Page 133 of Axe Marks the Spot

Dane offering a month of his services for free makes more sense now. I bet he and Morgan worked it out in that email chain.

I shake my head. “No, I’m not mad. Thanks for letting me use up the favor he owed you so I could work with him.”

She smiles and waves me off. “Don’t mention it.”

I smile back, flushing a little.

“What is it?”

“Honestly, I’m a little embarrassed that you saw this part of me before I did, that you knew someone like Dane was exactly what I needed. I wouldn’t have even known to look for it if you hadn’t shown me his videos.”

“I know I’m with your brother so it’s kind of awkward to talk about this kind of thing, but you’re my friend, too. I have a lot of experience as a submissive; I’ve been in the lifestyle since I was a young adult. I also have experience as a Domme.”

“You’re a switch?” I ask.

She nods. “Yes. You’ve done your research.”

I chuckle and take a drink of my seltzer. “I’ve become a bit obsessed in the last month. I like to learn.”

“You and Nathan have that in common. Among other things.”

“Okay, ew. Stop there.”

Morgan laughs. “Sorry. Sometimes I’m a bit too open.”

“I know.” I chuckle with her.

When our laughter subsides, Morgan reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I’m happy for you, Lindsey. You’ve been through a lot, and both you and Kas deserve a good man like Dane in your lives who loves you like he does.”

My eyes widen, and I nearly choke on my own saliva. “Whoa, that’s getting way ahead of ourselves. Dane is just my Dom.” I say the last part quietly, even if nobody is around to hear us.

She cocks a brow. “If you think that, you’re blind.”

I pull my hand from hers and sit back. “He doesn’t love me.”

“Tell that to the man outside who keeps looking this way, trying to see you through the tiny kitchen window.”

I turn in my chair and notice that I can see Dane with Kas from here. They probably can’t see me at this distance, but I can tell that his head is looking toward the cabin as if he’s attempting to see in. I turn back to Morgan and ignore her smug smile.

“Our relationship…it’s not like that. Like I said, he’s my Dom.”

“Are you sure that’s all he is?”

“We’ve never said otherwise.”

“Well, I know this is not how Dane treats clients or hookups. He also doesn’t give their kids nicknames. He doesn’t even interact with their kids if they have them, since he doesn’t know who his clients are. He definitely doesn’t kiss his submissives on the forehead or send them sex toys.”

I blush a deep red, but Morgan continues.

“He also doesn’t help his online clients clean their homes or invite them to his cabin. I haven’t been to his cabin, and we’ve been friends for five years.”

I almost bite the inside of my cheek for the first time in a week but stop myself because I can hear Dane scolding me before I do it.

“I think you know, too, that Dane didn’t walk here today simply because he found himself meandering to our cabin. He came here because he knew you and Kas would be here.”

I blow out a long breath because she’s right. I know she’s right. “Still, love is a stretch. We’ve known each other for only a month. I’m his submissive, not his girlfriend.”

“Lindsey.”