Page 48 of Beneath the Surface

Brad crossed the room and took her hands, feeling his resolve waver as he looked into her tear-filled eyes. “You’re making it hard for me to say no. But there are things I need you to think about carefully.”

He took a deep breath. “In my life, in my relationships—especially in my bed, I like control. I don’t mean just being in charge. We talked about it a little before, but I mean being a Dominant.”

Brad’s lips quirked up in a faint smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Sweetheart, it’s about trust—deep, unshakable trust that I’ll protect you, guide you, even push you when you need it. It’sabout letting go because you know I’ll be there to catch you. And in return, I need to know you trust me enough to let me lead.”

His fingers gently grazed hers. “It’s not just about what happens in the bedroom, Belle. It’s about life. It’s about feeling safe enough to let me take care of you. It’s about you surrendering control, but not your strength. I know you’re strong; you’ve always been strong. But this is different. It’s about balance.”

He needed to make sure she understood. “I have feelings for you, Belle,” he admitted, his words raw with honesty. “But I need you to understand I’m not the kind of guy who does casual. I don’t have indiscriminate sex. And in my life, in my bed... it’s more thanlikingcontrol. Ineedcontrol.”

Isobel blinked, her brow furrowing. “Need?”

Brad nodded, his gaze steady. “As a Dominant, I need structure, trust, and, most importantly, mutual consent. You’d have to trust me, Belle, with everything—your mind, your body, your emotions. And I’d take care of you, protect you, give you what you need, even when you don’t realize you need it.”

He watched her closely, his gaze never wavering. “I’m not asking you to answer now. I just want you to think about it. Really think about what this means. And whether you can handle that.”

He squeezed her hands gently, pulling her attention back to him. “This is who I am. You need to know, if you don’t want to follow that path, I still will protect you with all I am.” He leaned in, brushing his lips gently against hers before pulling back. “You need to sleep on it,” he said softly. “Emotions are high right now, and I want you to think before we go any further. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

He kissed her again, lingering for a moment before standing and walking to the door. As he turned the handle, he glancedback, his expression tender but firm. “Just think about it, Belle. I’m not going anywhere.”

The door clicked softlybehind him as he left, leaving Isobel lying in bed, her mind whirling with everything he’d said. The warmth of his kiss still lingered on her lips, but it was his words that settled deep in her chest. Could she trust him like that? Could she surrender to him, knowing he would take care of her, guide her in ways she’d never experienced before?

She closed her eyes, letting sleep finally claim her, but her last thought before drifting off was of Brad—his strength, his honesty, and the undeniable pull she felt toward him.

Brad lay in bed,staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts about the conversation he’d had with Isobel. Offering to be her Dom—it was something he hoped to discuss after she settled in and healed. But she had to know his truth before they could move forward. He was glad it worked out this way.

The way she’d looked at him, those wide, tear-filled eyes—God, she was beautiful. And vulnerable. So vulnerable. He wasn’t sure if tonight’s conversation was driven by emotions, by the near-death experience she’d gone through, or if her feelings for him had truly grown that deep over the years. Either way, he knew one thing: if they made love, he wouldn’t be able tostop himself from wanting more. She wouldn’t just be a one-time thing to him. He’d want her, need her, in every way.

But there was something else nagging at him. Isobel had only been with one other man, and that was years ago. She was practically a virgin. Did she even know what she wanted? Maybe she deserved the chance to explore her options, to date other men before committing to a relationship like the one he was offering.

The thought of her with someone else made his stomach twist in anger, his protective instincts flaring. No. She didn’t need to be with anyone else. He’d teach her, keep her safe, give her everything she needed.

Still, the fear lingered. What if she didn’t accept his offer? What if this was too much for her? If she walked away, if she decided she couldn’t handle the dynamic he needed, what then? Could he let her go? The thought of her rejecting him, of choosing someone else, filled him with dread. He wasn’t sure he could bear it. Oh my God, he was becoming what Jesse called a pansy Dom.

But he did know he’d protect her with his life no matter what.

And then there was Olivia, Molly, Ruth and Sophie. What would they think when they found out he was pursuing a D/s relationship with their sister? Would they accuse him of taking advantage of Isobel while she was vulnerable? The last thing he wanted was for her family to think he was manipulating her or pushing her into something she wasn’t ready for. He needed to be sure she made this decision for herself, without pressure.

He sighed again, rolling onto his side, the empty space next to him feeling larger than it ever had before. As his eyes grew heavy, sleep pulling at him, Brad’s thoughts lingered on Isobel.

Nineteen

The sun was beginning to rise. Brad lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind filled with thoughts of Isobel. Telling her he wanted to be her Dom was the hardest, most vulnerable thing he’d ever done. He wasn’t sure how she would respond, but the thought of her walking away made his chest tighten with fear. He couldn’t go back to pretending he didn’t want her.

He rolled over, rubbing his eyes as flashes of their conversation from last night came back to him. He’d told her the truth about what he wanted in a relationship—trust, surrender, intimacy on a level most people didn’t understand. And she’d listened, absorbing everything with that sharp, intelligent gaze of hers. But did she truly understand what he was offering? What he needed?

As Brad’s alarm blared, snapping him from his thoughts, he groaned and reached for his phone. His mind immediately shifted into work mode as he called Jeffrey Brewster to check on the case, but even then, Isobel was always there in the back of his mind.

After showering and dressing, he walked into the kitchen to the comforting scent of coffee, only to find Isobel sitting at thecounter, one of his mugs in her hands. She was beautiful, despite the welts and exhaustion, her hair piled messily on top of her head.

Brad stood in the doorway as she greeted him with a soft, "Morning." Her voice was laced with something unspoken, a quiet undercurrent that hung between them. He nodded in return, his heart giving that familiar twist at the sight of her, but today something was different.

She set her mug down gently, and he could see it in the way her movements stilled, the way her eyes lingered on him for just a moment longer than usual. Without a word, she stood and turned to face him fully, her expression steady, purposeful. Then, without hesitation, she took a slow, deliberate breath and dropped gracefully to her knees.

The transformation was subtle but unmistakable. Her body settled into the pose of a submissive—knees apart, palms resting on her thighs, head slightly bowed. The air between them shifted. It wasn’t just the act of kneeling; it was the quiet, intentional surrender of her will to him, an offering of her trust and vulnerability.

For a moment, Brad said nothing, his breath catching as he took in the sight of her. His pulse quickened, but he kept his expression calm, controlled. She knelt there before him, her back straight, her eyes lowered, the soft curve of her lips hinting at the awareness of what this moment meant.

There was a delicate sensuality in the way she positioned herself—graceful, yet bold, waiting for his direction. Every movement, every subtle shift of her body, conveyed trust and anticipation. She wasn’t just yielding to him physically—she was submitting mentally, emotionally, in a way that resonated deep within Brad’s core.

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