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The grand wooden house held the same rustic feel as Cora had seen from outside. It hadn’t been designed with lavishness in mind, but comfort and cottage living. When she entered the bedroom at the end of the hallway, she smiled.
Now, this is so Aidan.
An iron-framed king-size bed rested against the back wall and was the focal point in the space. From the dark oak furniture to the quilted duvet on the bed, Cora figured Aidan hadn’t designed this himself. She imagined he’d have simple furniture that didn’t match with a gray blanket on the bed.
Not that Aidan didn’t like fancy things. But the detail of this room—from the books placed perfectly on the nightstand to the antique clock on the wall to the odds and ends that gave this space charm—were too detailed for a man who knew nothing about design.
A feeling of breathlessness overtook her. He’d gone to great lengths to ensure that when she came to his new home it was perfect. She doubted he’d done this himself but rather he’d had it done so she’d be comfortable.
When a shuffle came from the living room, Cora snapped out of her admiring and her whimsical thoughts, reminded of his order. In a minute, she stripped off her clothes. Most of that minute had been spent taking off her tight jeans. She folded them neatly on top of wooden chest at the end of the bed.
In the center of the room was a soft, round beige carpet. Cora grinned as she lowered to her knees. Of course, a Dom would place a carpet by the bed on the hardwood floors. Not out of necessity or design, but because it made kneeling easier.
She exhaled and fell into her submissive role. Being there, waiting for him, made her body tingle. God, she had wanted him like she saw him tonight—honest and real. While part of her was proud she hadn’t crashed and burned into depression, the other part was relieved she wouldn’t have to live without him. She loved Aidan without restraints and with an ever-increasing ability to forgive.
His actions had spoken louder than words. He had patched up the pieces and gone about setting up a new life; a safe, fresh start that they could build on. While she wished he would’ve told her all that sooner, she also knew why he hadn’t. Aidan wouldn’t put his pain on her and want her to help him.
It wasn’t a Dom’s way.
He’d fixed himself and dealt with those demons she’d seen. Of course, she could’ve hated him for all this and what he had put her through. Deep down, a few weeks of hell were nothing for a lifetime with him. She wouldn’t make him regret those weeks or dwell on them. Cora had officially had enough of pain in any form whatsoever.
She had him, and nothing else mattered.
Drawn into her thoughts, she never heard Aidan enter the room, though she sensed the air shift into an electric buzz. Heat carried into her, igniting her passion, making her aware of his every move.
She spotted his bare feet before a black box filled her vision, as did something else that was big and sparkly. She blinked. Her eyes did not betray her. She stared at a stunning princess-cut diamond surrounded by smaller ones in a square around the large diamond. And more diamonds ran down the sides of the thin platinum band. Her breath caught in her throat and she lifted her head.
Aidan smiled. “Marry me.”
She gasped, her heart beating a mile a minute, tears welling in her eyes. “Oh, God, I was not expecting this.”
“Good. I hope to always surprise you.” Raw emotion crossed his expression as he dropped down to one knee. “I’ve made mistakes, Cora. I won’t make them again.” He took the ring out of the box, placing it on the ground, and held it up. “I thought about collaring you, wondering if that was the right thing to do.” Then he took her trembling hand into his as his voice softened. “I realized it wasn’t enough. You are my submissive—that has already been established. This ring speaks to our commitment in and out of the dungeon.” Her eyes widened, tears rushing down her face, as he
slid the ring onto her finger. “I want you to be my wife.”
Cora stared down at the ring on her finger. “Holy shit.”
“Such a romantic you are, luv.” He chuckled, holding his hand in hers and running his thumb over the side of the ring. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes,” she exclaimed. “Oh, God, yes!” She plowed into him, wrapping her arms around him. He sealed his mouth over hers—without heat—yet with an intoxicating warm love that meant so much more.
When he broke the kiss, he held her tight against him and said against her ear, “You realize now that yes means that you’re mine, now, Cora. All mine, belonging only and always to me.”
Cora sobbed, unable to find words to express what that meant. Hearing those words that she’d longed for had her crying so hard her breathing became harsh panting. She thought she’d lost him. She thought she’d have to move on, and knowing she didn’t have to endure that mended parts of her soul that had been shattered.
His wife …
Only when she got control of herself did he release her. She stared down at her hand, seeing the diamonds sparkling in the light. “It’s beautiful.”
“I had it designed two days after I last saw you in the dungeon.”
“Did you?” At his nod, she added, “So this is what you’ve been doing?”
He gave a firm nod. “This”—he looked to the ring, and then waved out to the house—“is where we will build our life. A life that I should have given you a long time ago. A life that we both deserve.” One eyebrow arched. “Once you’re moved in we can rent or sell your home—that you can decide. I want you here and with me, by my side always.”
“I couldn’t ask for anything more, Aidan.” Cora had wanted more than the D/s relationship and now he’d given her that. She had hoped he’d see past his pain and he’d gone above that—he had faced his pain, dealt with it, and now looked past it. “It’s perfect.” Hell, this was the most beautiful home that she’d ever seen. The fact that it’d be there’s made it all the more special.
His smile was gentle. “I’m pleased.” Then a firm and unyielding look crossed his face. His Dom look, one that spiraled a burn alongside her swelling heart. He reached for her hand with the wedding ring. “Up you come now.”
