Page 68 of The Assignment: Room 3

Sliding my hands up into her hair, I pull her back just enough for her to see how serious I am. “You’re a great mom, Celest.”

“How can you say that? You found out less than five minutes ago.”

“Because I knowyou. You are incredibly kind and generous. You put others before yourself, and you are a great friend. The pet I know is definitely strong enough to be doing this alone.” She casts her eyes to the ground, unable to look at me. “But why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because Venom is the one place I can leave all my baggage at the door. It’s complicated. I love Gracie with all my heart, but it’s hard not to lose yourself as a mother. In Venom, I get to be selfish.To have someonewantme and finds me attractive. Relationships are hard, and Doms don’t want to take on a sub… and her kid.”

“That’s why you broke up with the last guy?” Just the thought of someone treating her that way makes me angry.

“Hebroke up with me the night I told him I have a daughter.”

“What a fucking piece of shit.”

“It’s not his fault.”

“The fuck it isn’t.”

“I’m a package deal, and Doms don’t want that. I get it.”

Realization dawns, and I feel like a piece of shit. “That’s why you were open to our little arrangement. It wasn’t because I wanted no strings. It’s becauseyoudon’t want them.”

Fuck me. Am I any better than her previous Doms? At least they committed to a contract. I haven’t even offered that to Celest.

“This doesn’t have to change anything, Flex. I don’t expect you to come play house with me. In the club, I am yours to command. Outside of that…” she turns and stares as if she could see through the door to where her daughter waits, “I do the best I can.”

“I don’t want to keep you from your daughter. Like I said, I just thought you might enjoy coming for a spin with me.”

The door opens again, except this time it isn’t the little girl of moments ago. It’s an older woman who bears a striking resemblance to Celest. “I’m sorry to bother you. Gracie got me worried for a moment there.” A look passes between them, and all goes quiet until I reach out my hand.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your day. I’m a friend of Celest’s, and I thought she might be free to go for a ride, but I’ll get going and leave you to your day.”

“Well, that sounds lovely. You should go, sweetheart. Gracie and I will be just fine for a few hours.”

“Mom, no. It’s fine. I’m not going. I promised Gracie we could go and get churros today.”

“And you can do that when you get home. Go. Have fun.”

Celest’s mom looks me up and down before giving me a warm smile. “Are you a safe driver? My daughter is precious cargo.”

“I would never put her in danger. I promise to take good care of her, and I’ll have her back in plenty of time for churros.” I give her a conspiratorial wink.

“No,” Celest protests. “Doesn’t my opinion matter?”

“Of course,” I interject. “If you don’t want to come and hang out with a friend for a few hours, I’ll turn around and never bother you again. If it’s because you‘re afraid to get on the bike, then we can all go and get churros together. I could have my driver come pick us up in the town car.”

“That won’t be necessary. You want to come get churros with me, my mom, and my daughter? It’s not exactly your pace, Flex.”

“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do.” I leave it hanging in the air between us. It’s her move. Her mom excuses herself and heads inside, gently closing the door behind her, giving us a few moments to talk.

“You don’t have to do this, Flex. I don’t expect anything from you. There is no contract, and my family is not your problem.”

“You’re right. One hundred percent. Your family is not my ‘problem.’ You are not my ‘problem.’ The way I see it, I’m lucky to be your friend, and even if we stopped our little arrangement tomorrow, I would still want to spend time with you. As for your family… I’m so glad you have people in your corner. Your mom seems lovely, and trust me when I say IwishI still had mine. Cherish the time you have. Can I be totally unbiased here?”

“Sure.” The quizzical look on her face is endearing.

“You seriously made the cutest tiny human I’ve ever seen.” That makes her laugh, and the blush that blooms on her cheeks has me feeling—I don’t know—happy.

“I agree with that statement.”

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