My Liege of Dark Haven

Chapter Twenty-Five

Abby almost cried when she walked into Dark Haven and the familiar scents and sounds surrounded her. She’d missed this place.

“Abby?” Dixon stood behind the reception desk…which was covered in papers again. “Abby!” He scurried around the desk and dropped to his knees, hands clenched in front of his chest. “Tell me you’re coming back. Puh-leeeze.” The puppy-dog eyes he gave her would have melted the hardest resolve.

And his joy at seeing her lifted her heart enough that she could smile. “I’m not sure yet. We’ll see.”

After rising, he hooked his fingers in his chain-mail shirt and eyed her clothing—a black vinyl dress that buttoned up to her chin. High, black vinyl boots. “Fantastic Domme outfit. Armed for battle?”

“Absolutely.” Almost what she’d worn the first time she’d met Xavier, only this time with even more coverage. Confrontations were too one-sided if one opponent was clad in only a corset and thong.

“Go on in, sweetie. Make sure to come back and let me know what happens. Or…” As Abby headed for the door, she heard the beep of the touch phone. “Gina, my peachie-poo. Can you take over the desk? I have something to watch.”

Inside the main room, two Doms were setting up the left stage for a suspension demonstration. A few people were dancing. At the tables, people socialized and negotiated the terms before going to play.

No Xavier.

The stairs to the dungeon had grown much, much steeper, or maybe her wobbling legs affected her perception. She passed the first scene area where Angela was cleaning up the cross, her sub bundled in a blanket on the floor.

Heart rate increasing, Abby walked across the room. Past a flogging. Past the spanking benches in the center. A man in a cock-and-ball torture scene groaned continually. Screams came from a genital needle play on the other side.

Still no Xavier.

To her disgust she spotted Nathan instead. What was he doing here? His young, chipmunk-faced submissive knelt beside the sex swing as he checked the chains. His leather bag lay on a bench nearby.

“Nathan,” Abby called. As she walked past the bench, she grabbed a short cane from his toy bag.

He turned, shocked. “I can’t believe they let you in.”

“Well, I’m surprised they didn’t cancel your membership.”

“If I’d been in Dark Haven rather than Serenity, I’d have been pitched out.” His face twisted with anger. “Because of you, I’m on club probation. I had to take the beginner’s class.”

Oooh, bet that hurt. Nonetheless, it didn’t make up for the rest of his crimes. She whipped the cane in a vicious backhand. It hit his right thigh with a loud smack.

Although his jeans must have dissipated the effect somewhat, he gave a satisfying yelp.

“That’s for saying we were in a committed relationship all spring while you were screwing around with your toy here.”

He took a step back. “What the hell?”

“And you fucked my stepsister, didn’t you?”

His eyes shifted as his face turned red.

Oh, he had. She sliced through the air, and the cane slapped his left thigh.

“Dammit!” He tried to grab the cane.

“You’re pitiful, Nathan. You should master yourself before you try to master someone else.”

“You slut.” His eyes were infuriated as he lunged forward.

“Fun’s over.” Xavier stepped between them. Ignoring both Nathan and Abby, he frowned at the kneeling girl.

Abby’s heart broke at the girl’s betrayed expression.

“Kirsty,” Xavier said. “Did you know he was with Abby last spring?”

Tears welled as she shook her head.

Xavier’s cold stare made Nathan back up a step. “Kemp, you give the club—and the lifestyle—a bad name. I’m canceling your membership. Your dues will be refunded.”

He glanced at Tyrol, the biggest submissive on staff…or anywhere, actually. Built like a sumo wrestler, the man would kneel only to a Domme. “Tyrol, please see Kemp out.”

“By your command, my liege.” Towering over Nathan, Tyrol motioned for him to pack up his toy bag. A female staff member put her arm around Kirsty and led her away.

Xavier closed a hand around Abby’s wrist.

She yanked free and tried to ignore the surge of desire his touch induced. The way her body betrayed her roused her anger again. Turning to face him, she gave him a hard shove that pushed him back all of six inches.

His brows drew together.

“You’re no better than Nathan, my lie—Xavier.” She raised her chin. “Did you know Janae was my stepsister? Did you care?”

His chiseled face stayed expressionless as he stared at her so intently she almost backed up. “You want to discuss this here?”

She saw people moving closer to the show. Planting her feet, she crossed her arms over her chest, imitating his stance. When a corner of his mouth tipped up, she would have kicked him—except her legs were shaking too hard. “Sure. You like being an exhibit, right?”

One eyebrow rose. “All right, Abby. For your orderly mind: First, I didn’t know she was any relation to you. Second, I didn’t know it was your parents’ party. Third, it wasn’t a date. She said Harold was looking for a new charity and that she’d introduce us. I met her in front of the house.”

Pursuing a donor. That would be like him. But this was more than just a mix-up. She didn’t move.

His lips tightened. “I totally missed how well she manipulated me.” He touched her shoulder.

She slapped his hand away. He hadn’t known Janae was her stepsister. Light was filling her. But she was still furious. “You looked far too comfortable to have just met her.”

“We had about four dates several years ago. That’s how she knew me.”

“She dumped you?”

“No, Abby. I never dated any woman more than a few times.”

Dated. He’d used the past tense. And he hadn’t wanted to continue seeing Janae. He wants me and not Janae?

“So your ‘I was wrong’ message was just you conning me?” Sure it was. He didn’t see that he’d done anything wrong. Disappointment felt like a raw wound inside her. “How about you? Are you going to the club?” she’d asked him, and he’d agreed, not saying anything about Janae. She took a step back. Away from him.

“No, Abby. I was wrong.” He met her eyes, and for a moment, just a moment, she saw the seething emotions under all that control. “I should have told you that I planned to meet Janae. When you asked me what I was doing, I didn’t give you the complete truth.”

Her feet had frozen to the floor. He knew. He knew the omission had hurt her almost as badly as seeing him with Janae. “But why?” she whispered.

“Partly because I remembered what you’d said about gorgeous and glamorous women.” Then he gave her a rueful look. “And because you didn’t want me with you at your party.”

Her mouth dropped open. She’d hurt his feelings? Then she glared. “You always make me—”

“Share your feelings. And I didn’t.”

She was so, so mad. She smacked the cane across the outside of his thigh.

As gasps sounded around the dungeon, he snatched the cane and tossed it onto a chair. “Now that wasn’t smart.”

Oh heavens, what did I do? Horrified at her action, she raised her hand to push him away. “Just s-stay away from me. I—”

“Never.” He grabbed her hand and yanked her off balance. His fingers closed around her upper arms in an unbreakable grip.

SHE WAS HERE. Finally. Xavier’s heart felt overfull.

The little fluff who constantly repressed her emotions was definitely expressing them now. Her gray eyes flashed with silver, and her cheeks had flushed red. “Let me go!”

“Oh, I don’t think so.” He tucked her wrists into one hand and caressed her cheek with the other. “You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t care, Abby.”

“I don’t.” She glared at him, so full of life she almost glowed.

“You do.” He kissed the pouting lips lightly. “And I’m going to keep you.”

Her eyes widened, and he felt a momentary hesitation in her struggles.

“I’m sorry, Abby. I was wrong not to share. And I was exceedingly slow to realize how I feel about you,” he said gently. “That’s what I did last Friday—I said good-bye to Catherine and told her I had found someone to love.” He cupped her cheek in his hand, feeling as if he’d caught a butterfly. “I love you, Abby.”

“You don’t. You can’t.”

He slid his hand down to her neck, enjoying the pounding of her pulse. “I do and I can.” He pulled the ring from his pocket and slid it on her finger before she realized what he was doing. Excited whispers erupted from the onlookers.

Abby didn’t move.

As Xavier stepped back, he took a slow breath. She might be fully in the moment, but so was he, and if she didn’t agree, she was going to break his heart.

Her hand turned over as she stared at the diamond, then him. “You gave me a ring.” Her dazed expression was delightful, much like how she looked after an orgasm.

He planned to put that look on her face often in the years to come. “Marry me, Abby.”

Her mind clicked into gear, making him smile. “So I’ll be the home woman. Don’t you need another woman or two for your club and for society?”

“You’ve already filled all those roles. I wasn’t ready to admit it. ” He couldn’t stay so far away. Slowly he folded her into his arms until her soft breasts pressed against him.

“You don’t want commitment.”

“I don’t want anyone but you. There will be no one but you.” The words came out almost a growl. “And there will be no one for you but me. That’s commitment.”

When she leaned into him, the impossible coil of worry in his chest eased. “Marry me, Abby.”

“But…”

“You need me, little fluff—and I really do need you.”

Her breath was a slow exhale, and she rubbed her face on his shoulder, snuggling in. “I’m not ready.”

He laughed. “No one ever is.”

“You’ll hurt me.” Her arms came around his waist in a sweet embrace. “I’ll probably hurt you too.”

He rubbed his cheek in her hair, floral and spice, trying to hear her mind working. It was, he knew. “I daresay.”

Her arms tightened. “But I’ll love you even more. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

The rush of relief and joy took his breath away. Cheering filled the room, reminding him of where they were. But the people at Dark Haven were family. With a sense of coming home, he tipped Abby’s chin up and kissed her, slow and deep, staking his possession.

When he pulled away, she frowned.

“What?”

“I really liked hitting you. And yelling at you.”

Laughter came from those surrounding them.

Apparently his marriage with Abby wouldn’t be as peaceful as he’d envisioned. Could she be any more perfect? His smile grew. “You’ve caused enough trouble, pet. And since you’re now mine, it’s my job to see that you don’t cause any more.”

UH-OH. THE look in his eyes was one she recognized. Abby tried to step back, but he seized the front of her dress.

“I dislike seeing overdressed submissives,” he said mildly. He hooked his fingers between the buttons and yanked. Buttons pinged off the equipment as he ripped the front open. He spun her around and pulled the dress off completely.

Cheers drowned out her gasp. She stood there, naked but for a thong and her high-heeled boots. Heat flared in her face. Where had all these people come from? Her hands flew up to cover her breasts, although she knew better.

“Hands down.” His dark eyes heated as he watched her force her arms straight, and then he walked around her. “Pretty little submissive, don’t you think, my friends?”

The chorus of agreement sent more heat to her cheeks. Why, oh why, did she have to fall for a Dom who gathered a crowd wherever he went? Yet being with him and hearing the dark edge to his voice filled her with joy.

He stepped up behind her, pressing his body against hers, reaching around to cup her breasts and fondle them until arousal overcame her embarrassment.

He slid his hand between her legs. “Very nice, pet.” She knew she was wet from the rumble of pleasure in his voice. “Now there’s only one thing lacking in your attire.”

“W-what’s that?”

For a minute, without speaking, he rolled her nipples, sending a sizzle of desire straight to her core. “I believe a submissive should be glowing before she’s collared,” he whispered into her ear.

Before she could react, he put a boot between her feet and nudged her legs apart so he could slide his hand under her thong. So he could slick his fingers and rub her clit firmly. He curled his right arm around her, caging her against his chest, before closing his fingers over her left nipple. Pinching and teasing. Unable to escape, she strained against his hold. Her head fell back against his shoulder, her eyes closing as he stimulated her expertly, mercilessly.

“You’re mine to play with, Abigail,” he said, pushing a finger inside her and making her jerk. “Mine to display, and I enjoy showing off your beautiful breasts.” He pinched her nipple, and she inhaled as the heat kept rising. “I like sharing how lovely you are when you come.”

“You’d share me?” She tried to move.

She was yanked back as his hands formed restraints harder than steel. “If anyone ever touches you, I’ll break every one of his fingers. Is that clear?”

“Yes, my liege.” She swallowed past a dry throat and forced out her own demand. “And if any woman puts her hands on you, I’ll cane you both.”

“Absolutely.” His cheek rubbed hers as he murmured, “I’m yours as much as you are mine, Abby.”

“Okay.” All her muscles went limp, and she relaxed against him, knowing he would hold her safe.

“There, that’s right. That’s what I wanted.” His body was a wall of strength behind her. Something cool brushed against her neck before he held it up in front of her face.

She touched it with light fingertips. Much like the thick, golden choker that Rona wore, this was a single band of shining silver.

“We’re not in a Master and slave relationship.” His voice was husky and as tender as she’d ever heard it. “But I’ve seen the way you look at Rona’s collar. So, little fluff, this shows you belong to me. No matter what we work out as to how far my control over you extends, that will never change.”

Her bones were melting right into the floor. Could a person have too much joy?

“Do you accept my collar, Abby?”

“Yes, oh yes. Yes, please.”

The muted pleasure of the crowd added to her own. She tilted her chin up and heard him mutter, “Do you know how much I love you?” The cold smoothness of metal surrounded her throat.

Yes, maybe she did.