Page 19 of Destined By Dragonblood
The dog walkers had gone around a corner, and the neighbor shut himself back behind his front door. No puffed white exhale rose from someone in shadow. Not even a breeze traveled down the empty road stirring leafless branches from the few trees alongside the street.
I opened my car door and stood tall, actively scanning with a lifted chin and shoulders back.
Stillness and a sense of solitude surrounded me.
Turning, I examined the front of Ashley’s condo, the dim light atop the stoop, the curtained-off windows, and the darkness beyond. Other units were pressed up on either side of hers: two on one, three on the other. I strode up her sidewalk, retrieved the dropped bag of trash, and took it to the sidewalk like her neighbors.
No unease made my hair stand on end, but I remained vigilant, looking into every dark shadow lining the street. Still not seeing anything unusual, I returned to Ashley’s door and knocked.
“Who is it?” Muffled through the door, Ashley’s voice shook.
“It’s me, Ash—Vanni.”
Two locks disengaged before the door creaked open a few inches.
Pale, eyes wide, Ashley peered at me through the crack. A rushed exhale left her, and she yanked open the door, huddling behind it.
I quickly stepped over the threshold and carefully pulled the door away from her and locked us in.
She hugged herself, her shoulders hunched beneath a purple pajama top made of flannel.
Hands fisted at my sides, I fought off the need to grab her in my arms and hug her unease away. “You okay?”
A harsh swallow sounded before a keening noise rose from her caved-in chest.
“Ash.” My voice broke, and I held out my hand. “Can I…”
Ashley threw herself at me, fingers grasping at my coat. She buried her face in my chest, and I gently wrapped my arms around her, eyes closing and heart racing as a sense of rightness flooded through me. Ashley fit perfectly against me, fulfilled the part of me that longed to have someone to hold. “I’ve got you, baby girl. You’re safe now.” My voice rumbled low and soothing, full of promise and firm in confidence.
Sobs ripped from her as I clutched her close without touching her skin, her petite body shuddering along my front.
I’d heard her cry every time she’d been tied up and beneath my flogger, and same as then, the soft scent of vanilla swarmed my senses and dizzied my brain, tempting me to run my fingertips over her throat and into her hair. Bury my face against the satiny strands and breathe her deep into my lungs where that piece of her wouldn’t be able to escape me.
No doubt, I was gone on the woman, and that truth turned my stomach to a rock no matter how much I secretly longed for true love and a sense of belonging.
Ashley had major issues, and not being able to fuck her, watch my dick disappear down her throat, or mark her skin with my cum, stung like a thousand hornets attacking at once. She was untouchable in every sexual manner except for receiving pain—and even then, I couldn’t use my palms or fingers.
But maybe moving forward we could be more vulnerable with each other. Perhaps grow together and learn how to lower our walls. Doctor Hasslet had assured me healing could be found, but I had to want it.
Ashley created that yearning inside me, and I would be a fool to ignore the draw.
But first, we needed to take care of the matters at hand.
“What do you need from me, Ashley?” I asked once her cries faded to sniffles and I expected she could speak clearly.
“I—I don’t know, Master.”
“It’s Vanni right now,” I reminded her, rubbing my palms over the softness of her long-sleeve shirt, wishing I caressed her skin beneath.
She inhaled deeply before stepping away from me and wiping her eyes.
The front of me went cold, and I forced my arms to my sides, hands fisting to ward off the temptation to pull her back where she belonged. “I would invite you to spend the evening at my penthouse, but I think you’ll be more comfortable here with me on your couch rather than in an unfamiliar place. It’s your decision, but either way, I’m not leaving your side tonight.”
Nibbling her lower lip, she nodded. “Thank you. I’d rather stay here if you’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” I glanced through the entryway into the living room and the wide couch she’d been hiding behind. “We could sit and talk for a while?” I suggested.
Ashley emptied her lungs with a strong exhale. “I should probably call my therapist.”
