“I’d rather just go back to your place,” she said, reaching up for another kiss.
“Louisa isn’t here and neither of us can cook,” he said, leading her out the door. “Besides, I want to talk and I know we won’t be talking if we’re at my place.”
She flushed pink, but knew he was right.
Over the last months, she’d become very comfortable in her role as submissive. They’d done things that she’d never even imagined and he’d even taken her to Exhale, his brother’s BDSM club. The things she’d seen there blew her mind, but he’d always been very protective of her, not wanting to play out scenes anywhere but at home. She didn’t mind that. In fact, she found she felt closer to him for it. She was his and she liked the idea very much.
They drove to the restaurant, a very trendy sushi place they both loved. They sat down and Luke ordered. Once they had their drinks, Luke turned to her and took her hands.
“Emma,” he began.
Emma’s smile faded. The look in his eyes told her what was coming was going to be serious.
“The last few months have been the happiest of my life.”
She could only stare, knowing where this was leading.
“I want to take things further with you. With us. I’ve never wanted to be with a woman like I want to be with you. I’ve never felt more sure of anyone or anything. I’ve heard your reasons for not wanting to take the next step, but quite frankly, they don’t hold water anymore.”
“What if you’re wrong?” she asked, letting go of his hand and picking up her Sapporo. She took a long sip before turning back to him. “I’ll be really honest with you, Luke. I feel the same way as you. I’ve never been happier and can’t imagine myself with anyone else…”
“Then just say yes.”
“I’m scared!” she said, louder than she’d intended.
The waitress came by just then and, as if oblivious to their conversation, set down plates of sushi. “Would you two like another round of drinks?”
“No, thank you,” Luke said, never taking his eyes off Emma.
“All right then, enjoy your dinner.” With that, she left.
“I’m not ever going to hurt you again, Emma. I promise you that. Christ, all I can think about is you. When we’re not together, I’m waiting until I can see you again. I want to wake up with you every morning and go to bed with you every night. I want to read the paper on a lazy Sunday with you. I want to hold your hand when you’re sad or scared, I want…God, I just want you. You don’t have to be afraid with me. I will take care of you for always. I promise you that, Emma. I love you.”
She stared at him, noting the slight change in his color as he said those words. She’d muttered them before, but hadn’t spoken those three little words again in the last half year. She did love him; that was certain. And everything he felt, she felt too. She couldn’t imagine hurting him and knew he wouldn’t hurt her. Not on purpose, anyway.
“I love you, Luke,” she said softly even while her brain processed his proposition. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time to swallow her fear and take that next step. She was twenty-five years old now, old enough and wise enough to do this. “Okay,” she said.
“Okay?” he repeated her word as a question, laughing a nervous laugh.
“Okay. Yes, okay, I’ll move in with you. You’re right, I trust you, I know you. It’s time we took it to the next level.” She picked up her beer and he took his. “Here’s to moving in together,” she said.
He looked at her as if he couldn’t believe his ears. She had to laugh at his expression, this soft side of him that he only showed to her and Louisa.
“I’m starving, let’s eat.”
“Yes, I’m not sure how much longer I can hold off giving you your birthday spanking.”
She had just shoved a large bite of sushi into her mouth and almost choked on it. Luke rubbed her back and laughed.
“You didn’t expect a birthday spanking? Come on, Em, you know me better than that.”
She chewed and swallowed, her eyes watery.
He smiled at her casually and, with much more elegance than she, used the chopsticks to place a bite of food into his mouth. They were out of the restaurant and speeding home within ten minutes.
Luke locked the apartment door and tossed his jacket on a chair.
“I’ll be right back, wait here,” he said, walking into the bedroom and returning a few minutes later. He took his time to roll up his sleeves. He imagined she’d be creaming her panties now. Spankings were Emma’s “on” button and he knew to draw out the ceremony, make her anticipate as he himself anticipated.