Page 30 of Savoring Sienna
“Mr. Snuggles is very offended by your tone.”
She dissolved into giggles as she leaned against his chest. “You’re impossible.”
“Is that a yes?” His fingers tilted her chin up. “I promise, kitten, nothing and no one will touch you while I’m around.”
Sienna studied his face, seeing the steel beneath the playfulness. Since her arrival, she hadn’t ventured beyond Porter’s Corner, but Crone’s confidence and quiet strength offered her a feeling of safety and protection. The way he looked at her now, she knew without a doubt he would kill to protect her.
“Fine”—she sighed dramatically—“but only because I want to see the big bad Dom drinking a pink milkshake.”
His responding kiss was gentle this time, but no less affecting. “That’s my brave girl.” His arms tightened around her. “Besides, someone needs to keep those fashion-crazed students of yours from buying up the entire town.”
“Oh god,” she groaned, burying her face in his chest. “What have I gotten myself into?”
“An adventure and some fun,” he whispered against her hair. “With me by your side. Always.”
The word “always” echoed in her mind. That single word carried more meaning than she was ready to examine. But for now, wrapped in his arms, she allowed herself to believe in it.
Sienna
Mega Pizzeria, Missoula
The excited chatter of the students filled the cozy pizzeria with their voices overlapping as they discussed the day’s purchases and plans for the upcoming shoot. Sienna watched them from her booth. Warmth spread through her chest at their animatedfaces and bright eyes. She had helped create this enthusiasm, this creative spark. For the first time since she had started teaching the course, she felt truly connected to her students’ joy as their passion became her own.
Once again, it all circled back to Crone. He had somehow found the hairline cracks in her protective walls, and with every encounter gently widened them, allowing her true nature, the nurturer and the artist, to emerge. He had awakened parts of her soul she had forgotten existed, needs she’d buried so deep she hadn’t recognized their absence. More accurately, she hadn’t wanted to recognize them… until now.
“Prof!” Ines slid into the seat beside her, practically vibrating with excitement. “You’ll never guess what Master Crone agreed to!” She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, loud enough for everyone to hear. “He bought this absolutely gorgeous leather biker’s outfit and said he’d model for our shoot!”
“He what?” Sienna’s eyebrows shot up as she turned to look at Crone, who was attempting to appear innocent while stuffing his face with pizza and sucking loudly on his pink bubblegum milkshake. How did such a sexy hunk of a man manage to look like a little boy enjoying his favorite treat without appearing silly? Her heart melted.
“Well, well,” Sadie drawled. Her eyes twinkled as she leaned forward. “Is the infamous Master Crone Lange finally embracing his destiny as a silver-fox model?”
Derek nearly choked on his drink. “Should we be worried about losing our newly appointed specialized whip therapist to the fashion industry?”
“Hey now,” Crone protested, pointing his pizza slice at them. “I’ll have you know I’ve been told I have excellent bone structure.”
Their laughter was interrupted by the pizzeria’s door opening. Master Lawson entered, supporting a clearly pregnant woman who could barely stay on her feet. Sadie immediately bounced up as her Little side emerged.
“What happened to her?” she cooed with concern as she gently pushed the hair from the woman’s face.
“I found her in the alley,” Lawson explained, gently helping the woman into the seat beside Sienna. “Her feet are raw from walking, and she’s clearly dehydrated.”
Anyone unfamiliar with Rawhide Ranch’s Chief of Security might have been concerned about Lawson’s expression, but Sienna knew the tight line of his lips and his creased brow were due to the immense concern he felt for the stranger in their midst. His wife, Brooke, was also expecting, and Sienna thought the large man was most likely wondering who in the hell would allow their pregnant wife to be in such a perilous state.
“Th-thank you, Sir.” The woman’s voice was rough, but the deference in her tone caught Sienna’s attention. She noticed Crone and Derek exchanging a meaningful look and knew they had recognized it too. The natural submission in her posture and the way she lowered her eyes as she clasped her hands, spoke of someone experienced with the lifestyle.
Derek’s voice took on that gentle tone Sienna remembered so well from her own rescue. “What’s your name, little one?”
“Milly Dawson.” She swallowed hard. “Richard, my husband, was killed s-six months ago. We owned a restaurant in Salt Lake City. H-he refused to do business with a drug cartel. They wanted him to launder money.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “They killed him one night as he closed shop. A bullet through his brain.” Her hands curled protectively around her belly. “I was six weeks pregnant and so scared they’d come after me, I ran. I’ve been drifting from pillarto post ever since then, hoping to find a safe place... but no one wants to give a pregnant woman a job and I... I just…”
Sienna caught one of Milly’s trembling hands in hers. “Shh... it’s okay. Here, you need to eat something.” She turned to Crone. “Please order her a hot chocolate and one of those bubblegum milkshakes of yours.”
As Crone hurried to comply, Derek reached across the table to cover Milly’s other hand. “You can relax, Milly. You’ve stumbled upon us for a reason. We have a safe haven for someone like you. We’ll take care of you.”
“I… don’t know what to say.” She sniffled, “Except thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
“How far along are you now?” Sienna asked softly.
