Page 11 of The Dom with the Clever Tongue

“I like pain,” Scarlet answered.

Reece turned on her. “Don’t tell him that!”

“Why not? That’s what we’re here for.”

It felt too personal. Vague information she was okay with, but she didn’t want him knowing details about her sex life.

Malachi leaned in. “Reece, you have to trust me at least a little in order for me to help you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why should I trust you? As far as I know, you’re still the jerk that made fun of me for years.”

“I’ve changed.”

“And I’m just supposed to believe that? Because you say so? How stupid do you think I am?”

“Reece!”

She ignored Scarlet’s warning and her nails digging into her arm.

Malachi sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. “You’re going to make meadmit this, aren’t you?”

“Admit what?”

“I had a crush on you,” he said, defeated. “Okay? That’s why I was so mean to you. I didn’t know how to act around girls and I was insecure about myself. I never thought you’d go for someone like me. Plus I was dying for acceptance from my friends and they laughed when I called you names. I’m sorry. It’s been over ten years, gorgeous. I’m not the same guy.”

She stared at him, mouth hanging wide open. It was quiet for a moment. Scarlet and Malachi both watched her warily.

Finally, she inhaled a deep breath. “You tormented me for four years because youlikedme?”

He flinched at her sharp tone but nodded.

“Of all the stupid fucking reasons!” She was so mad she could spit. And that was saying a lot for her.

“I was a teenager. We did stupid things at that age.” He looked ashamed of himself.

All she could do was grind her teeth to keep from spewing more curse words. She didn’t often swear. It was a bad habit and didn’t seem right coming from her mouth. Surprisingly, her eyes burned and tears fought to spill. Crying? She took a shaky breath and steeled herself against the rising emotion. This dredging up of old pain was annoying. She didn’t have time to deal with this right now.

Malachi sighed. “Can you trust me enough at least to talk?” His eyes narrowed, but in a pleading look. Like he was hurt too and wanted desperately to fix it.

Vaguely, she became aware of Scarlet stroking her knee. Then her hand moved to Reece’s hair and she pushed it back from her face. It was an attempt to soothe her and she supposed it was sort of working. “It’s up to you,” Scarlet said. “I know this takes a lot of faith.”

After scrutinizing Malachi, waiting for a crack in the mask of sincerity, she told herself there wasn’t much to lose by talking. They said success was the best form of revenge and she had that in spades – a buyer for a high-fashion brand and in a committed, loving relationship with an amazing girl. Didn’t get much better than that.

“Yes.” She jutted her chin. “We can talk.”

His answering grin held no hesitation. It was pure joy. And not a hint of pretense. She found herself smiling back slightly before she could stop it.

“So why do you think you’re a switch, Reece?” he asked in a business tone.

“Well, I...” Good question. “I...I like reading about it.”

“What part turns you on specifically?”

She scoffed. “I’m not telling you that.” Again with the personal details.

He rolled his eyes, looking frustrated for the first time since they’d gotten there. “Don’t be so shy. We’re all here because we’re turned on by it. For me, seeing a strong woman bend to my will is the fucking hottest thing in the world.”

A vision of her kneeling, collar around her neck, looking up at Scarlet, waiting for a command sent a rush of excitement through her. “Yes. That. I like that too.”

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