Page 47 of The Millionaire's Mechanic

“We just have the basic over-the-counter stuff, and she hasn’t touched any of it. Hell, she didn’t even get to pack her own bags before we came here. It’s just been a very intense couple of days. George is not like your ex-wife,” he added gently.

Garrett dipped his head. “Sorry, that’s just where my brain goes. And it’s obvious your little mechanic isn’t another Katrina. Just chalk it up to me being a jealous bastard.”

“I know that’s not it,” Rainer said, his mouth quirking up. “You’re worried about me. And even though I’m coming off like an ungrateful SOB here, I do appreciate it.”

Garrett studied him, his face uncharacteristically somber. “That thing last year messed you up. You shut down so completely, not dating, and barely going out if you didn’t need to. And I’m not the only one who was concerned. I hoped all that paramilitary training we did with Auric would help you snap out of it, but it didn’t seem to.”

Rainer had stuck with Auric, training with Mason long after Garrett quit. He took solace in the newfound ability to defend himself. But it hadn’t magically fixed all his issues, especially the ones he hadn’t realized he had until coming here with Georgia.

Touched by his friend’s concern, Rainer sat next to him. “It did help a little, but I guess there was more to work out.”

Garrett snickered suddenly. “So, that’s what the sex dungeon in my living room is? You working out your issues?”

He saw the look on Rainer’s face, forestalling further argument by putting up his hands in pre-emptive surrender. “I get it. I do. That Eileen bitch swiped your legs out from under you, and now you need total surrender in the bedroom. I’m glad you found yourself a nice little sub.”

“A submissive? That’s what you think George is?”

“Yeah.” Garrett widened his eyes for emphasis. “Make that a hell yeah.”

Rainer looked down at his hands, considering that. It made a great deal of sense, now that he considered it.

Georgia was very capable and painfully bright when it came to all things mechanical. But it was almost as if that genius with metal and steel obscured the tender personality underneath.

He recalled the way she’d reacted when he visited her at her garage before the kidnapping. She hadn’t been able to look him in the eye long, not until he’d focused his attention on the Talbot. Georgia had fully engaged after that, relaxing in his presence in a way he knew she wouldn’t have been able to without the presence of a shiny car to act as a buffer.

Of course, shyness didn’t automatically equate with a submissive personality. However, a good deal of Georgia’s behavior over the last couple of days did point in that direction. Even when her safety had been at stake, she’d deferred to him, letting him decide when and where to hide.

That doesn’t count. She had a head injury.

Maybe he was reading too much into her past behavior because it suited him. Because he wanted to believe Garrett right now. If George were a true submissive, then Rainer had a chance of moving this fragile but intense connection beyond the confines of this cabin.

“Although, she was the one who suggested the ropes,” he mused, forgetting his audience.

“She did? Well, damn. Now I’m really fucking jealous.”

Blinking, Rainer refocused on Garrett.

“Hey, you do whatever you need to do,” the other man said. “I’ll just be glad to have my friend back.”

“Thanks,” Rainer said, and he meant it. But he couldn’t lie to his best friend. “But I’m not sure he’s coming back. Not the same one you knew.”

Garrett didn’t give a fuck. “So you’ve discovered a kinky streak,” he said, throwing up his hands. “Nothing wrong with that.”

‘There’s not?” Because Garrett’s initial reaction had been so shocked, it had made Rainer realize just how out of character he’d been acting.

He shrugged. “You’re the last guy I would have pegged as a secret Dom, but if that’s what gets your rocks off, go for it. There are plenty of girls who like that sort of thing.”

Rainer knew it wasn’t a simple as that. For one, the idea of doing anything similar to another woman was repugnant. It had to be Georgia. Only with her could he explore this side of him.

Uncertainty began to gnaw at him. Rainer didn’t recognize himself anymore. This new need for control, to dominate, was a trait he had always associated with abusers.

This is where the monsters come from, the ones who hurt the women he had made it a mission in life to help.

You’re not like them—not yet. He wasn’t alone in this. George had consented on every level. But what if this hunger wasn’t satisfied by what she’d given him? What if he ended up asking for more? For too much?

What would that make him then?

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

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