Page 187 of Unexpected Hero

Yet she’ll still be with me, which is more than I ever dared to wish for. She’s more than I deserve on every level.

But that doesn’t stop me from craving her, down to my marrow.

Resting my back against the wall, I let her performance pour over me.

Up there, she’s in her element, confidence seeping from her soul.

This song is another one I don’t recognize, but hell if I care.

Our eyes connect at one point. A smile ambushes her face, catching her off guard and causing her to stumble over the lyrics for a moment before composing herself.

Like a spreading warmth, satisfaction sets deep in my bones at knowing my appearance affects her — in a good way. I brought her joy for that moment. Me. Because I’m here.

I didn’t have to save her from the enemy. There was no system to hack. No secret mission or code to crack. I didn’t have to use my brains, military training, or powerful connections. Hell, I didn’t even have to be her Dom to please her.

All I had to do was look at her. To show up for her.

My head falls back against the wall, and my mouth opens to let a trembling gasp escape.

No one has ever looked at me the way she does.

For the first time, I understand the soul-fulfilling satisfaction that most people probably take for granted. The bliss from knowing someone craves your presence the way you crave theirs. Someone wants you by their side. And who’s happy — genuinely happy — to see you.

Such a simple thing. And until now, I didn’t know I was lacking it. But I have been. My entire life.

My shirt feels tight as if my chest has swollen to accommodate my jackhammering heart.

As the song goes on, it becomes more familiar. Elton John’s “Someone Saved My Life Tonight.” I heard her sing it before. In the hotel room on the day she arrived in Florida. The first time she enchanted me with her voice.

One lyric, in particular, stands out above the rest — Sugar Bear. Each time she sings that part, her gaze burns into mine, a dawning of realization. My endearment for her is immortalized in a song.

Is that why the nickname came so naturally to me? I don’t know.

Each time we connect over the crowd at that part of the chorus, the corner of her lip tugs upward as if she’s telegraphing… yeah, we have a song of our own now.

When the sensations running through my midsection overwhelm me, I scan the crowd. No one, except a few subs servicing their Doms, takes their eyes off the stage.

Nobody speaks. No wonder the club is this fucking busy. Everyone came to see her.

And I missed this over the last two weeks.

Her voice and stage presence aside, she’s a sultry vision. Has she always dressed up in fetish wear when she sings? Where the fuck did this confidence come from?

Each time I pick her up after work, she wears normal clothes. Mostly those dick-hardening sundresses, skirts, and blouses. But sometimes jeans and casual wear.

I’ve never seen her dolled up like this.

If she’s willing to wear this shit here, I wonder what she’d be willing to wear for me in private.

I can’t fucking wait to find out.

Before I lose her, I’m going to make every moment with her count.

Starting tonight.

Chapter 37

Open up and say ahh

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