“I’m hiring a criminal defense attorney,” Olivia announced.“Just on retainer in case we need her, but I’ve got a call in and I want heraware of what’s happening.”
They were his, and that meant he had to take care of them.In order to take care of them, he couldn’t give up on himself.And he couldn’tbe stubborn.She was looking at him like the glorious brat she was, like shewas ready to fight him.
He was done fighting the good things in his life.He mighthave spent the first thirty years of his life scared and betrayed time and timeagain, but no more.He’d found his team.The one he wanted to do life with, tospend all his years with.“All right.You tell me where you need me and I’ll behonest about everything.”
Garrett let out a sigh of relief.“Thank the universe.Ithought you were going to be a stubborn asshole again.”
He needed to start setting them up for success by lettingGarrett know he was racking up the punishments.“That’s ten.Don’t insult yourDom.”
Garrett went silent.
“Just like that?”Olivia looked a little wary.
He nodded and moved into her space.“Just like that.It waspointed out to me earlier that my subs are smart and beyond capable, and Ishould listen to them outside of play like they listen to me inside it.”
“More than inside play,” Olivia insisted.“Master, youalways give good advice.You are always there for us.I know it hasn’t beenlong, but I feel safe with you and Garrett.This is a sore spot for you.We allhave them.Let us do our jobs and play to our strengths and you’ll findeverything works out.”
He leaned over and kissed her nose.“Smart sub.”He let hisforehead rest against hers.“Now I need some advice from you.I’ve never told aman I love him before.I’ve never taken a man I loved.Obviously, it’s not myfirst time…”
Her hands came up to cup his cheeks, and her eyes shone inthe low light.“That was not consensual.This is your first time.It’s yourfirst time with the only man you’ll ever love.”
“Fuck.”Garrett had a hand over his heart.Like it hurt.
Maybe they were going too fast.“Garrett, you control this.Nothing has to happen that you don’t want.We can stay the way we are.I justdon’t want you to go.If you need me to, I’ll lock this feeling away.It neverhas to come out.I can love you other ways.”
Garrett’s eyes came up, softer than before.“Do you have anyidea how long I’ve wanted to feel your hand on my backside?I’m a switch,Master.A true switch, and I haven’t ever…aside from training…”
He’d never gotten what he needed.All those years.All thestress Keane could have taken from him.Regret washed over him, but this wasn’tthe place for it.This was the place to make things right.
Training had likely shown Garrett what he truly needed, andhe’d kept that quiet for years and years.“How long have you known?Since wemet Aidan and Lexi and Lucas?”
“Since I had a session with Master Julian,” Garrett admittedquietly.
Keane damn near felt his heart stop.“What?”
“Oh, this is going to get you what you want,” Olivia saidunder her breath.
What Garrett seemed to want was a pink ass, and Keane washappy to give it to him.But not until he knew everything.Which he thought hehad.He thought they told each other everything, but now he realized they’dkept certain things behind a curtain so they didn’t risk the friendship.Sothey didn’t risk humiliation and rejection.
But no more.
“Tell me.I want to know if you slept with him.”
Olivia snorted.
Garrett shook his head.“No.It wasn’t like that at all.Itwas nothing but training.Finn was in the session with us.Julian felt I wasmissing something.”
“He saw you were a switch before you were willing to admitit,” Olivia suggested.“He’s like that.My dad always said Julian was able tosee things other Doms missed.He trained under Julian, too.I have heard rumorsthat before my mom came along, Julian offered to take in my papa because heknew he was a sub and Dad wasn’t able to claim him at that point.”
Keane felt his jaw go tight.“If Julian Lodge thinks he canadd my sub to his family, he’s fucking wrong.I don’t care how much money hehas.I won’t let it happen.”
“Master, Julian was only trying to help,” Garrett saidquietly, but it was easy to see he relaxed a bit.“He sensed the struggle in meand realized why.Finn taught me some things, but I was never bold enough toask.Julian encouraged me to talk to you.He said you were an excellent top andwouldn’t refuse me.He told me when I stopped being scared, I would truly findmy path.I don’t want to be afraid anymore, but I also don’t want to loseOlivia.”
Olivia frowned.“Why would you lose me?You think the factthat you two want each other bothers me?I mean, I’m the girl who walks in onmy dads being extremely affectionate with each other.”
“I don’t ever want you to think I don’t want you,” Garrettsaid haltingly, and Keane finally understood.
“This isn’t another Bobby situation,” he offered.“Oliviaisn’t afraid we’re going to leave her for each other.She knows we don’t workwithout her.She knows this is finally the right relationship.Even if one ofus is a stubborn bastard who needed his ass kicked.”
