Page 85 of Redemption

“All I want is to start my own gallery in Charleston,” I say instead. “I don’t need London or New York. I just want to be home.”

I want to put down roots, to feel the security of a home that I never experienced in the house where I was raised.

I think I can have that with Dane. We can share a home together. The first one either of us has ever truly known.

He curves my purple curl around his finger. “Home,” he agrees. “We’re going home. You’ll have your gallery, Abigail.”

“It’s just a loan,” I say firmly. “I’ll pay you back.”

He shakes his head. “What’s mine is yours.”

I lift my chin. “I don’t have any money to offer now, but the same goes for you. Anything I earn, I’ll share with you. We’re equals, Dane.”

He cups my nape, drawing me closer. “No, we’re not. You are so much more than I could ever be.”

He crushes his lips to mine, consuming my soft gasp. He worships me with his mouth, his tongue, his teeth. I belong to him, but I’ve never felt freer than I do in this moment. Empowered. Cherished.

I kiss him back, matching his intensity as I silently pledge my love to him in return.

We move into the bedroom in a frenzy, tearing at each other’s clothes. By the time he tosses me onto the bed, I’m naked. He fixes me with a wolfish grin and steps out of his jeans.

He towers over me, completely bare and glorious as a god. His powerful body is so much stronger than mine will ever be.

But I hold my own, softer power over him.

I extend my hand, beckoning him to join me on the bed. He grasps it and kisses my palm.

“One moment, pet.”

He steps away, and I whine, “I need you, Dane.”

He smirks at me as he rummages in his duffel bag. “So impatient. You’ll get my cock in your tight cunt soon enough. I want to play with you first.”

When he returns to the bed, he’s holding a long coil of rope. Anticipatory pleasure races over me in a light shiver.

I love when he ties me up so that I’m helpless to resist him.

But I’m craving something sweeter today, something more sensual.

“I don’t want to fight you,” I admit. “I just want us to be together.”

He drops a kiss on my forehead. “I’m feeling the same way, little dove.”

“Then why do you need the rope?”

“Because even though you’re not going to struggle, I’m still in control. And I want to bind you.”

I huff out a breath, but I’m not really exasperated. “So selfish,” I tease.

“Don’t worry. I’ll still make you come so hard that you’ll weep in gratitude. I’ll always take care of you.”

I release a contented hum. “I know. I trust you.”

He climbs onto the king-size bed with me and grasps my waist, dragging me to the center of the mattress.

“Kneel,” he commands.

I obey easily. I have no desire to challenge him today. I simply want to please him. And to be worshipped in return.