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You’ll never know unless you try. Question is, do you want to try?
“Yes. I mean, I will.”
Sanna and her Masters watched our exchange. My sister wore a cheeky little grin, but Dylan and Nick looked smug and guilty. Sanna had clearly had no idea Stephen and Joshua were one and the same, but Nick certainly did. I suspected Dylan had known, too. Once I got the two men alone, I planned to bombard them with a whole lot of uncomfortable questions and make sure they never played me again.
The orchestra began playing, and soft, romantic music filled the air as we ate. The Doms talked and laughed while I picked at my chicken parmesan. Without warning, Joshua suddenly leaned in close. His masculine, erotic scent wafted over me and I nearly dropped my fork.
“By the way, dinner’s at my place tomorrow night, little one. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Chapter Six
“I thought we were going out for dinner,” I whispered as unwelcome panic clawed up my spine.
“Oh no, little one.” The words rolled off his tongue in a slow, seductive purr. “I’m a greedy bastard. I’m keeping you all to myself, at least for tomorrow night. I don’t want to share the sight of you with another man.”
“Oh,” I whispered as visions of the night we’d spent together tangled through my head.
“Will you do something for me?”
Was he asking for something simple, like passing the butter, or something far more difficult, like a submissive task? This was what I’d been afraid of…that he’d assume my apology, or acceptance of his dinner invitation, meant I was ready to plunge headfirst into submission. He was in for a rude awakening.
“I don’t know. It depends on what it is,” I challenged with a wary glance.
“Hmmm, you’re not ready yet. Let me rethink this. We’ll talk about it over dinner tomorrow night.”
The man was smooth, no doubt about it. I had a feeling he’d purposefully piqued my curiosity, but wild horses wouldn’t drag a single question about his request out of me. If I was going to venture down the submissive road again, I planned to take it at my own pace—whether it be like a rabbit or a snail. I wasn’t about to leap into the fire simply because he fanned the enticing flames.
“Make no mistake about it, Mellie. I’m on a mission. I’m going to peel back the layers you’re hiding behind, one by one. And when I think you’re ready, I intend to bring you face to face with the beautiful submissive inside you. Let you see how fucking gorgeous she is so that you’ll never think of hiding her away again.”
I swallowed tightly. He wanted to strip me bare and revive my dormant desires. The thought of emotionally exposing myself sent a rush of panic through my system. Strangely, the tingling sensation also held a level of excitement. My inner sub began emerging from her slumber. I couldn’t see a way to keep her imprisoned when everything about the man called to her. It pained me to acknowledge I didn’t possess the willpower to refuse the freedom Joshua’s Dominance offered. It was too strong, too compelling, too tempting.
Could I give Joshua the power to dominate me for the rest of my stay in Chicago? While the idea stirred a level of unease, it also brought me an unexpected feeling of peace.
Still, I wasn’t a fool. Setting my submission free would be a costly gamble. I’d lose a piece of my heart, and in the end, pay a very high price. My head and my heart were at war. Internally weighing the pros and cons of such a daunting decision, I couldn’t emphatically choose yes or no, at least not there on the spot. I needed more time, but my visit would end before Joshua and I could foster the level of trust necessary to enter a power exchange…or could we? I still wasn’t convinced it was what I truly wanted.
Right, the voice in my head scoffed.
“That wasn’t meant to scare you, little one. I’m simply being honest and voicing my desires. Well, some of them, at least.” Joshua smiled, but I didn’t. He pursed his lips and issued a thoughtful hum. “Stop analyzing it, Mellie. Let’s just take one step at a time. Can you do that?”
“Yes, I think I can.” I nodded.
“Good, now let’s kick back and enjoy the party. What do you say?”
“I say that’s a wonderful idea.” A smile curled my lips, and Joshua grinned.
Sitting at the table, we talked, ate, drank and laughed. Julianna and Mika gave poignant speeches as they toasted the bride and groom before the happy couple made their way to the dance floor. They looked stupidly in love with one another, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Watching Tony’s father float Leagh across the wooden floor while her groom danced with his mother, bittersweet tears stung the backs of my eyes. Someday, Sanna would be in the exact same place, but there would be no father to hold her and share one last precious dance as guardian of her world. No mother for either Dylan or Nick to sway with the soft music, vowing to keep her little girl happy, healthy, and protected.
Stealing a glance Savannah’s way, I watched her dab a tear from her cheek. I knew our thoughts had traveled down the same path. I’d done my best to provide for her when we were orphaned, but the inability to bring back the center of our lives was a void neither of us could ever replace.
Dylan bent and kissed away her tears before cupping her chin. Holding her in a sublime, cherished gaze, he smiled. “I love you, kitten.” His words were softly spoken yet suffused with such riotous emotion I had to look away.
It wasn’t jealousy that pricked my heart, but a never-ending longing that rushed to the surface and caught me off-guard. The chances that I’d find love like Sanna’s grew slimmer each day. Joshua drew a circle over the back of my hand with his fingertips. Turning, I stared into his eyes. A tender smile softened his handsome features.
“You’ll never have to worry, Mellie. Savannah will always be thoroughly loved,” Joshua murmured in my ear.
“Yes, I know.” I smiled with a secure nod.
