Chapter Two

Thursday – Southern Maryland

Summer

I'm not sure how much time passes while I sit in the dark room thinking about my behavior in the bar this evening. I sigh. I totally did this wrong. Suddenly the light flicks on, and I shut my eyes to block out the brightness. “All right, baby. Time to go home.” I look towards Donnie. I want to protest that I don't want to leave. I want to curl up in his arms, make love, and show him how sorry I am.

The moment he sees me, he sucks in a deep breath. “Don't look at me like that, baby. Not tonight. You need to get some rest. It's late. Your mom is waiting up with Gus,” he finishes telling me while he unbuckles me from my restraints and helps me stand. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight to him.

“I love you, both of you,” he whispers in my ear.

Donnie lifts me from the floor and carries me to the couch in the other room, positioning himself with me on his lap. I curl into him and let him hold me. Tears roll down my cheeks as we sit and I take in his strength. The stinging on my ass is still bothering me, but I understand why he did it. I understand I was wrong to tell him about the baby at the bar, in public and with so many people around. I misjudged the situation.

A long while later his chest rumbles as he speaks. “I'll take you home now and then pick you and Gus up in the morning and drop both of you off at your car. I don't want to take you back to your car at the restaurant tonight. You're in no condition to drive.”

“Yes, sir.” I nod in agreement smiling at him. “I love you.”

Donnie slips me from his lap and stands, holding his hand out to me. We make our way up the stairs and head out to the truck parked in the driveway so he can take me home. Once he has me settled into my seat and reaches over to buckle me he stops, putting his hand on my cheek and smiling tenderly at me. My heart soars at how he cares for me and I squeeze my eyes closed, biting back the emotions welling inside me.

“Your snacks are in the glove box, and make sure you drink that entire bottle of water,” Donnie points at the bottle in the cup holder as he drives me home. “If you need me tonight, I’m just a text away.”

***

The next day I squirm in my seat at my desk before I decide I'll stand the rest of the day and push my chair back from my computer. I curse Donnie in my mind. But honestly, it's me I'm still mad at, not him. I made sure I hid it from him this morning, he would be unhappy that I hadn't let it go. Hadn’t used my punishment as my outlet to drop the guilt I'm putting myself through now. I call Mel at lunch.

“Hey, Mel! Thank you again for last night. Everything is all worked out now. I realize how crazy I was,” I tell her when she answers.

“Good. Glad you two figured it out. I know Donnie loves you and Gus. Now you two will have one of your own.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

“Donnie said that he thought he couldn't have kids, but it seemed like he was hiding something else. I don't know, Mel. Is that crazy?” I spin the pen on my desk. Thinking through the whole conversation again.

She pauses for a few moments. “Like what, Summer? Are you sure? I mean, he has always been so open and honest with you about his past, and you know the accident with his family.” She lowers her voice towards the end.

“I know. But something is just off with him now.” I sigh.

“Well, he just found out he is about to be a dad. After thinking, for what sounds like a good portion of his life, he wasn't going to be able to. Maybe he is still just in shock.”

“I guess you're right. All right, I have to get back to work. Hey, that was Finn's brother last night? What is going on with him and Sam?” I pace my office, a ball of nervous energy.

“Ha!” she laughs. “It was. But honestly, who the heck knows with those two. Listen, I'm not at work today because I slipped and fell last night. But if you want to stop by the house later, we can talk.” She seems to be rushing me off the phone, I shrug it off.

“No, I can't. My mom had Gus all night last night. It's not fair for me to leave him with her again,” I tell her after I think about her offer for a minute. “But, what about you? Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. It was just a slip on the tile. Finn caught me, but I hit my head. You know Gus is always welcome to come with you. If you change your mind, just let me know, girly. I love ya. Bye.” She hangs up before I can ask her any more questions.

I check my phone for any messages hoping to see one from Donnie, but there is nothing. Sighing, I drop it back into my purse and get back to work.

Right on time, I see him stroll into the bank with Gus beside him, holding his hand. I smile at my boys. Then I drop my hand to my belly. What will you be, peanut? I silently ask the tiny being growing inside me.

Quickly I pack up my desk and meet them in the lobby. “Mommy!” Gus calls, twisting his hand from Donnie's and running to me. “Donnie picked me up, and we had ice cream!” His fingers are still sticky when he grabs ahold of my hand. I look up at Donnie. He shrugs and smiles at me.

“Can't say no to the little guy.” Donnie’s face lights up as he speaks. He hasn’t been able to tell the four-year-old no once since we met and I love that about him.

“Mommy?” Gus asks, turning my face to face his as I pick him up. His sticky hands are on my cheeks. “Donnie says that we are going to go home with him and that he can make me a room there. That my room at Grandma's will be only for visiting now.”

I kiss his chubby cheeks. “Does he?” I ask gently. Then turn to see Donnie, again he shrugs in my direction.

“Can't tell him no.” His words are low and he looks away from me, toward Gus.

“Oh, so this was Gus's idea?” I ask. Setting him down and taking his hand in mine, then wrapping my other in Donnie's.

“Yep. All mine,” Gus says, smiling up at me as we walk across the parking lot to the truck.

“Are you sure you weren't bought off with ice cream?” I ask him as I lift him into the backseat and start buckling him in.

“What's that mean?” He wrinkles his nose at me, and my heart aches for my little boy. He needs a father, and Donnie has stepped up the past six months for us both. But can I ask him to do this?

“You're not asking me,” he says when I close the door and turn around. He is standing in front of me, puts his arms around my waist, and pulls me to him. “You're not asking me to do this for you two. I'm asking you to do it for me. You guys are my family. All three of you now. I want you home with me. Please, Summer, say yes. We can go tell your mom and start packing today. I don't want to spend another night without you in my bed.” He kisses me then and growls in my ear, “Or in my dungeon.” I feel his hardness pressed against my thigh.

“Down, boy,” I say, giggling while pushing my hands against his chest. He doesn't budge. Giving in, I rest my forehead on his shoulder. “You're asking me to move in with you?” I clarify quietly.

“Yes, love. I love you both. You belong with me. You–” he pauses, putting his hand under my chin and tilting my head back so our eyes meet, I see the flash of silver in his eyes again, “belong to me.” I smile at him.

“So is that an order then, sir?” I tease.

“If it gets me what I want? Yes.” He kisses me deeply then, hungry, taking my mouth in his. When he releases me, he looks into my eyes and waits for my answer.

“Yes, sir.” I sigh. I'm the obedient, wet sub. I would be with him all the time except for when we were at work. In our own space, in his dungeon. My knees buckle under me, and I lean into him, kissing him softly on the lips. “Oh, absolutely. Yes. sir.” I punctuate each word with a kiss.

“How are you feeling?” Donnie asks, and I know he is referring to my caning from the night before. “Is there anything you need from me today?”

I shake my head. “No. A little sore, but I’m good.” I smile at him.

“Let me know if that changes,” he tells me, kissing me again.

“Yes, sir.” I beam at him, so happy that I will soon have him this way all of the time.