Page 36 of Hooked

“I was an adult, David. What more could you have done? I didn’t listen when you tried to warn me. It’s not on you, but on me,” she ended in a whisper. Drawing on Joseph’s strength, she pressed closer against his side. “Not long after the breakup, I transferred into your office. The change was good for me, but it took a while to come back to myself. David and Emma helped me.”

“It wasn’t just us, Liv,” he added gently. “You need to tell him all of it.”

Livia glared at him again. Was nothing private with these doms?

Joseph intercepted the look and turned her face up to his. “Don’t take this out on him. David knows how important disclosure of past trauma is in our lifestyle, not to mention honesty and trust. By revealing your remarkably imprudent omission, it shows his concern and love for you. You should have told me this first thing, so he didn’t have to.”

“I know that,” she whispered. “It’s just so embarrassing.”

“To have fallen in love?”

“No. To be pathetic and weak. That’s how he made me feel.”

“This happened three years ago. Is that why you never got involved again?”

“I was being cautious,” she said evasively.

“Olivia,” David cut in, repeating, “tell him all of it.”

“I was getting to it,” she snapped. Immediately, she apologized. “I’m sorry, David. I shouldn’t have bitten your head off. It’s just that I’d rather forget this ugly chapter in my life.”

When she took a deep, steadying breath, his arms curled around her. Pulling her in rather than pushing her away, providing his support, thank goodness, which was unlike what she’d experienced with the only long-term dom in her past.

“I was in a dark place. The doctor called it clinical depression. It took counseling and medication before I felt like myself again.” She glanced up at him to see how he was taking it all. Seeing no disapproval or condemnation, she added, “I’m off the antidepressants and my therapy sessions have ended. The change in jobs, David coming home and having him and Emma in my life really helped me heal. There was also this really hot attorney who caught my eye.”

Joseph’s grunt was the only acknowledgement of her attempt to lighten the mood. “Have you been with anyone since the bastard? Am I the first in three years?”

“I’ve had a few dates.”

“You know that isn’t what I meant.”

“I did a few scenes at a few clubs and parties, but nothing serious.”

“She pushed them away,” David put in. “Just like she tried to do to you that first night. Thank god you had the balls to call her on her shit.”

Joseph’s eyes searched hers while stroking her cheek. Suddenly, they shifted to David. “Knowing all of this, why the hell did you let her go clubbing by herself? What the fuck?”

Shocked at his language, Livia stiffened. She’d never heard Joseph use fuck as an exclamation or expletive. A verb during play, yes, but never in this context. Shock quickly turned to dread, as she realized her other omission from that night was about to come to light.

“I’m getting a headache—”

“Stop being avoidant, Olivia. We’re doing this now. Sit there and be quiet unless you have something of value to add. If you can’t do so, I’m sure David has a gag I can borrow.” He paused, obviously done with her crap. “Are we clear on this?”

“Yes, sir.”

His eyes reconnected with David, who was shaking his head, perceptively offended. “I’d never let her go to a club alone. She always went with me and Emma.”

“She was at Decadence alone.”

Two pairs of eyes turned to her; one set angry, the other appalled.

“I arranged for a colleague, who was also a member, to escort her.” David’s blue-eyed gaze blazed with fire as his words mirrored Joseph’s. “What the fuck, Livia?”

“My escort canceled at the last minute. I was afraid if I didn’t go, I wouldn’t get another chance.”

“How did you walk into that place by yourself?” Emma gasped.

“It wasn’t easy, or the smartest thing I’ve ever done. But if I hadn’t gone, things might not have turned out as they did.”

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