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The evening meal was quiet. Mallory had gone back and swam a second time after Ivy had gone home. She had done some laps as Sharlee sat in the water with Storm and let her son play around her. After playtime, Finley, the toddler’s nanny, came to take him out. Sharlee then turned to Mallory.
“How are you holding up with all the changes in the last few days?”
Mallory wasn’t easily impressed or intimidated. She liked the confidence of Sharlee, but she had to admit that there was a minor concern about whether or not the other woman would take to her. She knew that Sharlee, being married to the boss and being a force of nature in her own right, Mallory needed to connect to what was essentially the Alpha female of this group.
“It’s a challenge, but Monroe is helping me handle it, and of course, all of you.”
Sharlee leaned back against the side of the pool and kicked her legs. “So, Monroe said you had a lot in common.”
“We do. It surprised me because most of the guys I have met in the last few years have been immature or weren’t a good match. I mean, by this time in one’s life, you would expect guys to be more put together. More in tune with themselves and the world around them. I have found that is not the norm.”
“Monroe is older than you, so I imagine he does seem more secure and confident.”
Mallory scrunched up her face. “It’s more than that. My job or my doctorate did not intimidate Monroe.”
Sharlee nodded. “He was impressed with you, taken with you, actually, which is why we started looking for you. He didn’t want to let you go without knowing why.”
“I’m glad he didn’t just walk away. Even though I was out of immediate danger, his presence stopped me from losing my mind in fear and panic when everyone descended on me. They wanted me to talk immediately about what happened, and I could hardly believe I was safe. Actually, I didn’t believe it until he showed up.”
Sharlee was quiet for a few moments. When she did speak, it was in appreciation for Mallory seeing the good in her friend. “Monroe is such a nice guy, and honestly, he has been one that didn’t see any reason to do more than play and go home. He likes the more regimented lifestyle of being a professed dominant, but I think he just had found no one he connected with on a deeper level than play. Then he found you.”
Mallory stopped treading water and floated on her back against the wall next to Sharlee. “Monroe settles me, and how could you not fall for a man that is present when he is with you? We love mysteries, going for long drives, quirky wine, and late-night dinners and board games. We haven’t been able to do any of that together, but we can now.”
Sharlee smiled. “I think you are as smitten with him as he is with you.”
“Smitten?” Mallory laughed. “Yes, you’re probably right. The things we connect on aren’t anything fancy or different from the things others connect on, but it’s huge for me. He doesn’t compete with my job, and I’m okay with him not disclosing about his.”
“I can see why Monroe is so taken with you. You’re his dream come to life. Granted, Monroe and Garrett are both men to keep their secrets to themselves, and Monroe had kept your budding relationship secret until he couldn’t. I’m so glad he found you. You’re going to fit in perfectly with our group.”
“I hope so because I know Monroe loves you all. I just want to be a part of his life. But…”
“But?”
Mallory shook her head and gave a depreciating laugh. “Nothing. Thank you for letting me stay here for a few days. I know that it put you out.”
“Are you kidding? We have more house than we will ever use, so it’s great to share when we can. And some of the others have used it for this very reason on previous occasions, but I’m not letting you off the hook. What were you going to say?” Sharlee could be as demanding as her husband with the same air of compliance expectation.
“Just that if Monroe decides he doesn’t want to be long-term with me, I’ll be devastated.”
Sharlee nodded. “I get it, but don’t worry. I’ve watched him with you. He’s in it for the long haul.”
“What are you ladies chatting about?” asked Jac.
“Us? Nothing.” Sharlee’s shrug and grin said the opposite. Mallory looked down as she tried to busy her hands by rearranging her suit.
Jac and Monroe walked to the side of the pool. Jac helped Sharlee and Monroe put out his hand for Mallory. The metal sheet came down outside to cover the large window to the side yard that the pool looked out over during the day.
“This place reminds me of Fort Knox,” said Mallory.
Jac nodded as he dried Sharlee’s hair. “Good, then you will know how protected you are. You might get a decent night’s sleep.”
“Only if I don’t dream.”
“If you still have disruptive dreams in another few days, I’ll get my physician out here to prescribe something to help.”
Mallory shook her head. “I’ll assess my need when I get home. I imagine I’ll have dreams for a while. But thank you for the offer.”
