“Bullshit. Read the fine print. It’s my job to fucking take care of you.”
“I’m never going to be that woman again.”
“Get on your fucking knees.” I’m jarred by the command.
“What?”
“Did I fucking stutter? Get. On. Your. Fucking. Knees.”
“This isn’t a game, Ryder.”
“I’m not playing. I’ve given you space against my better judgment, but I have nothing to lose now. If you’re going to walk away, I can’t stop you. But if there’s even a shred of love left in your bruised and battered heart, then I’m willing to takethe chance. I’m a broken man without you, but I’ll scrape up the pieces and hold it together as best I can.”
I’m frozen to the spot, the reality of this moment is terrifying me to my core. I’ve told him to leave me so many times over the past few months, and he has been steadfast throughout, but this is different. Final.
“Ryder.”
“It’s your choice, baby girl, because I am always going to love you, no matter the time, distance, or hardships that may come. The one thing that will never change or falter is my love for you. So…” He steels himself. “Leave or get on your knees.” His fists are balled at his sides, his jaw tight as he stares me down.
My pulse is racing, my heart thundering deep in my chest. I hold his gaze for what feels like a lifetime, knowing this decision will change my life more than the fire that has consumed me for months.
I drop to the floor with a sob, on my knees, a silent plea for forgiveness. I lower my gaze to the floor, bringing my hands up behind my head in the position. Tears spill down my cheeks before falling to the hardwood floor.
“Good girl.” Something in me breaks, and the dam I’ve been building bursts forth. Ryder drops to the floor in front of me and gently lifts my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. The rapid rise and fall of his chest mirror my own as I continue to sob.
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I’ve been so horrible to you. I’m scared that I don’t look like I did when we started dating. That I’m too broken to be what you need.”
“I need you, Aspen. That’s it. I need you to trust me to help you come back from this. This isn’t about one night, Aspen. Venom isn’t enough anymore. I want it all. I want you to be my full-time submissive. We need this.Youneed this. I hope youcan trust me enough to give me this chance to prove that I’m worthy of you.” My heart starts pounding.
“What if I can’t be fixed? What if I’m never that woman again?”
“You’re not broken, baby girl. Maybe we’re a little battered and bruised, but we’re going to come out of this stronger than ever. All I want is for you to say ‘yes.’ To let me care for you the way you need to be cared for.”
“Are you sure? It’s a big commitment.” I would trust Ryder with my life, and I may not have been receptive to the idea at first, but it feels like a weight lifting off my chest.
“Positive. You’re the one, Aspen. I knew it the moment I met you. I didn’t want to drag you into my world, but I couldn’t resist. I promise to love you until my dying breath. Say ‘yes,’ baby girl.”
“Yes.”
“Come with me.” He stands, reaching his hand for me as I get up off the floor. Part of me wanted to stay there. It’s the first time I’ve felt like myself since this happened. He leads me down the hallway into our bedroom.
There’s a floor-to-ceiling mirror in the closet, and I realize what he’s going to do when he grabs a pillow off the bed and walks me in there.
“Kneel. You don’t have to put your hands behind your head, but I want you on your knees,now.”
“Yes, Sir.” It feels so good to say it. Like a river washing away my pain, dousing the flames that have engulfed my body, mind, and soul. He stands behind me before reaching for the bottom of my sweatshirt.
“Arms up.”
“Ry…”
“Arms up. That’s an order from your Dominant.” I do as he asks, my body trembling as he lifts it, discarding it on the floorbefore dropping to his knees behind me. I’m naked from the waist up, but it’s the most exposed I’ve ever felt.
“Look at yourself in the mirror, baby girl.”
