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A sandy-haired man, about Mallory’s age, with dungaree blue eyes, spoke behind her. She turned and stared into his handsome face.Another big one, she thought, but not as bulky as Monroe. “Prior Marine, ma’am. We’re still Marines, just not in active service.” He extended his hand. “Levi Morrison.”
Mallory smiled. “I am learning that is a universal sentiment around here.”
“Yep, but a Marine means it.” He slapped Monroe on the back and walked off as everyone chuckled.
Having a meal with such a crowd at the same table was overwhelming, yet Mallory could relax and lower her guard a little. She was still jumpy, as evidenced by the shriek of fright when a jar of pickles hit the floor before the seal broke. A combination of shattered glass and an explosion of immediately released pressure created a slight explosion sound.
Monroe immediately drew her into his arms. “Shh, it’s okay, baby. It’s just a jar of pickles. Nothing scarier than that.”
She trembled uncontrollably for a moment while Monroe spoke to her in quiet murmurs. His hands rubbed her arms, and the overreaction receded enough for Mallory to lift her head.
“You okay to finish eating?”
She pushed the plate away. “I’m not hungry.”
He pulled the plate back. “You haven’t eaten enough to keep a bird alive. You need to try. Two bites of salad, two of fish. If you are still not hungry, you can stop.”
Mallory sniffed and wiped the tears from her face, offering him a weak attempt at indignation. “I know when I’m hungry. I’m no child.”
“Nope, but you are my lady, and that means I take your health and welfare seriously. Now two of each.” He leaned in close. “I was going to make you feel so much better later tonight to help you sleep, but I won’t if I don’t get some indication, you can follow my direction. Remember, you are practicing your submission when asked to do something. It isn’t giving away your power. It’s submitting to mine.”
He wasn’t kidding, and Mallory needed to feel like she was important and special again. Monroe gave her that in spades. And hopefully, it would lead to sex when she quit hurting. She had been dreaming of that eventuality since he asked her out on a date. No, before that.
His voice roughened. “Mallory, you need to answer me.”
God, she needed this man. She picked up the fork and stabbed her salad, putting the veggies in her mouth, letting her actions do her talking.
“You are so naughty sometimes, you know that? Next time, I need words. No more getting away with going silent.”
Mallory finished chewing and swallowed. She whispered back. “I did what you wanted.”
“You want me to spank your ass. But I won’t because you want it so much. You are in so much pain. It will be a few days before I give you the spanking you deserve and crave. Don’t forget, there are plenty of ways to punish a mouthy sub, sweetheart. Even when she hurts all over.” He kissed her temple, causing Mallory to blush hard.
“Shh. Don’t let them hear you,” she said while looking around furtively for any listeners. No one seemed to have heard him.
“They all spank their women, Mal. And while they might not all be into some of the finer points of bedroom games, I assure you, they all play them privately in some form or another, and when it’s important, the women all listen to their men.”
“What? That’s… wait, are you telling me you are all chauvinist?”
He pointed his fork at her food. She sighed, then took another bite. “No, our women are the most important thing to us and any children we may have. That’s protective. I would listen to you in your area of expertise. And while most things are private, it is always consensual because it’s not enjoyable otherwise. You should know that. “
“Oh, well… right. I know that’s true in my head, but in my heart where all the crazy emotion lives, that’s different.”
Monroe’s kiss was swift and satisfying. “That will change soon. Now eat.”
Jac clapped his hands. “Yes, let’s finish up, people. We have work to do.”
Jac nodded to Mallory. She suspected he heard their conversation or at least enough of it, but Jac didn’t indicate he had, and it was more comfortable to pretend he didn’t. She ate a little more before sitting back from the table and waiting for the rest. The surrounding conversation was relaxed and animated from some of them and intense and quiet with others.
She hoped she could get her life back soon and feel comfortable with Monroe’s friends once she knew them better. They would be the friends she had rarely found in her busy life. The women were familiar, and each had a different but comfortable manner, showing contentment. Mallory wanted that contentment and ease in relationships.
Would she ever be able to relax completely again? She hoped so. She needed a connection like she had before leaving home nearly two decades ago. Wasn’t that why she had attended the Munches? To garner a more meaningful connection with a dom that would be husband material? It was time.
“Need the bathroom before we head to the den?” Monroe’s hot breath caressed her cheek.
“How did you know? Point the way,” said Mallory with a smile.
“I’ll take you.”
