Page 28 of Axe Marks the Spot

“It’s seven thirty, and I just got home.”

Kas shrugs. “We’re gonna play a new game she got.”

I sit up and make eye contact with my eight-year-old. She’s maturing more every day. I swear, each time I go to work and come home, something has changed about her. The one positive when I was with Jeremy was that while I still worked, I did work less. I was able to watch her grow up, but now I’m missing it. Soon, she’ll be eighteen and going to college far away from here.

“Why don’t you stay home with me? We can make our cinnamon popcorn and watch a movie.”

“You’ll fall asleep halfway through.”

“I won’t.” While she’d usually be right about that, I have my meeting with Sir at ten PM. There’s no way I’ll fall asleep, no matter how tired I am.

Kas rolls her eyes, and I sigh. “You really want to go to Moira’s instead of spending time with me?” I know that sounded pathetic and manipulative, but I miss my kid.

“Please, Mom.” She pouts. “I already said I could come.”

I should argue, put my foot down like I did the other day with lunch, fight for her to stay and watch a movie with me. But I don’t want my kid to hate me. “Okay.”

Kas jumps up and down, excitement lighting her features as if I said I was taking her to Disneyland. I wish she got that excited about watching a movie and eating cinnamon popcorn with me, something five-year-old her would have been all for.

“I’ll ride my bike there.”

“No, the sun’s going down. I’ll drive you.”

Kas jumps again. “Thanks, Mom, I’ll go pack a bag!”

I flop back down on my bed and stare at the high ceiling with exposed beams. Another point in the bank of “bad parenting.” I’m racking them up real fast.

With an audible sigh, I grab my phone and check the time. Not long now until I meet DomInTheWoods. I really hope he’s ready to whip me into shape.

Too bad his rules won’t let him use real whippings. I probably need one for being such a pushover of a mom.

I’m sitting at my desk in my living room, legs bouncing. It’s two minutes before ten PM, and I’ve already logged on for the video chat via the link Sir sent me—I didn’t want to be late and give a bad first impression. I’ve got my camera off, figuring if he isn’t showing his face, I’m not going to show mine, either. Plus, if he does live in Starlight Haven, it’s better to stay unknown.

The clock on my laptop switches to 9:59, and my stomach rolls over. Sitting here, staring at the screen that says “Waiting for the host to join” makes everything more real. I mean, it was real when I filled out the two-part questionnaire and even more real when he sent me his, but this is real real. We’re about to talk to each other with our words, and if all goes well, I’m signing an agreement with him. To be his submissive. I never thought I’d be excited about something like this, but here we are.

At exactly ten PM, the wheel on my screen spins, and the black square turns to an image. Not a static image like I expected; it’s moving. Oh god, it’s him. I mean, of course it’s him, but I thought it would be a black screen.

While I can’t see his face, the camera shows from his chest down. He’s wearing a black T-shirt that’s tight across his chest. His biceps are huge, and his forearms look like they could have their own porn site. Bet they’d make a lot of money, too. They’re veiny but in a hot way.

“Hi, Lindsey.”

I shiver from the echo of his deep voice, and I’m grateful my camera is off because it’s a visible shiver. “H-hi.” I clear my throat. “Hi, Sir.” This is the first time I’ve addressed him as such out loud, and I said it directly to him. It feels a little weird, but it’s not bad.

Then I realize I’m not sure if I was supposed to say that yet. Should I have only said hi?

Before I can ask, the low sound of a hum echoes through the speakers, the timbre of it zipping straight to my clit. “Very good, Lindsey.”

A blush rises to my cheeks, and I take a sip of my water next to me. If I’m going to last this entire hour with him, I need to keep it under control. This is a professional relationship, nothing more.

“Um, thank you.” I flush harder, glad he can’t see me turn the color of a lobster.

His arms flex, and I notice an interesting compass tattoo on his left forearm. “You’re welcome. Thank you for being on time. Punctuality is a trait I appreciate in people, especially my submissives.”

“I’ll always be sure to be on time, then.”

He chuckles, the same warmth of his hum moving through my body. There’s also a familiarity to it I can’t place.

“Good.” He shifts in his desk chair. The background behind him is a simple black backdrop. Smart of him—nobody can guess his location.