Page 69 of For the Sub

“I’ll join you once the mountain lion is taken care of.”

The cat followed him to the kitchen, and Niles found the nuggets right where she’d said.

Whisper sat on his haunches near his bowl.

Slowly, he thumped his tail as he waited, considering Niles while simultaneously telling him to hurry up.

As he filled the dish, Niles was hyper tuned in to the sounds Brandy made in the bedroom.

No doubt she was following his orders.

There was an undeniable intimacy about sharing a bathroom and a bed. People kept secrets for a reason, and it was more difficult to keep them hidden when you occupied the same space.

Earlier this evening, he’d treated her hesitation with lightness, but he’d been aware of the riptide beneath the surface. Neither of them could pretend their encounter hadn’t meant something meaningful.

She’d been clear that she hadn’t had a man in her private space in the two years that she’d lived here. That meant she’d been hurt before and was intent on protecting herself. Had she moved from Denver, or had she run?

Damien had been right to warn him to stay away from Brandy.

But rather than heeding the well-intentioned advice, Niles wanted to know why she took care of pets instead of a family, especially when she was so loving and nurturing.

And yet…he’d glimpsed a river of steel and resolve beneath the surface.

She’d asked about Eleanor, and she hadn’t backed down when his responses would frighten a lesser woman.

He was intrigued, all right.

Enough so that there was no fucking way he’d listen to reason and end this while she waited for him in the bedroom.

Once his chores were handled, he joined her.

Perfect and beautiful, Brandy was on her knees, her hair hanging down her back in a single, long silky strand. The restraints he’d requested were laid out.

Over the last few minutes, he hadn’t lost much of his erection, but arousal returned at the sight of her nudity. She was looking at the floor, with her knees spread and the backs of her hands resting on her thighs.

Not that he’d expected anything different. “Well done.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

After closing the door, he advanced toward her. “You’re well trained.”

“Thank you, Sir. My refinement came from Gregorio.”

Resentment slashed through him, shocking him with its intensity.

“We are good friends, Sir.” She looked up at him through her long lashes. Her gaze spoke of reassurance and innocence. “He helped me through some rough times in the past, but there’s never been anything between us.”

“Keep it that way.”

“Sir?”

What the hell am I thinking?

She was a submissive at the state’s most exclusive club. He couldn’t tell her how to behave or who she could sleep with. But that didn’t stop him wanting to.

“I have no intention of being with Gregorio, Sir.”

Time and again he was struck by how in tune she was with his thoughts and how quickly she sought to soothe the savage beast that threatened to consume him when she was around.

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