"I had someone outside who made sure that didn't happen. One of Skye's friends."
I will never know how I missed him, but I’ll thank him later.
I can tell by the look in her eyes she wants to play. I can give her that because we’ll have plenty of time to talk when I get her home and in my bed.
We spend all night talking about our relationship, kids, the future, and where we see ourselves in five and ten years.
Before the night is over, I know what she wants to do now she's got her degree and what types of books she likes to read.We made love between it all before finally falling asleep.
I smell breakfast downstairs. It's time to wake her up and try to find our new normal."Princess, time to get up. Gemma made breakfast for us." I push her hair out of her face.
She groans and opens her eyes."Too tired," she mumbles.
"Let's get up and talk to Gemma, and I’ll make time for you to nap today."
"Will you be in bed with me?"
"I promise I will."
She sighs as she finally gets up and goes to the bathroom. Once we’re both dressed, we head downstairs.
"Hey! Coffee is on, and food will be ready soon. Summer, I made the pancakes you like," Gemma calls over her shoulder, not looking at us.
As I pass her on my way to get coffee, I kiss the top of her head."Thank you, sweetheart."
Once we’re sitting down to eat, the girls start talking about people they know. It’s like any other morning when Summer has been here, except this time, my hand is on her thigh, and when she looks at me, her smile reaches her eyes.
Once we’re done, I know it's now or never."So, I know things will take some getting used to around here, but I figure I should put all my cards on the table."
Standing, I push my chair out of the way and drop to one knee in front of Summer. She gasps, but from the corner of my eyes, I can see Gemma has a huge smile lighting her face.
"I tried to hide my feelings for so long, but when I saw you at Club Red and touched you for the first time, I knew there was no going back."
Matter of fact, I knew it so much that the following morning I went and bought the ring I now pull out of my pocket. "I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life taking care of you, playing with you, and loving you. So, I have one more dare for you. I dare you to marry me."
Summer looks at Gemma, who nods, and she looks back at me."Yes!"
She doesn't hesitate, and I slide on the ring in a blur and pull her into my arms.
I have never loved a good dare quite so much.
Epilogue
Summer
Six Months Later
It feels like an understatement to say the last six months have been the best of my life, but they have.
Gemma decided not to marry Dustin, and I don't remember the last time I saw her so happy. It was like a weight lifted off her shoulders when they parted ways.
I moved in with Knox the same day he proposed, and Gemma moved in with Skye, so she had some space from us. It's worked out great because I don't feel bad about leaving Skye without a roommate, and Skye even took Gemma to Club Red.
Less than a month after he proposed, Knox and I got married. We waited because I fell in love with this amazing dress, and it took that long to get it ready for me due to all the lace details.
Knox whisked me away for a two-month honeymoon, and we visited several popular BDSM clubs in New York City, London, and Paris. But when we came home, we still felt most at home in Club Red and decided to keep our membership there—though we coordinate with Gemma so we don't end up there on the same nights. Besides, we only go a few times a month now, and we’re thinking of putting in a playroom at the house and only visiting the Club for special events like tonight.
Since the night I was strapped to the St. Andrew's Cross, I've been obsessed with it. The complete control Knox has over me and the amount of trust shared between us is wonderful. We both love it.