by Renee Burke
The first three were of them together. Her bound, held tight to a padded bench, her head down but uncovered. Another of her bound to a St. Andrew’s cross, clad in the Grecian dress she’d worn the night she ran out into the rain, a loose hood in place over her face. The last was of her spread with a bar between her ankles, her arms tethered to the ceiling with rope and a gag over her mouth.
She remembered each time, but she wasn’t the focus of the pictures. For the first time, she had a clear view of Derek’s face when they were together. She wasn’t always wearing a hood, but she was usually turned away from his body. Now with the pictures, she could see the intensity there. He looked at her with tenderness. She was breathless as she looked at the three images. It was the same look she had seen from him during the days after the accident. He looked at her with affection, not emptiness. His body didn’t seem to be searching for completion but connection. He leaned into her, kissed her shoulder in one of the shots and caressed her back in another. Even when she was unable to see him, he saw her completely. She couldn’t stand to think he was imagining his wife. Could he have appreciated that it was her in the room with him?
The next item wasn’t a photo but a card with Derek’s handwriting.
I always knew it was you. Even before I was ready to move on, you were the one I knew I would be moving to. I’m ready now if you’ll still have me. Please don’t make me wait much longer. You know where to find me, Derek
The last photo fell, and Sara picked it up. Her breath caught as she saw Derek alone in the basement, bound and shirtless. Waiting. She was out the door and driving within minutes.
No one was around as Sara entered the house. It was different. The formerly masculine space held new touches, warmer, friendlier, more like her home. Her heartbeat sped up as she went down the steps to the basement. She pressed her hand against the cool wooden door and peered inside. Derek kneeled on the dark wood floor. Hands behind his back, eyes down. She’d done it numerous times but seeing him waiting for her so submissively felt wrong. She wanted him with her whole heart but not this way. She moved closer to help him up.
When she was near enough to touch him, he rose up, lifting one leg to position himself on one knee. “I’m glad you came.”
“I missed you.”
“And you love me. You have for a long time.”
She shrugged and nodded.
“You mean more to me than I’ve ever said, Sara.”
Her heart stuttered as he spoke. She’d hoped he might have cared, been able to move on from his wife, but she hadn’t let her heart hope for more.
“Before I ever touched you the first time, I knew you were special. I’ve know you inside and out for over a year. The warm, caring woman that hides behind the analytical mind of an accountant. Only when I got you down here to play did you let go and show me the passionate creature that could fill the void in my life.”
She held her breath as she watched him pull his hands around to touch hers. He pulled a box from his pocket and opened it for her to see. It held a ring with a diamond that sparkled with the same clarity she felt every time he touched her.
“Oh.”
“Will you fill that void?”
She looked into his eyes, afraid of breaking the moment but needing to know. “Is it me or are you doing this because of the baby?”
He swallowed and grabbed her hand with his free one. “I knew the moment I asked you to leave that this was never going to end. I came after you that night to bring you home and planned to ask you to stay.”
“Only I didn’t know you.”
He smiled. “You really know how to humble a man.”
She smiled back at him. “I could never forget you for long.”
“I want the baby but you’re giving me him either way. I want to marry you because I love you.”
She leaned down to kiss him. “Or her.”
He nodded. “God help me.” He held her for a longer kiss. “Now, will you marry me?”
She smiled with tears in her eyes. “Yes.” He pulled her close to kiss her again. “But we have to talk.”
He slipped the ring on her finger. “Of course. What about?”
She kissed his neck and ran her hands down his bare chest, touching him in all the ways she was rarely allowed. “You seem to have come unbound.”
He laughed. “I hope you put that picture somewhere safe because it isn’t a position I plan to take again.”
She laughed and stood back for him to rise. He towered over her and stared into her eyes.
“I’m glad you came for me.”
“I couldn’t stay away.”
He glanced toward the door. “I’ve been making changes since you’ve left, getting ready for you.”
She smiled up at him. “Because you know me.”
He kissed her lips. “Inside and out, babe.”
The End
I hope you enjoyed Sara and Derek’s story. I’d love to hear feedback about the book. Email [email protected] with your thoughts.
Renee
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine