AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sorry, go on,”
“Working with my hands wasn’t enough to process everything,” he began again. “I came here to remember the touch of your skin, the taste of your lips and how you sweet you smelled.”
His expression turned solemn. I knew there was more he wanted to say, but he struggled with the words, or the courage to say them.
“I also came here to talk to Veronica and Camille, to tell them goodbye, and to let them go.”
A fat tear slipped down my cheek as I leaned in and rested my head on his shoulder.
“I meant what I said at the lodge. I want to start a new chapter of my life with you, Mellie. And now that Carnation and Tideway are locked up, I need to know if you really, truly want the same. I love you, and I know you love me, but we’re not young and naïve. We both know that sometimes love isn’t enough.”
Sitting up, I stared at him. He was worried I didn’t need him anymore. Or that I didn’t love him enough to make the necessary sacrifices and changes in my life for him…for us. How could he think such a thing?
Umm, maybe because your track record isn’t the greatest, and even though you’ve turned over a new leaf, maybe he wants a guarantee you’re not going to flip back out and float away on the wind. He wants a commitment, dumbass. You know, that thing you swore you’d never give any man? Seriously, do you blame him?
“I didn’t keep you by my side as an emotional safety net, Joshua. I stayed with you because I wanted you and needed you, far beyond the circumstances we were forced into. I still do. I meant it when I said I love you.” Joy flashed in his eyes. “I want to start a new chapter, too. With you. Change and grow, so we can live happily ever after. I might be your fantasy, but you’re my fairy tale.”
“I thought girls grew into women, and reality conquered their childish fantasies,” he quipped with a knowing grin.
I chuckled, wondering how he’d remembered the words I’d said to him that night. But maybe they’d been branded in his soul, just as every moment I’d spent with him had been branded into mine.
“They do, but if the girl is smart, she’ll save one dream, just in case fairy tales do come true.”
“I knew you were a wise woman,” he whispered as he brushed another kiss over my lips. Closing my eyes, I welcomed the tingling sensation and the profound sense of peace that filled me. I finally knew what love and submission felt like. It was exactly what I’d always dreamed it would be.
Bright and early the next morning, as Joshua snored in my ear, I bit back a giggle and kissed him awake.
“Mmm,” he rumbled as he pulled me in closer, warming me with his lean body.
“It’s tomorrow. You know what that means. Come on. You promised you’d show me,” I reminded him with an excited lilt in my voice.
Popping one eye open, he looked at me and frowned. “It’s not going anywhere, little one.”
“I know, but I can’t wait any longer.”
He chuckled. “I can’t wait to see you on Christmas morning, little one. You’re so cute.” With a mock scowl, he shook his head. “But you need long hours of patience training. If I was a stern and hard-nosed Master, I’d make you wait until tonight.”
“But you won’t, because you love me, and you know it will make me happy to see it now.”
Joshua closed his eye and shook his head. “I’ve created a monster,” he murmured with a grin.
Hoping a different tactic might work, I slid my tongue over his nipple. “Come on, Master Stephen, pleaseeeee.”
Opening both eyes, he looked down at me and scowled in earnest. “Don’t even play that shit, girl. I won’t have you manipulating my Dominance to get what you want. Topping from the bottom isn’t going to get you anything but a sore, red ass. Understood?”
His reprimand bordered on stirring my guilt and enticing my submission, both of which flickered to life in a heated rush, and I sobered.
Satisfied he’d made his point, Joshua leaned over me, studying my face. “The swelling’s gone down a little bit around your eye, but the bruising is getting brighter. There are some green tinges spreading out from the purple area and the blood in your sclera isn’t as dark.”
“Marvelous.” I pouted. “So, you’re saying I look like a mixture of Barney and Kermit with a raging case of pink eye?”
“Not at all. You look like the woman I love.” With a tiny smirk, he arched his brows. “I believe you woke me up to ask me something, little one?”
There it was, the not-so-subtle lesson he wanted me to learn. Communication.
“Yes, Sir. May we please go up to your studio so I can see the surprise you’ve been working on?”
“Indeed, we can, since you asked so sweetly.” He smiled. “After we’ve had some coffee.”
