Page 24 of Power Play

“You were fantastic,” he whispered as he released her wrists.

“I need you,” she whispered, turning in his arms. Her eyes were a bit unfocused. Had he taken the scene too far? He didn’t think so.

Dane wrapped the blanket around her and lifted her into his arms. He walked into the aftercare area. He didn’t want to leave her while he cleaned up, but someone else had reserved the area.

He glanced over his shoulder to see Max and Colby cleaning up the cross and equipment. Max waved, and Dane nodded and sat down, cradling Regina on his lap. Someone had placed a box of tissues next to the sofa. He grabbed a couple.

“How are you doing?” Dane gently wiped away her tears. She’d needed a release, and he was glad he could provide it.

“I’m fine.” She snuggled against him.

For a woman who generally didn’t like aftercare, she plastered herself to him. Dane grinned. He was the one who had broken Regina’s mold, allowing her to be herself. He’d shown her what it meant to be a submissive with the right Dom. He held her close and let her come down from her high. His plan was to take her home with him and keep her in his bed tonight and all day tomorrow.

“Thirsty,” she whispered.

Of course she was. Damn it, Dane glanced around. It took him a minute to remember the name of the woman standing nearby. “Tessa, could I ask you to get some juice for Regina, please.”

“Yes, Sir.” She jogged off and returned with a bottle of grape juice. “Her favorite.”

“Thank you.” He twisted off the lid and held it to her lips, expecting her to take it from him, but she didn’t. She allowed him to tip the bottle so she could drink from it. An incredible wave of love swept over him.

“I didn’t expect the warming gel,” she remarked. She continued to rest her head on his shoulder, but her eyes were clear and bright now.

“I thought I’d bring something different to the table. How are you feeling?” He hid a smile. The warming gel had been a last minute idea to help her release control.

“Good. Better than I ever have before.”

“You didn’t go into subspace, but you did cry.”

“I didn’t need subspace. You helped me release those emotions without having to go so deep. No one has ever been able to do that before.”

A sense of power came over him, but he pushed it away. This wasn’t about power; it was about giving her what she needed. “I’m honored.”

Her hand slipped from the blanket, and she skimmed her fingers over his jaw. “I meant what I said. I need you.”

His heart pounded. “We’re in the club.” She had to know Max had a no-sex rule.

“Let’s go home.”

Her use of the word home made his insides got to mush. “There’s nothing I want to do more.”

Epilogue

Regina wandered around the club, taking in scenes, but missing Dane. It was funny how quickly he’d become important to her. He’d been stuck in Chicago for a week now. He’d left last Friday to go to his brother’s engagement party, but there had been a problem with his Chicago gallery, and he’d stayed to fix it.

She’d talked to him earlier today. He told her he was hoping to make it back by Sunday. She sighed as she walked into the green area. Regina missed Dane something awful, but he called her every day, and Regina had made peace with her abandonment issues. Dane was coming back to Pleasant Valley.

“Missing Dane?” Sierra asked.

“Yes.” She touched her wristband. Max had handed her a purple and white one when she came in tonight. A change in her designation. Had Dane called him? Probably. Max wasn’t one to do things like that without good cause.

“I’m so glad you found someone, Regina. You’re always thinking of others. It’s time for you to think about you.”

“Part of my makeup. I like taking care of others.”

“I know. Look, this maybe a little out of line, but we’re friends.” Sierra paused. “There’s new private clinic opening in town, and they’re looking for nurses. Have you thought about putting your application in?”

“Funny you should say that.” Regina smiled. “I saw the sign, and I’ve already put my application in.” She’d talked with Dane about it, and he told her to do it. She was getting burned out at the hospital, and she needed something new, a job that wouldn’t require massive overtime and leave her so tired she wanted nothing more than to sleep.

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