by Leah Brooke
Ace touched his lips to hers and headed through their bedroom to the adjoining bathroom. “I know how to use a crop, Hope. I have no desire to cause you lasting pain or to even leave a mark. It was part of your punishment, so I had to make sure you felt it and remembered it the next time you think about misbehaving.”
Looking into her eyes, he ran a hand through her hair. “It also added to your pleasure, didn’t it?”
Hope wrapped her arms around him, playing with the ends of his hair. “Does that mean there’s something wrong with me?”
“No, baby.” He held her close and rocked her again. “It’s just the way we’re wired. I’m just relieved to see you begin to accept that. I want you to be happy, and I want us to be closer. No fighting your desires anymore. There’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.”
“I feel closer to you.”
Ace sighed and rose, carrying her into the bathroom. Silently holding her on his lap, he sat on the edge of the tub and rocked her as it filled. He got to his feet again, settling into the tub with her. “And it’s gonna get worse. A Dominant and his submissive grow incredibly close, the trust and emotion between them incredibly strong.” Gathering her close again, he bent to touch his lips to hers. “I always pictured the kind of woman I wanted in my life.”
Smiling up at him, Hope ran a hand over his chest. “And it wasn’t someone like me, was it?”
“Not even close.”
“What?” Sitting up abruptly, Hope sloshed water over the side.
Chuckling, Ace caught her against him again. “You’re a hell of a lot more trouble, but you’re also a hell of a lot more exciting. You’re stubborn and hard-headed.”
“So are you.” She slid her hands to his shoulders and slumped against him again, loving the quiet time they spent together talking.
“True.” Settling her back against him, he stroked her back. “I fell in love with your strength and found the combination of strength and sweetness irresistible. Both are required in a submissive, but you challenge me on so many levels. You excite me at times and soothe me when I need it.”
Hope mentally ran through the times he’d needed that from her. “Like when you’ve had a bad day at work or something happens to someone in town.”
Lifting her head, she smiled up at him. “I like when you need me.”
Cupping her jaw, he ran his thumb over her lips. “I always need you, baby, and you’re always there when I need you. You give me everything I want. Everything I need. I want to be that for you, too.”
“Oh, Ace!” Her heart felt as if it might burst with love for him. “You are. And more.”
He touched his lips to hers, sipping gently, before his arms tightened around her and he deepened his kiss, exploring the recesses of her mouth with a possessiveness and affection that brought tears to her eyes.
He kissed her gently, deeply, playfully for several long minutes before lifting his head, breaking off his kiss. “Enough. I’m supposed to take care of you.”
Dizzy from his kisses, Hope slumped against him again, liking her still tingling lips that tasted of him. “I thought you were.”
“Baby, I’ve barely gotten started.”
Hope reveled in her husband’s attention.
After bathing her, he dried her carefully and carried her to bed. Using her moisturizer, he kneaded every muscle until it melted under his hands.
He paid special attention to her bottom, smoothing on a cool ointment, even though she assured him that her bottom no longer felt hot.
“Just in case.” He nuzzled her neck and eased her up just long enough to wrap her in her softest robe before tucking her into bed.
After slipping on a pair of loose cotton pants and a T-shirt, he disappeared just long enough to heat Courtney’s soup and make sandwiches before coming back to feed her in bed.
After she took a sip of the sweet tea she favored, he touched the corner of her sandwich to her lips again. “One more bite.”
“Ace, I ate all of my soup. I’m full.”
Bending, he nibbled at her lips. “I like when you’re full. You were full earlier, and it was sexy as hell.”
Giggling, Hope slapped at him. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
Ace set the tray aside and wrestled her to her back. “Do you think you can get away with slapping your husband?”
Giggling, and thrilling at his playfulness, Hope wrapped her arms and legs around him. “Not a chance. I’m sure he’s going to make me pay for it eventually.”
Sliding his hands beneath her shoulders, Ace lifted her for his kiss. “Maybe. He’s got a hell of a soft spot for you. I’m afraid you’re gonna get away with a lot.”
He brushed his lips over hers. “Your problem is that you have no idea what he’ll let you get away with and what’s going to earn you a trip over my knee.”
Tightening her hold on him, Hope grinned, happier than she could have ever imagined. “I trust you, Master, and I love you.”
It felt as if all the walls between them had been smashed to the ground.
No more pretending.
No more games.
Just the needs of a man and a woman combining into a closeness and intimacy that settled something deep inside her.
Ace smiled, something warm and soft replacing some of the hard, cold places inside him. “And that, my darling submissive, my loving wife, is all I ever needed.”
He kissed her again and rolled to his side, cuddling her close as he turned off the light.
He’d seen the weariness in her eyes and in her movements, the events of the day on his high-string wife finally taking their toll.
He’d have to watch her closely, or her enthusiasm would wear her out.
He smiled to himself at the realization that the shift in their relationship would probably have him spoiling her even more.
He tightened his arm around her when she cuddled closer, pride in her strength swelling his chest.
He’d been certain that she was the woman for him, but he hadn’t anticipated just how powerful their connection would be.
Nor had he anticipated just how strong his love for her would grow.
She was everything to him, and as he held her softness against him, he knew she would become even more.
God help him.
If she ever found out, she would be even more of a handful.
Smiling at the thought of dealing with her impudence, he closed his eyes, listening to her breathing even out before he let himself fall asleep.
And dreamed of her.
THE END
WWW.LEAHBROOKE.NET

Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
