for another visit. The Rinaldis were equally soothed. Gianni’s parents, and his brother Jacob, phoned with their congratulations.

Daniela wasn’t about to talk about it on the phone. She appeared at GR Showroom. First, she found Leah and took her to lunch, since Gianni was meeting off-site with some buyers. She pressed Leah for full disclosure, and it was difficult not to spill the details of Ava’s torrid encounter with Gianni. The incident that had changed everything.

Leah distracted her by changing the subject to Paris, and telling her moment by moment about the romance at the top of the Eiffel Tower. “I am so happy,” Daniela said. “I told you my brother loved you. I knew it before he did.”

“I’m sure you did,” Leah said. “You knew it before
I did
.” And they both laughed.

Upon returning to the showroom, Daniela found her brother and gave him a big hug. “I am so happy for you.” She looked up at him. “About
everything
.”

Gianni glanced over at Leah. She lifted her hands and smiled. Of course, he would know she had told Daniela everything. Well, at least everything that could be shared. Gianni smiled at Leah, his eyes shining.

It was finally over. For the first time since they had met, their life had calmed down. At last, they could focus on each other. Leah was really looking forward to it. She still had her apartment, but she wasn’t sure why.

She was spending every night at the condo, in Gianni’s arms. Falling asleep with him wrapped around her was one of the best parts. And they had spent time in the playroom, working their way toward the intensity they both sought.

It was going to work. It really was. Gianni loved her. And Leah loved him so much. She had no idea how she could be so fortunate, but intended to do everything she could deter fate from stealing her happiness.

Chapter 2

Kyra had been to Paris before, and remembered many of the places Leah talked about. She had even been to the top of the Eiffel Tower. After Pilates, they went for coffee. Leah gushed about the French culture, the food, and the quaint buildings.

“I’d like to go back sometime,” Kyra said. “I haven’t traveled like I used to.”

“You should,” Leah said. “Can’t you get jobs at some of the international shows?”

Her friend shrugged. “Probably. I guess I’ve just been sticking close to home.” She glanced toward the restaurant window. “I really do feel safer with Gianni’s bodyguards watching me.”

“Ask him, then.” Leah sipped her espresso. “Gianni will get you in shows. Just tell him what you want.”

“I hate to impose. He’s been so good to me already.”

Leah rolled her shoulder. “I’ll ask him, then. He likes helping you.”

Kyra smiled. “You’re too much.”

“Not at all.” A thought occurred to Leah. “Why not go together? We travel all the time to attend fashion shows. I’ll ask Gianni to get you into the show. Then he can hire security for you there.”

“He doesn’t want me tagging around with you. Come on.”

“Of course he does,” Leah said. “It’s not like that. You’d be busy. But we could do some shopping, and stuff like that. And you’d have security.”

“It doesn’t sound that bad.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Leah said. “Actually, it’s a great idea. I’m going to bring it up. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.”

Kyra held her coffee cup with both hands. “So it’s really all over with Ava?”

Leah nodded. “It looks that way. The settlement agreement was signed, and the money paid. I don’t think we will hear from her again. I hope not, anyway.”

“Goodbye. And Good riddance.”

“Totally.” Leah lifted her cup. “And you know what else?”

“I have no idea,” Kyra said.

“Gianni made a sizable donation to a charity in New York for abused women.”

Kyra raised her brows. “And he did this because?”

“Because of Ava,” Leah said. “If the lawsuit had dragged on, he would have spent a ton more in legal fees. And likely the settlement figure would have been higher.”

“I thought you said Ava got enough to set her up for a long time. Enough to start over.”

“Yes, but it would have been
more than that
,” Leah said.

“That’s hard to imagine.”

Leah waved her hand. “Well, Gianni was able to settle sooner than anticipated. So he made an estimate of what he saved, and made a donation in that amount.”

Kyra just stared at her.

Leah smiled at her. “And do you know why?”

“I can’t imagine.”

“He said it is because he is grateful we are together.” Tears welled in Leah’s eyes. “He loves me. And he said it tore him apart to see me swept up in that mess with Ava. Now it’s over. Giving the money to the charity will help other women that are abused.”

Kyra was choked up.

“Gianni made the donation as a show of appreciation,” Leah said. “Appreciation for our good fortune, and his gratitude for being blessed…with finding each other. And being together.”

Kyra wiped her eyes with a napkin. “Those were his words?”

“As close as I remember,” Leah said.

“I’ve always said that Gianni is just so romantic.” Kyra shook her head. “Too bad there is only one of him.”

Leah was touched. She didn’t like seeing Kyra alone. But she didn’t want her in the arms of an abuser either. She knew Kyra had been hanging out with friends, purposely avoiding dating. She couldn’t blame her. “You will find the right guy. I know you will.”

“Maybe,” Kyra said. “We’ll see.”

*****

The shared journal elevated in importance once Gianni told Leah how much he loved her. It was the pathway to her innermost thoughts and true desires. It enlightened him on what she preferred. Or what she didn’t. While she was at Pilates with Kyra, he took time to read the most recent entry. He preferred to read alone. Then later they could share it together.

Sex with Leah had always been something more. It had taken him a while to see it. But he had felt it from the first. There was no more attractive woman than Leah. And there was no greater beauty in Gianni’s eyes than a woman in the throes of desire.

Leah was the whole package. She wasn’t the first to submit to him. But the emotions he had felt with her from the beginning were signs of a deep love. Now that Gianni recognized it, he intended to give her the pleasure she deserved.

After returning to New York, they had enjoyed the playroom. But Gianni had purposely held back. He needed to feel his way, and reconcile being in love with heated sex play. Could he punish Leah if he had to? Or could he watch her agonize under his ministrations? Even withhold orgasm from her?

The urge to protect her and give her everything conflicted with dominating her. Or so he thought. Whether the two would be compatible, he didn’t know. But he was left with no choice. Gianni loved her more than he had thought he could love a woman.

There had to be a way to maintain the strength of the scenes in the playroom, yet steel his heart when he had to. For Leah he would figure it out. Because the only alternative was to give up the play, which would devastate them both.

Gianni sipped his brandy and opened the journal. The satin ribbon marked the page where he should begin. He ran his fingertips over the lovely script in blue ink. It was almost as though he could feel her emotions emanate from the page. Then he started reading.

What happened in Paris has fueled my submissive tendency. I wanted Gianni’s domination before. But now, knowing he loves me, I want it more. I feel safer, more certain. I trust him. I don’t have to hold back.

Writing in this journal allows me to share my thoughts. And lately I’ve been thinking about boundaries. It occurs to me that Gianni might go easy on me, because he loves me. But it that is the precise reason that he should not.

I want what he gives. I can take it. In the playroom, I try to show that. I don’t resist, and have not yet encountered anything I couldn’t deal with. That is largely due to Gianni’s expertise. I know he watches, and sees my reactions, being careful not to go too far.

But as much as he thinks he knows me, he doesn’t completely. Gianni couldn’t. Because I have not voiced what I cling to deep inside. I don’t know what is behind my desire to submit to him. And I don’t need to. But I do know I’m prepared to give more than I have before.

I want to play out my most decadent erotic fantasies with Gianni. And as much as we have done, and for all that we have grown, we aren’t there yet. From the start, each scene has taken both of us to new places. I cherished each intimate moment, and soaked up the impossible pain-edged pleasure, unable to get enough.

Yet I want more. And I know Gianni does too. I can feel it. I can sense it, and see it in his eyes. My inclination is to give him all, go further, go beyond what we have done before. Out of love. And out of desire. Submitting is not finite.

My love is boundless, and thus my submission is as well. If left to me, I might do more than we should. More than is wise. But that is why Gianni leads. Why he is in control. That’s as it should be.

The playroom is an expression of emotion, beauty, and love. Through consent and trust we can explore that which was previously forbidden. And find new highs of pain and pleasure. My willingness to do so seems to have no limit.

I’ve discovered giving power to Gianni is comforting and secure. Early in our relationship, I had doubts. Even though I did not say so. It was all so new, and hedged into the forbidden. But I experimented, and learned what I like.

I could say Gianni seduced me, brought me into his lifestyle. But it wasn’t like that. As he once pointed out, I seduced him, every bit as much as I allowed him to seduce me. I’ve come to realize that it is my nature. I’ve embraced my submissiveness.

Gianni indulges me, and gives me what I need. More than I expected. Only my need runs deep. Deeper than he dares conceive. Which is why I am writing this. I want him to know. Yet when I look into his eyes, words escape me. My mind goes blank.

Only to be replaced with overwhelming desire. A desire I am at a loss to convey. But here I can say that a whole new world opened up for me when Gianni introduced me to the playroom. It’s a world I crave, and one that I share only with him.

For as much as I enjoy what we do, I do it because I love him. If that weren’t so, that weakness would prohibit me. It would keep me from giving all that I have to give. But with love, I can give all. Passion simmered inside me for so long. Until Gianni unleashed it.

Before falling in love, Gianni’s connection was sexual. Sex was intimacy. Yet I see now how strong that is. My body—the sensations, the intimacy—is a way for me to express the love I feel. It is powerful, and transcends words.

Power play, bondage, spanking, or whipping, all of it is a vehicle for emotion. And for love. To feel Gianni’s love, and to give love in return. The more we do together, the more I want to do. Because my love has no limit, and I want to go where it will take me.

The adventure, the intensity of the playroom, creates a deep connection. What we experience, only we can know. And for that time, I feel closer to the man I love. There is no shame, no embarrassment. Only that agonizing painful pleasure we share.

Gianni put aside the journal. The writing burned erotic images in his mind. Leah had eloquently conveyed her willingness to push boundaries. Her need touched him, and reading the emotion she poured onto the page aroused him. The deep urges she felt matched his own.

The possibilities excited him. And Gianni couldn’t wait for Leah to get home. He missed her, and wanted to hold her. The playroom called to him, a place where he could show her how he felt. Where he could give her what she craved. And satisfy his deepest urges.

Lust consumed him, and Gianni paced restlessly in front of the window. He needed Leah as much as she needed him. He was no longer a man alone, needing no one. Without Leah he felt incomplete.

Life without her was difficult to fathom. And envisioning any other woman in the playroom was impossible. Leah had captured him: mind, body, and soul. But Gianni was in no mood to resist. He was in love with her, and no amount of denial would change that.

It had been a risk to open his heart. But then, if Leah wasn’t such an amazing woman, it wouldn’t have happened. But it had. And now Gianni wanted only one thing. He wanted to hold her naked in his arms, and break through any barrier to express the love that swelled in his heart.

And to give her so much pleasure it would edge toward pain. In the playroom, he could take her to new places, give her sensations of which she had only dreamed. He could love her. In every way he could. His own desires paled next to his urge to bring her unforgettable satisfaction. To make her feel the love that consumed him.