I think about how she’s consumed my thoughts since we met, how I left New York early for her and then had to stop myself from doing it again.
How I walked through the Diamond District and couldn’t resist buying gifts for her.
How I wanted to pummel everyone who looked at her tonight—which was every man, and quite a few women—at the gala.
How I couldn’t bear the thought of her heartbreak over the little puppy at the shelter.
I smile against her hair.
“We’ll be home soon,” I say. “I have a surprise for you.”
Chapter Fifty-One
The limo arrives, and the driver opens the door for us.
I thank him and we walk into my building. I call the elevator.
Skye says nothing as we ascend. Nothing as the door opens.
Nothing as—
“Oh my God!” She clamps her hand over her mouth.
Sasha runs toward us, and she has a friend.
The puppy from the shelter. Skye grabs her and holds her, and the tiny dog peppers Skye’s face with puppy kisses.
Joy. Pure joy in the smile on her lips, in her dancing brown eyes. And on my end? I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life to see Skye so happy. I’m feeling pure joy, too.
And damn, it’s been a long time.
“You like her?” I ask.
“I love her! I adore her. How did you know?”
“Tessa called me.”
“But…you know I can’t keep her. My apartment doesn’t—”
I place two fingers over her lips. “I know. She’ll live here with Sasha and me until you get a new place.”
Or until you move in with me.
The thought doesn’t even surprise me. It scares the hell out of me, but it doesn’t surprise me.
My feelings are what they are. Not much time has passed since Skye and I met, but I was drawn to her as soon as I laid eyes on her, and everything I learn about her makes me want her more.
Yes, she can be impulsive.
Yes, she has a need to take charge.
But she’s also kind and loving and focused and determined.
She’s young, and she has much to learn about life.
But I want to help her. Help her grow in all ways.
“Thank you!” she squeals. “Thank you so much.”
The puppy squirms out of her arms and jumps to the floor, chasing Sasha.
“Annika is paper training her,” I say. “And she’ll go out with Sasha on walks with Christopher and me. She’ll be house trained in no time.”
“She’s three months old,” she says. “It won’t exactly be no time.”
“I’ve had dogs all my life”—well, all my adult life, anyway—“I know what I’m in for.”
Skye smiles. “She seems so happy now. Yesterday at the shelter she sat in a corner and didn’t interact with her littermates. She gave me such a sad look that said, ‘Please take me home.’ I was distraught when I couldn’t. And then Tessa…” Tears well in her eyes. “I can’t thank you enough, Braden. Truly. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
I smile.
A really big smile.
I can’t help it. It’s the joy. The fucking joy on Skye’s face, in her eyes. I rescued a puppy for her. I swear I’ll rescue the whole damned shelter if it keeps that joy in her eyes.
“Do you have a name for her?” I ask.
“Penny. I named her at the shelter.”
“Oh? Tessa didn’t tell me.”
“Because I didn’t tell her. I kept it to myself. I didn’t think I’d ever see this baby again.” She picks Penny up once more and snuggles her against her cheek. “I love her so much.”
Again, I’m smiling.
As beautiful as Skye is, I’ve never seen her look more beautiful than she does at this moment.
I take Penny from her and usher her and Sasha out of the room and up the stairs.
“Braden,” Skye says.
I finger a few strands of her hair. “Hmm?”
“Take me to bed. Please.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
I don’t hesitate. I sweep her into my arms and march to the bedroom. The lights from the harbor illuminate the dark wood and bedding.
She meets my gaze, her own eyes smoldering.
“I’m yours,” she says. “Do whatever you want to me.”
My heart races. “That’s a tall order, Skye. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely sure.”
I lift my gaze to the contraption above the bed. “Anything?”
She nods, trembling. “What is that thing?”
“It’s no longer functional. It was a harness, where I could suspend a partner, but I found that sort of play wasn’t particularly enjoyable for me.”
“Oh? What about your partner?”
“Depended on the partner.”
Aretha enjoyed it, which is why I had the contraption installed. Some consider suspension play edge play. It creates a heightened sense of vulnerability and inescapability in the person suspended, and like all forms of bondage, it becomes mental as well as physical. I’ve found that I don’t like my partner to be quite so helpless. Partial suspension is another story altogether. I have no problem with that, but full suspension, if not handled with exacting care, can be dangerous.
I never want my partner in danger. I’m fine with her not having control, but with full suspension, I risk giving up some control over her safety as well.
Not on my watch.
“Why is it still there, then?” Skye asks.
“I just haven’t gotten around to having it removed yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because I met a woman who invades my mind every fucking second.” I set her on the bed. “And all I can think about is all the dark and dirty things I want to do to her.”
She swallows.
“Did you like it when I bound your wrists?” I ask.
She nods.
“How about these?” I tug the chain between the clamps, my cock responding as much as her nipples. “Do you like these?”
She nods again, inhaling swiftly.