Epilogue
Saxon finished off his Scotch as he watched Jake and Molly say goodbye to their friends. Lila, Laken, and Savannah had arranged a surprise goodbye party to see them off on their trip to Europe. They’d done a good job at turning the backroom at Dirty Delights into a Parisian café. Although he probably wouldn’t have given the task of arranging the banner to the knitting circle. Not that Molly had been worried. She’d burst into laughter when she’d seen that the banner read, Bon Voyage, Rake and Dolly.
“Sir? Here’s your refill.” A thin waitress held out a glass of Scotch. He frowned, staring at the drink then up at her.
“I didn’t order this.”
“Oh, sorry, I thought…” Her face grew red, her eyes sliding from his. She fumbled as she tried to step back, nearly falling. Reacting on instinct, he stood and grabbed hold of her before she could fall. The Scotch tipped falling down the front of his shirt, but he barely noticed as her eyes filled with tears of mortification.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I did that.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he said soothingly, reaching to her stress. “It’s just a bit of spilt scotch.” Expensive scotch, but he didn’t say that, she already looked like she was going to bolt. He frowned as he stared into her pale face. She looked exhausted. “Don’t you work at the diner?” He didn’t go often, but he seemed to recall seeing her once or twice.
“Yes.” She was still staring at his wet shirt. “I’ll get you a napkin.”
“Wait.” He reached out and grabbed hold of her wrist.
“I’ll be right back.” She tugged at his hold on her.
“Stop,” he commanded.
She froze. His body stirred. She was submissive. A natural one. “A napkin isn’t going to help much now.”
She bit her lower lip. “I could wash it for you.”
“Are you trying to get me out of my shirt?”
Her eyes widened. “N-no, not at all.”
He grinned and she let out a deep breath. “You’re teasing me.”
“Yes, I believe I am.” He didn’t know why. He let her go. “I’m sorry, you’ll have to tell me your name. I want to say Colorado.”
She smiled slightly and her face lightened. “Aspen. It’s Aspen.”
“Hi, Aspen. I’m Saxon.”
“I know.”
He raised one eyebrow.
She looked away then back up at him. Brave little sub. “Everyone knows who you are.”
And by the look on her face, his reputation had been hugely exaggerated.
“And what do people say about me?”
Her blue eyes widened. “I don’t think I want to say.”
Well, now he had to know.
“Tell me.” He gave her a stern look, surprised by the small smile that tugged at her lips.
“They warned me to keep away unless I want to get my heart broken.”
He sighed. “So I’m the breaker of hearts, am I? What about my poor heart, maybe it’s being broken over and over.”
“Hmm, from what I’ve heard most people don’t think you have one.”