Page 20 of Shattered Dreams
“Why?” Max finally asked flustered. “You don’t know either of us. Why do you care what happens to us, or our relationship?”
“Gut instinct.” Elliot finally admitted. “The same instinct that kept me alive in the service is telling me that I’d be a damned fool if I let either of you walk out of my life without a fight.” He slowly stood. “However, no means no. If you’re not ready for what I have to offer, or don’t want it, no harm - no foul.” He gave Max a crooked grin. “But you can’t blame a man for trying.” He nodded toward Storm. “Thanks for setting this up, man. I owe you.” He turned his attention back to Max. “Ball’s in your court, Maxwell. Storm has my number. Your wife has my number. Call me when you’re ready to talk.”
Then, as bold as you please and just as quickly as he’d entered the room, Elliot was gone. Which left a very confused Max and a smug Storm staring at each other. Finally, Max snapped at his friend.
“What the hell are you grinning about?”
“You.” Storm chuckled. “I haven’t seen that poleaxed expression on your face in years.” He slowly stood. “Yeah, I think Elliot Landon will do just fine.” He clapped Max on the shoulder. “I’ll see ya later.”
Then he was gone, just like the detective, leaving an even more confused Max staring at the open door, and pondering what his friend meant by his parting shot. Exactly what would the handsome detective ‘do just fine’? Fix Lizzie? Or him?
Chapter Nine
“So have you heard anything yet?”
Elliot glanced over at the man who’d decided to join him in watching the scene between Master Lucas and his submissive, Elena. He hadn’t seen Storm since the day he’d shown up at the rehab center. It’d been four long days since he’d left the ball in Max’s court. It’d almost gotten to the point that he didn’t think the man would ever respond. “Not yet.”
Even as the answer passed his lips, he wondered if it was time to move on, to cut his losses, and perhaps find another couple who might be interested in what he had to offer.
“Damn.” Storm shoved his hands into his back pockets. “I’d hoped seeing you would be the catalyst he needed to pull himself out of the damn pity party he has going on.”
Elliot shrugged. “You can lead a horse to water man but you can’t make him drink. Either he wants what I have to offer, or he doesn’t.” He kept his attention on the flogging going on in front of him. “What little I have, in reality.” He bit his lower lip, then shifted. “I’m a newbie when it comes to this stuff, and I’m sure that Maxwell and Elizabeth could both run circles around me if they put their minds to it.”
“Maybe,” Storm agreed. “But the truth is, you won’t know until you try.” Storm moved a bit closer. “A little birdie told me that he is being released from rehab tomorrow morning and needs a ride home. Evidently he wants to surprise his wife.”
Elliot froze, the turned toward Storm. “He’s what?”
“Doc released him and said he was well enough to go home, but the fool doesn’t want to bother Lizzie ‘cause of some big banquet tonight she’s attending that he’s sure will go into the wee hours of the morning. Said she needs her sleep and he wants to slide into bed with her.”
Elliot stared at him in disbelief. “And he thinks that’s a good idea? To slip into bed with a woman who’s sound asleep and not expecting company? Does he want to get hurt?”
Storm chuckled. “I told him that it was his funeral. Personally, I think he’s just using it as an excuse. One, there’s no way in hell he’s slipping into bed with her. Their bedroom is on the second floor, and two, I know my friend. The worst thing on earth to him is looking weak to his wife.”
“So, he lied?” his words came out a little harsh. Elliot hated liars.
“Maybe.” Storm shrugged his shoulders. “Or perhaps she really does have a banquet. She has all kinds of charity events she attends. Particularly if it has anything to do with animals. She loves animals. Bonus brownie points if you have a dog of your own. Just saying…” Storm winked at him.
Elliot crossed his arms over his chest, then narrowed his eyes. “And I see you’re still trying to play matchmaker. Using any excuse you can to throw us together? I was serious when I said that the ball was in his court, Storm.”
Storm studied him for a moment. “And if he never does call?”
“Then it wasn’t meant to be.” Elliot trailed off for a second, before continuing. “It’ll mean I’ll just have to keep looking for another couple.”
“Couple?” Storm seemed intrigued. “It has to be a couple?”
“Preferably, since I’m a bisexual who’s decided to no longer settle for one or the other. If I’m gonna do this…” he nodded toward the play-area of the club. “…then I’m gonna go all in. The scene I did last week with both Rick and Sandi showed me that I’ll never be happy with just a man or a woman.” He gave Storm a rueful grin. “I’m finding out that I’m a greedy bastard in my old age. I want it all or nothing.”
Consideration filled Storm’s gaze. “Then perhaps this will work out after all.”
Elliot was ready to open his mouth to ask what the hell the other man was talking about when they were interrupted by one of the dungeon monitors.
“Master Storm. There’s been an incident in the spa room with your sub.” The man didn’t look upset or angry, in fact he looked like he was fighting back a smile.
And that alone piqued Elliot’s interest. In his short duration, he’d seen how the D.M.s handled safe words, pushy doms, and bratty subs. But so far, he’d never seen one fighting the urge to smile.
“Christ. What did he do now?” Storm growled out and if he’d had hair, Elliot thought he might be pulling it out. “Come on. Let’s go see what my boy has gotten himself into now.”
Surprise flowed over Elliot. The last thing he’d expected was to be invited along. But nonetheless he trailed after the larger man.
