Chapter 10 #3
“Exactly.” He guided her to one side of the trail to let a party of four go past. “After my last relationship fell apart in an ugly fashion, I wasn’t interested in trying again.”
The lingering hurt in the smooth, low voice made her heart ache. “I’m sorry you went through that twice.”
“Eh.” Like the sun coming up over the horizon, humor lit his face. “A friend with children said my attempts at finding the right D/s relationship reminded him of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
What in the world? Ray frowned, then sputtered a laugh. “The first, the power divide was too big, the next one was too small?”
He grinned. “He insists I must try at least one more time.”
“Relationship advice disguised in a fairy tale.” She couldn’t keep from snickering.
Drake veered off onto a small trail. The path through the trees ended at a small pond. A long wooden bench perfect for viewing sat on the grassy bank. “Let’s sit for a bit.” He drew her down beside him.
In all reality, her feet were happy to have a rest. Stretching her legs out, she breathed in the moist air. The dark pond was calm with odd, tiny islands dotting the middle.
Drake followed her gaze. “Floating islands for the ducks to keep them safe from four-legged predators.”
“Sweet.” It must work. Across the pond, a pair of ducks had fluffy babies paddling between them.
So peaceful. She pulled in a long happy breath. “Thank you. I haven’t visited this spot before.”
His strong face held a puzzled expression. “It’s a beautiful view.”
“It is but too secluded for my comfort. Bloedel has a lot of security measures, but still…” She shrugged, trying not to feel as if she was over-reacting and paranoid.
His gaze darkened. “I’m sorry so many of my gender are more predatory than protective.”
She tried a light laugh. “George used to say it was because modern life is too easy, that if men had to risk their lives bringing home supper, their testosterone aggression might be less.”
“Do you remember Bear, the rancher? He says civilization circumvents natural selection, resulting in too many males. To add to it, in nature, rogues are killed or driven out.” Drake grinned.
“Which our society won’t do. But preying on our future—women and children—is a danger to civilization, so he thinks we should geld men who savage females or children. Take them right out of the gene pool.”
“Seems awfully extreme.” Bear was Tess’ husband—and a sheep rancher. Of course he’d think in terms of herd dynamics. And improving the flock.
And yet… What would it be like to walk alone at night or in a secluded forest without fear? She wrapped her arms around herself. “I might agree with him.”
The muscles in Drake’s jaw tightened before he, so very gently, ran a finger over her cheekbone. “I’m sorry you were hurt in the past. Someday, I hope you’ll trust me enough to tell me more about what happened.”
She stiffened—and lightly answered, “Who knows…maybe.” Right about the time the planet fell into the sun.
Obviously reading her expression, he huffed a breath and kissed the top of her head. Turning, he leaned back and returned to watching the pond.
Letting her breathe again.
Eventually, Ray stretched. “We should—”
Voices sounded on the hidden trail and were growing closer.
“Ah, finally.” Drake turned toward her. “We now have witnesses, so you can feel safe.”
Before she could parse what he meant, he tilted her chin up and kissed her. Soft and gentle, teasing and retreating.
Excitement swept through her. Her whole body had been waiting for this—for him to kiss her. To touch her.
When she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, he pulled her closer with one arm behind her back. Unbuttoning her shirt, he slid his hand beneath her bra to fondle her breast. His fingers were warm and callused. Skillful.
She gasped as every nerve wakened.
“Mmm, yes.” He kneaded one breast, then his thumb swept around her rigid nipple. His next kiss deepened to a full possession.
Everything in her melted.
Voices came from nearby.
“Oh, whoa.”
“Nice.”
When Ray stiffened, Drake gave a throaty laugh and continued kissing her and fondling her breasts.
Didn’t he realize people were watching? Her heart thudded against the inside of her ribcage. She could almost feel their eyes.
Each breath she took seemed sultrier. His hands seemed hotter. Her nerves were tingling with excitement. Her arms tightened around Drake’s neck as she kissed him harder.
“Lucky man,” someone said. And then there was the sound of people moving away.
After more kissing, Drake lifted his head. His thumb rubbed over her aching nipple. “So, my little submissive, it seems you like being watched.”
“What? I do not.”
“Mmm, but you do.” His dark eyes examined her as he smiled slowly. “Perhaps our next scene in the club should be in the center of the dungeon. So everyone can watch what I do to you.”
The thrill of excitement shooting through her was appalling.
Not waiting for her response, he rose, pulling her to her feet. “We should leave before I get us in trouble by stripping you down and letting everyone here enjoy our fun.”
The rush of heat was way, way concerning.
His lips quirked.
Damn Dom.
An hour later, smothering laughter, Drake settled Ray on the couch in her living room. When he’d hoped she would eventually invite him to her home, this certainly hadn’t been in his plans.
“Seriously, Drake. I’m fine.” Her face scrunched up into an endearing scowl.
“No, you are not. Must I remind you, we have a deal.” He’d given her the choice of accepting his help or a trip to urgent care.
Her lower lip poked out.
“That pout.” Adorable. Bending down, he kissed her, slow and thorough.
When he straightened, her mouth was soft, her eyes unfocused, not a pout in sight. Much better. “Your leg needs to be elevated, and the pants have to go so I can monitor the swelling.”
If ice didn’t improve things, he’d haul her to a doctor, deal or not.
She stiffened, fear filling her eyes.
Of not being fully dressed? Merde. She didn’t appear to have friends on the island and her neighbor was gone on vacation this week. Hope and Mac were in Seattle—and she’d insisted she needed to be home for her cat. “Can you can trust me to not attack you, ma douce?”
At the blunt question, the tension slid out of her body. “I…yes.”
“Good. And we will do this, to ensure you don’t feel without backup.
” He typed in a text to Mac and Hope: Ray injured her knee, so I am assisting her for a day until she can walk without hurting.
She’ll call you tonight and tomorrow before noon to let you know I am behaving myself.
If she doesn’t check in, here’s her address.
Showing Ray, he chuckled at her befuddled expression. After adding in her home address, he sent off the message.
“I can’t believe you wrote that. They’ll think I’m…I’m…”
“Being practical and careful.” He went down on his haunches beside her and took her hand.
“Arranging a safe call is standard practice when a submissive first gets together with a Dom.” He read her expression and squeezed her hand.
“A public club doesn’t count. It never hurts to have a check-in when first alone together. ”
“Standard practice?”
“Oui.” His phone chimed, and he showed her Hope’s answer: I have the evening call. If I don’t hear her voice before 8 pm, you’ll have a cop in the driveway. Give her a hug from me.
A second later, from Mac. I’m on the morning call. After 8 am, please. If I don’t hear from her before 10 am, I’m sending a big beefy police officer to take you out, Drake. Tell her she can come and stay with me and Alex anytime she wants.
Tears welled in Ray’s eyes.
Leaning in, he kissed her cheek. Friends could unravel the hardest heart—and Ray had a very soft one.
“Now, let’s get your jeans off.”
She sighed. “Yes, Sir.”
“That does sound nice.”
Scowling at him, she unzipped her jeans and struggled to push them down.
“Allow me.” Sliding his hand under the back of her jeans to support her ass, he helped her slide her jeans down. And had to suppress a smile. Her high-rise briefs were a leopard print with black edging.
It suited her. From what he’d seen in the park, her bra matched.
Focus, Jean-Pierre.
“I can’t believe we walked for three miles—and then I trip over a branch in the parking lot.” Her hands waved in a pattern of frustration. “That’s just wrong.”
“It does seem unfair.” She’d probably hit him if he openly showed how much he enjoyed her energy and passion.
He laid a blanket over her waist and lower legs—truly a shame to hide those panties—and uncovered her right knee. Only slightly swollen with no obvious dislocation of the knee cap. No purpling bruises.
“Do you have sports ice packs and a compression wrap?”
“Yes—Faj had a bad ankle. There’s a first aid kit under the master bathroom sink, and I have leftover pain pills in the medicine cabinet from when I sprained an ankle.” She rolled her eyes. “Although that makes me sound accident-prone, doesn’t it?”
“It does. Are you?” Drake asked. But he knew better. George had mentioned she’d picked up karate like a champ.
“No!” Her glower was as cute as her pout.
Having visited before George’s death, Drake knew the house layout. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Supplies gathered, he wrapped her knee and positioned an ice pack.
After taking a pain pill, she leaned back with a sigh. “Thank you, Drake.”
“My pleasure.” He told only the truth. Caring for her filled a need inside him.
A movement caught his eye. The far wall of the great room had a vertical maze of hand carved wood shelving for books, DVDs, and plants as well as customized cat hammocks and perches.
At the highest level, two round, golden eyes peeked over the edge.
“Now, who do we have up there?”
Ray followed his gaze and smiled. “That’s my Max. I was wondering when he’d poke his nose out.”
A nose was now visible.
“Max, c’mon down and meet Drake.” She clicked her tongue a few times.