Page 98 of Axe Marks the Spot

“Yes, of course.”

He observes me for another second before he nods. “Do you want a tour then, or to talk first?” He restates his question with a grin.

“We can talk first,” I say. I’d like to see the rest of his place, but my curiosity over what he wants to talk about wins out. I would rather not see if his bedroom has another painting like this one.

Dane gestures with one of his hands toward the dining table, and I step forward. When I’m next to him, his warm palm lands on my lower back, the heat of it searing. It focuses my thoughts and grounds me, reminding me why I’m here: that he’s invited me to his cabin because he wants me here.

He guides me to one of the wooden chairs and pulls it out. It’s nice, and I appreciate the gesture more than I probably should. Especially since it’s the bare minimum a date should do.

If this is even a date.

Dane’s fingers brush the tips of my lightly curled hair as he moves to sit near me at the head of the table. The action sends a shiver up my spine, and as he takes his seat, a grin is still playing at his lips. The light above us casts a warm glow over the table, one that isn’t set for dinner yet.

Dane folds his hands on the table, leaning toward me. “I’m glad you decided to come tonight, Lindsey.”

I smile softly at him, his heated stare reminding me of the nervous excitement fluttering in my stomach. “I’m glad, too.”

“I thought it would be good to talk now so that we’re both on the same page about how far you’d like to go tonight, what you’re comfortable with.”

Heat blooms up my neck. “We already have our new agreement, and we’ve gone over our questionnaires about what we like and don’t like.”

“We do, but since being in-person is new territory, I want to make sure you’re comfortable. There’s no screen between us now.”

I lick my lips. “I’m comfortable.”

Dane’s gaze drops from my eyes down my body, his focus zeroing in on the redness of my skin. “Are you?”

I shift in my chair. “I’m just nervous.”

His gaze softens. “I have an idea, and it might be uncomfortable at first because it’s new, but I think you’ll enjoy it. Do you trust me?”

I stare into his eyes. He knows I do. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. “I do.”

His features transform to that of the Dom who ordered me to touch myself through a computer screen. His eyes are harder, his lips devoid of a smile. But I still sense a comfort and safety in his demeanor, one that screams that he’ll take care of me, that I can let go and let him be my support. It’s the entire reason I started this relationship with him in the first place.

“Remind me of your safe word,” his deep voice rumbles.

“Red.”

“Do I have your consent to use and take care of your body tonight in whatever way it pleases me?”

My pulse flutters wildly, and I swear my heart is beating out of my chest. This is really happening. “Yes, Sir.”

“I’ll be checking in with you throughout the evening. If anything is too much, tell me immediately.”

“I will.”

He hums in pleasure. “You’ll stay the night,” he says definitively, no question in his tone. Not that I want to leave before the sun rises, anyway, especially if we have sex.

Dane shifts on his chair, pulling out a paper from the back of his pocket. Unfolding it, he places it in front of me. My eyes scan the document: test results.

“I want you to be comfortable with everything we do tonight. If we get to the point of penetration, I’ll use a condom, but I wanted you to see this.”

The formal use of the word penetration is amusing to me, but it also fits Dane’s way of being. I look at the paper again and then to him. “Thank you, Sir. I’m sorry, but I don’t have anything to show you.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t ask you to. But if it’s alright, will you tell me if you’re on birth control?”

“I am, Sir. I don’t have the results available, but I haven’t been intimate with anyone in a long time, and I was tested this past year. Nothing to report.”