Page 21 of Bind Me, Sir

While intimidation should have buckled me beneath its weight, Jordan and mine’s earlier discussion over our coffee had set me somewhat at ease—except for the arousal he instilled in me. I just hoped Lily would refrain from suggestions of obvious intent. While Jordan might not appear affected by her workings, embarrassment would make for an awful dinner.

Chapter Eleven

Jordan

It took a long time for Natalie to relax. Her gaze flitted around the sunroom as we dined, the tension in her shoulders making me want to bind her to the church’s altar and give her the release her body needed—what I craved.

Her first bite of the duckling had resulted in a subtle, throaty moan as she closed her eyes and chewed. My cock stayed at half-mast throughout the rest of the meal, every swipe of her tongue licking her lower lip after swallowing ensnaring my gaze.

Looking away became a necessity, and I shifted beneath Lily’s knowing glances and smiles as we ate. I honestly couldn’t decide which woman I feared more. Lily probed at both of us as though trying to find something Natalie and I had in common, and although Adam chuckled from time to time, his wife came up empty.

Opposites attract, my mind whispered, but I pushed the thought aside. I didn’t need any help in the area of attraction, and rather thankful to find Natalie and I didn’t enjoy the same things, I focused more on the “now” rather than a future I couldn’t offer her.

“So,” Lily said, drawing our focus to the wine glass she held in hand—which had been filled twice with water, “we have some news we would like to share.”

I glanced at Adam who peered at his wife, a small smile on his face.

Natalie straightened in her chair as though all news was of the bad sort—even though both Adam and Lily appeared happy.

“There’s finally going to be a little Laurent,” Lily said.

“Oh!” Natalie gasped as I offered congratulations, jealousy being my first emotional response which I stifled before Adam turned toward me.

Although I had no wish to open my heart to a woman, I did want children someday. A son, a daughter to dote upon, to spoil rotten and leave my fortune to.

The two women hugged as I clasped Adam’s hand. More than anything, I wanted a sub to need me in the way Lily did my best friend, but I didn’t believe another like her existed.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” I said, lifting my near-empty glass of wine. The others followed suit, and I grinned, truly happy for my best friend and his wife. “To a pleasant pregnancy—”

“Please God,” Lily interjected with a light laugh.

“—and health to both baby and mum.”

Tears glistened in Natalie’s eyes as she agreed, our glasses all clinking together.

Lily and Adam both glowed with an inner happiness I coveted, and I couldn’t help but glance at Natalie, wondering over her thoughts. She continued to smile through tear-glistening eyes. Did she think on that fantasy man, the one she dreamed of setting her free?

Did she long for children of her own?

She had the character of a good mum, one born to have a huge brood, but I expected she’d put aside such thoughts, same as she did the man she dreamed of for her future.

Lily feigned a yawn. “I believe, Sir, that I’m ready to head up to our room.” She batted her eyelashes at Adam, and I bit back a smile at her obviousness.

Natalie stood when she did, but Lily shook her head while grabbing Adam’s arm. “No need to hurry off,” she said with a smile between us. “It’s still early—you ought to take a walk in the gardens. It’s cooled off quite a bit.”

Adam whispered in her ear, turning her face as red as the roses she loved, and Natalie sat while glancing sideways at me as our hosts disappeared through the door.

“Walk?” I echoed our hostess while rising to my feet, offering Natalie my hand.

A nibble on her lower lip, and she accepted my help. I tucked her hand into the crook of my arm rather than release her, and we moved out the side door into the garden beyond.

The sun had set, and the night sky was sprinkled with stars, a warm breeze keeping the evening from being too warm. Our feet scuffed the stony pathway, and I breathed in the fresh air hinting at mint and roses from the garden around us.

“Wonderful news,” I said although my jealousy lingered.

“Mmm,” Natalie agreed. “I’m very happy for them, honestly, but I’ll admit their having an intact family makes me jealous when I’ve nothing to return home to.”

“I understand,” I murmured, completely in-tune with the inner thoughts she had no problems sharing.

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