Chapter 5 - The Leap Day Take Over

2 years ago – Saturday 29th February

Valentina

The battle in front of the mirror continues.

My subconscious tuts, mocking me. *He chose you for weekends Valentina...* she corrects. 'There’s a difference.*

My reflection blurs. I’m not crying. I refuse to cry before I even try. My hands are trembling but I force them steady.

Brave isn’t the absence of fear. Brave is knowing every reason you should stop… and doing it anyway.

He could say no. But if he says yes…If he says yes, then maybe I’m not just his weekend secret. Maybe I’m not an intrusion. Maybe he could be mine as much as I am already his.

I take a shaky breath and whisper it to myself like a prayer and a threat: “Leap Day, take the Leap Valentina.” Inside my heart races but says with quiet confidence. *He’s worth the fall.* I straighten my shoulders.

Tonight I’m choosing brave.

I release my long curly locks from the loose bun it had been tied in and it falls in a silky curtain down my back.

No sooner that I put on a loose robe and belted it covering up the sexy corset, I heard the click of the front door.

As I came out the room, barefoot Nash looked quizzically at the intimate dinner set up. He gave me a suspicious look already tensing. “What’s all this Valentina?” he asked gesturing to the table.

“You didn’t make it to my graduation three weeks ago.” I replied softly. “I thought we could have a belated celebration. Just you and me.” I said looking at him hopefully.

Something passed over his eyes…guilt maybe but he shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t miss it Valentina.” He paused to let that sink in. “I chose not to come.” He said pointedly.

I had to will myself not to flinch. For my facial muscles to not pinch. My eyes burned but I pasted a smile on my face regardless. “Well then I can celebrate and you can just enjoy the dinner I prepared.” I quipped back.

Even if he joined me reluctantly at the table, he definitely enjoyed the fruits of my labour. “This is excellent Valentina. Restaurant quality.” He said appreciatively, even taking seconds.

I pushed the food around on my plate. Even though the praise warmed me, his first reaction had killed my appetite.

After dessert, I picked up our plates. “Why don’t you go shower while I clear up here.” I suggested.

“You sure?” he asked. “I feel I should pitch in after you went all out on that dinner.”

My smile was real this time. See…he wasn’t a complete douche. “Go ahead. I’ll be waiting for you.” He nodded and turned, leaving me alone in the kitchen and my nervousness for the second bit.

I had just switched off the kitchen light when Nash stepped out of his room, smelling like cedar and sin.

He was dressed in loose grey joggers and a black Henley stretched tight over his broad muscular chest.

I took a deep breath and then just went for it. I undid the belt and let the robe fall open.

And one look at me and Nash lost it. “Fucking hell Valencia…”. He hissed.

His eyes swept over me from my head to my bare feet and back up again…the pupils of his eyes dilating. “You are so fucking beautiful…fuck your tits in that thing…”

Taking heart from his reaction, I walked over while his eyes just stayed glued to me. I took his big hand and led him to my room. My hands were shaking as I closed the bedroom door behind us.

Normally, this would be happening in the playroom—the room designated for our scenes, equipped with everything Nash needed to take control.

But to nite belonged to me.

It was Leap Day, when I was allowed to switch and claim this night. And I'd spent the last three weeks gathering the courage to ask for something different.

His blue eyes studied me with that familiar intensity, a half-smile playing on his lips. He knew something was coming. He always knew. But he was waiting for me to do it, he was not going to make this easy for me.

"Strip," I said, and my voice came out smaller than I wanted. Nash's eyebrows lifted, but he didn't argue. He pulled his shirt over his head, revealing that broad chest I'd worshipped a hundred times before—but always after he'd taken control.

The muscles in his shoulders flexed as he tugged off his sweats and kicked them aside.

My mouth watered as all that glorious skin and muscle was revealed and I watched his glorious cock spring free, already half-hard.

I swallowed hard. *You can do this Valencia. You asked for this. Just... lead.* I coached myself. "Lie down," I whispered, gesturing to my bed—my soft, floral-scented bed that had never seen anything like what I had planned.

He obeyed, stretching out on his back, his body taking up nearly the entire mattress. I crawled up beside him, the fur-lined cuffs I'd hidden under my pillow cool in my trembling hands.

"What are those, baby girl?" His voice was low, amused, but with an edge of curiosity. I didn't answer. I just reached for his right wrist.

He let me. That surprised me. But when I moved to secure the second cuff to the headboard, he stiffened. "Valentina…"

"Nash, please." I met his eyes, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks. "You promised. Let me... let me do this. Tonight. Just tonight."

He studied me for a long moment, that blue gaze searching mine. Then he let his wrist fall into place, and I snapped the cuff closed. I secured the other one too, making sure they were tight enough to hold but not enough to hurt.

His arms were stretched above his head now, muscles straining, and I could see the slightest flicker of uncertainty in his expression.

He wasn't used to this. Neither was I. But I wanted it. Him. All of him, on my terms, just once.