Authors: Lara Valentine
Tags: #Romance
Brianne couldn’t believe that any woman would allow a man to run her life like that. She sure wouldn’t, but she would try not to judge. Still, it made her wonder what kind of women attracted Nate’s attention. He really didn’t seem like the doormat type.
“I thought the submissive was supposed to put her Master’s desires first. What she wants doesn’t matter?”
“Yes, a submissive should put her Dominant’s pleasure and desires first. But a Dom must give his sub what she
needs
, not necessarily what she wants, when she wants it. Think about how fulfilling a relationship can be if each person is focused on the other’s happiness. Too many relationships fail because people are focused on their wants and needs, to the exclusion of the other person.”
Brianne could see Nate’s logic. Certainly, Rick had been focused on himself for most of their marriage. He had rarely thought about what she needed to make her happy.
“Any more questions?”
Brianne gave a heavy sigh and a shrug.
“Probably a bunch, but I think I will chew on those answers for a while if you don’t mind. It’s pretty cool that you are so open about it.”
“I wouldn’t say I am open about it. I don’t advertise it, but you are a friend. A close friend that I spend a lot of time with. I want to be open with you.” Nate gave her a big grin and threw his arm around her shoulders. Despite the heat of the day, Brianne snuggled closer. He smelled amazing. Whatever cologne he wore should come with a warning label.
“Well, you have been. I have had quite the education today.”
Nate stood and pulled her up next to him and gave her a big hug.
“Let’s get back before they send out a search party for us.”
Brianne smiled and finally relaxed. This was Nate. Handsome, smart, easygoing Nate who was such a good friend. Nothing had to be different between them. She just needed to stop fantasizing about him all the time.
* * * *
Nate’s fingers tightened around Brianne’s. He had been concerned about her reaction. Brianne was open-minded and non-judgmental, but this might have been more than even she could process. Not many people knew his secret, but he had wanted Brianne to know for a long time. He wasn’t afraid to admit that she fascinated him. He hadn’t been fascinated by a woman in a long time, maybe ever. His relationship with his ex-wife, Jennifer, had started back in high school, but of course he had been fascinated by all girls then.
Brianne was smart, funny, strong, and sexy as hell and the complete opposite of his ex. She was independent, feisty, and didn’t take any of his crap. Her submission would be a prize to win. He would have to be worthy to be her Dominant. She would make him earn her submission over and over every day of their lives. And she was submissive. His years of training and his own intuition told him that she surely was. Her preferred reading material aside, she responded to changes in his tone of voice and body language. She also went out of her way to please him, so he made sure to give her positive reinforcement when she did.
She had been through so much with her asshole of an ex-husband that he hadn’t wanted to push her into anything she wasn’t ready for. Brianne was wary of men, and rightfully so. He knew that the only reason he wasn’t lumped in with the rest of his gender was that she didn’t find him threatening. He went out of his way to make her feel safe, cared for, and respected.
It was time. He could feel it in his bones. She was ready for a relationship, and that relationship was damn well going to be with him. Now that she knew the truth and hadn’t bolted, he would start slowly advancing the relationship. He would start touching her more, invading her personal space, using all the tricks he had learned over the years. He wanted this woman so much.
“C’mon, sweetheart. Let’s walk back to the house and get something cool to drink. Man, is it hot out here.” Nate tugged her to her feet and slid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer than he normally would but not so close that she would freak out. Her body felt soft and warm next to his, and he breathed in the delicious scent—a cross between vanilla and something softly floral. He could feel his cock starting to fill and shifted his stance a little to release some of the pressure.
Down, boy.
“It is hot, and I need an iced tea. How about you?” She smiled up at him, and his heart beat a little faster as he gazed into her beautiful green eyes.
“Iced tea, huh? I think I will have a cold beer instead, sweetheart.”
“Fine. Let’s go get you a beer.” Brianne laughed as they walked slowly back to the house.
Brianne didn’t have time to feel weird or uncomfortable around Nate. He was at her house for their weekly dinner, as usual. Sunday dinner meant that Brianne cooked and Nate cheered from the sidelines. Luckily, he was an appreciative cheerleader. He always helped with the dishes afterward, too. It never hurt to have a handsome man in the kitchen.
Nate flicked on the music dock, and the sounds of Lady Antebellum filled the room. Brianne smiled as Kade groaned at the music choice from his position in front of the TV. She and Nate liked many of the same songs, but the kids wanted to hear hip hop or rap. Kade was more vocal and raucous than usual tonight. Summer vacation wasn’t mellowing him, and Brianne found that all week she had bordered on a headache. Her ex-husband had canceled his weekend with Kade at the last minute, and she had had to deal with an upset six-year-old. Rick had some bullshit excuse about having a cold and not wanting Kade to get sick. The last time he had made this excuse, she found out he canceled to take his blonde, twentysomething wife to Nassau for a long weekend.
She was beyond grateful that Nate had come over for dinner a little early this evening and distracted Kade while she cooked.
“Man, that smells good! I’m starving!” Brianne shook her head as Nate peeked in the oven where her baked ziti was bubbling away.
“Shoo! You are going to let all the heat out.” She waved Nate away from the oven and began slicing up the long loaf of bread. The bread would go in the oven as soon as the ziti came out. Nate laughed as he took a draw on his beer. He looked handsome tonight in khaki shorts and a light blue polo that made his eyes look even bluer. His shoulders were broad, and she could see his muscular arms flex as he lifted the bottle to his lips. He had kicked off his shoes at the door, and even his toes were sexy.
Must not fantasize about the hunky Dom in the kitchen.
“Lisa and Conor are really missing out tonight. Big brother really loves your ziti, almost as much as I do.”
“I was in the mood to fix ziti tonight. You know your brother and Lisa have dinner every Sunday night with her parents. They wanted to come when I talked to them, but couldn’t think of a legitimate reason to cancel.” Unlike Rick who would just make crap up and then do whatever he wanted.
Stop this. Let it go.
“So, how was your week? You look tired, Bri.” Brianne could see Nate’s blue eyes soften with concern. She could feel her heart open a little as she looked at him. She didn’t have a crush on him because he was handsome, although he was. She had a crush because of things like this. He genuinely cared about her. He was protective but respected her independence. He was solid, and if she wanted to, she knew he was someone she could lean on. After her disastrous marriage, it was almost irresistible. Almost. Her natural fear of getting involved kept her from throwing herself at him. She would never want to embarrass Nate that way.
“Long. Kade doesn’t start day camp until next week, so he was home with me. It makes for long days trying to entertain him and still try and get some work done. I have three book covers due next week, and I didn’t get much done this weekend either. Rick canceled at the last minute. Apparently, he has a cold.” She said the last part with a touch of sarcasm.
“Should I write Dick a prescription? I know how fragile his constitution is.” Nate’s mouth twisted in derision.
“You writing prescriptions for sinus antibiotics? I don’t think even Rick could afford you.” Nate was an accomplished and respected orthopedic surgeon. He wore his success casually like a pair of comfortable, faded jeans. He was completely down-to-earth.
If you don’t count the whole “he likes to whip women” thing.
Rick was successful, too. He owned several restaurants in the state of Florida. He also made sure everyone knew how successful he was. When they were married she made the excuse that he was insecure. Now she just called him an arrogant prick.
“Dick has insurance, doesn’t he?” Nate threw his empty bottle in the trash and picked up a butter knife to help her smear garlic butter on the bread slices before popping them in the oven.
“Rick is always fully prepared, as you know. And stop calling him Dick. Kade might hear you.”
Nate glanced into the living room where Kade was engrossed in a video game.
“Kade can’t hear anything, and I just call ’em like I see ’em. He’s a dick to you and a dick to Kade. Even my kids know that he’s a dick.”
Brianne turned away so that Nate wouldn’t see the unshed tears in her eyes. Rick’s treatment of her didn’t bother her anymore, but she wished that Rick could be a better father. He was just too damned selfish. He tried, but he always did something to fuck it up.
She pulled the ziti out of the oven and transferred the bread under the broiler. As she turned, Nate pulled her close for a hug.
“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to pick at old wounds. I just hate to see Kade pay for your ex’s immaturity.”
Brianne hugged him but quickly pulled back. She should have known she couldn’t hide anything from Nate. He seemed to have some sort of superpower when it came to reading her thoughts and emotions. Maybe it was being a Dom that made him that way, or maybe he was a Dom because he was that way.
“It’s okay. You know, you didn’t tell me about your week, Nate.” Changing the subject was a good idea. Dishing up dinner was a good idea, too.
“Kade! Time for dinner!” Her young son rocketed into the kitchen.
“I’m hungry, Mom!” Brianne watched as Nate laughed and ruffled Kade’s hair.
“You’re always hungry, Jet. Sit down and your mom and I will fill your plate.”
* * * *
Nate watched as Brianne padded back into the kitchen. She looked beautiful but tired. He wished he could take some of the burden from her shoulders. She was strong and independent, but no one should have to take on what she did every day. She was a single parent trying to run her own business in a difficult economy. He looked forward to the day when he was allowed to help her. She didn’t have to be in charge every minute of the day.
“Is he asleep?” Nate nudged her auburn bangs from her eyes. There were dark circles under them, and he fought the urge to sweep her up in his arms and carry her to bed. He would make her stay there until the circles were gone and her fatigue was lifted.
“Yes, he fell asleep before I even finished the story. All the while he protested that he wasn’t tired, of course.”
He leaned over and hit the music dock switch and pulled her into his arms. He felt her stiffen against him at first, but the soft strains of Aaron Neville filled the kitchen, and she began to relax against him. He pulled her closer and began to sway to the music, nuzzling her hair and breathing in her tantalizing scent. Her thighs brushed his as she moved against him, leaving heat wherever they touched.
“I love this song. How did you know?”
He chuckled softly as he rubbed his chin on the top of her head. Her hair was silky against his roughened chin. Her hair smelled like vanilla with a hint of some exotic blossom. Since meeting her, he now got aroused whenever he smelled vanilla.
“‘Tell It Like It Is’ is one of my favorites, too, remember?” He ran his hand up and down her spine, trying to get her to relax with his touch. His campaign to win her had begun. Failure was not an option.
He felt her body melt into his and knew that she had to feel his erection against her stomach. He was tired of trying to hide how his body reacted to her body. Her lush curves were pressed up against him, and his cock was more than happy to rub against her. He pictured her falling to her knees. Her hands would be submissively behind her back, her mouth filled with his cock fucking in and out of her wet, hot mouth. She would suck and lick his hard cock until he came down her throat, swallowing every precious drop her Master gifted to her.
Nate felt her pull back a little, and he looked down into her soft, emerald-green eyes. He could feel the sizzle of awareness running between them, and he felt her shiver as he slid his hand up her spine, across the silky skin over her collarbone, and traced her full, soft lips until they parted. The sultry music washed over him, and he knew he would never hear this song again without thinking of this moment—without thinking of her.
Nate saw the expression on her face change as she started to speak. He wouldn’t let her break the mood.
“Hush. You do not have permission to speak.” He used his darkest, most commanding dominant voice and was rewarded with her mouth closing and her pupils dilating. She nodded in acquiescence.
He continued to explore her soft lips then ran his fingers across her jaw before tangling in her long auburn hair, wrapping the silky strands around his fingers. He used them to gently tug her head back as he leaned forward to whisper in the shell of her ear, “I think you like it when I’m in charge, Bri.”