Chapter Seven

Phebe and Donovan

I got home before Donovan did. He’d had to run into the office for a bit to work on some high-priority case. Even though the trial had been postponed until after the holidays, Donovan never left anything to chance and was always over-prepared. So, while Miles and I had been out finishing our last-minute Christmas shopping, Donovan had gone into work.

I kept going over Miles’ and my conversation and knew he was right. There was nothing for me to be scared of because this was Donovan, the man I trusted with my entire being. Even if he wasn’t ready, I was. It was like I’d told Miles—I had a need not being fulfilled, and it was my responsibility to communicate that with my Dom. Even though we’d been pushing boundaries, it was time to push some more. I wanted it all. And what better time than Christmas. Submission was the gift that kept on giving, and I wanted to give it to Donovan.

I hurriedly made plans before he came home. I called Eden and had Gina, another sub who had recently been promoted to assistant manager of the club, find a way to get him there tomorrow, even fake an emergency if she had to. We’d never played at Eden, always preferring to stay at home, especially given my occasional tendency to have a flashback followed by a minor panic attack. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a massive one, but I still had mild anxiety and the random nightmare. Luckily, Donovan was always able to bring me back from them. He was my rock. But, for what I had planned, I wanted it to happen at Eden. It was time for me to jump.

I’d just hung up the phone after my talk with Gina when I heard the key hit the lock. When the door opened and Donovan stepped through, my heart skipped a beat. He smiled brightly when he saw me standing in the living room. His blond hair was slightly snow covered, but was quickly darkening from wetness as the snow melted. He unwrapped the scarf from around his neck and hung both it and his coat up on the coat rack next to the door. He toed off his shoes next.

“Hey, love, how was your day?” he asked even before he walked over to me. He pulled me into his arms and gave me a hello kiss that made my toes curl. It took me a minute to catch my breath after the kiss, but finally I was able to answer.

“It was wonderful. I met Miles for coffee, and we chatted for a while. It’s kind of a secret, so don’t say anything, but he bought a ring.” I didn’t actually know that it was a secret, but based on his nervousness about proposing, I assumed he hadn’t shared the details with anyone. But I knew Donovan wouldn’t repeat anything I said, so I felt safe telling him.

“A ring?” he asked. “Like an engagement ring?”

I smacked him lightly on the arm. “Duh, of course, an engagement ring. What other kind of ring would I be talking about?”

He shrugged lightly before nuzzling my neck. “I have no idea.”

“Donovan, are you even paying attention to what I just said?” I said breathlessly as he nibbled my favorite spot.

“Of course I am. Miles, engagement ring. That’s great. I’m happy for them. I’m just happier to see you.”

I melted at his words. What woman wouldn’t? I couldn’t wait for tomorrow night. My knees grew weak from Donovan’s kisses, and all thoughts of Miles and Josie flew out of my head as my fiancé loved on me. A beeping sound finally penetrated my fuzzy brain.

“Crap, my cookies are burning.” I nudged Donovan, who released his hold on me as I raced to the kitchen to get my Christmas cookies out of the oven before they burned. I planned on taking them over to Connor and Bridget’s house for Christmas. This was going to be my first Christmas as part of Donovan’s extended family, and even though I knew everyone, I was nervous.

I’d been told each couple needed to bring two small gifts — one for a man and one for a woman. The gifts were labeled “W” for woman and “M” for man and placed under the tree. Then, there was a gift exchange. Each person got to pick a single gift labeled for the opposite sex. The women would give their husband or significant other the man’s gift and vice versa. Then we each opened our present. Since this was the first year everyone had a significant other, no one was sure how the exchange would work, but we were all willing to give it a try.

Personally, I thought it sounded fun. We weren’t told if the present should be a gag gift or something actually useful. I wanted to be silly and buy something funny, but being my first year celebrating with every one, I was a little scared I’d be the only one who bought something entirely useless, albeit possibly entertaining, so I went with functional. I’d wait and see what everyone else brought and then decide for next year.

I’d just finished pulling the cookies out of the oven when Donovan walked into the kitchen. He’d gone into the bedroom and changed from his work clothes to casual attire.

“How was work?” I knew he couldn’t talk specifics about his cases, but he sometimes shared generically how things were going.

Donovan settled in one of the dining room chairs and watched me putter around. He said it was one of his favorite activities. “I’m nervous about this case. We have some compelling evidence, but it’s one of the witnesses that has me nervous. Something is off about his testimony, but I can’t put my finger on it. I just have a feeling we’re gonna get burned on this one, and a criminal is going to walk.”

I turned slightly to look at him. “I’m sorry, babe. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that’s not what happens and that you win this one. I know how hard you work.”

Donovan shrugged. “We’ll see what happens when we reconvene after New Year’s. Have you talked to Muriel? Is she still wanting us to come over on Christmas Eve?”

I smiled happily as I slid the cookies on the cooling rack. “Oh yes, she can’t wait for us to come over. She has an entire meal planned. And, she’s chomping at the bit to introduce us to her new gentleman friend, whom she also invited. She’s as giddy as a school girl with her first boy crush. It’s adorable really.”

Donovan looked a little grumpy at the mention of Muriel’s “friend”. She had become like a grandmother to Donovan as well, and he’d become fiercely protective of her. He adored the ground she walked on, and god help the man who broke her heart. I hadn’t mentioned anything to Donovan, but I was curious to see his expression when he discovered Muriel’s gentleman was twenty years younger than she was. She and I had discussed it because I think she wanted my approval. I told her that as long as he treated her well and she was happy, I couldn’t care less how old he was. Donovan, on the other hand, would mostly likely not be thrilled with the fact.

I’d finally finished removing the cookies and washing up the dishes. I set the dish towel on the counter and went to sit at the table with Donovan. I reached out to clasp his hand in mine.

“I love you. You know that, right?” I squeezed his hand as my eyes bore into his.

He narrowed his eyes and looked at me suspiciously. “Should I be scared that you led with that?”

I snorted. “No, I just wanted to make sure you know I love you.”

“Phebe, sweetheart, there isn’t a single doubt in my mind that you love me as much as I love you. I’m so excited to be able to spend the rest of my life with you. This is just the beginning for us.”

Donovan tugged on my hand, and I stood from my seat as he pulled me over to him and onto his lap. My arms automatically went around his shoulders, and his hand settled on my hip.

“You make me the happiest woman on earth. I’m so glad to be called yours.” I rested my head on his shoulder, enjoying the warmth of his body.

We remained like that until my stomach rumbled, causing us both to laugh. I jumped off Donovan’s lap and went in search of food. We worked in tandem, getting dinner ready, and after a delicious dinner, parked ourselves on the couch and spent the rest of the night doing our thing, which was watching romantic holiday movies together. I went to bed that night even more excited for what the next day would hold. Donovan wasn’t going to know what hit him when he showed up at Eden tomorrow night.