His gentle tone unnerved Tamara. “Little one?” He’d never called her that before.
Connor shrugged. “You don’t want me to call you sweetie.”
No, she didn’t. Narrowing her eyes, she cut to the chase. “Like I and now others keep reminding you, I am not a kid anymore.”
“But you’re also not wise about kinky sex, admit it,” he returned in a cooler tone.
“Devin gave me a tour and explained a lot.”
“Master Devin, and here I’m Master Connor, regardless of our friendship. I just can’t imagine you bending to the will of a Master and don’t want to see you hurt. I’ve never wanted that. Go home, Tam,” he whispered, running one finger down her cheek.
Tears pricked her eyes. Not because he was being mean, like the last time, but because he wasn’t. He kept his tone reasonable, choosing his words with care, and yet they still cut her to the bone. He refused to step out of his over-protective friend role and regard her as someone capable of thinking for herself when her decisions involved her sexual cravings. Her first inclination was to politely refuse and return to watching and socializing, but her desire to do so had waned and now she wanted to distance herself from the man she continued to want but couldn’t have.
“Excuse me, Master Connor. I want to speak with Nan.” She sidled around him, surprised when he didn’t stop her.
Tamara heard his frustrated muttering as she went back inside and came close to smiling until she spotted her friend sitting on Master Dan’s lap, a look of pure, sated bliss etched on her face. As she neared their table, she noticed the red stripes decorating the fullness of her friend’s breasts and the top of her thighs, guessing her bottom bore matching lines from the way Nan kept fidgeting. She slowed her steps, rethinking her intention to whine to Nan and then take off. It wouldn’t be right to dim another’s pleasure because Connor succeeded in dampening hers. Yeah, she needed to go and do some serious thinking before deciding her next move toward pursuing this growing passion for a lifestyle that had intrigued her for years.
“Hey, girlfriend. How’s it going?” Nan tilted her head, giving Tamara a speculative look.
“Good, real good in fact. Uh, Master Devin showed me around and I even got up the nerve to let him tie me down. But I’m going to head home now. I need a little breathing room, and time to take all this in.” She looked around the room.
“I understand. Let me slip something on and I’ll walk out with you.”
Tamara waved her back down. Dan had released her but didn’t look happy about it. “Don’t be silly. This place is safe, inside and out, isn’t it?” She posed her question to the lawyer whose dark gaze was as unnerving as every other Dom in this place.
“Of course it is, but there is always the chance of someone lurking outside. I’ll walk you out,” Connor
said from behind her as he grasped her elbow. “Let’s go.”
“Eager to get rid of me?” she quipped as he wasted no time escorting her into the foyer.
“No, just wanting to ensure you’re okay, and that we’re good.”
Ignoring that statement, she pulled from his warm clasp and retrieved her shoes and jacket, remaining silent until they reached her vehicle. Opening the door, she slid behind the wheel and looked up at him. Shrouded in darkness, his tall, imposing figure would have appeared intimidating if she didn’t know him so well. “We’re good, Con, but that doesn’t mean I’ve agreed to not come back. I want to think about it. Goodnight.” Taking advantage of his surprise, she yanked the door shut and drove away without looking back.
Connor stood for a moment, swearing under his breath, digging his keys out of his pocket and striding to his truck. Those knots Tam was so good at tying him up in had returned and he needed to figure out how to loosen them without driving her away again.
Pulling into the drive in front of the house, Tamara spotted the glowing orange tip of a cigarette from across the wide lawn between her and the stable. Hopping out of her vehicle, she dashed over and recognized the new hire, Neil, leaning against the wood building as if he didn’t realize the stupidity and carelessness of his smoking.
“Neil, right? I’m sorry, we don’t allow smoking anywhere on the ranch. It’s too easy to toss a burning stub onto dry timber or grass. Put it out, please.” It was difficult to keep her irritation in check.
“Who the hell are you?” he drawled, blatant insolence portrayed in his voice and stance.
Stiffening against the rude comeback, she bit back the urge to fire him on the spot, giving him the benefit of the doubt he was just reacting to a stranger’s reprimand. “I’m the owner of this spread and your boss.”
“Shit.” He straightened and crushed the bud beneath his boot. “Sorry. It’s been a rough day.”
She nodded. “Jason mentioned you’re still learning the ropes, and I’m good with that, but please don’t speak that way to anyone here. We’re like family, one I hope you’ll learn to be a part of. Goodnight.” Pivoting, she heard him return her goodnight as she headed back up to the house.
Tamara entered the darkened entry, putting that unpleasant incident out of her mind as she went straight to the kitchen. Flipping on the under counter lights, she opened the freezer and pulled out a carton of Rocky Road ice cream. Grabbing a spoon, she sat at the table and dug in, her mind continuing to whirl with everything she’d seen at the club, her surprising response to bondage and her not-so-surprising reaction to Connor. Most times, she didn’t know whether to drop to her knees and beg him to change his mind about expanding their relationship or to smack him upside the head for being so rigid.
“Stubborn moron,” she muttered around a mouthful of cold chocolate.
“Uh, oh. It didn’t go well.” Amy shuffled into the kitchen wearing a robe and concerned look.
“What gave it away?” Tamara groused.
“You only stuff your face with ice cream when you’re upset or mad. Share that and tell me what happened.” After getting a spoon, her stepmother joined her at the table and Tamara pushed the carton between them.