"It'll be fine. I'll see you then."
At one o'clock on the dot, Annie was in the lobby waiting for Kate as she finished a phone call with a client. Once she was ready, they headed to the Avenues Mall, which was just down the road from the office.
After trying on several outfits, Annie decided on a short black dress with a low-cut neckline. A little royal-blue sequined jacket finished it off perfectly.
"Black heels, and you're all set. Do you have a little black purse? If you don't, I have one you can borrow," Kate said, nodding in approval.
"I do have one, but thanks for the offer. Now, we'd better grab some salads and head back to the office."
"What about jewelry?" Kate asked as they ate their lunch.
"I have some that will work. Wow, look at the time. It's a good thing I clocked us both out for a long lunch. Jennifer said she'd fill in for you until we get back, so you don't have to worry. Since it's not tax season, long lunches aren't usually a problem."
"I appreciate you taking care of that. This has been fun."
"Yes, it has," Annie agreed.
The rest of the week flew by, while Annie tried to concentrate on work instead of her date with her husband. Thoughts of his hands caressing her body invaded her mind at the most inopportune moments. She shook her head to clear her mind, but she soon found that nearly impossible to do as she pictured his dark hair, his muscular frame and his sexy voice. And when thoughts of his piercing, midnight blue eyes crept into her thoughts, she just about lost it completely.
On Friday evening, she was just settling down to watch a movie when the doorbell rang. She figured it must be either Angela or Dane, so she jumped up and sprinted to the door. But when she opened the door, her smile faded quickly. "Russ… what are you doing here? How did you know where I live?"
"I told you, I have my ways, babe. Aren't you going to ask me to come in?"
"What do you want? I don't think it's a good idea for you to be here."
"Is he here?"
"No, not at the moment, but you shouldn't be here, Russ."
"I'd like to talk to you before I leave town, Annie. Please, let me in. I promise I'll only stay long enough to say what I came to say."
She sighed and stepped aside to let him enter. She led him into the living room and offered him a chair. She then sat on the sofa and said, "Say what you came to say."
"Babe, I've been thinking a lot since I came back to town. I came back to see if you were happy, to see if there was a chance I could persuade you to leave what's-his-name. You've made it pretty clear you want no part of me. I can't say as I blame you. I did treat you pretty badly all those years ago. I saw you leave the bar with him that night a few weeks ago, so I'm assuming you're not getting a divorce now."
"No, we're not getting a divorce," she replied softly.
Russ hung his head. When he looked up, he said, "I'm leaving town in the morning. This visit is my last-ditch effort to get you to leave with me."
Annie shook her head. "I would have given my eye teeth for you to have said that all those years ago, Russ. I'll admit that. But I can't—I won't—go with you."
"And if I told you I was willing to settle down, do the whole nine-to-five, marriage, kids, white picket fence gig, would it make a difference?"
"Are you ready, Russ?" Annie asked in surprise.
"For you, yes, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I wasn't ready back then, but after seeing you again, I realize what I gave up."
Annie shook her head again. "I'm sorry, Russ. I love my husband. I guess you and I just weren't meant to be. You need to find someone else to do all those things with. I wish you the best, and I hope someday you'll find that special person."
"I figured that would be your answer, but I had to know. I couldn't leave town without asking. Good luck, Annie, I hope you and the lucky bastard you married have many years of happiness. I really do mean that."
"Thank you, Russ, we're working on that."
"If he ever does you wrong, call me. You have my number, unless you deleted it after I called you. I won't change it, just in case."
She smiled. "Russ, I wish you the best of luck. I hope you find your true love. It isn't me."
He stood up, and so did she. As she started to walk him out, he stopped her, and as he leaned over, he kissed the top of her head. "Take care, Annie; you don't have to walk me out."
"Goodbye, Russ."
"Goodbye, sweet thing." And he was gone.
Closure, after all these years, finally.
Chapter 6
Annie sat on the couch and took a deep breath. Years ago, she would have been dancing around the room had Russ said those words to her. Now, it didn't matter at all. She knew exactly what she wanted. And tomorrow night, she would have Dane—her husband, her lover and now, her Dom—back, come hell or high water.
She got ready for bed soon after that. Once she was settled under the blankets, she picked up her cell and typed out a text message to Dane.
Tomorrow night…
When she heard the ping on her phone signifying a reply, she smiled as she read his words, I love you, Mrs. Daring, sleep tight.
Annie slept late the next morning, allowing herself the luxury of lounging in bed. When she finally got up, she had a leisurely breakfast of toast, juice and coffee, before cleaning the house. She wanted everything to be perfect for Dane's return, and it was high time she took care of the duties she'd neglected in his absence. She was certain that after tonight, her husband would be back home, where he belonged, in her life, and in her bed. At least, she hoped he would be.
As the afternoon wore on, she began to get more nervous about the night ahead. She worked on her lists and went over in her mind the things she wanted to say to Dane. She felt a knot forming in the pit of her stomach. By the time she stepped into the bathtub of lavender bubbles she'd prepared in an effort to calm her nerves, her hands were shaking.
Annie, for heaven's sake, calm down. This is Dane, your husband, the man who loves you, the man you love. It's all going to be okay.
She sank into the warm, bubbly water, forcing herself to relax as she lay back and closed her eyes. By the time her bath was finished, her nerves had calmed enough for her to get ready for her night with Dane. She had enjoyed a glass of her favorite wine while in the tub, too, so she was in a much better frame of mind as she started to get ready.
After dressing with care, Annie brushed her long red hair, deciding to wear it up. As she put her diamond studs in her ears, she nodded in approval as her reflection smiled back at her in the mirror. The diamond heart pendant that had been a gift from Dane last Christmas hung around her neck on a delicate gold chain.
When the doorbell finally rang a short time later, she glanced at the dainty gold watch on her wrist, also a gift from her husband. Right on time, she thought as she grabbed her jacket and purse and went to let him in.
"You could have used your key. This is your house, you know," she teased as she breathlessly answered the door.
"And miss seeing you out of breath, panting for me?" he replied with a wickedly sexy grin.
"Devil," she said as he stepped inside and helped her into her jacket.
He took her hand as they walked to his car. She was grateful he'd driven his SUV instead of Dax's truck. She wasn't sure she'd have been able to climb into the truck in her new dress.
"You look hot, " he said as he buckled his seat belt. "I like the new dress."
"Thank you, you don't look too shabby yourself, Dane," she replied with a smile. She allowed her gaze to scan his body. In khakis and a forest-green shirt, she had to admit, he looked good. Green had always been a good color for him. The striped tie matched his shirt perfectly, too. Either he'd also gone shopping or he'd borrowed the shirt and tie from his brother, because she hadn't seen either of them before tonight. His soft brown leather jacket was the perfect addition. It was fall in northern Florida, and the nights were starting to get a little cooler.
He drove to St. Augu
stine and parked in one of the parking lots in the historic district. As they strolled hand-in-hand down the streets of the popular area, he said, "The seafood restaurant you always liked so well okay with you?"
"Perfect," she replied, not really caring where they ate as long as they were together.
He'd made reservations, so they didn't have to wait long before being shown to a corner table. Dane ordered a bottle of white wine, and after the waiter had poured it, he took a sip before holding his glass up in a toast. "To our new beginning," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Yes, to us," she agreed.
The dinner was delicious, the wine perfect, and the conversation stimulating. As they waited for dessert, he said, "Annie, we need to talk."
"Yes, Dane, we do."
"I want you to make a list of all the things you'd change about me if you could. I'll do the same for you, right here, right now."
She looked at him in surprise and replied, "Okay, I think I have paper and pens in my bag. I always carry a small notebook with me. I've already made my other three lists." She tore a page from the notebook for each of them, handing one to him with a pen.
They each sat for several minutes. Finally, she said, "Do you want to read what I wrote now?"
"Okay, you go first. Hand me the paper." He took it from her and carefully opened it. He looked at it for a minute and didn't say anything. When he looked up, he grinned. "Annie, did you understand your task?"
"I understood it perfectly, Dane. The things I'd change about you are on the paper."
"Did you use invisible ink?" he teased.
The waiter brought their dessert, so the conversation ended until the man had walked away. Annie took a bite of cheesecake. "This is heavenly. Try it, Dane."
He looked at her with a grin and took a bite. "Now, Annie, explain, please."
She looked at him for a long moment before replying. "Dane, there's not one thing I'd change about you. You're perfect just the way you are."
"But all the arguments, baby, there was plenty you were annoyed at me about."
She shook her head. "Dane, I decided the night we had that last terrible argument that I was wrong. Like I've told you before, I had every intention of telling you that and making it up to you the next morning. When I got up and found your note, I was devastated. And when you were so cold to me and wouldn't talk to me after that—"
"Oh, baby, I was so sure you weren't happy with me. I just knew you were harboring leftover feelings for you-know-who. I thought it was time for me to go. Time to let you make a decision, once and for all, and I was so sure you weren't going to choose me."
"That's probably my fault. I didn't give you much reason to think otherwise. It was never about Russ, please believe me. I let the everyday world get in the way. I was too stressed out about minor things that, in the grand scheme of things, don't really matter. I know that now."
"And I did the same. I wasn't the best husband at that time. I had a lot going on at work, and when I was at home, with you, I let the pressures of work get in the way of our happiness. I'm so sorry, baby. I never wanted to hurt you."
"Whether or not you pick up your clothes or your socks isn't important. I was putting too much pressure on both of us for everything in our lives to be organized and perfect."
"And I was so wrung out by the weekend that I didn't want to go anywhere. We both let the outside world get in the way of our private time together."
"I've missed you so much these past few months, Dane. I've even missed your dirty socks lying on the bedroom floor," she said with a giggle.
"I can throw my socks on the bedroom floor for you when we get home, if it'll help," he said, chuckling.
"When we get home—that has a nice ring to it," she said.
"Do you want to see what I wrote down?"
Abruptly coming back to reality, she said hesitantly, "Sure, I guess so; fair is fair. What would you change about me, Dane?"
He grinned as he handed her the folded piece of paper in his hand.
She took it from him and slowly unfolded it, the knot in the pit of her stomach growing larger. As she looked at the paper in front of her, she laughed. "So this is what you'd change about me?"
"You got it, baby, absolutely nothing. I love you just the way you are."
After she threw the blank piece of paper on the table, she took his hand. "Finish your cheesecake, or, better yet, let's get to-go boxes. I want to go home, Dane."
"No dancing?"
"We can dance, but I want to do it in the privacy of our bedroom, at home."
Dane signaled the waiter. "To-go boxes and the check, please," he said when the man returned to their table.
"Right away, sir," the man said, winking at Dane.
As they walked outside, Annie shivered.
"Cold?" he asked as he put his arm around her.
"No, I'm not cold, Dane," she replied with a devilish grin.
"Oh, baby, I know that look. I remember it well. I'll admit I didn't see it often those last few months we were together, but I'm seeing it now. And I know just what to do about it."
She looked up at the sky and said, "Oh, look at the moon. It's beautiful tonight."
"Yes, it is, but not half as beautiful as you. Let's go home."
"I love the way you say home," she replied with a smile.
When they arrived at the house, he hung his jacket in the closet. She went into the bedroom to change, and he followed.
"Annie, where are the divorce papers? Do you still have them?"
She froze. "Why do you want them, Dane?"
"You'll see."
"They're in the desk in the den."
He returned a few minutes later with the papers in his hand. "Follow me."
She tied the belt of her satin robe tightly around her waist and did as she was told. When she walked into the den, Dane was standing next to fireplace where he'd lit a fire.
"Want to have a little ceremony?" He threw the papers into the fire and watched as they disappeared in the flames.
"Oh, Dane, does this mean it's really, finally over? No divorce?"
"I called the attorney's office last week and told them it was off."
"There is something you should know. Let's sit down," she said as she pointed to the sofa.
"What is it, baby?" he asked as he took her hand.
"I had a visitor last night. It was Russ."
Dane bristled at the mention of the other man's name. "What did he want?"
"He saw us leave together that night at Eclipse and asked if we were back together. I told him yes. Then, he said he was here as a last-ditch effort to get me to leave town with him. He said he was ready to settle down and start a family."
"And?"
"Of course, I told him no. I told him I hoped he found someone special to do that with, but I wasn't that woman. He wished me well and said goodbye."
"I wanted tonight to be special. And we needed to have the conversation we had earlier. I also needed to hear what you just told me, that you have truly chosen me."
She fell into his arms. "Dane, I love you. Please, don't ever leave me again. If we have a problem, we'll work it out. I don't ever want to go to bed angry, ever again."
"And we never will. I love you, Annie Daring." He kissed her before he scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom.
Once they were there, Dane gently placed her on the bed and then joined her. He kissed her soundly.
She started to say something, and he silenced her with a finger to her lips, then he said, "Tonight, we get to know each other all over again. Tomorrow, we will go over our lists and set down our guidelines. I'm back, and that's all that matters for now."
Annie smiled up at him. "That suits me just fine. And even though I said I wouldn't change a thing, I do agree with you that we need those guidelines in our marriage. I only wish you'd asserted your dominance earlier."
"Really?" he asked. "Wow, I'm luckier than I thought. You are perfect
, my sweet Annie. I guess for once my little bro was right. Who would have guessed?"
"I don't think we should tell him, though."
Dane laughed at that.
"So, is Dax a Dom, too?" she asked.
"Why do you ask?" Dane answered as he caressed her face.
"No reason, really. You do know that Angela is mad for him, right?"
"I had wondered."
"I'm not sure she would be if she knew he was a Dom. She's pretty headstrong, you know."
"And very impetuous. If she and my brother were ever to actually get together, it would be interesting to say the least."
"But Dax isn't into relationships, so we don't have to worry about it. I think we'd just pop some popcorn and sit back to watch the fireworks if that ever changed."
Dane threw his head back and guffawed at that comment. "Oh, baby girl, you are so right there. Ang wouldn't be sitting comfortably ever, I'm afraid."
"Has he ever said anything about her to you?"
"I'm going to answer this question, and then it's all about you and me for the rest of the night. Yes, he has. He thinks she's cute. He likes her more than he cares to admit. He has said that she isn't his type, however. I don't know if my brother will ever be into more than casual arrangements or club scenes. I wish he could find someone to complete his life as I have in you, but maybe it isn't in the cards for him. Now, can we forget about them and concentrate on us before you are the one who isn't sitting comfortably? "
"Yes. I'm sorry. I just want everyone to be happy like we will be now that we've been given our second chance to get it right."
"I understand. I love you for that. You always think of others, but right now I want you to concentrate on one person and one person only—your husband."
"Yes, Sir," she replied meekly.
"Ah, that's more like it."
Like the good submissive that she was, or was trying to be, Annie was quiet after that. She let Dane take control, allowing herself to fully place herself in his hands—his very capable mechanic's hands. If they were going to do this D/s thing, she wanted to do it right. She was eager to learn from Dane, to see if all the things she had read about the lifestyle were true. She already knew spanking apparently turned her on.
The Daring Doms Page 7