Page 6 of The Dom with the Clever Tongue

“I know. I was impatient and an asshole.”

“Yes, I’ll concede that you were definitely an asshole.” Reece smirked.

They all stood there awkwardly for a moment. “I didn’t recognize you at all at first, but now I see it. You’re even lovelier than I remember. It’s so weird that Sabrina decided to ask me to help you, of all people, with kink. She never told me your names.”

Reece looked stunned for a moment then tossed back the rest of her drink. “Well, jeez. It’s you she’s been talking about? Well this is awkward.”

“Yeah. I’ll go. If I think of someone else that can help you out I’ll let Sabrina know. It was nice to see you, even if the feeling can’t be mutual. Scarlet, it was a pleasure.” Like a guy from an old movie, he tilted his head and backed a step before he turned away.

“Wait, Malachi.” The sight of his departing back made Scarlet panic. She couldn’t give up that easily. He turned but didn’t walk back to them. She squeezed Reece’s hand and stared into her deep brown eyes. “Kitten, what if this is the only chance we have to figure things out?” she whispered. “We’re lost and this guy could help. I talked to him for a long while outside and I don’t think he’s the same guy you remember from high school. We could meet with him once and see if it’s too weird for you. If he says anything mean I’ll punch him out, myself.”

“You’d really do that?”

“I’d curb stomp the motherfucker.”

Reece’s eyes widened and she giggled. She got quiet again and Scarlet began to wonder if she shouldn’t send Malachi away so Reece could think in peace. After a long time she nodded. “I guess Sabrina wouldn’t have suggested him if he was still a jerk. Just once for now, and we’ll see how things go. I want to fix this.”

Scarlet drew Reece along to where Malachi stood waiting. “Can we meet once to see how things work, Malachi, or would it be too awkward for you?”

“Really? Okay. I mean, it wouldn’t be awkward for me, I’m just worried about Reece.”

“I can take care of myself, Malachi Johansson.” With crossed arms and a cocked brow, she was her normal challenging self. Reece was no wilting flower. Sometimes her demeanor made Scarlet want to paddle her ass.

In a heartbeat Malachi’s expression went from mild and friendly, to thatlook. Scarlet had noticedthe lookmany times on Q and Jude when Sabrina got sassy.

Interested, with a capital I – like the game had begun.

Chapter 3

Early afternoon and Malachi stepped out the door of the Ink Haven. He’d timed it right. The bench outside Godfrey Cross’s goth shop had Cross sitting on it.

He slipped onto the seat next to him. “Good view?”

Cross grunted. “Seagulls. Women in bikinis. The ocean. I’m happy.”

For once Cross wasn’t listening to his iPod. The slant of the sun and the breeze coming off the beach made a nice contrast of warm and cool on his skin. Malachi propped one ankle on his knee and leaned back. “Yeah, I guess.” He fidgeted, tapping the curved timber of the bench armrest. “Don’t let Gemma and Izzy catch you ogling other women.”

Cross angled a brow. “I’m fine. We have equal ogling rights. It’s only if they do any of the touchy stuff – then I get to paddle their asses.” For a few seconds he shifted to regard Malachi before going back to squinting into the sun. “What is it? Has Ivy decided to return to your clutches?”

“No. Not that. I’ve been asked to give two girls pointers on how to sort out their kink relationship.”

“Right. And?”

“And...yeah, good question.” This was the dead center of his problem. Which was? Cross didn’t take any shit and never shied away from the hard questions. “I guess I’m wondering if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.”

“Why? Did you forget how to dom?”

He shot Cross an evil glare and sucked on the inside of his cheek. “No, fucknut. I haven’t.”

“I figured it was either that or you lost your balls between your couch cushions.”

He sighed. “No, nothing that simple.”

“What then?”

This time Malachi grunted. “I’m not sure how much I should tell you. Though Sabrina knows...”

“Up to you.”

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