Page 8 of Mine to Keep

“Do you want anyone here with you?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know anyone here.”

“What about your father? He could fly in.”

“I especially don’t want my father.”

He caught the flicker of sadness in her eyes.

“Okay. That’s fine. I think mine will want to be there.”

“That’s okay,” she said.

“Do you want a few days to settle in?”

She stared at him. “Oh. I don’t know.”

He heard the anxious tone in her voice. “Are you a virgin?”

Her mouth dropped open as a brilliant red color covered her face.

“You’re not supposed to ask that, are you?” she asked.

“As your husband, I’ll need to know.”

“But why?”

He sighed. “Laila, if you’re a virgin, I want to take extra care with you the first time we have sex. The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded her head.

Roland was surprised by the satisfaction and joy he felt. He would be the only man she’d ever have. He got up and walked over to her, pulling up another chair. He turned her chair to face him and put her legs in between his. Her eyes showed her anxiety, but she didn’t flinch from him.

“I’m glad, Pet.”

“Pet?” she asked, confused.

“I’m a dominant man, and as such, I sometimes use terms that aren’t normal by society’s standards.”

He felt her tense.

“Dominant? Is that like the whips and chains?”

“No.” He smiled. “I don’t practice or go to clubs. It’s a personality trait I’ve had my whole life. Most of my friends are like me.”

“W-what do I do?”

He tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Am I supposed to act a certain way and call you Master or something?”

He snorted. “No. I want you to be yourself and call me what you want, unless of course it’s disrespectful.”

She grinned.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“I feel a bit tired but nothing else. The headache is gone.”

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