Carmen
Four weeks later
Sebastian had packed my things for me already. My cello was the only thing he’d left for me to carry to the car. I stood outside his office door, the sleepless night more difficult than I could imagine, but I’d made the right decision and I knew it.
I rapped on the open door before walking in. When Sebastian turned to face me, I could swear the man had been crying.
“Is it all right if I come in?” I asked quietly.
“Of course. Are you all ready?”
“Not exactly.”
“What is missing?” he asked as he walked toward me.
I inched closer, more in control of my emotions and my life than I’d been in years. “I wanted you to know how much I appreciate what you did for me. I don’t think I told you that.”
“It was the right thing to do. You’re going to be a star, my beautiful princess.”
I took his hand into mine, placing it over my heart. “Maybe, but in my way.”
Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “What does that mean?”
“It means that I am going to be a soloist for the symphony, but I won’t be traveling with them.”
“I don’t understand.”
I could hear apprehension in his voice. “It means that I’m only going to perform when they’re in town and on occasional trips. I told the conductor that while I appreciate the offer, I had a life I wanted to live, one with the man I loved. He was able to make a compromise. He said I was worth it.”
“Carmen. Your dream.”
“Is coming true, thanks to you. I want to stay with you, right here. I mean, if you still want me.”
The apprehension quickly turned to joy, his face beaming as he picked me up into his arms. “Are you certain?”
“More than anything. You allowed this to be my choice and I’ve made it. You are my life. This beautiful place is my life.”
He took a step back. “Does that mean that you’re going to obey me?”
“With reservations,” I said, grinning.
“Hmmm… I think someone needs a reminder of who’s boss.”
“Well, I am a naughty girl.”
When he swept me into his arms, I realized I’d made the right decision. I was no longer the bird in a cage. I was a woman with burning desires, some darker than others and I could have everything I wanted.
As long as I obeyed.
The dark man.
The dangerous man.
The man with a heart.
And there was nothing else I wanted more.
He crushed his mouth over mine, sliding his tongue past my lips. As our tongues entwined, I shuddered from his touch alone, my pussy quivering and my nipples aching. Everything about this felt right and oh-so perfect.
I’d found a home.
The passion and the electricity roared between us, all the difficulties pushed aside. I belonged to him. For now.
And forever.
When he broke the kiss, he pushed me over his desk, instantly dragging my dress over my hips and exposing the fact I wasn’t wearing any panties. I heard his short laugh seeing my condition, knowing he gathered a whiff of my scent.
“You never made good on your promise to replace all those panties you ripped off me,” I said demurely.
A growl pushed past his lips before he pressed his hand on the small of my back. “I guess we’re going to have to fix that. Wait a minute. No. As of today, you’re no longer wearing clothes in this house. Now, for a lesson in making certain you follow the rules.”
I closed my eyes and leaned over as he issued the first series of hard smacks against my bottom, I squealed, but not from the pain. From the fact that my heart was singing as much as my soul. Nothing could ever come between us again, but if it did, I knew he’d protect me.
In his way.
No matter what he had to do.
And I accepted that without question.
My scarred but beautiful hero.