Page 37 of Security and Submission
Hey, did Sarah say anything to you about me picking up the key to her house?
She was on her way back to her bedroom to pack a bag when her phone buzzed with his response.
Zeus
Yes, she did. Did you want it for tonight?
Yasmine
Yes, please.
She hesitated a moment before sending a follow-up text. It wasn’t as though she thought he needed an explanation, but she wanted to give him one, anyway.
Yasmine
I’m a bit freaked out being home alone, even with Hope. I just need a good night’s sleep and one of those security systems, and I’ll be fine again.
I did buy a doorbell camera today, but I am not up to installing it right now, and I just want to get out of here for the night.
Zeus
Makes sense. Just text me when you get here, and I’ll bring the key over.
Yasmine
Thank you. I’ll let you know when I’m there!
That was super sweet of him to offer since he lived right next door. She could easily go to his place. Hmm. Was he being sweet, or did he just not want her in his place?
“Or maybe I’m reading too much into everything,” she told Hope, who hopped up onto Yasmine’s bed and wagged her tail in response. As if she had any idea what Yasmine was talking about. Still, Yasmine smiled and paused to give Hope a quick pet.
It didn’t take her long to pack her bag; then she gathered all of Hope’s things and put them in her car, along with the dog. Hope panted happily in the back seat. Yasmine wondered if Hope knew she was going home.
Silly question. Of course, she didn’t. But she seemed relaxed, and that was good enough for Yasmine. Hopefully, being home without Sarah wouldn’t stress her out too badly. If it did, Yasmine would bring her back—security system or no security system.
But she had to admit, just being on the road and heading toward Sarah’s house, where Zeus would be right next door, she immediately felt better.
Zeus
Keeping one eye out his window for the little blue car that Yas drove, Zeus straightened up his living room. Not because Yas was going to be next door, and he thought she was going to see it. And not because he wanted to see the second she drove up. She’d already said she would text him when she did.
He was just… keeping busy. And the living room needed a little straightening.
Except when he ran out of things to put away, he said fuck it, admitted to himself he wanted to see when she pulled up, and sat down in a chair that gave him a good view of Sarah’s driveway. Zeus tried not to lie to himself, and he was looking forward to seeing her again.
Might as well admit it, because denial wasn’t going to make it less true.
Tiger came over and rested his head on Zeus’ knee, toy in his mouth, big brown eyes begging to play.
“Okay, buddy.” Zeus chuckled as he wrestled the toy free from Tiger’s teeth. The dog might want to play, but that didn’t mean he was going to make it easy. Getting the toy away from him was as much a part of the game as throwing it for Tiger to fetch. No matter what Zeus did, he’d never been able to train Tiger to “drop it”, so eventually he’d accepted that the dog just wanted to battle over the toy before it was thrown for him again.
A minute later, he managed to get the toy out of Tiger’s grip. The chair he was seated in had a good view down the hallway, so it was easy to throw the stuffed fish, then look back out the front window to see if Yas’ car had appeared yet. Tiger came galloping back down the hall, toy clenched tightly in his jaws, and the process started all over again.
After the third time throwing the fish, Zeus looked up and saw blue at the same time his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He jumped to his feet.
Tiger bounced upward as well, obviously thinking they were playing a new game.
