Saxon's Soul (Haven, Texas 5)

“Won’t be for several weeks. I’ve had a few delays. It’s not the end of the world.”

Guilt filled her, making her stomach tighten.

“Stop worrying. If I’m not concerned, then you certainly shouldn’t be. All you need to worry about is healing and getting better. Oh, and the punishment you’re going to be getting once you’re feeling better.”

“You wouldn’t really punish me, would you?” She looked up at him, giving him her best pout.

He laughed and kissed her lightly. “Oh, pet, I most certainly would.”

11

She was unbelievably nervous.

She stood in her small living room, half-listening to Gwen talk, unable to believe that she was about to do it. She was going to a BDSM club. With Saxon.

Holy shit. Holy fucking shit.

The stitches in her hand had come out today. This last week had been . . . well, it had been a revelation. Even though he’d had to work, Saxon had taken as much time off he could to spend with her and the boys. Like a real family. Yeah, she didn’t know much about real families, but this was kind of what she’d imagined. A loving husband and father who doted on her and the boys, who put them first, who spent time with them.

He’d insisted that they move into the main house. He wouldn’t hear of her trying to look after the boys on her own with her injury. He’d even gotten up with them in the night several times.

It had been amazing and also a little frustrating. Because, although he’d paid a lot of attention to her and Jamie and Caleb, he’d been surprisingly hands-off. Oh, he’d touched her, but they’d been very, well, vanilla touches. A kiss, a hand at her back, taking hold of her hand. Her good hand, not her injured one. He’d shown her every courtesy, opened doors, carried anything even remotely heavy, kissed her good night every night and told her often how beautiful she was.

But she wanted more, damn it.

So when he’d suggested she come with him to the club tonight she’d agreed. She still owed him a night, after all. Now she was wondering what the hell she’d been thinking to agree to any of this.

“Aspen? Aspen, dear, are you all right?”

She blinked, looking over at Gwen. Oh, shit, had she been asking her something?

“I’m sorry, Gwen, I was away with the fairies. Did you ask me something?”

“You’re not worried about going to the club, are you, dear?”

“I . . . um . . . I . . .”

“I know it’s scary the first time, but you needn’t be worried. Joel is a very good Dominant. He’ll look after you. We’ve known him a long time. You’re in safe hands. I promise.”

She blushed, unable to help herself. “Thank you. Are you sure you’re all right to stay with the boys? Saxon said I can’t take my phone into the dungeon with me but that you’d know how to get hold of him if you needed to.”

Gwen waved her hand. “Don’t you worry, dear. If I need you I can easily get word to Saxon. I know it’s hard to let go and stop worrying when you’re a mother, but I have this covered. I’m happy to sleep over the night. You go and have some fun. You deserve it.”

Did she? Maybe. Didn’t mean she didn’t feel a tad guilty about doing something for herself. But before she could change her mind, the man in question walked in.

He stopped and looked her over, a smile dancing on his lips. “Ready?”

Ready? No. She didn’t think so. She looked over at Gwen, who gave her a reassuring smile. “Go. I’ll be fine and so will your boys. I promise. You can trust me.”

Seemed like she was having to do quite a bit of that lately. Still, she reached out and took the hand Saxon offered her.

Here goes nothing.

“You want me to wear that?”

Saxon had to bite back a smile at the horrified disbelief in Aspen’s voice. You’d have thought he’d asked her to dress up like a clown and sing the “Star Spangled Banner” in front of the town council.

Now that her hand was healed, it was time to move to the next level. Starting with a trip to the club. He wanted to discover a bit more about what went on in that busy head of hers. And he was going to show her more of what submitting to him meant. Including wearing the attire he chose for her.