Page 26 of Perfect Three

Lucy had been halfway out the door when Sebastian spoke.She hesitated.I haven’t been honest with them.They’d laid their life out for her, been upfront and truthful.She’d just said no without explaining why.In fact, she’d run almost screaming from the room.

She sighed and turned back to them.“It isn’t the ‘two men’ thing.I’m really not sure how it all works, although it doesn’t put me off at all.It’s the Dom thing.”She took a deep breath.“Look, I’ve read this book about a Dom and his sub—well, I only started reading it.Sorry, but there’s no way I would ever allow a man to abuse me like that, to never accept when I said no, to treat me like I was some sort of slave to use whenever he wanted.To have no say in my own life.”

With that, she sped through the door, down the hall, and onto the stairs.She glanced back when she’d reached the first step and saw Sebastian look at Jack.Both wore the same puzzled expression.Then they both took off running at the same time.Lucy was halfway down the stairs when the two of them caught up to her.

Sebastian grabbed her arm, scaring her more than she liked to admit.He appeared angry, and knowing he was a Dom, fear rose of what he might do to her.The man in the book had hit the heroine whenever he was angry.

A scream hovered in her throat.

“Lucy, what the fuck are you talking about?What abuse?”His anger disappeared when he saw her face.

Tears ran down her cheeks—from fear, confusion, and disappointment.

Jack shook his head, taking her hand.“Lucy, Sebastian’s never abused me.I don’t think you understand what a true Dom-sub relationship is if the only thing you read about it is from a few pages in one single fiction book.”

“Jack’s right, Lucy.You’ve got it all wrong.”

“Have I?Have I really?”Her voice was harsh.“So you don’t tie Jack up?You haven’t got some contract written between you?You don’t hit him?Tell him what to do?”

“Well, some of it, yes, but you’re taking it out of context.”

Lucy shook her head.

“Lucy.Lucy, look at me!”Jack’s voice held a tinge of urgency.“Do I look like I’m abused?I love Sebastian.We have a wonderful, caring relationship.I have needs like everyone, but mine are met by this type of relationship.”

Lucy put a fist to her mouth, her thoughts so mixed up.“I can’t.I’m sorry,” she mumbled as she tried shaking off their hands.

Jack dropped hers and looked sadly at Sebastian, who still had his hand on her arm.

“Please, Lucy, just give us the chance to explain it all.To tell you what it’s really like.That’s all I ask.Please.Please.Just an hour to tell you exactly what our relationship is.”

Her tears flowed faster now and perhaps Sebastian knew it was fruitless to pressure her, because he dropped his hand from her arm and stepped aside.

He spoke so quietly, Lucy had to strain to hear him.“I really wish you’d give us a chance to explain.I know you’ve got it all wrong, but I understand.”

Lucy stared down at her arm where he’d held it, almost feeling it’s warmth.Studying each man, she was certain they could see nothing but confusion, fear, and disappointment written on her face.

Lucy wanted to go, but at the same time she wanted to stay.Maybe they’d given her too much to think about far too quickly, although she knew it was better to be upfront right from the start.

Sebastian regarded her kindly, giving a lopsided smile—a half grin and half frown.He quietly spoke.“I know this has been too much to take in.”He drew a deep breath.“Honestly, Lucy, whatever you’ve read about Doms and subs, I know you’ve got it all wrong, especially from a piece of fiction.If you’d allow us, we could meet you somewhere, talk about it all.Answer any questions.”He exhaled noisily.“How about tomorrow, or some other day soon, we talk about things?How our relationship works.”

Jack stepped around and stood alongside Sebastian who put his arm around Jack’s waist.These two were the type of men she dreamed about—had dreamt about.She’d been tempted, even knowing she wanted control—that is, until she’d heard thatDword.Now they were telling her she’d got it completely wrong.

Have I?

All she actually knew about Doms and subs was from those fifty or so pages she’d read in one fiction book.Jack certainly didn’t seem as if he were in a toxic relationship.But then she knew people in abusive situations covered things up.

Lucy recalled years ago she’d worked in an office where a woman was in a violent relationship.She would pretend things were okay.Lucy only found out when the woman ended up in hospital and some of the other staff told her what they knew.It had shocked Lucy because she’d never had an inkling.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.Her head spun with everything, a total overload.A headache began its pounding.Should she at least give them the chance to explain or should she just forget all about them?They must have looked strange, the three of them standing on the stairs, not saying a word.Minutes ticked past as she tried to sort through her feelings.

Uppermost was the fact that she really liked them and was definitely interested in both of them.She’d honestly been tempted to try this threesome thing.She’d at least been prepared to get to know them as friends until they’d uttered theDword.

“Oh hell!”She looked to the heavens, sighing out loud, then staring at the men.

Both appeared to smother a laugh.

Sebastian touched her arm.“Go home, Lucy, think about what I’ve said.If you want to learn more or just want to be friends, give us a call.No strings attached.”

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