Page 122 of Breaking Free

“I knew it!” Breaking his hold, she leaped to her feet. “Now that my drama is over, you’re done with me.”

“Wrong,” he said, catching her and hauling her back down. “We have an arrangement that, as you mentioned, is going swimmingly.”

“I’m too clingy. After I promised no strings,” she guessed next, struggling to get up again but unable to with his arms tight around her.

“By clingy, do you mean needing reassurance after being held at knifepoint and finding out a stalker had put cameras in your bedroom? You held up remarkably well. The entire team was impressed. If you needed a sense of comfort and security while you regrouped, so what? Most women, and a helluva lot of men, would have completely lost it.”

“Then what is it? Are you married?” she asked, still futilely squirming. “Or going through a divorce and still in love with your wife?”

“Wrong again. I’ve never been married, and, if I were, I wouldn’t be with someone else.”

Piper stopped and looked back, regretting thinking, even for a second, he’d do such a thing. “That was Josie’s guess, but I didn’t want to believe it.”

“You’re building this up in your head.” He repositioned her to face him, her legs straddling his thighs with his hands on her hips ensuring she stayed put. “Are you ready to sit still and listen?”

“I’m thinking I need more wine.”

“Enough about the wine!” he grumbled, his patience worn thin. “Should I fetch my bag? I’m certain there’s a ball gag in there.”

“You wouldn’t!” she gasped. Then, remembering she was talking to a dom, Piper held up her hand. “Don’t answer that.”

“Why? You’re right. I wouldn’t do that to you,” he surprised her by admitting. “Not without consent. However, I’m tempted, especially if you don’t stop assuming and allow me time to explain.”

“Sorry, it’s just...” Her gaze shifted to her hands, balled up on his chest, her fingers twisted in the soft jersey knit. Wrinkling his shirts was becoming a habit. She relaxed her hands and smoothed the fabric, saying more calmly, “I’ve been sitting here for hours, waiting and worrying, and yes, building things up in my head. But my behavior is getting us nowhere. Therefore, I’ll act like the adult I always claim to be and will shut up and let you have your say.”

He caught her hands in his, holding them still. “Thank you. Afterward, if you still want to flay me with your tongue, I’ll let you.”

“Or maybe I could borrow a flogger from your bag?”

He didn’t even pause before saying, “Deal.”

The idea held no appeal, but she didn’t tell him that.

“None of what you and Josie imagined is true, Piper. What you call disappearing is me, in Santa Barbara, fulfilling a promise to a friend. My best friend, who died in my arms eight years ago.”

She gasped in shock, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh, Tristan. I’m so sorry.”

“I am, too,” he replied, his voice thick with sadness.

She did the math, subtracting the years. “Eight years ago, weren’t you still in the service?”

“Yes. In Afghanistan. My unit was on a humanitarian mission, escorting medical staff and aid workers to a recently liberated remote village. We were carrying supplies of food, water, and medicine. Before we could reach the gates, a group of insurgents attacked out of nowhere.”

“That’s horrible!” she exclaimed, unable to contain her shock. “But why? Weren’t your vehicles marked?”

“Our convoy included a truck and an ambulance with big red crosses on the top and sides. They would have been hard to miss.”

“Isn’t attacking medical personnel and civilians a war crime?”

“Yes. Established nations usually abide by international humanitarian law. In this case, we were dealing with radicals who rarely follow the rules.”

“Of course, but it’s unimaginable that anyone could be so cruel as to deprive other human beings of food, water, and medical care...” she murmured, her words trailing off. She quickly realized she had done it again, not letting him talk. “I’m sorry. I’ll be quiet now. But seriously, it’s just...what a brutal place.”

“You aren’t wrong about that,” he agreed, sounding amused. When she peeked at him, his anger had faded, replaced by his elusive smile.

She had no clue what he found funny, so she asked, “What?”

“You have a way of being sweet even when you’re outraged on behalf of others or pissed at me. Before I kiss you and set you off again, I’d like to get back to the point.”

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