“Oh, I’m alright. I don’t know what came over me.” She sniffed. “But I am good.” Seraphina shouldn’t be the one assuring him. Although he had failed, the impact of his failure had not been as severe as it could have been. He had always been so careful. It was the first time he had let a sub experience a subdrop. Fuck. Of all the people, why had it been Seraphina?
Evan didn’t have time for a pity party. He had to mitigate some of the damage he caused. “I’m going to get a cloth to clean you up.” She clung to him. “Um, can you stay with me for a moment?”
“Of course.” Clean-up could wait. She needed him. He wouldn’t fail her again. She pressed a kiss to his chest. They must have drifted off. Her deep breathing indicated that she was asleep when Evan woke up. Placing his hand on her chest, he felt the rise and fall with each breath. He sighed, happy she seemed to be having a peaceful sleep.
Evan finally got around to getting them cleaned up. Putting a blanket over her, he covered her up. He’d hoped this experience would open the door for a future for them. He’d dreamed of a relationship that was based on mutual respect and understanding, and he wanted to create something special that could last. How could she respect him if he couldn’t take care of her needs? Financially, she wouldn’t want for anything, but this woman required more.
After how poorly things went with this visit, he could feel himself mentally retreating. Oh, he still wanted her with the same damn ferocity. But now he questioned if he could give her what it was she needed. He dressed and waited for her to wake up.
A couple of hours passed before she yawned. “Evan.” She immediately called for him.
Moving from the chair in the corner to the bed, he called. “Hey Seraphina,”
“There you are. Was I out for long?”
“A few hours. It’s about six in the morning.”
“Oh, did you get some rest?”
“For a little while.”
“I need to use the facilities.” The bedding rustled as she spoke. “I will be back.” She called as her voice got further away. It wasn’t long before she emerged from the washroom. “Do you mind if I take a quick shower before we head out.”
“No, not at all. You’ll find a tote in there with toiletries and a change of clothing.” She thanked him and he heard the door close and click. The tote had been prepared ahead of time. At least he had remembered to have those needs taken care of. Evan didn’t make it a habit to feel sorry for himself. In fact, it was a trait he tolerated least of all in himself. The thought had never occurred to him when he received his diagnosis, nor when his world went black. Yet, he could feel slivers of it. Facing the prospect of not being able to claim her as his finally had him cursing his fate.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness. You are saving me from the walk of shame.” He could hear the laughter in her voice. “How did you know my size? I’ve never had jeans that fit this good before.”
“What is that saying? The one about if I tell you, I would have to…” His voice trailed off. The software he developed gave him access to a wealth of information. Most of the time, that knowledge was used to grow his wealth. This time it was used to make Seraphina comfortable and make her smile.
“Then, by all means, keep your secret.”
“Are you ready to head out?” Evan didn’t want to rush her. However, he was ready to leave Club Desire and the memory of his first failure as a Dom. “We can grab some breakfast. Perhaps we can visit the restaurant onsite at the Lancaster. They make the best hollandaise sauce there.”
“Sounds good. It’s my favourite.” He knew that, and it wasn’t due to his software. That nugget of information was courtesy of paying careful attention to anything involving Seraphina. He had heard it once at the institute and never forgot it.
Seraphina seemed more relaxed around him as they had breakfast. Although Evan almost regretted his plan, he didn't abandon it. He’d take the risk and hope for the best.
Once they made it back upstairs to the hotel room, he put his plan into action. “Something has come up and I have a trip I need to make. We are booked until Sunday. If you would like to extend your stay, please let the concierge know. A jet will be available to you whenever you are ready to fly home.”
“Oh, you’re leaving?” This time, he didn’t need his sight to grasp her confusion at his news.
ChapterThirteen
SERAPHINA
“What are you doing in my house?” Seraphina asked as Roxy jumped onto her bed. Although she was in her damn street clothing. Ugh. Now she would have to abandon her sulking to get up and wash her bedding. Seraphina nestled under her covers in a cozy fleece pyjama set.
Although she had been tempted to spend extra time at the Lancaster Ambassador. The fancy suite lost its appeal once Evan departed. A couple of hours after he left for his trip, she checked out and returned home. The moment she was safe within her walls of her place, she showered, changed, and burrowed away in her bed. The moment Seraphina texted him to assure him that she was safe and to thank him for the wonderful trip, he replied promptly and with a businesslike tone. The first disappointment was the message was short and impersonal. As for the second reason, it was the last she heard from Evan.
Roxy’s teasing pulled her from her thoughts. “You texted you were back. Then crickets. I stopped by your job to take you to lunch, and I heard you called in sick. You damn near invited me over.”
“The keys are for emergencies.” Seraphina didn’t really care; she had just wanted time by herself to sulk.
“This is an emergency. You went away with the hot Asian Daddy Sir—”
“Don’t call him that.” Seraphina snapped.
“You went away with him for a couple of days. Visited Club Desire. You did go, didn’t you?” Roxy paused and mean-mugged her until Seraphina nodded. “Then you don’t call me to spill the tea, and you don’t show up at work? You always go to work. If that isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is.” She opened the brown paper bag bearing the emblem of her favourite bakery, pulled out a croissant, and took a bite. Hell no! Roxy had lost her ever-loving mind.
