Leah's Seduction: 9 (Gianni and Leah - Leah's Seduction) (4 page)

Gianni fucked her until he was drained. Then slowly pulled out. He rolled off the condom and disposed of it. Then he leaned against the headboard, pulling Leah onto his lap. Her head rested against his shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her.

She looked up at him. “I didn’t know I would like that.” Leah smiled at him. “But I like how you do it.” She crinkled her brow. “Was it as good as you hoped?”

His heart swelled. “Better. But then, everything is better with you, baby.” Gianni kissed her softly, then guided her into the bathroom to soak in the Jacuzzi tub. The warm water would feel good to her, in case she was sore. Which she would be.

Holding her in his arms with the jets beating against them, Gianni cradled Leah against his shoulder. She was everything he wanted. All he could hope for. He wasn’t practiced at romance, but for her Gianni was going to figure it out. The barrier around his heart could not stand up against the depth of emotion between them. That wall had crumbled. Long ago.

Chapter 7

The Cold Spring trip was short, but Gianni made the most of it. He spent plenty of time in the room with Leah, and relished the privacy. Sex was intimate, and searing hot. He couldn’t get enough of her. Leah’s submission, and loving response, moved him deeply.

When they did venture from the room, they experienced the highlights of the village. There was plenty of opportunity to enjoy the idyllic setting without having to scramble up steep inclines or rent gear to paddle out into the Hudson.

They cruised the antique shops and stores. Leah found some hand-painted mirrors from Peru, and Gianni arranged to have them shipped to the condo. And there were many dining options. From the hearty homemade soup in a local café to the juicy burgers, the food in the town was memorable. He’d traveled the world. Yet only a few miles from home, he’d found experiences to equal those in any other city.

One day they sat at a horseshoe-shaped bar in an outdoor seating area, which was a former train station. They settled in with beer on draft and potpie to watch the many Harley riders passing through. And later that day, their last view of the panorama of Cold Spring was from a bench in the waterfront park. From their vantage point, seemingly toy-sized freight trains snaked their way down the tracks on the other side of the river. And the occasional boat sliced through the river’s shimmering surface.

Gianni wasn’t anxious to head for home, and what waited there. Yet as he gazed at the trains and held Leah’s hand, newfound happiness washed through him. With her by his side, life was different. It was something he would have to adjust to. The feeling he had for her extended beyond the bedroom.

He was lucky to have found her. All else paled against the joy Leah brought him. His money—his business—came second. Gianni realized, and not for the first time, that she meant everything to him. And he had decided how and when he was going to tell her exactly that.

*****

The first day back in the showroom, Dawson had news about Ava. He met with Gianni, and they viewed the most recent surveillance footage. The muscled, tattooed guy they had seen her with before wasn’t on screen.

Instead it was a tall business type, and they were obviously arguing. The man had blond hair, a lean build, and what looked to be a permanent scowl. “A different guy, I see,” Gianni said.

“Yes, maybe it’s a threesome,” Dawson said.

Gianni tilted his head. “Possible, but I don’t see the men we’ve seen her with getting along with each other. They are two different types.”

The security chief didn’t flinch. “One never knows.”

“By the looks of him I would have pegged him for a business connection or something,” Gianni said. “That was until I saw them kissing and making up, there at the end.”

Dawson shook his head. “He’s definitely not business only for her. I’ll let you know when I find out more about him.” He leaned back in his chair. “We’ve been digging around, and it looks like Ava is having issues with her company, though.”

Gianni steepled his fingers and leaned on the desk. “What specifically?”

“She’s in debt, has her assets leveraged. My guess is that her modeling agency won’t last long, unless something drastic happens.”

“I’m not surprised, really. Ava isn’t handling her life very well right now,” Gianni said. “And my attorney tells me that she claims the abuse traumatized her so much that she won’t be able to have a normal relationship with a man again.”

Dawson expelled a breath. “We can see that in her choices of men. But to blame you for it is farfetched.”

“True, but then Ava isn’t one to adhere to the facts. She is riding on emotion.” Gianni rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m expecting her to claim her business failure is my fault too.”

Dawson’s eyes narrowed. “No doubt she will.”

*****

Later that week, Gianni was about to leave for the day. He had a dinner date with Leah, and stood up from his desk, intending to see if she was ready. At that moment, she walked into his office. The filmy dress she wore distracted him. All day, each time she walked past him, Gianni had been swamped with desire.

Good thing she had her own office, or they would not get any work done. “Hey, baby.” He opened his arms, and Leah walked toward him. Gianni wrapped her in a tight embrace. “If you wear sexy dresses like this, how do you expect me to focus on business?”

She looked up and grinned. “I saw you looking at me. Maybe I’ll wear this dress more often.”

Gianni was just about to kiss her when his phone vibrated. He was tempted to ignore it, but was expecting a callback from his attorney. “Let me take this,” he said, releasing her. It wasn’t the call he was waiting for.

Looking at Leah, he said, “Hey, Cody. I didn’t expect to hear from you.”

Leah looked curious, and she watched while he talked.

“I’m sure Leah told you I got a tip about Ava having some photos of you with her,” Cody said.

“Yes, she did.”

“I said I would try to find out more.”

Gianni waited.

“Well, I’ve been checking around,” Cody said. “And it’s odd.”

“How’s that?”

“If Ava was planning to expose you, wouldn’t she give a preview to the media to be sure they would take her bait?” Cody said.

“Sounds reasonable.”

“From what I can tell, no one has seen any pictures. Not one of the journalists I spoke to knows any more about them.”

Gianni paced in front of his desk. “Which could mean that she is keeping it secret for a reason. Or she is bluffing.”

“I had hoped to find out something more definitive.”

“I appreciate you trying, Cody. You are right—things don’t add up. If she had photos to support her claim, Ava should present them privately to the court. It’s unacceptable to splash them across the media in order to defame me.” Gianni paused.

“Maybe the ongoing legal matter isn’t her top priority.”

Gianni couldn’t argue that. “Yes, true.”

“If you don’t mind me saying so, the woman is a viper,” Cody said.

Gianni laughed.

“Okay then, if I hear anything else I’ll let you know,” Cody said, and hung up.

Leah frowned. “What was Cody saying?”

Gianni put his arm around her. “Let’s go have a drink. I’ll bring you up to date.”

The limo pulled around back, and security escorted them. A few reporters hovered, but backed away once the door shut. Gianni had been taking Leah to different places when they went out, so they wouldn’t be recognized. He didn’t want to be predictable. The press annoyed him, but he refused to hide in the condo because of their relentless pursuit.

Roston turned and greeted them. “Where would you like to go?”

“That place in the Upper East Side with live jazz,” Gianni said.

“Bemelmans Bar?”

“That’s the one. It’s a bit of a drive. It will give you time to be sure no one follows us.”

On the way, Gianni told Leah about the phone call. It didn’t shed light on what evidence Ava had. Instead it cast doubt on whether she had anything at all. But he couldn’t be sure. It was best to stay on the offensive. He hoped Dawson would find out more soon, something he could really use.

They arrived at the bar without being assaulted. With its unmatched décor, the place was a throwback to a different era. It was known for the murals created by Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the Madeline children’s books.

The whimsical wall coverings, dark leather banquettes, and small tables transported Gianni out of the bustle of the city. He began to relax. They settled into a dimly lit corner booth. Leah ordered the ginger cocktail, while he chose the shaken cocktail made with gin. They nibbled on a trio of nuts, chips, and spicy crackers.

Leah scooted next to Gianni in the booth, and he put his arm around her. Hidden away in the dim interior, they sipped their drinks, and the world outside faded into the background. Despite all the noise and distraction from earlier, there was only one thing on his mind.

“I want to take you to Paris,” he said.

Leah looked up at him. “You do?”

“Yes.” He kissed her. “Not that we need an excuse, but Fashion Week is coming up.”

“I meant to ask you about coverage for that,” Leah said.

Gianni had other reasons, but she didn’t need to know about that yet. “We’ll go early and enjoy the city.”

Leah lit up. “There is so much to see there. I’ve always wanted to go.” She smiled. “And it’s so romantic.”

Gianni studied his drink.

“I can’t believe we are going to Paris.” Leah took his hand. “I can’t wait.”

He nibbled on a nut, trying to keep it casual. “There are lots of art galleries there. I might pick up something new for my collection.”

Leah looked at him. “Sure. Good idea.” She took a sip of her cocktail. “You have to take me to Notre Dame, and the Louvre. And I can’t wait to try the food.”

“Don’t forget about the wine.”

“Of course…the wine. What can beat drinking real French wine in Paris?”

They talked about the trip, and Gianni told her what he remembered from previous visits. While listening to the live music, they had another drink and munched on more snacks. After a while, Leah whispered in his ear, “This is fun, but I’m getting hungry.”

He nodded. After paying the tab, Gianni took her hand and they headed toward the limo. He spotted Roston, who got out and opened their door. With the door swung wide, a swarm of photographers converged on the vehicle.

The reporters had stayed in the shadows until Gianni and Leah had excited the restaurant. Then they pushed in. Several shouted questions, and one balding man shoved a microphone in Gianni’s face. The unexpectedness was sobering.

It didn’t matter how they had been tipped off—Gianni was pissed. He wrapped his arm around Leah and glared at the attackers. Questions were shouted. “Did you abuse Ava Stewart? What evidence does she have? Is Leah in danger?”

It was too much. Gianni’s protective instincts kicked in. He glimpsed Leah by his side with her chin held high, daring the reporters to challenge her. Her support of him stirred a deeper feeling. He was moved by her bravery.

Despite all good sense, Gianni began speaking to the press. “The beautiful woman by my side is Leah Ivers.” There was a hush over the crowd. Flashes of white popped in the dark. “She does not deserve such ill treatment. It’s disrespectful. I will tell you that Ava’s accusations are lies. Just lies propagated by a jealous woman. It amounts to no more than revenge for imagined wrongs. My sex life—or Leah’s, for that matter—is not anyone else’s business.”

The silence was broken by a question shouted out from somewhere in the crowd. “Why did you break up with Ava?” Then another. “What’s the nature of your relationship with Leah?”

Gianni guided Leah into the car, and Roston closed it behind them. He hit the locks and turned to Leah. She appeared calmer than he would have expected. “You defended me,” she said. He looked into her lovely brown eyes, and emotion welled inside.

“I will only take so much,” he said. “I’m sick of being harassed.”

“Your press agent wouldn’t want you talking to the reporters.” She put her hand on his thigh. “They always twist everything.”

Gianni touched her cheek, wanting to whisk her away from all of this. “I am tired of being backed into a corner by the media, and worrying about public consensus. I’m going to speak out. I’m going to defend you.” Anger surged. “And damn the consequences.”

Chapter 8

One thing the press could not do was enter Gianni’s building. His condo was on the top floor, and security kept everyone outside. After work one day, his bodyguard escorted him from the limo. They pressed through a cluster of reporters. Ever since the incident at the restaurant, the press had been relentless.

Since Gianni had spoken to them once, he might again. He was sure that’s what they thought. But if he did so again, it was going to be a planned press conference. Not something on the fly. His press agent was working on it. Meanwhile, he continued to deal with their presence in his life.

Leah was at Pilates, and would come by afterwards. He planned to take her out to dinner. He’d have time to do a quick workout at the gym in the building. Sweating was a stress reliever. Gianni walked through the door, with Dawson right behind him.

The shock of Ava standing in the lobby sent adrenaline surging through his veins. She teetered on spiky heels, and wore a clingy black dress that left little to the imagination. Her thick, dark hair haloed her face, and her blue eyes were rimmed with black.

“Gianni, I need to talk to you.”

The building security guard looked at Gianni. “I’m sorry, sir. She said she had an appointment with you, so I let her wait inside.”

Dawson stepped forward. “Shall I escort her out?”

That would be the thing to do. But Gianni had her alone. Perhaps he could make use of it. He glared at her. “You know that you aren’t to contact me without your attorney present?”

She smiled sweetly and shrugged. “We know each other. It’s just talking. I won’t tell if you don’t.”

Not that he trusted her. Gianni made a flash decision. “Okay, come up. Dawson will wait down here. If you don’t behave, he
will
escort you out.”

It was true that Gianni wasn’t supposed to speak with Ava during the ongoing lawsuit, except in the presence of counsel. But she had approached him. It would be a flimsy excuse. However, he was willing to take the risk.

Ava had been in the condo many times, and as soon as he opened the door she strode in like she owned the place. Her heels clicked on the floor, and her hips swayed with confidence. At the windows, she spun around to face him.

Gianni stood several feet from her. Despite her beauty, Ava’s presence was distasteful. “Whatever it is you want, Ava, spit it out. This is not a social visit.”

She smiled coyly and sat on the white sofa. “Please don’t be angry, Gianni.”

There was something about her eyes, the way they glistened. And her pupils were dilated. Not good. She was high on something. Having her in the condo was a bad idea. But she was here. Gianni decided to take the opening, and put her in her place.

“I am angry, Ava. Very angry,” he said. “How would I be anything else, the way you have behaved? You are suing me, for Christ’s sake. And my life has become a media circus.”

Ava looked apologetic, but it was clearly faked. “I didn’t want it to be this way.”

His jaw clenched. “What did you expect?”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “I just…didn’t know how to get you back.”

“Jesus, Ava. I’m not coming back to you. I should think even you would have gotten that message.” For so long, Gianni would have phrased it differently, and cared about her feelings. The last thing he wanted was another attempted suicide. But he was over it. Ava had problems, and he wasn’t the reason for them.

Ava stood and walked closer.

“No, Ava. None of your tricks. What
exactly
do you want?”

She brushed her hair over her shoulder and looked down at the floor. “I just want you, Gianni.”

He shook his head. Ava was tenacious, he’d give her that.

Ava looked at him, her blues eyes a bit vacant. Her ample breasts heaved with her breathing, and her perfume wafted across the short distance between them. “Gianni…you are the only man who ever treated me right. The only one. You knew what was good for me. You took care of me.” Another tear rolled down her cheek. “Whatever am I to do?”

“You were my submissive once, Ava. Not anymore.” Gianni studied her. “But you need to pick your men better.” Even under the expertly applied makeup, he could see the bruise on her cheek. “You don’t need abuse, Ava. You need to examine your choices.”

Her eyes welled with emotion. “You do care. I knew you did.” She took another step closer. “I knew you hadn’t forgotten me.”

Gianni walked away from her and stood by the fireplace. “I just don’t like to see women roughed up, Ava. It does not mean there is anything between us.”

She followed him. “How can you be with
her
? And not me?”

Gianni tensed, and was about to say something. But Ava cut him off.

“After all we did together,” she said. “The playroom, Gianni. I remember. I dream about the feel of it. Your strength. When you tied me up. The edge of pain you gave me, as only you can, made me crave more. You ruined me. You are the only man I want.” Without taking a breath, Ava walked closer while still talking. “I know you still want me.”

Then she gripped the hem of her stretchy dress, and with one motion, peeled it off. Ava stood a foot away, naked. Gianni froze. Then she dropped to her knees. “I will let you do anything to me. Anything you like. I will submit in any way that pleases you. I can endure pain. I want to be yours.”

The offer disgusted him. “No, Ava. Don’t give any man that power. Set your limits. Value yourself. The other is dangerous.”

Now that she was disrobed, Gianni noticed other bruises on her body. One was on her arm, another on her thigh. And there were long red marks below her breasts. God knows what she had been involved in.

“If I was yours, Gianni. I would obey you.” Ava stared at the floor as though not seeing it. “I need your firm hand. No other man knows how to handle me. You’re the only one who has been good to me. Take me back…as your submissive. And we can put everything behind us.”

Gianni took in the scene before him, and was acutely aware of Ava’s emotional state. Whatever was her drug of choice wasn’t working for her. She was a mess. He spoke to her in a commanding tone. “Ava.”

She looked up, and her glassy eyes met his. Her skin was pale, and her nipples hard. Gianni remembered touching her, licking her nipples, and caring for her. But it seemed so long ago. A distant past. And it was no longer real. It was over between them.

Gianni stood in front of her and put two fingers under her chin. “Be a real woman, Ava. Have some pride. What you are doing is ugly.”

She was crushed. Ava was a submissive at heart. But she had gotten lost. Gianni took control. “I am displeased that you have let men physically hurt you.” He looked into her eyes. “You are worth more than that, Ava. And you need to start acting like it.”

Tears, real ones this time, rolled down her cheeks.

The strength of his voice echoed in the room. “As of right now, Ava, you will respect my wishes. You will be of no use to any man as a submissive if you cannot do that.”

The look in her eyes told him that his words had had the intended effect. Ava stayed on her knees, waiting for his next command.

Then the front door clicked shut, and footsteps sounded in the hall. “Gianni…are you here?”

It was Leah. Without moving a muscle, Gianni looked up. Ava was naked at his feet, and he towered above her, fully clothed. He looked at Leah, standing across the room, and she stopped cold. Her mouth dropped open, and she put her hand over her heart.

Gianni didn’t flinch. His gaze locked with Leah’s. The intensity between them was powerful. Leah’s eyes flicked down to the naked woman, then back up to Gianni. Looking into Leah’s eyes, he shook his head. Just once. But with intention.

Leah was confused, but seemed to understand. She took one step back, and Gianni nodded. Then she disappeared. His heart pounded, but Gianni stood firm. He looked down at Ava. Taking his role as the dominant, he ordered the woman cowering before him. If she had heard Leah, she showed no sign. Just waited for Gianni to speak.

“Get up, Ava. And put on your dress. I didn’t ask you to take it off.”

She reached across the floor to her dress. Before rising, she put it on. Then Ava leaned down with her head on Gianni’s shoes. “I’m sorry.”

“You are not to behave this way anymore.” Gianni reached down to help her up. “Come sit on the sofa.”

Ava complied. She sat on the edge of the sofa with her hands in her lap and studied her feet. This was the woman he knew, the one who had submitted to him for years. Gianni knew what to do. This he understood.

“You have permission to look at me, Ava.”

Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet his. Gianni saw respect in her eyes. She was no longer mocking, or even pleading. Ava was in her element. This is what was best for her. She was complying. The one thing she had said that was correct was that Gianni might be the only man who knew how to handle her.

Gianni’s look was stern. “It’s a lie, isn’t it?”

Ava’s eyes widened.

“The pictures, Ava.” He faced her, demanding an answer. “I didn’t allow you to take photographs. Tell me why you are lying.”

Without hesitation, Ava reached for her purse. She had dropped it to the ground by the windows. She opened it and carefully pulled out an envelope. Her hand shook as she handed it to him. She clasped her hands together, waiting.

Gianni slipped out the photos and stared at them. It was Ava, naked, on a long spanking bench. She was tied down with heavy rope. Her ass and legs were striped with red marks, and she looked semiconscious.

Next to the bench stood Gianni. It was his face, and the naked body was…very similar. But not his. He realized what she had done. “Why, Ava?”

She spoke softly. “I wanted you to do that, Gianni. You knew I did. But you wouldn’t do it for me. I begged you, remember?”

He just looked at her.

Ava’s pained expression left him void of feeling. He didn’t even pity her. Gianni was more amazed than anything. “You had these pictures created, didn’t you? With another man’s body, and my face?”

She nodded.

“Why fake it?” He studied her. “Why not just take pictures of the man that did this to you? Why not photograph the real thing?”

Ava bit her lower lip. “Don’t be mad,” she said.

He stared at her. “Tell me.”

“My urge to have you punish me severely was strong. It still is, Gianni.”

“You want me to beat you?”

She didn’t even blush. “Yes. I want to be yours.”

“It’s not the same thing, Ava.”

“I can’t help it, Gianni. You know my needs. I begged you. But you wouldn’t do it.” Her distress was evident. “It’s all I had. The pictures, you know. I’ve looked at them so many times. I fantasize that it’s you. It’s you in the photo. It’s what I want.”

Ava was unstable. She had lost her mind. Or close to it. “You will leave these pictures with me,” he said. “I don’t want you torturing yourself anymore.”

She looked lost. “I imagined the photos were real. I looked at them all the time.” Sadness flooded her features. “It’s all I had.”

“No more, Ava. This is not going to happen. You don’t need these pictures.”

For a moment, Ava was a lost child, floating aimlessly in life with no direction. He could see it in her eyes, in the way her shoulders slumped. She looked small, vulnerable. “You will not allow abusive assholes to ruin your life anymore,” Gianni said.

A flicker of hope crossed her expression.

“You say you want to obey me…then heed what I say. Unless you want to displease me, you will cease this behavior.”

Ava stared back.

He glared at her. “Do you understand me?”

She nodded.

Gianni watched her, and saw no resistance. “You will not let any man abuse you again. Or destroy your life. You’re done with that.”

For a moment his words hung in the air. Then Ava started to cry. Gianni took her hand and let her sob. She reached in her bag for a tissue, and dabbed away the black eyeliner running down her cheeks. “I just…what will I do without you?”

“Does your sister still live in Canada?”

“Yes, still in the same house.”

Gianni released her hand. “You are to go there, Ava. Pack your things and go stay with her.” He had her attention. “Your business is going under. I’m aware of that. But your lawsuit is over. You will contact your attorney and tell him you wish to settle.”

Ava nodded.

“The settlement will be enough for you to start over in Canada. You are to get help. Stick with the therapy, like you should have done when we split up. Get off the drugs. And don’t tell any of the deadbeats you hang out with now where you are going. I don’t want them following you.”

She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Gianni…”

“I want you to leave right away. I’ll have Dawson drive you to your place to get your stuff, and arrange for the jet to fly you to your sister’s.” He stood. “But the condition to the settlement will be that you leave me alone. No more attacks.” Gianni towered over her. “It’s over.”

Ava looked up at him. “Do you hate me?”