Chapter 26: Lydia

His arms loosen so I can turn but he's still holding me. God, he looks good enough to fucking eat. The cuffs of his white dress shirt are rolled up. He's in dress slacks and not his usual club attire. It takes everything I have not to drop at his feet and rest my head again him. I can't, though. That's not who I am. Or maybe it is who I am with him but he can never know it. "I don't want this. Please let me continue working."

He shakes his head slightly. "No. We can do this the easy or hard way. Your call."

Anna takes the flogger from my hand. She grins slightly without saying anything and I know I won't get any help from her.

"Lydia," Damian says and I turn back to him. "Place your arms around my neck and wrap your legs around my waist." He doesn't give me time to reply before lifting me.

I have no idea what shit he's pulling now. I also have no idea why I comply. I expect him to take me to his office. Instead, he walks past the carousel and stops at the bar. My rear end hits the cold black marbled surface and Damian stands between my fishnet-covered thighs. I'm in another short skirt tonight paired with red stiletto heels and a red corset. I remove my hands from around Damian's neck and wait impatiently for whatever he has planned next.

"Stand up," he says in his Dom voice.

I'm not sure what he means. "What?"

He steps back and bends slightly. He lifts my feet and turns me so my heels land on the top of the bar. "Stand up," he repeats.

He's crazy. I guess I'm crazy too. I stand. Using his arms, Damian lifts himself on top of the bar. Instead of standing, he goes to his knees. His antics are drawing a crowd. He circles my waist and startles me when he pulls me in close until his forehead rests against my belly. I inhale slowly. Even the carousel has stopped spinning and everyone is curiously watching us. Why am I falling under Damian's spell again? It's just not fair.

"What are you doing?" I hiss. God, I think to myself. Please give me a backbone.

Damian leans away and tilts his head so we're looking into each other's eyes. "I want you," he says simply. His voice carries and I'm well aware everyone around us can hear him. "I want you in my bed and in my life, permanently. Tie me up... use me... whatever it takes. I'll lift you up when you need my help. I'll keep you safe and give you everything I have. If that's not enough, I'll sub for you. Don't leave me, Lydia, I love you." Slowly, he pulls a gold club necklace from his pocket. He slips the chain over his head and the heart rests against his heart.

The world stops. The arrogant Dom I met a few weeks ago is on his knees telling me he loves me and proving it. My heart melts and all the threads of my life connect. I have two choices-walk away or go all in. My plan for my own club fades instantly. The simple truth is I can't hold onto my anger or my dreams because those dreams have changed at Damian's words. I step back and sink to my knees. I reach out and finger the heart on his chest. Our eyes remain locked until I lean in and kiss him. I control this kiss because he understands exactly what I need.

"Is that a yes?" he asks when I pull away.

He's a good man-stubborn, aggravating, and dominating. I love him even when I want to punch him for leaving me to wake up alone. I'm not sure when desire for his amazing body and dominant skills turned to this. I'm unaware of my tears until Damian slides his finger across my cheek and wipes them away. "Yes," I whisper in a choked voice.

The dimples I love so much light up his face. "Yes?" he asks with surprise.

"Are you taking it back?" I whisper through my tears.

"Never," he breathes before pulling me in for another kiss. My big bad Dom lets me know who's in charge this time. Our relationship is a two-way street. Both of us can give and take. When he needs it, I'll happily flip him over my shoulder and put him in his place. As the kiss continues, our audience breaks into applause with a few cheers thrown in.

"Can we go somewhere private?" I ask breathlessly when the kiss ends. The fact that Damian shared this moment with these people is amazing. They're part of his world and as I look into their smiling faces, I realize they're part of mine too.

Damian's expression changes to a guilty smile. "My mother is upstairs and she wants to meet you."

"What?" I must not have heard him correctly.

His grin changes and merriment fills his eyes. "I brought her with me so she could talk sense into you if you turned me down."

He can't be serious. "You brought your mother here?"

"If waiting in my apartment is here, then yes, I did."

I'm no longer smiling. "You're insane," I say while trying to control my temper. I can't meet his mother right now. I might be wearing proper club attire but on the street, I'd look like a prostitute.

He ignores my horror at the thought of meeting his mother right now. "Come on." He jumps down and places his arms up. I grasp his shoulder when he lifts me off the bar. Once my feet are on solid ground, I release him and put my hands on my hips. "I'm not meeting your mother dressed like this."

He only laughs. "I told her I might be bringing you bound, gagged, and over my shoulder. She was in the lifestyle and probably still is, but I don't want to picture it please. You'll love her and she'll love you. She always wanted a daughter."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. And it doesn't change that I'm not meeting his mother until I'm dressed appropriately. My anger is building because like he's done repeatedly, he isn't listening to me. "Look, Mr. Manipulative, I-" Damian cuts me off by swinging me over his shoulder in a move too quick and unexpected for me to stop him. Clapping breaks out again and my upper body dangles. "I'm going to kill you," I yell so everyone can hear. His deep laughter is what I get for my effort.

He sets me down in front of the personal elevator in his office. Without entering the code, he steps into me and my back hits the elevator door. His arms come up and rest on either side of my head. "You're beautiful, though my mom won't care if you had two heads and crossed eyes on both of them. I told her I would bring you back within thirty minutes. I don't lie to my mother. She wants to share what an incredible little boy I was and what a great husband and father I'll make. If you absolutely can't meet my mother dressed as the person you truly are, say so now and I'll wait for you to change clothes." He ends this statement with a soft kiss.

Hell, what do I have to lose? This is who I am.