Page 100 of Blade

If we used the facilities and made sandwiches in the trailer we could be back on the road fairly quickly.

“Sounds good.” Blaine finally frowned and looked uncomfortable. I was prepared for just about anything to come out and I told myself to be understanding. “Would it be unreasonable if I said I didn’t want you going to the bathroom by yourself?”

Okay, I’d been prepared foralmostanything to come out of his mouth.

“Technically? I don’t know.” I wasn’t going to poke at it either. “How about you announce as my Dom that you don’t want me going into some place sketchy like a rest stop bathroom at nearly three in the morning? I think that’s a logical rule for my safety and to remind me that I belong to you.”

His smirk had me fighting not to laugh. “I like BDSM more and more.”

Dork.

“It’s got some good aspects to it.” Outside of the obvious, of course. “I’m sorry we haven’t been able to explore it more.”

I’d been kind of…anxious.

“Well, between dealing with my past, the people still trying to make me a rug, the financial and legal issues regarding coming back from the dead, being newly mated, oh and worrying yourfamily might find you…when would’ve been the best time to make you helpless and expect you to relax?”

How did he think I was the dramatic one between us?

“Well, I think I’m going to be offended that you don’t think I can handle a little bit of stress.” As I huffed, he clamped his lips together and barely held back laughter. “I can handle anything.”

Including steering the truck down the turn-off to the rest stop.

Bathrooms.

“You can handle anything as long as you get regular wiggle breaks and snacks.” Blaine finally laughed as I shrugged sheepishly. “Mr. Road Trip needs lots of stops, huh?”

Possibly.

“There is no reason to rush our trip when there are lots of things to see.” I’d repeated that often enough I was starting to believe it. “Most rest stops have plaques and stuff about local history. I don’t think I’ve stopped at this one before but I’ve seen some good ones on I-95 going down to Florida. The South likes to brag about anything and everything historical.”

It was his turn to shrug and look sheepish. “I see some things haven’t changed.”

Nope.

Including how nice the rest stops were in North Carolina. “This doesn’t look nearly as sketchy as I thought it would.”

Parking in a pull-through spot at the back of the building, I was surprised when I didn’t see any big rigs. “Okay, quick pit stop inside and then we make a snack.”

“Then we’re back on the road to…” His thoughtful frown wasn’t believable at all. “I forgot. Help me remember…what was the name of the area?”

“Good try. But no dice.” I leaned over and gave him a quick peck before turning off the car. “Ready?”

“You really need frequent wiggle breaks, don’t you?” He laughed when I nodded excitedly.

“Especially after that much caffeine.” It was completely necessary because driving at night was so much nicer, but it made the wiggles worse. There just wasn’t enough to look at to keep me entertained. “We’re going to find fun places to stop for the rest of our trip, though, so it’ll be easier.”

And it was already nicer having someone to talk to as I drove.

“Come on. Let’s take you for a walk.” Blaine pretended to study me as he got out of the truck and met me around the front. “You know…I’ve seen those pups online. I think you’d look cute on a leash and it’d probably make you feel constantly trapped.”

Oh.

I.

Blinking, I tried to come up with a reasonable response to that but nothing came out, getting a laugh from Blaine. “That stunned silence says a lot, my mate.”

He was going to be a handful.