Page 28 of Strength in Submission
"Are you okay?" I ask, searching her face.
She gives me a lazy, satisfied smile. "Better than okay. That was... wow."
Relief and pride surge through me. I gather her into my arms, pulling the covers over us both. She nestles against my chest, her breathing slowly returning to normal.
"Was it what you expected?" I ask, stroking her hair.
"It was better," she admits. "I didn't know it could be like that."
"Like what?"
She looks up at me, eyes soft but serious. "Like I could surrender control but still feel... powerful. Like giving up choice could be a choice itself."
I press a kiss to her forehead, understanding exactly what she means. "That's what a good D/s relationship is all about," I tell her. "Trust. Communication. Mutual pleasure."
"Is that what we have?" she asks quietly. "A relationship?"
The question drifts between us for a few moments. I think about all the ways this could be complicated—her being Ashley's best friend, her ex potentially still a threat, the club business that could put her in danger.
But, none of it matters when I look at her.
"Yes," I say firmly. "If that's what you want."
"It is," she whispers. "I want you, Santiago. All of you—the lawyer, the biker, the dom. Everything."
I never thought I'd be so happy to hear her words. I pull her closer, dropping another kiss on the top of her head.
"Then I'm yours," I promise. "And you're mine."
The room falls quiet as her body is plastered against mine, soft and warm. Just as I think she might be drifting off to sleep, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. I reach for it, checking the screen.
It's a text from Cruel:
Got a lock on Derek's location. Meeting tomorrow at the clubhouse. 10AM.
I set the phone down, careful not to disturb Violet. Tomorrow I'll deal with her ex, and by the time I'm done, he'll never dare to come near her again. But tonight—tonight is just about us.
I listen to her breathing slow and deep as she falls asleep in my arms, and I make a silent vow.
Whatever comes next, I'll protect her no matter the costs. Whatever it takes.
Chapter Eleven
VIOLET
Iwake up slowly, my body deliciously sore in ways I've never experienced before. Santiago's arm is wrapped around my waist, his chest pressed against my back, and his steady breathing tells me he's still asleep. For a moment, I just lie there, savoring the weight of him against me, the safety I feel in his arms.
Then reality crashes over me.
I'm supposed to be at work today. My face still bears the evidence of Derek's punch. I have no clean clothes except what Savannah picked out for me yesterday, and Derek is out there somewhere, stalking us, making threats.
"Morning," Santiago's voice is rough with sleep, his lips brushing the back of my neck.
"Morning," I whisper back, not wanting to move and break this perfect moment.
His hand splays across my stomach, fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore," I admit, then quickly add, "but a good sore. Really good."
