Epilogue
Epilogue
“I wish I had met you sooner,” Milton said as he faced his bride, holding her hands at the front of the small, mountain chapel. “So I could love you longer.”
Because she was standing so close to her mother, Catrina noticed Evelyn’s eyes well with tears.
Then, because the sentiment was so sweet and a lump had lodged in her throat, Catrina glanced over her shoulder at Damien, sitting in the front row pew, wearing a suit, his hair cinched back, dark and devastating.
He met her gaze and mouthed the words, “I love you.”
Her heart skipping, she refocused on the beautiful, small ceremony.
The setting, and the day, with its clear-blue sky couldn’t be more perfect.
A window at the front showed nearby peaks. As Milton slipped a plain gold band on her mother’s finger, a deer paused, glanced inside, then continued on. Catrina’s heart melted even more.
Finally, the beautiful vows exchanged, the minister pronounced Milton and Evelyn husband and wife. “You may kiss the bride.”
“Finally!” Milton exclaimed before sweeping his new bride into an embrace.
With a happy laugh, Evelyn reached back. “Hand me my bouquet, my Cat.”
Stepping forward, she did so.
Then Evelyn used the gorgeous display to shield herself and Milton from their closest family and friends while Milton gave her a scandalous kiss. The cheers and wild applause proved everyone knew what was happening.
Shaking her head, Catrina laughed.
Their love was beautifully contagious.
After the minister presented them as Mr. and Mrs. Danvers, Evelyn took Milton’s hand and all but skipped back down the aisle.
Catrina and the rest of the bridal party followed, making their way to the foyer to form a receiving line, and she enjoyed seeing old friends of her mother’s and meeting the people who were important to Milton.
Close to the end, her fiancé stopped in front of her.
Smelling deliciously of the outdoors, and eyes midnight blue with intent, he raised her hand to his lips.
Surprising her, he kissed her right below her ring.
“I’m ready to set a date, Milady. Are you?”
She swallowed.
This had been an almost daily discussion between them.
Because she wanted to adjust to their new life together—moving into his Denver-area house, working on the renovations to her home so she could sell it, finding a local office where she could meet with clients—she’d been reluctant to start making wedding plans.
But now, her defenses were down.
Truly, there was no reason for her and Damien to wait much longer.
“Next month,” he persisted.
“Can we talk about it in a little while?” she asked.
“I’ll hold you to it.” His voice was half growl, half purr, and awareness ricocheted through her. Damien wielded his voice like a sensual weapon, one she couldn’t resist.
Again, he kissed her hand, in the exact same spot.
A few moments later, almost everyone else having stepped outside, Catrina hugged her mom before greeting her new stepfather. “Thank you for making my mother so happy.” With a small wince, she added, “And for putting up with me.”
“Aw, Catrina…” He glanced at Evelyn who was now chatting with her sister, Peggy. “I never imagined I’d be lucky enough to find love a second time in my life. Life and loss taught me to appreciate every moment.”
For the first time, she hugged him.
“My day is well and truly happy now,” Milton said.
Outside, early spring sunshine warmed the air.
Damien chatted with a group of people, but the moment she started down the steps, he turned, as if he were fully aware of her presence.
Without being rude to anyone, he held out his hand, inviting her into his circle, and he introduced her to some of Milton’s old army buddies. As she shook hands, Damien rested his fingertips at the base of her spine, partly signaling his possession, but also offering his comfort and reassurance.
After more photos were taken, guests piled into vehicles to drive a short way to a local country club on Lookout Mountain for the reception.
Dinner was amazing, and so was the big band orchestra.
She wasn’t sure whether the music was her mother’s idea or Milton’s, but regardless, being crooned to by Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller sent her heart fluttering.
When the opening notes of a forties ballad played, Damien stood. “May I have this dance, Milady?”
Not in a million years could she resist her dashing lover.
Moments later, she was swaying in his arms, content in ways she’d never imagined possible.
Near them, Evelyn and Milton had eyes only for each other.
“I’m glad I didn’t try to interfere,” she told Damien. “You were right, what they have is special.”
“Just like what we share.” He brushed a kiss against her temple.
As the evening wound down, the newlyweds began to bid their guests farewell before heading off on their honeymoon.
“Peggy got me a negligee for tonight,” Evelyn whispered as she gave Catrina one last hug.
“Mother!”
Evelyn looked around, making sure no one could overhear before adding, “It’s black and has holes for my nipples.”
I can’t even with you.“Go,” Catrina ordered. “For the love of God, just go.”
She laughed and blew a kiss before catching up to Milton who was waiting by the doorway.
“What was that about?” Damien asked.
“Please believe me…you don’t want to know.”
The band struck up another sentimental tune.
“Let’s dance,” she said. Anything to get that exchange out of her head.
“Of course.”
Later that evening, because Catrina didn’t have any in-person meetings for several days and because there wasn’t an event at the Den, they drove to the mountain home rather than return to Denver.
As they entered the main house, Catrina was surprised to find the lights on in the kitchen.
Gregorio was seated at the island, shirtless, a nasty gash marring his chest. A bottle of whiskey in front of him, cap off, he was attempting to clean the wound one-handed, with limited success.
Gasping, Catrina rushed over to him. “What happened? Are you okay?”
He looked up, a mix of surprise and pain in his eyes. “Just a scratch.”
A scratch?Blinking, she glanced at Damien.
Not commenting on the wound, he simply said, “Let me do that.”
“I’ve got it.”
“Not arguing that,” Damien replied.
Neither of you think this is unusual?
Damien disappeared.
And she got a full look at the tattoo on his biceps that she’d noticed previously.
A fierce-looking eagle was framed by words in a foreign language. Latin, she guessed.
Before she could question him, Damien returned with a first aid kit and a bottle of peroxide. “Probably needs stitches.”
“Unless you’re gonna sew it yourself, Boss, just use the butterfly bandages.”
“Damien’s right. You need a doctor.”
“No doctor.” Gregorio’s tone was flat, inviting no argument.
With the efficiency of someone who’d done this many times before, Damien got to work.
“What can I do to help?” she asked.
“Pour me some of that whiskey,” Gregorio said. “Gonna need it.”
She looked at the label, one she recognized from a terrible night in college. “Seriously?” No way would she ever touch that again as long as she lived.
“Or I drink straight from the bottle.” He sucked in a breath as Damien cleaned the wound.
Galvanized, she grabbed a glass for him and measured the rotgut into a glass.
“Didn’t expect to see you back so soon,” Damien said, not looking up.
Gregorio shrugged, then winced against the pain. “Went better than I thought.”
“Better?”Catrina frowned. How could it have been much worse? “What were you doing?”
After exchanging a glance with Damien, Gregorio replied quietly, “Trying to make amends.” He closed his eyes, shutting out the glimpse of pain and regret that she’d read there. “Atone for past mistakes.”
When Damien placed a piece of sterile gauze and taped it into place, an awkward silence descended over the room.
“Jesus.” Gregorio tipped back the cheap whiskey then refilled his glass.
There were layers to Gregorio that she knew nothing about.
And Damien, too, it seemed.
Catrina bit her lip, wanting to know more, but Damien caught her gaze and shook his head.
With that, he filled Gregorio’s glass again before walking to the sink to wash his hands.
Trusting her fiancé, she forced a fake smile. “I’m glad you’re okay. And please be careful. Damien needs you. The Den needs you.”
“Not going anywhere.” He looked at both of them. “Someone’s got to keep this place running while you two are off playing newlyweds.”
“Speaking of…” Damien swept his gaze over her. “We should practice our honeymoon.”
“Aaand that’s my cue to leave.” With a grunt, Gregorio eased off the stool, and Damien helped him back into the tattered shirt.
Before leaving, he capped the whiskey and snatched up the bottle.
Then he was gone, leaving Damien and Catrina alone in the kitchen.
“Is he going to be okay?” Catrina asked as Damien locked up. “I’m worried about him.”
“He’s tough. A survivor. He’s been through a lot.” A moment later, he added, “More than he lets on.”
“And you can’t tell me about it?”
“I don’t know the whole story.” He placed the unused items back in the first aid kit and zipped it shut.
For a moment, he stared out the window looking in the direction of Gregorio’s cottage, then he shook his head.
Eyes narrowed with intent, he turned back to her and took two purposeful strides in her direction. “Now…about that honeymoon.”
Like he had that night at her home, Damien slung her over his shoulder, making her shriek with surprised laughter.
When she squirmed, he slapped her ass hard.
“Damien! Sir!”
Within seconds of placing her on the bed, he’d stripped off her clothes. “After having you in my arms, seeing you in that maid of honor dress—”
“It was dreadful.” Floor-length, the wrong shade of blue for her, and far too modest.
“Gave me fantasies. Maybe I’ll ask you to dress up as a naughty schoolgirl at some point.”
She shook her head. “You’re impossible.” And she loved having a man who couldn’t get enough of her.
Which was perfect because she couldn’t get enough of him, either.
With his eyes narrowed purposefully, he sat next to her and pinned her arms by her sides. “I meant it earlier—I want a date from you, Milady. Why wait?”
Life with him couldn’t get any better.
Submission was a beautiful extension of the love and adventure they shared.
He was single-mindedly focused on her pleasure, lavishing his attentions on her…which suited her because she adored being the lucky recipient.
At times, he edged her, and many nights he tied her up. Impact play thrilled her, made her orgasms a hundred times more powerful.
As he’d insisted early on, their relationship was as unique as they were, and he said she was queen to his king, partners.
When they attended events at the Den, they went as Dom and sub, equals.
While Damien coached new Doms on their scenes, he no longer offered demonstrations. Though she and Damien were cohosting a workshop next week about the D/s dynamic and how it could enhance even the most wonderful relationship.
Which meant that most demos were now hosted by Ryder Wolfe, a cocky, edgy, and maybe a little bit dangerous newcomer who liked to push boundaries and take risks.
Because of that, Gregorio kept a close eye on him.
Even though Damien had offered to let her scene with her boys, she no longer felt the need. And in fact, Shaun had recently moved in with a Domme who adored him. He, too, had found the relationship he’d been seeking.
How well Catrina knew the power of the right connection.
For one Dom, and one Dom only, she was willing to submit.
“What do you say, Catrina? Make an honest man out of me. Set a date for our wedding.”
She smiled. For a man who once said he didn’t believe in love, he’d turned out to be quite a romantic.
“I’m waiting.”
When he looked at her like that, holding her gaze, seeing into her soul, she was lost in him. “How about a year from the date you proposed?”
“I was hoping you’d say next week. But I’ll let you win this one.” He grinned slowly, and he leaned toward her to capture her mouth in a kiss that consumed her.
“You’re getting what you want, too, mister.”
“Which is why this relationship works. And of course, have your lawyer send me a prenup.”
She melted into a puddle of joy.
“I don’t want there to be any doubt that I’m in this for the long haul, or that I want you to protect your independence.”
He thought of everything.
“What’s mine is yours, no matter what. We’ll make decisions together. Ones that are the best for us.”
Overcome by his thoughtfulness, she struggled away from his grip and sat up to wrap her arms around his neck. “Oh, Damien. I love you so much.” So complex, so caring. “I want…”
“Tell me.”
“Take me…”
“I want to eat your pussy until you come in my mouth screaming my name.”
“Yes.”
“Stay there.” He left her for a moment and returned with one of his T-shirts. “The dungeon, Milady?”
His tone… Unrelenting. His eyes… Determined.
“Yes…” Desire and a touch of apprehension traced through her.
Even though she should be accustomed to his level of sensuality, he still had the power to send shivers of anticipation through her.
Once she’d slipped into the garment, he had her walk to the dungeon, staying a few steps ahead of him so he could look at her ass.
Taking her breath away, he ordered her into the room with the spindle.
Where it all began.
In seconds, he had her naked.
Then, with a few, quick, efficient motions, she was secured in place, open to him.
“My Catrina…”
She met his gaze. “Master.”
“Jesus.” He sucked in a breath. “You humble me, Catrina. I don’t know what I did to deserve you. But I’m thankful every day. I cherish you and your submission.”
Gently, reverently, he parted her pussy lips and lowered his head, bringing her to the precipice of an orgasm, only to step back to fetch a flogger.
With gentle back and forth motions, he caressed her with the leather strands, igniting a trail of frenzied desire.
His motions sure, his gaze on her, he flogged her, covering her breasts, belly, legs, between her thighs, and then, torturously, her heated pussy. “Damien!” She squirmed, trying to escape, while simultaneously never wanting his sweet anguish to stop.
On and on he went, covering her body with suede kisses until she thrashed her head back and forth, whimpering, needing relief.
And then her future husband was on knees, parting her labia, sucking, licking, devouring her, finger-fucking her holes, driving her out of her mind. “I can’t…”
“I assure you, Milady, you can.”
He edged her, drawing out her response until all thought ceased. “Now.” He plunged her into a spinning, swirling abyss of pleasure, and he took her there again and again.
Finally, when she came to, managing to open her eyes, they were in a chair, and she was wrapped in the comfort and power of his arms.
As always, he’d taken care of her with no regard for himself.
“That was…” She pressed a palm to his chest and lifted her head as much as she could, considering she had no energy left. “Thank you.”
“The pleasure is mine, Catrina.”
He snuggled her back into place.
Beneath her, his cock was hard, and insistent. “I think we should do something about that,” she mused several minutes later.
“When you have some energy.”
She reached up to stroke his chin. “I’ve recovered.”
“Have you, indeed?” He lifted an eyebrow, trailed his fingertips across her pelvis, then he moved lower to find out for himself.
“Promise.”
With a possessive growl, he took her back upstairs to their bedroom and claimed her completely, then eased her against him, holding her tightly.
“You did that on purpose,” she said.
“Hmm?”
“The spindle.”
“Yeah.”
Back then, she’d been uncertain, scared to open her heart. Now… “I can’t imagine life without you.”
She’d confronted her fears and painful past. And now day by day, touch by touch, word by word, they’d built something real and lasting.
“You’re mine forever.”
“Forever,” she affirmed.
Safe in his caring, powerful arms, Catrina was finally where she belonged.