Page 145 of Delicious Surrender
“Baby doll. Are you okay?”
“Hmm. I think you took me to heaven, but they’ve sent me back and I’ve just crashed down to earth.”
“Come, let’s get into a hot shower and then I will feed you.”
Brynne sat curled up in front of the fireplace, sipping a cup of tea with a shot of Drambuie. She could not wipe the silly grin off her face. After a decadent steam shower, where Gage tended to her like she was a porcelain doll, he carried her downstairs, dressed her in her purple flannel nighty, and deposited her on the couch, with orders not to move.
He was making a racket in the kitchen, but she stayed put and let him have his way. There was something very satisfying about letting him pamper her. It took a while, but she had finally stopped worrying about giving up control. In surrendering, she found renewed self-confidence, safety, sexual fulfillment, and best of all, love. She was still a brat and enjoyed testing hispatience, and he loved finding new and delicious ways to punish her.
Because of his tyrannical rule over her writing and editing schedule, she finished her revised manuscript in record time. The sizzle factor went up by a thousand degrees when he became her personal BDSM consultant. The cherry on top of her sundae was the three-book deal that her agent, Linda, secured. She was already outlining her second book and couldn’t wait to test some of her theories in the name of research.
Gage returned with a charcuterie tray loaded with her favorite goodies. He took her empty teacup and handed her a plate. His head tilted with a questioning glance. “What’s that dreamy smile all about?”
Brynne looked at him and swallowed a lump in her throat. “Just counting all my blessings. My life hasn’t been the same since I met you. And I still pinch myself to prove that it’s real.”
He leaned across and kissed her gently. “It’s me who is blessed, Brynne. You started by pushing my buttons and somehow broke through my armor.”
She laughed. “I just wish that armor was bulletproof. Seeing you get shot took years off my life.”
“We’re even. Watching you jump overboard almost killed me. Enough talking—you need to eat.”
“Yes sir, Mr. Bossy Pants.”
“I almost forgot. Logan dropped off this letter today for you. He said he found it when they moved some furniture.”
She looked at the envelope from him and burst into tears.“It’s from Josie! I thought it was lost forever. I was supposed to open it eight weeks after the first one.”
She ripped the seal, unfolded the letter, and took a deep breath.
Dear Brynnie,
I must confess something, and it is my deepest hope that you are not upset by what I am about to tell you.
There is a certain handsome, charismatic man moving into the house at the top of the hill, and I may have orchestrated a meet-cute between the two of you. You have undoubtedly heard from him about buying the house. That’s because I gave him the distinct impression that I would sell it to him, even though I had already given it to you. He can be rather intimidating, but kind too. So, don’t give in too easily. Men like a challenge.
The conditions of your inheritance were meant to wake you up to certain possibilities, so you wouldn’t end up like me. Stubborn and alone. I hereby retract those conditions effective September 30 of this year.
Life is short. My wish is that you seize every opportunity to spread your wings, Live life juicy, and have no regrets when your time eventually comes.
I love you, my dearest.
Josie
xoxo
Brynne grinned at the handsome and charismatic man next to her and handed the letter to him. “It seems we’re part of an elaborate ruse. Josie had no idea that you and I met in London, but she choreographed our meeting in Skye, from the greatbeyond.”
“That sneaky little devil!” Gage laughed. “I’m impressed. But how did she know I’m dominant?”
“Seriously? Do you not realize it oozes out of your pores? If I met you anywhere outside of the club, I still would have known in a heartbeat.”
He chuckled. “I suppose there’s some truth to that. But compared to Aaron, I’m a pussycat. And Cole is the least scary of the three of us.”
“When was the last time you guys got together?”
“It’s been too long. But Aaron and Cole have promised to come to New York for your American book launch. And I’m looking forward to taking you to Lucifer’s Eden.”
Her eyes widened. “That sounds wonderful and terrifying.”
Pulling her into his lap, he said, “Your education is far from over, Red. I look forward to expanding your horizons, but I will never compromise your safety.”
She leaned in to kiss him. “I trust you with my life, Mags. I learned to trust you with my heart. But the true test was to trust you with my ass.”
He grinned, and her heart melted.
“Your trust is the ultimate gift, Brynne. With it, you restored my irredeemable soul.”
THE END