Page 135 of Axe Marks the Spot

“Yes to all those things, but have you discussed what it means to both of you on a deeper level? What it could mean for your future?”

My stomach flips. I think about the times Dane and I have talked about it. “He said it was a commitment, but I thought he meant to him and our dynamic we were building. Not a commitment to dating him or marriage or him becoming a stepdad one day,” I tell her honestly. “That’s real relationship stuff.”

“A Dom/sub relationship is very real. Realer than most.”

“I’m not the only one he has,” I argue.

“Maybe not, but yours isn’t virtual. I don’t think I need to reiterate what else is different between you two. Is there a reason you’re hesitant to believe he wants to be more than just your Dom?”

The insecurities I’ve felt before come back to the surface. “I think because he does this for a living, and he hasn’t expressed wanting to change his life for me. Not that I would expect him to. We’re still fairly new, and like I said, it’s not only me in the equation here.”

“Mom!”

Morgan and I both sit up as Kas comes barreling into the house as if she knew I was speaking of her. She has dirt on her cheek, and her hair is wild.

“Look what Logger Dane made me out of some leaves!” She holds up her wrist, and I see he’s woven a bracelet for her and tied it around her wrist.

“Wow, that’s cool.”

“He made you one, too.” She holds out her hand, and the bridge of my nose stings. I take it from her, running my fingers over the woven bracelet.

I feel Morgan’s eyes on me, and I know what she’s thinking without looking at her, because I’m thinking the same thing. Not only did he make Kas a bracelet, but he made me one, too. Maybe to some it wouldn’t mean anything, but like I’ve said before, Dane always does things with intention.

I blink to keep any tears from forming. “Will you tie it on my wrist for me?”

Kas nods and ties it in a knot that Dane showed her how to do, too. Once it’s secured around my wrist, Kas bounces on her feet. “Now we match!”

“We do.”

“Logger Dane is sooo freaking cool, Mom. He also chopped a big log. Even Uncle Nate said he’s cool. Well, he tried to say he’s rizz, but that’s so embarrassing.”

“Did he now?” Morgan asks playfully.

I want to gag at the tone she used but smile instead. “Dane is pretty cool, huh?”

Kas nods. “He said he’d teach me how to fish, too! Can I go?”

“You want to fish?” I ask, my eyes wide in shock.

“Yeah!” she cheers. “He said we could eat what we catch.”

My heart thumps in my chest at the image of Kas standing next to Dane, fishing, of all things. Then cooking a meal out of what they caught. It reminds me of something my dad used to do with Nathan, but on the ocean instead of a lake or river. It makes my heart yearn for something I haven’t let myself think about or at least tried not to think about: a family. With Dane.

“Right now?” I ask.

“Yeah! Why not?”

I look at my watch and see it’s after four. “You have the end-of-summer party at Moira’s, so not tonight. But another day.”

Kas’s face goes from disappointed to happy. “Really?”

“Yeah, if that’s what you want.”

Kas pumps her fist and then runs out of the cabin back to the men outside. I turn to watch through the kitchen window. I can’t see everything well, but I see the moment Dane’s eyes fall on Kas. He gives her a high five and smiles at her before looking toward the cabin again. My chest aches to go to him, to put my arms around him and kiss him.

I glance down at my new bracelet before I look over at Morgan, who’s watching me quietly. A moment later, she stands and walks over to my side of the table, placing her hand on my shoulder.

“Take it from someone who’s not only in the lifestyle but in a relationship with two men, one who has a hard time sharing his feelings. It’s important that you speak with Dane and make sure you’re on the same page. Don’t assume anything about what he does or doesn’t want. From my perspective, the man is ready to marry you tomorrow, and he’s been saying and doing things you haven’t taken to heart because you’ve been afraid to let him in fully. Which is understandable, considering what you’ve gone through with your ex.”