Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
I don’t reply. His words feel like needles probing into my skin as tears start to fall down my cheek. I bite my cheek harder, so I don’t tell him to go to hell. My lips stay closed as we push through the hospital doors.
“Just remember, I’m always there for you if you need me. If anyone doesn’t treat you like you deserve…” His words trail off, and my breath hitches.
“What’s going on?” I ask, my brow furrowing. “What are you doing here?’
Gabriel, dressed in a casual pair of jeans and a dark blue polo, pushes off his SUV and takes two steps toward me. Dad stops pushing me and leans forward, whispering in my ear. “I mean it, baby girl, make good choices. And always know I’m here for you.” He stands straight, takes Violet’s hand in his, and begins to walk toward the parking lot. “Fucking asshole,” he grumbles under his breath as he passes Gabriel. Gabriel smiles, waits until my dad and Violet are out of earshot, then sticks out his hand.
“Let’s go, little bird.”
“What do you mean? What’s going on?” My brain stutters as I take him in, every glorious inch of him. Is my mind playing tricks on me? Is he really here? For me? I struggle to inhale, exhale—anything—until he explains what’s going on.
“It’s exactly what it looks like. I’m taking you back to your cage.”
My eyes widen. “Wait—what do you mean? What about my dad?”
He doesn’t wait for me to stand and scoops me into his arms. “Let’s just say if I ever go missing, no one is to come looking for me.” I draw in a quick breath, and Gabriel freezes mid-step. “Are you okay? Are you sore? Should we go back in and have a doctor check you out?”
“No. Jesus, no, don’t take me back in there. Gabriel, what happened?”
He laughs, holding me with one strong hand while opening the passenger door. “I’ve officially turned in my Dom card and have submitted to not just one, but two people, for the first time in my life.”
I wait for him to continue, not understanding what he’s getting at. He laughs again, settling me in the seat and buckling me in. He pauses and looks up at me, suddenly completely serious and sincere. “I got down on my knees and bowed down to a man and begged to have his daughter. I told him I was in love with her and would spend every second of my life, making sure she felt that love and security. I told him I would probably never let her out of my sight, and she would most likely feel smothered and leave me in the end anyway, but until that day came, I’d cherish every single second of her.”
My tears are wild, falling in waves. “And what did my dad say?”
“He threatened my life in the most creative ways, then he called me an asshole and gave me his blessing…in not so many words.”
Hope blooms inside my chest. Is this real? I can’t keep up with the tears. Gabriel lifts his hand to wipe at my cheek. “And who is the second person you submitted to?” I ask.
He leans forward gently and softly kisses my lips. “This little blunt spitfire of a woman. I plan on clipping her wings so she can never fly away from me. Then I’m going to get down on my knees and let her know just how much I’m in love with her. If she still loves me and still wants me, she has me. If it takes giving up control just to have her, I’ll tell her it’s already hers. I’d kneel for a lifetime just to have her.”
“Oh, Gabriel.” I wrap my arms around his neck, probably choking him. “I do. I always will.” He finds my eager mouth and grants me his lips. It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I’ve felt him against me. “So, what happens now?” I ask. I must be a glutton for punishment. Any time I’ve asked this question, it’s brought me nothing but pain.
“Right now, I take you home and devour every inch of you until you remember who you belong to—who owns you, who you own. As for the not-so-immediate future, that’s for us to decide together.”
I can’t kiss him fast enough. Hard enough. Passionately enough. There’s no possible way to show him just how much he owns me. And knowing this is real, when we get home, I’ll show him even villains get their happily ever afters.
My lips spread into a mischievous smile against his. “Well, let’s get to it. Time’s a tickin’, and I don’t take kindly to tardiness.”
Hazel
Standing in our dorm doorway one last time, I stare at the empty room before I grab the final box and head out. It’s bittersweet in a way to say goodbye, but I’m ready for the new chapter.