Page 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

DEACON

“I want something from you,” I say.

She’s in my arms, cheek against my chest. Steam makes her hair curl and skin dewy. When I speak, her eyes flutter open. They still have the same dreamy expression, but I can tell she’s out of subspace.

“What?” she murmurs.

“I’m taking care of you from here on out,” I say. “You obey me, and I’ll keep you safe.”

Her barely open eyes are thoughtful.

“It doesn’t mean I control you the way you’re used to being controlled,” I say. “Every morning, I choose your clothes, choose what you eat, how to sexually satisfy you.”

Her brows rise.

“We’ll talk every week, go over what you liked and didn’t like,” I continue. “You can always safeword me if you don’t like what I’m doing.”

I don’t know what I expected, but it isn’t for her to stretch up and kiss my mouth. My body tingles. I touch her face as she draws back.

“Yes,” she whispers.

“Yes? ”

“You can have me, take care of me.”

I always knew I’d find a way to get her to say those words, but I didn’t anticipate how good it would feel to hear them out loud. I’m the luckiest man in the world. My fingers trail suds over her breasts, her smooth arms, her throat. Just touching her.

She’s precious to me.

I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure she knows it.