I cupped her face and kissed her softly. “Anytime, Sunshine.”
She touched the spot where I’d kissed her, then nodded at Oscar, who was already snoring on his back, paws twitching like he was chasing something in his dreams.
“Let’s take him home,” I said.
She laughed. “He deserves a treat. And so do you.”
We left the bakery behind, the prairie sun low and gold over the horizon, and I promised myself I’d make tonight special for her. After everything she’d survived, she deserved more than protection—she deserved to know what it felt like to be truly cherished.
I’d figure out how to do that, even if it killed me.
I locked up, double-checked every latch, then ushered Aspen out into the chilly dusk. She shivered, so I wrapped my jacket around her and held her close as we walked to the truck.
“What’s the plan tonight?” She asked, eyes hopeful and a little shy.
I wanted to say, “Ruin you, in the best possible way,” but I bit it back. “Something you won’t forget,” I said, and kissed her hair.
Wrecker's driveway was empty except for Parker’s fancy sports car and his fancy Ford. I told Aspen to wait in the cab. “I’ll be two seconds, I promise.” Then I jogged up to the front door.
Wrecker answered in jeans and a t-shirt, bare arms covered in ink, his hair still damp from the shower.
“Got your care package,” he said, handing me a heavy black duffel with reinforced handles. It clinked, like there were more than just restraints inside.
“Extras?” I asked, one brow up.
He shrugged, a wicked grin on his face. “I added the stuff you liked at Kozlov’s club. And a couple new things, just in case you’re feeling creative.” His gaze softened, voice lowering. “She’s gonna love it, man. Just be gentle. That one’s got a heart like a biscuit.”
“She’s tougher than she looks,” I said, but I smiled at the truth of it. “You and Parker doing okay?”
He nodded. “She’s a handful. But she’s worth the trouble.” He patted my shoulder, firm and final. “Go knock her socks off, Big Papa.”
I waved the bag and headed out; the gravel crunching under my boots.
Aspen watched me load the duffel behind the seat. “What’s in there?” She asked, voice barely a whisper.
“Surprise for later,” I said. “You trust me?”
Her green eyes were steady and clear. “Yes. Always.”
Back home, I hung the duffel in the closet and told Aspen to meet me in the bedroom after she washed up.
She went, with a little nervous energy in her steps, and I could hear her run the faucet, brush her teeth, and whisper something to Oscar as he snoozed in his travel basket. I changed into a pair of black athletic shorts, then set up the room: dimmed the lights, drew the curtains.
She came in a minute later, wrapped in nothing but a towel, cheeks flushed pink. She stopped just inside the doorway, uncertain.
“Come here, Sunshine,” I said, voice soft.
She obeyed, and I tugged her gently into my arms, feeling the warmth of her bare skin through the thin cotton. I kissed her temple, then slid the towel off her shoulders. She gasped, suddenly shy, but I kept my hands on her arms, grounding her.
“I want to try something tonight,” I said, keeping my tone even. “If you hate it, say so. I’ll stop. But I think you’ll like it.”
She nodded, breath trembling.
“First, I want you to relax. Can you do that for me?”
She nodded again, and I led her back to the bathroom, where I ran a bath for her. I added lavender and a handful of sage from the garden and made sure it was steaming hot. The air was thick with scent, and the water shimmered in the low light.
“Get in,” I said, and she did, sliding under the surface with a sigh. The water came up to her chest, and I knelt beside the tub and traced a finger down her collarbone.
