Something shifts in his eyes. Darkens. "Ripley?—"
"Let me." I push gently on his chest, and he lets me guide him back against the pillows. "Let me take care of you for once."
He watches me, motionless, as I straddle his hips.
I can feel him hardening beneath me, but he doesn't move.
Doesn't try to take control. Just waits, letting me set the pace.
This is new.
Different. Every other time we've been together, he's been the one in charge—gentle but commanding, leading me where he wanted me to go.
And I needed that.
Needed someone else to make the decisions, to take the pressure off my shattered psyche.
But tonight, I want something different.
Tonight, I want to reclaim something Cain took from me.
My body. My agency. My right to take pleasure instead of just receiving it.
I lean down, kissing Levi slowly, thoroughly, taking my time.
My hands explore his chest, his shoulders, the hard planes of muscle beneath his skin.
He groans against my mouth, his hips flexing involuntarily beneath me.
"Ripley—"
"Shh." I nip at his lower lip. "Let me."
I take my time undressing him.
Then myself.
I watch his eyes roam over my body, and for the first time, I don't feel the urge to cover up.
Don't hear Cain's voice sneering about my curves, my softness, my imperfections.
I feel beautiful.
"You're so fucking gorgeous," Levi breathes, like he's reading my mind. "Every inch of you."
"Tell me again."
"Gorgeous." His hands come up to grip my hips, but gently. Letting me stay in control. "Beautiful. Perfect."
I sink down onto him slowly, savoring the stretch, the fullness, the connection.
His breath catches.
His fingers dig into my hips, but he doesn't move.
Doesn't try to set the rhythm.
Just watches me with those dark, hungry eyes.
