Page 44 of The Dom with the Clever Tongue

“Stay for breakfast.” Reece slipped from Scarlet’s embrace and headed for the walk-in wardrobe. “We’ll make pancakes.”

His reply slipped out. “Okay.” He found his own jeans on the floor and began to slide them on. “By the way, I have to tell you about Izzy. I had an idea the other day. She writes for the local paper sometimes. Maybe she could get your prom dress thing some good press?”

“Cool!” Reece stuck her head from the closet. “We must discuss that.”

“You know you don’t have to dress for breakfast. I can bear it.”

“Funny man.” Scarlet threw a pillow at him. He caught it and threw it back hard enough to wind her. They almost,almost, escalated into a true pillow fight but both just ended up grinning. He’d have been tempted to try out wrestling and that could be dangerous.

When she tossed the pillow to the bed, the shifting slopes and contours ofher pretty female anatomy drew his eye. She noticed and smiled.

“Men. You never give up do you?”

“Nope. Unless we’re dead.”

He’d have thought no more of it except her returning gaze turned into a quick up and down study of his body. Her expression mirrored Reece’s just before she kissed him – lust, hidden, held back, but still lust.

She’s a lesbian. You’re fantasizing, man. But what if he wasn’t?

Maybe he should stay away from pillows around Scarlet.

Chapter 10

The front door slammed behind Reece as she dropped her purse on the kitchen table. It had been a long ass day. She kicked off her heels then ripped through her pantyhose. Riding home on the late-day train always made her feel sweaty and dirty. What she needed was a long shower, a mug of tea, and a trashy reality TV show. She checked the clock. Scarlet should’ve been home by now but it was quiet. Usually, Scarlet was starting dinner when Reece got back from the city – on the days she commuted.

Barefoot, she padded down the hallway and into their bedroom.

Scarlet was there, sitting in the center of the bed, grinning. “Look what I picked up today to try, kitten.” She dangled an object between her fingers.

A sense of dread formed a pit in Reece’s stomach. “Ugh. Not now, Scarlet.” Ever since Malachi had gotten involved in their relationship, they’d been sliding down a slippery slope. Yeah, sex was hotter than ever before. There was a certain amount of...rightness when they played now but...

The jingle caught her attention. She glared at the pink jeweled collar in Scarlet’s hand. A collar. Like a pet. Like a real sub. Maybe she submitted, at times, but she wasn’t enough of a sub to wear a collar.

“It’s just for play.” Scarlet frowned. “Try it. You might like it.”

She scrunched her nose. “It’s not really my kink.”

Scarlet knee-walked across the bed toward Reece. “How do you know without trying?”

One shoulder lifted in a careless shrug. “I just know.”

Her girlfriend’s features sharpened, as did her voice. “Come here, kitten. Now.”

She started to move then stopped herself. This was Scarlet, not Malachi. She could say no to her. There was no muscle to back Scarlet up if she didn’t accept it either. “No.”

Scarlet’s jaw clenched and her eyes narrowed. Slowly, she stepped off of the bed and approached Reece. When did she learn to look so mean? Had Malachi taught her that? She gulped and took a few steps back.

A moment later, Scarlet had her back pressed up against the wall. “You don’t tell me no, little pet. The only words that should come out of that pretty mouth are either a safeword or yes, uh...” She trailed off, looking contemplative.

“Sir?” Reece finished for her, giggling.

Scarlet focused those sharp eyes on her. “It’s better than no!”

The idea of the collar both thrilled her and scared her. Unfortunately for Scarlet, fear overrode excitement. Caving now would be the easy way. She couldn’t let Scarlet have the upper hand. A collar was a serious step. She’d read the books and blog posts. It meant she was marked. Owned. No longer herself, but a toy, an object for someone else to use. Weak and unimportant.

Despite the stern look on Scarlet’s face, and the little flutter it caused in Reece’s stomach, she couldn’t give in. Besides, it wasn’t as if Scarlet could force her. Even with her athletic body, she still weighed less than Reece. If it came down to a wrestling match, chances were good she’d win, especially in her current mood.

Instead of cowering against the wall, she stepped up to Scarlet so they were just inches apart, stared into her eyes and said, “No,sir.”

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