I have control, but I don’t have to exercise it.
I run the backs of my fingers across her cheek. “You’re right.”
She smiles. “You introduced me to so much and took me places I never imagined I’d go. I was like you, in a way, when we met. The thought of being a submissive was terrifying because I thought it meant giving up my freedom—my control over my own life. But it wasn’t anything like that. I entrusted myself to you, and discovered what it’s like to soar.”
She leans slightly into my touch. “You introduced me to a whole new world. I was so scared the first time you took me to the club, but I like most of it now, some parts I even love. I know now, though, that there are parts I can’t handle, like the violent pain of the whip. I’ve also seen enough to know I’ll never enjoy humiliation-play, nor exhibitionism.”
“So you did come for closure,” I say, voicing my thoughts before I could rein them in.
Harper looks up at me, shocked. “What?”
I sigh. “I understand. You need to end this chapter of your life on a better note than me walking out of your apartment like I did.”
She shakes her head, a confused expression on her face. “It’s not that.”
Another tear escapes, catching the light and glittering like a gem before I can swipe it away.
“That’s not what I’m here for.” She hiccups, on the verge of fully crying. “I’m here because I love you.”
“What?” I whisper.
“I love you, and I want to be with you. I want to be your submissive, but I want to be your girlfriend, too.”
For a moment, I’m too shocked to say or do anything. Then Harper starts fidgeting and looks nervous, and I can’t hold back. I lean in, fingers sliding into her hair and holding her as I press my lips to hers.
“Axel?” she asks as we part.
“I love you, too.”
She’s crying, but she’s smiling. “Really?”
I laugh. “I was going to go to you once work started. There are flowers on the way. You just beat me to it.”
She’s laughing as I kiss her again. I slide my hands to her shoulders and pull her up until she’s sitting on my lap. We kiss slowly, rediscovering each other, for several minutes until I make a decision.
“Harper?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I take you somewhere new tonight?”
She smiles. “Where were you thinking?”
I chuckle. “I was thinking of inviting you over and cooking for you.”
Fresh tears run down her cheek as she nods enthusiastically. “Yes.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Yes, sir.”
Epilogue: Axel
The restaurant is busy, chatter filling the air as the hostess leads us to our table. Maddox and Madison are walking ahead of us, while Declan brings up the rear. It’s the first time we’ve been able to go out as a group since Harper’s return to work several weeks ago, each of us busy with various projects.
It’s also a good chance for Harper to get used to the changing dynamic. She’s still an employee, but as the girlfriend to one of the founders, she needs to be able to interact with Maddox and Declan off the clock without being uncomfortable.
We end up sitting at a round table, the ladies deciding to sit next to each other to chat, leaving us men to take the remaining chairs.
“Your ring is gorgeous,” Harper squeals as Madison takes the opportunity to show off the rock that Maddox got for her. “When’s the wedding?”
“We haven’t nailed down a date yet,” Madison replies. “We’re still trying to figure out things, like what season we want, and if we’re going to do a destination wedding or something closer to home.”
Harper laughs. “Yeah, it’s a lot to decide.”
Madison then digs out her cell phone and shows it to Harper. “Hey, check out the new living room set we just ordered.”
Harper squeals in delight. “It’s gorgeous!” She scoots closer to Madison. “Where are you getting it from? I’m trying to get Axel to get something other than a bachelor set.”
Maddox laughs, tearing my attention from Harper.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“If she’s already changing up the furniture, it means you’re serious.” He leans in. “So, when are you gonna pop the question?”
I wave it off. “We’re nowhere near that right now. I’ve still got a lot to work through, and so does she. We’re enjoying learning about each other and how we fit into each other’s lives.”
“Uh-huh,” Maddox deadpans.
“Whatever, ass.”
Maddox laughs. “I will say one thing, women have a knack of making a home more comfortable than even the fanciest bachelor pad. You should try it.”
I smile and glance back over to Harper, who’s discussing color options with Madison. I haven’t had a chance to discuss it with her yet, but I want her to move in with me. However, the part of me that demands control hasn’t given up just yet. She’s over almost every night, but the transition from visiting me to living with me is a big one for both of us.
It’ll happen soon, though, I’m sure. I want her there.
Besides, she hasn’t said anything, but I can see that she’s saving money for her father again. She brings coffee from home and bagged lunches on the days when we’re not planning to go out. She paid to have her cell phone repaired when it’s old enough that most others would have replaced it.
If she moved in with me, she could save even more.
I glance over and smile. Harper is so generous, but I don’t know if her stepmother will let her give so much this time. We’d been over at her father’s house several days ago, and though it never came up, I could see the signs of frugality—a dripping faucet, store-brand products, and a pile of coupons set to one side. Not to mention, a stack of bills left carelessly on a desk. Harper knows they’re struggling and is going to do what she can. And if I learned anything about Lauren the past few weeks, I know she’ll accept only what she absolutely has to.
In the meantime, the family has a new goal—her father’s upcoming PET scan. He has another month of chemo, then they’ll scan to see how his treatment is progressing. The hope is that the tumor will have shrunk enough for him to return to work between treatments.
“Hello, thanks for coming in this evening. May I get you something to drink?”
The voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I look up to see a vaguely familiar waitress standing beside the table.
“Ice tea for me,” Madison says.
“Same,” Harper adds.
“Water for me, thanks,” I say, still trying to figure out where I know her from.
Maddox is ordering a soda when I catch the expression on Declan’s face. The waitress turns to him, and Declan flinches.
“What’ll you have, sir?” she asks, final syllable biting like the crack of a whip.
Declan’s eyes narrow, and I know him well enough to see that he’s biting his tongue. “Water. Please.”
“Fine,” she says, scribbling on her order ticket hard enough I have to wonder if the pen is tearing through the paper.