Finding Master Right

Rook spoke first. “Meadow said you brought a date.”

“I did.” Ba

“No shit. I’m sorry if I ruined things with her.” There was an edge of despondence in his voice, but he covered it with teasing. “Is this the one you’ve been whining about for months?”

“Yeah.” He thought about Kate sitting in the other room, and anticipation spread through him. Was she actually interested in their relationship being long term?

Hopefully, this hadn’t scared her off, but Rook came first in his life, and she needed to know that.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so distracted. I should have figured out what was going on with you without having to be told.”

“You’re my brother, not a mind reader, my keeper, or my therapist.” Rook was quiet for a while, as though he’d dozed off. Ba

“I think you woke her up.”

“Maybe. We’ll see if it sticks.” Rook stared down the bed at their legs, side by side. Ba

He could feel himself dozing off, the lack of sleep and the ebbing of adrenaline finally hitting him.

“Ba

He startled awake.

“What?”

“I know this is a weird time to mention it, but don’t wear leather pants. They make you look like a moron.”

Chapter 19

Walking into Ba

The door shut behind them, and she spun to face Ba

Her nerves were fried too. So many emotions swirled in her head, making her brain hurt. No amount of professional distance could keep her safe from the onslaught of emotions that had been in that waiting room. This wasn’t a client, this was the man she loved. He was her first priority.

“Thank you,” he rasped. “For everything tonight. I know it wasn’t pleasant for you, but I’m glad you were with me.”

She hadn’t done anything, really. The whole ordeal had been a family thing, so she’d kept her head down and stayed out of the way. She’d brought coffee and food to anyone who looked as though they needed it and sat next to Ba

“Anyone would’ve done the same,” she mumbled.

He nodded sadly. “You should go home and get some sleep.”

“No.” On the ride back, she’d already resolved to stay over with him. He needed comfort, not alone time. She wouldn’t push him to talk, but if he wanted to, she’d be there for him. “I’m too tired to drive home. Can I stay here?”

She hoped that by appealing to his protective side, he’d let her stay, and then she’d be there for him when he was ready.

His forehead crinkled as if he were surprised. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. We’ve had a long night.” She started toward his bedroom. “Come on. I’ll tuck you in.”

He chuckled. “Are you going to read me a bedtime story too?”

So he wasn’t so distraught he’d lost his sense of humor. That was good. Rook wasn’t the only one at risk. This opened a deep wound in the whole family. They all needed to watch out for one another.

They made their way to his bedroom, and he shed his clothes once inside. Now she wasn’t sure what to do. She didn’t want to intrude if he needed space, and she hadn’t processed what had happened just before the hospital call. They’d had a night of amazing sex, and there seemed to be some understanding that they were together, but where did they stand now? She didn’t want to be presumptuous by getting into bed with him. Were they a couple? Was it just for sex?

She stood awkwardly in the middle of the room while Ba

“What?” He pulled back the covers on the other side of the bed. “Get in here.”

That order, she would obey. She took off her dress, well aware of her nakedness, except for a pair of flimsy panties. But it wasn’t the time or place for sexy time. She got in and laid there awkwardly, wanting so badly to pull him into her arms and tell him everything would be okay.

Seeing him so destroyed tonight over his brother’s pain had stirred something in her—a fierce protectiveness so strong she’d had to fight back her own tears on the drive back from the hospital. His suffering broke her heart. Right now, all she wanted to do was to fix it. To make sure Ba

Love. Her eyes welled with tears. He’d fought with Ambrose—over her. He wanted her. He’d said so. She was his. He’d said that, too, from what she could remember. Or had it been a dream?

Unable to help herself, she turned and curled her body around Ba

He was already sound asleep, his snores filling the stillness of the room.

Poor guy.

She hadn’t known much about his family before that night. Now that she’d experienced it firsthand, it was obvious why he was such a nurturer. From what she could tell, he’d taken care of his little brother for the last few years. His mother seemed as though she’d checked out, but her tears and worry might have been a turning point. His sister was . . . awkward and didn’t seem to read people well. Rook may have fared worse if it weren’t for Ba

She’d known Ba

And if he’d meant what he’d said earlier—that he loved her and wanted to keep her for himself as more than just as a kinky sex partner—she could accept the “slave” label and make things work.

What was a label, anyway, but a futile attempt to classify something so people could understand it? Some things weren’t meant to be labeled and classified. Some things were so deep and personal that they couldn’t even be explained in words, never mind words other people outside the relationship could understand. D/s was like that.

Whether Ba

With tears streaming down her cheeks, she kissed his shoulder, hoping he felt the love in his dreams. The next day would be an interesting one. She had to find a way to express all of this. Were there even enough words? Maybe the timing was wrong. After what had happened with Rook, the last thing Ba

It would kill her, but she’d hold it in for now. She’d gone this long without acknowledging it. Another few days wouldn’t matter.

***

Waking up was like fighting through quicksand. Her eyelids felt like they were glued shut. Why was she so tired? The events of last night rushed through her mind, jolting her awake.