***
Duncan lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Guilt ate a hole in his stomach. God, it was all his fault. If he could go back and kick his younger self’s ass, he would. His whole body stiffened as he thought of everything she had gone through. She’d been abused, hurt and all while he had been cursing her for being a spoiled brat.
All because he hadn’t cared for her the way he should have.
Laken whimpered and moved restlessly. He tucked her in tighter against him, murmuring soft words that made no sense.
She’d gone to that club because of him. Sure it had been a stupid move, but she’d been hurt and was lashing out.
He had slept easier after leaving her some emergency money, certain he was taking care of her.
Idiot.
He hadn’t even made sure that she would use the money if she needed it. It had taken him years to learn that money didn’t fix everything. It certainly hadn’t bought him happiness, and his need to build up a fortune had cost him everything.
He had failed to protect her. To take care of her.
Well, no more. He would do whatever it took to protect her.
Chapter Eight
Way to ruin things, Laken.
She’d known that telling Duncan the truth would be a mistake, and going to the club had been an even bigger mistake. How many people had seen her freak out?
For a moment there she’d almost had it all again.
Then she’d panicked and ruined it. Now, Duncan was treating her like a fragile glass figurine. As though any wrong move would make her shatter.
She refused to let him treat her as if she was broken. She might have problems being tied up and flogged, but damn it, she was not fragile!
Pep talk over, she decided that tonight was the night she was having sex.
What if he doesn’t want me anymore? What if he thinks I’m not worth the trouble?
She had to be braver than this. Taking a deep breath, Laken shoved back her doubts. Her self-esteem had taken as much of a beating as her body, but she knew Duncan wanted her. She’d felt his erection press up against her every evening when he left to go back to his place, leaving her to sleep in her own bed. Alone.
She had glossed over things last night, but she had no doubt Duncan would soon demand to know everything.
Laken pulled the roast chicken out of the oven, leaving it on the bench to rest for a while. A knock on her door had her frowning. She wasn’t expecting Duncan for another twenty minutes.
Wiping her hands on a towel, she moved over to the door and peered through the peephole. Moving back, she unlocked the door and pulled it open.
“Saxon?”
He smiled and held out a plate with a large slice of delicious looking cheesecake.
“Laken,” he greeted her. “You’re looking gorgeous as always.”
She glanced down at her ripped jeans and shirt. They were both designer labels, but had seen better days.
“Thanks,” she replied, brushing her hair back off her face. This was the first time she’d seen Saxon since the club. “How can I help you?”
“I was hoping for your help. Again.” He waggled the plate in his hands. “Cheesecake sample.”
She realized she hadn’t even invited him in. “Please, come in. It looks delicious.”
She shut the door behind him. His gaze took everything in.