Page 29 of Masters of Pleasure
That’s what was going to happen.She and Rae were headed for the Lounge, and there was no way Domi would remain unattached once it was clear she was available.Which meant he had to talk to hernowor risk someone else sweeping her away.What if she decided she liked someone else better than she liked Mitch?
He was up and moving before he realized it, his body reacting faster than his mind.
It wasn’t until he stepped in front of her, cutting off her path to the Lounge, he realized he still had no idea what to say to her, no clue how to explain himself and what he wanted.
“Domi.”There.Greeting done.Good job, brain.
“Master Mitch.”The expression on her face was uncertain.Rae’s was much clearer—she was not happy with him.
“Master Mitch.Please excuse us, we’re headed to the Lounge.”She tugged at Domi’s arm as though she was going to pull Domi around him.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”he asked Domi, deciding to ignore Rae.If Domi wanted to talk to him, she wasn’t going to let Rae stop her.If Domi decided not to talk to him… well, then he’d work on sucking up to Rae.
Thankfully, Domi only hesitated a moment.
“Sure.”
Rae let out an exasperated sigh but let go of Domi’s arm.
“Thank you, Rae,” Mitch said, giving her his most charming smile.She didn’t want to smile back, he could tell, pressing her lips together hard, although that didn’t stop her from giving him a warning look.Rae didn’t need to say a word, Mitch knew exactly what that look meant—hurt my bestie, and I’ll kick your ass.He absolutely believed she would, too.
Taking Domi’s hand, he pulled her toward the wall on the opposite side of the room from the bar, near the doors to the locker rooms.Rae settled down in the Lounge, in a chair facing where he and Domi were standing, watching them, even though she wouldn’t be able to hear what they were saying.
Once they were standing in place, Domi pulled her hand back, crossing her arms over her chest in a protective stance.
“So, what’s up?”Her chin lifted slightly.Such an aggressive little pixie.
Mitch had to stifle the urge to tug one of her curls—he didn’t think she’d appreciate it right now.
“I…” He cleared his throat and gathered his courage.“I want to see you.Outside of Stronghold.I don’t want to lose you from my life.”
Confusion clouded her eyes, and a little wrinkle formed on her forehead.Domi stared up at him as if he was speaking a foreign language.Yeah, that hadn’t exactly been clear.This was why he’d wanted to prepare something to say.
“Like, hang out as friends?”
“No.”He shook his head.Use your words, Mitch.Olivia’s voice echoed in his head.Mistress Olivia had been in charge of the class for new dominants at Stronghold, the one he’d taken with Kincaid, Zach, and Brian.She’d also been the lead instructor for the submissives when Mitch had met Domi.One of the things she’d hammered into Mitch’s head during both classes had been the importance of clear communication.“I want us to date.I mean, I want to take you out on a date.”
Domi
She didn’t know whether to be bowled over by Master Mitch’s adorable awkwardness or bang her head against the wall.Why was he doing this?
“Youwant a date?”She asked in disbelief.Mr.No Commitment, Mr.I Only Scene, Mr.Don’t Get Attached… wanted to dateher?
“I don’t want to just date.I want to date you, specifically.No one else.”He cleared his throat again, shoving his hands in his pockets.Something vulnerable about his demeanor tugged on her heartstrings.Mitchwasa commitment-phobe, and she hadn’t heard about him ever asking anyone out on a date before.No wonder he didn’t seem very confident.
Part of her worried this was a road to certain heartbreak, but another part of her had to wonder—how strongly must he feel if he was willing to break his usual M.O.?
“I like you,” he said when she didn’t say anything right away.“I like spending time with you.I liked your daughter, though I’ll understand if you don’t want me to spend time with both of you right away.After you broke things off, it made me realize I’ve gotten used to having you in my life and I like you there.I missed having you there when you weren’t.”
It wasn’t the most romantic speech she’d ever heard, wasn’t the most practiced, but it very well might be the most honest.Domi melted… just a little.
“I…”
“You don’t have to decide tonight,” he said hurriedly.“I know I’m springing this on you.If you want to think about it...”Soulful blue eyes begged her not to think too long.It was almost painful to see this earnest side of Mitch rather than his classic joking demeanor.Definitely not the confident, swaggering Dom she was used to, but it didn’t diminish her attraction to him.If anything, it made him seem more real.
“I’ll think about it,” she found herself saying.This wasn’t a Mitch she could turn away with a smile and a joke.This was a more serious Mitch.Similar to the one she’d seen yesterday at the hospital, but not the same.Serious, but open in a way she’d never seen him before.
A brilliant smile was her reward.Damn, if he smiled at her like that all the time, she wouldn’t be able to resist him.
