“Are you sure it’s not too girly?” I asked, glancing down at Lydia from my perch on the ladder. I flicked the unicorn-themed mobile I’d just finished hanging to indicate the subject of my uncertainty. “I thought we wanted a gender-neutral nursery.”

My wife beamed at the golden-maned unicorns and shining stars that dangled beside me, and I forgot how to breathe for a moment. She’d stolen my breath every day for years, but in the last few months, she’d become impossibly more radiant as we anticipated the arrival of our little girl. After everything she’d suffered, Lydia might not be able to carry a child, but that didn’t mean our adopted daughter wasn’t going to be our entire world.

“Who said unicorns are girly?” Lydia challenged, her gorgeous blue-green gaze shifting from the mobile to me. “They’re magical. Everyone could use a little magic in their lives, boy or girl. Even you, Smith. In fact, I think we should have one of these in our bedroom, too. It’ll be the perfect finishing touch to our new home.”

“Don’t even think about it, girl,” I warned.

I tried to appear stern, but I couldn’t suppress a smile. As of tonight, we were finished setting up the modest house we’d bought in Yonkers to prepare to grow our family—just in time for Christmas Day.

The nursery had been a joint project. Other than that, I’d given Lydia free rein to decorate as she pleased. She was the artist in the family, and she had more of an eye for these things than I did. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have given a damn if she painted life-sized pink unicorns all over our house, as long as she was here with me; the light of my life. Before I met her, I’d lived a decidedly bland bachelor lifestyle.

Now, there was one aspect of our lifestyle over which I exercised complete control. I’d kept my designs for one room in the house a carefully-guarded secret from my beautiful wife. Clayton and Derek had been coming over on odd days off from our jobs with the Bureau to help me set up the private, kinky playroom I’d created for my sweet sub.

I gave her a wolfish grin as I stepped down off the ladder and gathered her up in my arms. She let out a delighted giggle when I lifted her lithe body and tossed her over my shoulder.

“Time for your Christmas present, sweetheart,” I told her.

“But it’s still Christmas Eve,” she protested. “We agreed we’d do presents under the tree tomorrow.”

“This one isn’t under the tree. It wouldn’t fit.”

She squirmed against my shoulder. I cracked my hand against her upper thigh where her forest green dress had ridden up to expose the tops of her silk stockings.

Her shocked cry morphed into another giggle. “Does this mean I finally get to see our private playroom?”

I spanked her again. “Don’t spoil the surprise.”

She huffed out a breath. “I’m not an idiot, Smith. It wasn’t hard to figure out what you were doing in the room I’m not allowed into. Especially not with Derek bringing in poorly-concealed kinky furniture.”

Derek—the owner of BDSM club Decadence—had very kindly referred me to the most skilled craftsmen to suit my perverted needs.

“Damn. You weren’t supposed to see that. I thought I ordered you to stay in your studio and draw while Derek was here.” I curved my fingers into her ass, squeezing in reprimand.

“I was curious,” she squeaked, wiggling against me.

“Curious and clever,” I noted. “That’s a very dangerous combination, my naughty sub.”

“Hey! I thought I was on the nice list.”

“Hmmm,” I mused. “You’re always my good girl, but you’ve definitely been naughty.”

“I can make it up to you.” The sensual promise in her husky tone made my dick stiffen.

“I know you will,” I said, utterly confident. “That’s why you get to stay on the nice list.”

“Is that the only reason?”

I chuckled. “You couldn’t be truly naughty if you tried, sweet girl.”

“I guess I’ll have to try harder next time, then.”

“If you’re trying to earn a punishment, you’re succeeding,” I rumbled.

“What about my present?” I could practically hear her pout as I began to climb the stairs to the attic space I’d converted into our kinky playground. The basement would have been easier to soundproof, but I’d never take her down there. Not after the torment she’d known before I came into her life and pulled her out of that hell.

I resolutely re-focused my thoughts on the scene I had planned for her before rage at the man who’d hurt her could take hold. The years of happiness Lydia and I had shared were more than enough to blot out the bad memories.

“Who says your present can’t involve punishment?” I asked drily.

“Um, I do?” The declaration lilted with uncertainty.

I laughed again. “You know that’s not how this works, sweetheart. But don’t worry. You’ll like everything I have planned for you tonight.”

I opened the door at the top of the stairs, my chest expanding with pride at the sight of what my friends and I had built. Steepled, black-painted beams lined the ceiling. It might have resembled a quaint English cottage, were it not for the burgundy-painted walls and decidedly kinky furnishings. The house’s brick chimney was exposed on the far wall, adding to the rustic feel of the room.

I carefully set Lydia down on her feet and spun her around so she could see what I’d made for us. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her back against my chest, kissing the top of her head before leaning down to whisper in her ear.

“What do you think, sweetheart?”

“It’s perfect!” she exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She tugged against my hold, trying to escape the cage of my arms so she could explore. I held her fast.

“Stay right here with me,” I ordered. “Don’t worry, little sub. I’ll make sure you learn every inch of this space in the coming months. Right now, it’s time for your present.”

“I thought the room was my present.”

“It is, but I’m the gift that keeps on giving.”

She snorted. “Very funny. And very cocky.”

“You married me,” I pointed out.

She sighed and leaned back against my chest. “Of course I did. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I finally eased my hold on her waist and gripped her hips, turning her body into mine so I could press my stiff cock against her. She licked her pouty lips, and I took the invitation, bending down to capture her mouth with mine. She opened for me on a little happy humming sound. I caught it on my tongue, savoring the flavor of her perfect contentment.

My hands fisted in the hem of her cotton dress, and I slowly pulled it up, skimming my knuckles along the curve of her hips. She shivered, and her arms twined around the back of my neck as she pulled me closer, deepening our kiss. I obliged her, taking her mouth in domineering, claiming strokes of my tongue. She melted into me on a sigh, giving me everything I demanded of her.

I broke our kiss so I could tug her dress over her head. I tossed it aside and looked down at her gorgeous body. I didn’t mind the sight of the scars carved into her luminous skin; they were signs of her strength, not something to be hidden in shame.

Her body was completely bared to me. My saucy sub wasn’t wearing any underwear, so she stood before me in nothing but her lace-topped stockings, black garter belt, and red high heels.

Those could definitely stay on.

I scooped her up in my arms again, cradling her against my chest this time as I carried her the short distance to the bondage table. As much as I loved the feel of her soft hands on my skin, I had other plans for her tonight. Plans that involved her bound and whimpering, at my mercy and under my control.

It was time to give my wife her next present: multiple orgasms.