“You can, and you will. Any more protest and I’ll decorate more than your nipples, understand?”
Her head shot up and she bit on her lip as she stared at him.
“What do you say?”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”
“Go on then, you’re already behind in your work.”
With a sigh, shoulders slumped, she turned away.
Dylan muttered something under his breath. “Tilly,” he said.
She stopped, turning. Dylan stepped up beside her.
“Shoulders back, head up. You’re beautiful, sugar. You just need to believe it.” He tapped her chin. “When you’re ready to talk to me, I’ll be here, understand?”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”
“Seriously lacking in self-confidence, isn’t she?” Derrick asked after she’d walked off.
Dylan frowned, nodding. “We’re trying to work on that, but it’s not easy to break through those defenses she’s erected around herself.”
Derrick nodded.
“Something going on with you, man?” Dylan asked.
“What makes you ask that?”
“You seem kind of disinterested, detached.”
He was surprised that Dylan had noticed, he thought he’d hidden his feelings better.
“How is Roarke? Haven’t seen him in a while,” he said, trying to change the subject.
Dylan threw him a knowing look, but answered anyway. “He’s busy settling Ava and Sam into their new place. They bought this huge place just out of the city. I’ve never seen them happier. It’s sickening,” he sneered.
Derrick smiled sadly. “That sort of happiness can be a blessing and a curse.”
Dylan looked at him with surprise. “You ever been married?”
“A long time ago. Back home in the UK.” He put his glass down, fighting back the old memories. Nothing good would come from them. Although he still lived with the guilt and regrets, it had been nearly twenty years since Cara had been murdered. He’d learned that punishing himself served no purpose. All he could do was make sure he never made the same mistakes again.
“How’s Holly?” Dylan asked, thankfully changing the subject.
Derrick smiled. His sister-in-law was the only family he truly had and he adored her.
“She’s great. She and Brax bought a new place a bit closer to Austin. Brax didn’t like her having such a long commute. She drives in three days a week now.” Holly had protested the move, but although Brax would indulge her in most areas, her health and safety were things he took very seriously. Brax wasn’t just her husband, but her Dom as well. Her well-being was his main priority.
Derrick was grateful that Holly had found a man who would take care of her and who made her happy.
“Alex looks worried,” Dylan commented and Derrick turned his head to see the other man approach, a frown on his face.
“Tara needs to go home,” Alex said. “She’s exhausted, but she’s refusing to admit it.”
“I can cover here while you take her home,” Dylan offered.
Alex shook his head. “She’s refusing to leave with me. Stubborn little brat.”