Page 25 of Healing Hazel
Which had me thinking, “Ah, I was wondering if Sadie actually got my message.”
Nigel laughed. “She not only got it, she had a jolly good time using everything you left behind as an object lesson on how you can’t possibly be a Little. It was quite”—he gave an exaggerated shudder—“shall I say,theatrical.”
I laughed. “Sadie has the fabulous ability to star in so many various roles, doesn’t she? I just adore her.”
“I’m sure every soul on the Ranch can claim the same. And since Sadie enjoyed not only your shake but every bite you’d left behind, how about we find Mira and Wes and take them up on their offer of dinner.”
I’d just moved to toss the washcloth into the laundry hamper in the attached bath when his words had me freezing and then turning in slow motion to face him. “Oh my god!”
“What?” Nigel demanded, the speed at which he’d gone from relaxed to on full alert pretty amazing.
“You’re wrong,” I said, looking from him to the door.
“About dinner?”
“No! You said nobody is going to know we were fuc… shagging like rabbits in here, but Wes not only knows, he practically caught you?—”
“Gathering honey?” he provided.
His mistake was to say that as he walked toward me which put him within range of my washcloth which I snapped like a viper striking.
“Ouch!” he yipped, rubbing at the spot where the fangs had sunk into flesh.
“How do you expect me to sit across the table from a man who knows what we’ve been doing?”
Nigel’s deep laughter filled the room as he shook his head. “Babygirl, you forget, Wes is not only a grown man and not some horny teenager seeing a boobie for the first time, he’s a doctor. And if that doesn’t make naked bodies pretty much a part of his every day, he’s also a Dominant. Then there’s the fact he’s a member of Rawhide where he and Mira often play in the Dungeon. He’s seen more shagging and bee-keeping than most men ever will.”
I thought about that for a moment but still felt my cheeks burning.
“Besides,” Nigel continued, reaching out to tug the cloth from my hands and toss it in the direction of the hamper, “you can sit across from Mira, deal?”
Another gurgle provided the answer and we left the room, a glance over my shoulder took a photo in my mind to pull out and remember that while the steps I took might be those of a toddler, they were indeed steps. Where they’d lead was still a mystery, but for the first time in a very long time, I was willing to begin the journey.
Chapter Thirteen
Nigel
She really was beautiful. The glow of the chandelier above our heads was reflected in her eyes each time she broke out in laughter. There was a relaxation in her body that was new to me. One that was completely different from the way she would go limp as she lay beneath me after she’d come, or the way her muscles went lax as she fell into sleep in my arms. Hazel was a very compassionate woman, her empathy was a blessing in her chosen field of study as she’d make a fabulous nurse. But I knew it could also be a burden in that she felt things so deeply. While the physical pain would eventually heal, the emotional impact was impossible for her to simply slough off. Not when it went beyond skin deep to be absorbed into the very tissues of her being. Yet for the first time since I’d known her, I felt hope that she might learn a way to open the box where she’d locked away the memories of what had caused the submissive in her to hide. Perhaps she’d finally be able to set free the woman she so desperately wanted to be.
“So, what happened then?”
The question reminded me that we weren’t alone around this table. Wes sat across from me which had my lips twitch with thememory of Hazel shooting me a side-eye when we’d approached the table. I had indeed pulled out the chair across from Mira which had always been my intention as now both Wes and I were within hands reach of either woman, a Dominant’s goal in any situation.
“Wes told him he was free to look all he wanted, but if he so much as touched, it was only going to happen after he handed over a nice fat check.”
Anyone at another table might think she was talking about being auctioned off to the highest bidder, but I knew she was speaking of her recent art show in New York. It might have been her first, but I guarantee it wouldn’t be her last. Mira was a seriously talented artist.
“Did he fork over the dough?”
“He did,” Wes said, reaching over to lay his hand over his wife’s. “Not only that, he has commissioned a painting as well.”
“That’s fabulous. I’ve seen the ones you did for Master Derek. They’re incredible. I’m so happy for you,” Hazel said and then smiled. “To be honest, you never did look all that excited over your courses. Not to say you aren’t brilliant, you obviously are, but just one look at your face now and anyone can tell where your heart actually lies.”
Mira smiled and looked over at Wes. “Only because someone saw through all my walls and just refused to go away no matter how tall I tried to build them.”
I watched as Hazel’s gaze slipped from the other couple to me. I’d told her back at the hospital that I’d come to ask Wes if he thought Mira might speak to me, but it appeared I hadn’t needed to. It was clear from the look Hazel gave me that she’d just heard a piece of advice that not only had helped Wes and Mira connect to become what they are today, but that perhaps the words could help her as well. Not that I believed it would be that easy. It wouldn’t. Everyone was different. But if nothing else, Hazelknew she wasn’t alone in hiding behind walls that hopefully one day could be allowed to fall.
An hour later we’d had our dessert and coffee and were saying our goodbyes.
