Page 140 of Always

I cup her cheek, then, running my thumb over her top lip.

I’m on a journey as well. It takes time. A lot of steps. A lot of rocks to climb, bridges to cross.

Perhaps it will be slightly less difficult to have someone beside me.

“I won’t give you up,” she says. “You’ll protect me. And I’ll protect you. That’s how it is when you love someone. We both have an equal obligation to each other.” She covers my hand with hers.

What seems like an eternity passes between us, our gazes locked.

How is it possible to love someone more each moment you’re in her presence?

Finally, I smile. It’s weak, but it’s a smile. “I’ll never truly control you, will I?”

She moves forward and brushes her lips against my cheek. “Braden, did you ever honestly believe you would?”

Chapter Fifty-Two

Black Rose Underground. My private suite.

Skye wears only platform stilettos and black-and-red lace panties.

“Lie down on the table,” I say darkly.

A black sheet sits on top of the leather table. I’ve prepared for something. Her nipples are hard.

I flash back to the last time we were in this room—that horrid evening when we almost ended for good because of something she wanted. Something I can never give her.

This lifestyle means as much—perhaps more—to me as it always has.

What it means to Skye has changed, though. Play is play.

It’s not punishment for anything she did in the past.

If I punish her, it’s because she disobeys me during play. And part of her loves to be disobedient.

She lies down as commanded, my diamond choker around her neck—a symbol of who she belongs to when she’s here.

“Hold this.” I place a black leather flogger next to her hip.

She grasps it in her hand, her body shivering.

I proceed slowly, despite the fact that I know she’s excited to move forward. “I’m not going to bind you tonight,” I say. “You have only your obedience to me in this room to hold yourself still as I do what I do. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she says.

“I’ve never given you a safe word. I give you one now.”

“Okay, but I don’t think I’ll need it.”

“Just in case,” I say. “Your safe word is ‘always.’ Because you’re mine. Always.”

“Always,” she repeats softly. “And you’re mine. Always.”

“I am. I never thought I’d want to belong to another person, but I’m yours. Always.”

She smiles, and she reaches forward—

I grab the flogger from her and whip her hand away.

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