Page 18 of Haden

Even though I’ve known I’m a bossy Dom for many years, I find myself feeling oddly different toward Emilia. She needs a more tender approach than I’m used to. She may come off as feisty, and I’m sure to a certain extent she is brave and bold, but she has a soft side, too.

My jitterbug is going to need to be held and pampered. I was harsh with her last night. I’m not sorry. She needed to walk away from me and ponder everything I said and did in the safety of her room. If I’d been too lenient or expressed flexibility, she might have thought she could get away with walking all over me. That will never be the case.

I suspect I won’t be the same man that I’ve been for the last decade with any other submissive, especially not Renee, but I will do right by Emilia. I have to because I don’t have any other option.

Emilia is mine.

Chapter 8

Emilia

* * *

It’s late when I wake up the next morning because someone had me tossing and turning half the night. I’m kind of shocked when I discover it’s after ten.

After a quick shower, I decide to put on a tie-dye cotton T-shirt dress. Nothing under it. Just the dress. It’s risky. I don’t want panties because they would dig into my sore butt, and I’m leaving off the bra because I suspect it will get a rise out of Haden when I see him.

I smile as I stare at myself in the mirror. Hair down, brushed to silky smooth. No makeup. I don’t wear it often. I have dark lashes and eyebrows. My lips are pink. There’s not much reason to add anything. I used to wear mascara and lip gloss at school, but I’ve gone more natural since arriving here. Who was there to impress?

No one. Not until yesterday. And somehow I don’t think makeup is the sort of thing that impresses Haden.

I’m casual today, so I add white sneakers and then leave my room, aiming for the kitchen. I’m going to need something in my stomach and then coffee before I face Haden.

Gretchen is at the island, hard at work. She smiles warmly as usual. “Good morning, Emilia. What can I get you?”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t up earlier. Is there something super easy I can grab to tide me over until lunch?”

She points toward one of the barstools across from where she’s kneading dough. I suspect it’s for dinner, and I’m already salivating. This woman spoils us with homemade bread. And it’s not just her. Claire’s parents own the bakery in town. There’s always an assortment of pastries around.

In fact, Gretchen sets a box in front of me and opens it. “Claire’s mom dropped these off this morning.”

My mouth waters as I select an apple Danish, grateful when Gretchen pours me a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice. I’m truly spoiled. Who would leave this mansion?

The thought startles me. I haven’t made a decision about school. I need to soon. If I’m not going to start in the fall, I should let the university know.

Yes, the idea of Haden arriving made me stay as long as I have, but the place has also grown on me. It sucks people in and doesn’t let them go. I’m afraid I’m a victim. What about Haden? Will he fall for the wiles of the mansion and its inhabitants, too?

In my head, I’m already halfway into a relationship with Haden. What if things don’t work out between us? How the hell can we possibly co-exist in this space? It’s a big house, but I will run into him every day. There’s no avoiding anyone who lives here when we meet for dinner every night.

I’m determined to make things work with Haden. Luckily, even though I went to bed extremely late, I slept hard. Now I have a renewed goal to confront him and force him to “see” me. See me as a woman. See me as his woman.

I don’t have a choice. Walking away isn’t an option. I’ve been half in love with him for four years. I’m not going to let the tiny detail about him being a firm Dominant keep me from trying to woo him into my bed.

I’m confident he’s interested in me, too. He wouldn’t have touched me if he wasn’t. He didn’t have to invite me into his space. He could have sent me on my way. He sure as hell didn’t have to take my panties, spank me, and order me not to masturbate. On top of that, he refused to return my underwear.

He’s interested.

As soon as the Danish and juice are finished, I hop down, take my dishes to the sink, and pour myself a cup of coffee. After adding a significant amount of cream and sugar to make it palatable, I head for the back door, mug in hand.

There’s a lot going on outside this morning. So this is where all the men are.

Ryder and Tiago are currently guiding a semi to a spot over by the enormous garage. I forgot the foreman’s work trailer was being delivered today. The foreman is Haden. The brand-new prefab will house his office with plenty of space for people to come and go and to hold meetings. I’ve seen the specs.

Dallas comes from behind the semi, waves toward me, and heads in my direction. He’s smirking. What the hell?

I take a sip of coffee, rooting myself to the spot. I’m not far from the RV, and I don’t see Haden anywhere.

When Dallas gets close enough for me to hear him over the engines and loud voices, he gives me an ever more pronounced version of the signature Wilde smirk. “So, Haden, huh?”