Page 24 of Daddy's Naughty Bartender
"It sounds simple when you say it."
"It is simple. We make it complicated with fear and past hurts and what-ifs." He tilts my chin up. "What if we just let it be simple? What if we trust the pull between us and see where it leads?"
"What if it leads nowhere?"
"What if it leads everywhere?"
I stare into those storm-gray eyes and see my future. See morning coffee and shared silences and someone who'll stand between me and the world when I need shelter. See myself soft and cherished and held… and dominated and spanked and satisfied.
"I'm scared," I admit.
"I know." He cups my face, thumbs stroking my cheeks. "Be scared. But be brave too. Be with me."
"I don't know how to do this."
"Sure you do." His forehead touches mine. "You've been doing it all week. Every time you let me help. Every time you trust me with your truth. Every time you choose to show up instead of run."
"Kiss me."
"Not yet." His denial makes me whimper. "When I kiss you, really kiss you, I want you to be sure. I want you to know what you're choosing."
"I'm choosing you."
"Are you?" He pulls back to study my face. "Because I don't do casual, Karen. I don't do halfway. If we do this, I'm all in. Possessive, protective, probably too intense. I'll push you.Challenge you. Punish you. Demand your honesty even when it's hard."
"And in return?"
"In return, I'll cherish you like the gift you are. I'll stand between you and anything that tries to hurt you. I'll see your submission as sacred, your trust as precious. I'll make you feel safe enough to be soft, strong enough to let go, loved enough to believe you deserve it all."
"Jason..." My voice breaks.
"Tell me yes." His hands frame my face. "Tell me you'll try. Tell me you'll trust me enough to see where this goes."
"Yes."
The word hangs between us, heavy with promise. His eyes close briefly, and when they open, something has shifted. Settled. Decided.
"My good, brave girl." He presses a kiss to my forehead. "My beautiful, trusting girl."
"Now will you kiss me properly?"
His laugh rumbles through his chest. "Demanding."
"Maybe."
"Definitely." But he's leaning down, finally, finally?—
"Mr. Schaeffer? I'm sorry to interrupt."
We break apart to find the server looking apologetic. "There's a phone call. They said it was urgent."
Jason's expression darkens. "My apologies," he murmurs to me before following the server.
I sink into my chair, heart racing, lips tingling from a kiss that hasn't quite happened. My phone buzzes.
Susie: How's it going???
Me: I think I just agreed to be his girlfriend. Or his submissive. Possibly both.
