Page 127 of Dr. Bad Boy

I was hoping he’d make me fly, but I bury the twinge of disappointment. Max will take care of me.

Next, I hear the slide of his belt as he pulls it through the loops of his jeans. I love that belt. I love the sharp bite when it connects with my skin. I love the memory of that feeling whenever I see it around Max’s waist—which is often.

He takes his time watching me, and the seconds tick by. The first snap across my upper thighs makes me jolt. Max’s hand pressing against the small of my back was all the warning I get. Warm up is over.

The next strike lands before I get a chance to process the first. All I can focus on is breathing and taking the next stroke.

More land, all over my flesh, and I can't stop myself from eventually drifting.

“Colour, Violet?”

Max’s voice pulls me back from the place I was floating towards and it takes me a second to refocus.

“Green.” I hear my voice slurring, like it has a mind of its own.

“No, kitten, I think we’ve gone far enough.”

“But...”

“I said no.” He lays a blanket over my back and releases my cuffs from the bench before helping me off and lifting me into his arms.

“You didn’t use any of those toys,” I say, pointing as we pass the medical tray.

His chuckle is a deep rumble against my cheek. “Look.” He sweeps the cloth back to reveal an empty tray. “There were no toys.”

Max and his mind fucks.

We don’t go to the sofa for aftercare like we usually do. Instead Max carries me straight up to our room. That rings in my head for a minute. This is the first time I’ve ever really thought of it as ours and not Max’s.

He lays me gently on the bed and climbs on, pulling me into his arms.

“Remember downstairs when I said I can’t promise happiness, but I can promise you love?”

“Yes.” I want to tell him I get it, I really do, but words escape me.

“There’s more.” He takes a long breath. “I can promise to be there for you, no matter what. When it gets shitty and hard, I’ll have your back. And I’ve got broad shoulders, kitten. You can put the weight of the world on my back and I won’t break. I’ll protect you with everything I have. Because I love you more than anything in the world." He rests his hand on my belly. “You’ve got me, and our baby, and we can make more if you want. We’ll make a family together, big or small, and it’ll be perfect. And imperfect, too, and that’ll be exactly what I want. I want it all, and I want it with you.”

49

Violet

Iwakeup in the middle of the night in early January, alone in Max’s bed. Our bed.

We’ve returned to normal in every way, including both being slammed at work, and last night we were both passed out at half past nine. I guess that tripped him up, because it’s four now and he’s probably woken for the day.

I go pee and get a glass of water, then a faint murmur of sound draws me to the living room, where Max is slouched on the sofa, watching a hockey game on the television.

His fist is wrapped around the tiny Canucks jersey I got him for Christmas.

I stop in the doorway for a moment and just watch him, but he senses me and looks over.

“Hey. Sorry, did I wake you?”

I shake my head. “Had to pee.”

He nods and holds out his arm. I join him on the couch and he kisses the top of my head.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

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