Things to do in denver, p.11
Things to Do in Denver,
p.11
“I was going to talk to you about what I wanted to get you for our anniversary, though. I want you to go car window shopping.”
“Sir?”
“I’m done screwing around. If you insist on keeping the Civic, fine. But it’s got over a hundred thousand miles on it, and it’s tiny. I want you in an SUV.”
“I don’t want a new car.”
“Then we’ll get a good used one, although I’d prefer new for the warranty. Start looking around, see what you like. Needs to be at least as big as mine.”
“There’s a joke there.”
“I’m serious, Shay. You need a new car. I hate the thought of you driving around in that tiny thing, and I’ve been pretty damn good about not putting my foot down about it before now.”
“It was the first car I ever bought for myself.”
“That’s why I said we can keep it. We can store it in the garage. Keep it as a backup or something.” He leaned in. “When I get back, once this all settles down at work, I’m taking two weeks’ vacation. We’re going to drive. Wherever you want, but we’re driving. So think in terms of the new SUV is what we’re driving on vacation.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. No more arguing.” He arched an eyebrow at her. “Understood, pet?”
She smiled. “Yes, Sir. I thought you just hated it because of the radio.”
“I do hate it because of the radio, but that’s not the only reason I hate it.”
They had a good dinner together, and both of them had leftovers to take with them.
The final surprise was the dessert, a huge slice of chocolate cake that, again, they could each only eat half of.
The rest to be boxed up and taken home.
Once he was at home and she was at the hotel, and after he’d confirmed what time Mike and Jenny were picking him up tomorrow to head to the airport, Tony and Shay reconnected on Skype.
“I think I’m stuffed, Sir.” She opened the fridge and showed him the containers. “But you have dinner tomorrow. Mostly. Well, an onion and cake.” The flowers were sitting on the dresser.
“Mmm, cake. So do you, sweetheart.” He started to say something, but he let out a big yawn. “Oh, wow.”
“You need to go to bed, Sir. You have to get up early tomorrow for your flight.”
He sighed. “Did you get any work done today?”
“Yes, and I’ll be doing more after you go to bed.”
He reached out and touched the screen. “Miss you, pet.”
She reached out to touch her laptop, too. “Miss you, too, Sir.”
“If you have a flight delay or something, keep me posted. Maybe we can wave to each other on the tarmac or something.”
She smiled. “Tell Mike I asked him to give you a hug for me.”
“I’m not hugging that guy.” He smiled.
“He’s your friend in common.”
“Yeah, but we’re not that close. Besides, I’m his boss. Might be taken as sexual harassment,” he joked. At least she was trying to tease him, which was an improvement. “Love you, pet. Snuggle on my pillow for me. Let me smell you.”
“Want me to leave my shampoo and body wash for you, Sir?”
“Mmm. If you want to.”
“Yes, Sir. I’ll leave your card on your pillow.”
He sighed. “Ditto.”
Later, as he tried to go to sleep that night, he closed his eyes and deeply inhaled her scent from her pillow.
Please don’t let me ever let her down.
* * * *
Tony unlocked the hotel room door and smiled at the flowers on the dresser.
“Oh, hey, those are nice,” Mike said.
“Better be. I paid for them.” He dropped his luggage, walked over, and sniffed them as he remembered Shayla’s smile.
A lavender card envelope lay propped on his pillow.
Tony smiled and walked over, picking it up, immediately opening it.
On the outside, in dark blue metallic foil letters, it said, You are the love of my life, my husband, my soulmate…
Inside was printed, You fill my heart with love and my life with joy. Every year with you is another year better, stronger. Happy Anniversary.
She’d also included a handwritten note.
I have never for a second regretted asking You to be my Master, or asking to be Your slave. My only regret is that I didn’t speak up sooner so we didn’t have those two miserable weeks apart. You are my heart and soul. Please never doubt how much I love You, respect You, and how fiercely I will stand beside You and fight for what we have, with You, through the good times and the trying times. I won’t say “bad” times, because there are no bad times with You.
YOUR pet, always.
He sniffled, blinking back tears. Sometimes, he didn’t feel like he deserved her.
I am a lucky bastard.
She texted him once she was on the ground, and then called him later, once she was home.
She was crying. “Thank you for the card, Sir. I love you, too.”
“Now, don’t make me cry again.”
She laughed. “Again?”
“I might have wiped a tear away after reading what you left for me.”
“And the flowers are beautiful, Sir.”
“You’re welcome, pet. Always.”
* * * *
Shayla sat on their bed, and blinked back tears. “I guess I need to let you go and get ready for bed. I need to be up early tomorrow.”
“Okay, pet. Be safe. Love you, always. You’re my good girl.”
“Thank you, Sir. Love you always, too. Good night.”
“Good night, pet.”
She dropped her phone onto the bed and blinked back more tears as she reread the card.
On the front, in red script, it said, My wife, My love, My heart…
Inside, it said, With every year and every trial, we are stronger and better. Every day with you is a testament to how beautiful our love is. Every year to come will be better—and we have perfection now.
He’d also added a handwritten note.
My sweet, beautiful, perfect pet. My good girl.
Mine.
I’ve never regretted marrying you, claiming you, owning you.
You remind Me every day that I want to be a better man because of your love.
You remind Me every day how lucky I am to own you and love you.
Thank you, from the bottom of My soul for trusting and loving Me.
Sir.
She set the card on the dresser and went into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
No forgetting tonight. She’d stripped once in the front door—cuffs and collar in place.
She’d gone from her previous mindset of moving to Florida with no trust and thinking she’d never be able to trust anyone again in a relationship, and now was married to a man who had not only earned her trust, he kept building new levels she’d never dreamed possible.
As she lay there in their bed, trying to fall asleep, she knew she’d start looking for an SUV as soon as she could.
Because he’d asked her to. And, yeah, she’d trade in her car. It was silly not to.
But looking forward to their vacation…
She sighed.
There were so many options, so many places she’d like to go, sights she’d love to see.
Even better, she’d be seeing them with Tony.
She’d need to start making a list so she could narrow it down, decide what she wanted to do.
Not leave it until the last minute, because she wanted Tony to make the final decision about where they’d go and needed to give him options so they could plan.
There was one thing for certain, however.
We’re damn sure not driving to fucking Denver.
THE END
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