Page 59 of Slave

I snorted. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She glared at me.

Logan seemed to think this was a good time to enter the conversation. “You said something was wrong?”

Nodding, I motioned for them to follow me into the living room. Logan and Lily sat on the couch while I took a seat in my chair. Just sitting here made me think of her.

Lily’s voice brought me back to the present. “So what happened?”

I sighed and started talking. It wasn’t difficult until I got to the part in her bedroom. As I described what happened and my actions, Lily gasped. “Stephan, you didn’t?”

There was no doubt in my mind as to what she was asking. “No, Lily. I didn’t. But I wanted to. Very much.”

“Well that’s good, right?” she said, unsure now.

“Yes. It’s good. I just . . .” My head fell to my hands in defeat. “I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’ve never been on the edge of control like that before. And then after I pulled away . . . She looked so hurt, and I just had to comfort her, although it just about killed me to be that close.”

Neither of my friends commented, and their lack of response had me looking up. Each of them wore knowing grins on their faces.

“What?”

“You love her,” Lily declared.

Love her? How in the world could I love her? I barely even knew her. “No. Lily. It’s just not possible.”

“Sure it is,” she said, her voice gaining conviction.

Then Logan joined in. “I have to agree with Lily. Stephan, you’ve spent every waking hour you’re not at work with her. You’re obviously attracted to her. You care what happens to her, whether or not she’s happy or sad. Why is it so inconceivable to you that you’ve fallen in love?”

“But I don’t even know her!” I threw my hands up in the air. “She barely talks to me. And even then she edits everything she says.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Lily said.

I stood then, unable to sit, and began pacing. “What do you mean it doesn’t matter? I don’t even know if she wants what I would be able to offer her in the form of a relationship. A relationship that requires . . . demands, communication.”

Lily stood then and walked to me. She took my hands in hers and looked me in the eye. “Stephan, you are a good Master. I know. Any submissive would be happy to serve you. You’re right that she isn’t ready, but it’s only been three weeks. Give it time.”

Hearing movement, Lily dropped my hands and we all turned our heads to see Brianna standing just outside her bedroom door. Her eyes met mine for only a second before lowering to the ground. I reached out my hand and said, “Come. Greet our guests.”

She walked immediately to my side and took my offered hand. I saw Lily smirk. “Hello, Lily. Logan.”

I saw Logan make a subtle movement toward Lily just before she stepped forward and reached for Brianna’s free hand. “Maybe we should leave the boys alone for a little while.”

Lily was tugging on her arm, but Brianna didn’t move an inch. Instead she turned to look up at me, silently asking for permission. I nodded and let go of her hand.

Immediately I felt the loss. Could Lily and Logan be right? Did I love her?

Brianna

When he sent me back to my room to take a nap I went straight to my bed and got under my blanket. I didn’t go right to sleep, though. My mind was still racing over what had happened today.

He said he wasn’t upset with me; that I wasn’t in trouble. My first instinct was not to believe him, to think this was some mind game.

But then something changed and my brain took over as I reminded myself he did not lie to me. If he said I wasn’t in trouble, then I wasn’t. I had to believe that.

Then my mind drifted to when I’d found him hovering over me as I lay fully exposed in my bed. I had been frightened by his presence and what I was sure would happen. But something in me wanted him to be pleased with how I looked. I knew there were ugly scars on my body. Ian had enjoyed marking me in many ways.

As I felt his fingers touch my breast and call me beautiful, I’d almost started crying. He thought I was beautiful. The word was almost reverent as it left his lips.

When his mouth met mine it had been different than the times in the past. It had been harder, more possessive. Then he’d commanded me to kiss him and something inside me rose to the challenge.

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