Page 48 of Learn For Me

Braun’s speech had gone down well, delivering hope and anticipation for the future along with respectful remembrance for what had been destroyed, and the lives taken in the process.

A stab of pride jutted into him every time someone called himMasterZeke. It wasn’t a title he’d strived to attain, but he was honored that the group of people he viewed as family deemed him worthy of it.

Olivia remained glued to his side, her own energy levels waning. Each time her anxiety ramped up to panic attack levels, he used his hands to tease her back to the edge of ultimate distraction, refusing to let her orgasm until they were alone.

When she whimpered tiredly, Zeke made his excuses to the couple talking his ears off and grasped her hand in his. “I think it’s time we explore a little, Livvy. Kick your heels off and take them to the booth, then come back to me.”

She blinked several times, as though figuring out why he wanted her in bare feet. Carefully, she stepped out of her shoes, bending to retrieve them. “Back to the booth, Sir?”

“Mmm-hmm. We’ll pick them up… after.”

A shiver of awareness rippled from head to toe; she swallowed hard, licking her lips in a sign he was tweaking her nerves. Glancing around at the people between her and her destination, she paled slightly—she really wasn’t comfortable in a crowd. “You’ll wait here?”

“Right here,” he confirmed.

“Okay. I… I can do this,” she muttered to herself, straightening her shoulders as her fingers turned white on the heels. “There and back. Head down. No talking. Easy.”

Amused by her mutterings—her lips were still moving as she marched off with determination toward the corner—Zeke decided he was going to enjoy breaking down all those insecurities of hers tonight. By the time he was done unraveling the complicated pieces of her, she’d be boneless, mindless, and completely unaware of the triggers that made her so damn antsy in her own skin.

“Master Zeke.” Jasper sidled up beside him, nudging him in the ribs with his elbow. “Are your ears bleeding yet?”

“Only a bit. Feels nice to be appreciated, though.”

“You mean a great deal to a lot of people, brother.” The sadist’s ice-blue eyes glinted beneath the lights. “If there’s anything you should take from tonight, it’s knowing that Sierra came out of her shell for you. If that doesn’t make you one of us, I don’t know if there’s much else that will.”

“That was a surprise,” Zeke admitted, keeping part of his attention on the stunning redhead bulling her way through people as though she wore blinders. “A pleasant one.”

Jasper followed his stare, his eyebrow lifting. “Not as surprising as this turn of events. You do realize that Sonic is like a little sister to the guys in the office, right? The big hunks of mercenary muscle who disassemble bad guys into messy pieces?”

“Olivia.”

“Huh?”

“I’m trying to break her habit of working herself into the ground. At work, she’s Sonic. Anywhere outside of Heisler Security, she’s Olivia. There needs to be a distinction between them.”

“I guess that answers my next question.”

Zeke slid him a sidelong glance. “Are you defending her honor, Jasper?”

“Well, it’s me or a couple dozen merc soldiers.”

“I see. I’m not sure which is more intimidating.” Scrubbing his hand over his beard, he watched the woman in question toss the shoes into the booth. From his vantage point, it was easy to see the longing glance she sent toward the exit, but as per his orders, she headed back toward him. “Olivia is mine, J.”

“No need to warn me off. I’m happy with what I’ve got. Just make sure the slipper fits before you weld it onto her foot.” Jasper patted him on the shoulder. “Never took her for a sub, but some women just need the right man guiding the ship.”

Understanding where his friend was leading the conversation, mixed metaphors and all, Zeke inclined his head. “You have my word she’ll be looked after. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and I intend to keep hold of her ‘til my last breath.”

Flushed with nerves, Olivia approached, her steps wary. Her toes curled into the carpet as she stopped an arm’s length away, surreptitiously avoiding Jasper’s gaze.

Zeke nodded, answering Jasper’s silent request to speak to her.

“Olivia, you look gorgeous tonight. I don’t want to appear rude, but I need to hunt down my kitten and punish her for… whatever I can think of.” Grinning, the sadist took a step back. “I’ll leave you two to enjoy your evening. Zeke, if you can’t find an area that works for you tonight, don’t forget the private rooms are upstairs now.”

He barely stifled a laugh as Olivia’s eyes immediately looked to the ceiling. Moving closer, he wrapped his hand around her nape. “Let’s take a walk, Livvy. See you later, J.”

They parted ways; Zeke used his hold on Livvy’s neck to guide her toward the ornate wooden doors that were currently closed. He liked how simple it was to read her through that light touch. It was akin to having his fingers on her emotions, physical reactions, and inner thoughts all at the same time.

“Is this how it was before?” she asked.

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