Page 16 of The Dark Before Light

His grin grows. “Two years since you’ve stepped foot in Crossroads and that’s the first thing you say to me?”

“I’ve missed you, Nate,” I murmur.

His smile turns impish. “If that’s the case, I’m due for a break and my office door locks.”

More tension drains from me as I laugh. “I’ll take a hug.”

Obeying, he pulls me into his deceptively strong arms. I inhale his familiar, citrusy scent and the last tendrils of my tension fade away.

He palms the back of my head beneath my bun, skilled fingers pressing lightly on pressure points. “Never thought I’d see the day when you came to me for comfort.”

My lips curve. “Don’t be silly. You’ve always brought me comfort.”

His chuckle vibrates beneath my ear. “Oh, I know. I just wanted to hear you say it.”

“Cheeky,” I admonish lightly, then lift my head to see his face. “How have you been, lovely one?”

The pet name slips out. His eyes darken, gaze latching briefly on my mouth. I shake my head chidingly; he smiles slowly, unrepentant.

“I’ve been good, Mistress,” he whispers.

A frisson of awareness tingles through my center, accompanied by a slideshow of memory of how good Nate is. Ending things between us had been hard for both of us, but we knew it was time. As much as we cared for each other, we couldn’t give the other what we really needed long-term.

“Still unattached?” I ask against my better judgment.

His gaze flickers. “Somewhat.”

I step back immediately. “Nathan,” I snap, using his full name because it annoys him. “Tell me you didn’t disrespect someone by touching me.”

He shakes his head, eyes wide. “I didn’t. That’s not what I meant.” He blows out a heavy breath, then laughs a little as he studies me. “God, I forgot the impact of that voice. I’m not committed to anyone at the moment, promise.”

“What did you mean, then?”

He flushes and looks down. “It’s new. Nothing official. And they share, anyway.”

He looks at me and I’m once again surprised by the directness of his stare. I’m even more surprised by his next words.

“I recognize the look in your eyes, Talia. You know I can give you what you need.”

Though his presumption is startling, it’s the use of my first name that makes my brows shoot up. “You’ve changed.”

He nods, still intriguingly defiant. “Some shit went down not long after we parted ways. Personal stuff. My sister was in trouble.” At my expression of concern, he shakes his head. “She’s fine now. Better than fine. But that’s when I started growing a backbone.”

I reach out and grab his hand. “You’ve always had a backbone.”

“Thank you. But I needed to find one the world could see, so I started working on it. You heard about me taking over daily operations for Dominic?”

I smile warmly. “Yes, Charlie told me. Congratulations.” My smile falters. “I’m sorry I didn’t reach out.”

He smiles faintly, squeezing my fingers. “It’s okay. I understand why you didn’t. Anyway, Dominic and Charlie taught me a lot.” His smile turns wry. “Including how not to freak out over using a Domme’s first name.”

I smile at the thought of the owners of Crossroads, Dominic Cross and Charlie Rhodes—the latter my mentor during my college years—teaching Nate how to boss people around.

“How’s the transition been?”

“A few ruffled feathers initially but nothing extreme. The hardest part has been stepping back as a patron of the club. My position makes submissive behavior confusing for the staff, even if I’m not on the clock.”

“I’m sure.”

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