“On your knees. Hands in your lap.” I do as he asks without question. He slips his fingers under my chin, coaxing me to look up at him. Serenity washes over me when I’m in this position for him. Something I thought I would never say. “Talk to me.”
“I’m afraid.”
“What scares you?”
“The burners. What if they get out of hand?” He moves to the other side of the room, grabbing one of the fire extinguishers we keep in the kitchen.
“We will keep this right next to the burners. What else?”
“I’m scared of having a panic attack in front of everyone.”
“I will be at your side the entire time. If you feel one coming, use your safeword. If I hear ‘ruby,’ then I will get you out of here for a few minutes. Leonard will be here to make sure the kitchen is well looked after if we need to leave.”
“I’m sad that everyone will see my scars.”
“Look at me, Aspen.” I meet his gaze.
“Every single person in here thinks you are a hero. And they’re right. You saved a life. Mine. You are a Valkyrie. Wild and beautiful. It’s not everyone else that you need to be afraid of. You only have yourself to contend with. You have to be able to look in the mirror and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you are loved, you are strong, and you are beautiful. I know it’s something you struggled with before the fire, but it’s so important now. I want you to love yourself the way I do. Rest easy in the knowledge that I am your Dom, and I will always be yours, just as you will always be mine. I will protect you with my life.”
My breathing evens out as I take slow, measured breaths.I can do this.
“Understood?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Do you need more time?” I reach my hand up to him, letting him pull me to my feet.
“No. I just need to kiss my boyfriend before I make this kitchen my bitch.”
“There’s my little firecracker!” He fists his hands in my hair, his lips crashing down on mine with a ferocity that quiets something inside me. A peace that calms me.
When Ryder ushers everyone back in, each member of staff stops to tell me how glad they are that I’m here. It warms my heart, and I steel myself to fire up the burners for a busy night ahead.
I don’t berate myself for flinching as the first flames spark to life, Ryder’s hand resting on the small of my back.
“You’ve got this, baby girl.” I close my eyes, letting the sounds of the kitchen wash over me. This is what I love. It’s what I’ve worked toward my whole life. I won’t let some crazed asshole take this from me.
“I know.”
Chapter 28
RYDER
Now that Aspen is somewhat back to normal, I need to broach the question of our contract. In the thick of recovery, I made her my twenty-four-seven submissive. It’s what she needed at the time, but we previously agreed that wouldn’t be the case. I want her to decide now that she’s in a better headspace. I know what I’d like, but I won’t force her to do anything she doesn’t want to.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Aspen lies next to me, the sheets barely covering her as we catch our breath. Having my submissive live with me has some pretty amazing perks.
“We need to talk.”
She moves, straddling me as if I were a prize bull, and she looks hot as fuck doing it.
“About what?” She slowly grinds herself against my growing erection.
“Our contract.” She stops dead in her tracks.
“Oh.” She scrambles off me, pulling the sheets around her as if she needs protection.
“It’s nothing bad.”
