“Thank you for defending my honor. Another first to add to the list of us.”
“There’s a list?”
“You didn’t hear that. I said nothing,” I say with a saccharin smile.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” He takes my hand in his, resting it on my knee. “I can call Pierce.”
“Isn’t he a neurosurgeon?”
“Yeah. The best there is.”
“Are you maybe overreacting a little? He just grabbed my wrist. The mark will be gone by the time we get to your place, and maybe you can replace it with some rope burns.”
“I just saw fucking red. I’ve never felt so angry in my life.”
“You’re protective. I love that about you, even though I could have handled it myself.”
“Fuck, I don’t even want you living in the same building as him. What a fucking scumbag. What’s his issue with you?”
“Well, I’m not moving. I doubt he’ll talk to me again after meeting you. He has asked me out a few times since I moved into the building, but I was nice about it. Then, the last time I saw him, he grabbed me. Talking about ‘girls like me.’ I don’t know why he’s so fixated.”
“I’m not kidding, Aspen. If he ever touches you again, I will put him in the fucking ground.”
I turn my attention to his hand in mine. His knuckles are bruised from breaking John’s nose.
“We should go to the emergency room. You might have broken your hand.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, baby girl. I just want to get you home.”
“We should at least ice it at your place.”
“I’m the one who takes care of you, remember,” he says with a warm smile, but I can still see the tension in the furrow of his brow.
“And who takes care of you?” He doesn’t speak the rest of the drive, and when we get to his building, he slips his hand into mine and tugs me close as we take the elevator up to his penthouse.
We step out into the lobby on his floor, but he doesn’t relinquish his hold on me as he swipes his keycard.
“Make yourself at home. I’m going to run you a bath.”
“Stop fussing. I’m okay. A little shaken up, but I’m fine.”
He sets down my bag and pulls me into his arms, the scent of his cologne soothing me as I breathe him in.
“You want to know more about the lifestyle?”
“Yes.”
“This is part of it, baby girl.” He leans down, capturing my lips with such tenderness. “I look after what’s mine. I’m going to fuss, and I will defend you to the ends of the earth. No one is going to hurt you. So, let me look after you.”
“I’m…”
“I know you are a capable, independent woman. I have no desire to take that from you, but there’s not a switch I can flip to stop being a Dominant.”
I nestle my head against his chest. “A bath sounds good.” I can give him this. In truth, my nerves are a little frayed. I just didn’t want to come across as weak. If this is a first step toward discussing the lifestyle, then I’m here for it.
Ryder grabs a bottle of wine from the refrigerator and two glasses before leading me down the hallway to his bedroom. I love it here. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Manhattan with a stunning view over Central Park.
He pours us a drink before turning on the faucet. I set mine down and slowly peel off my clothes, Ryder’s gaze fixed on my body. He’s making me more confident. The way he reacts to my curves has mewantingto undress for him. It’s something I’ve always struggled with in previous relationships, but I feel safe with Ryder.
