Page 78 of Ravish

“Night, Sir Colby.” Hannah stood up and walked over to Logan.

“Lara?” Colby leaned down and brushed a kiss over her lips.

“Hmmm.”

“Come on, honey. Time to go home.” Colby picked her up.

“I can walk,” she said, her voice drowsy.

“I’m sure you can.” He carried her into the ladies’ room and had her open her locker to retrieve her things. When he walked out, Hannah was standing there with a blanket. She draped it over Lara.

“Bless you, Hannah.” Colby nodded to Ralph as he left.

Thank goodness for remote entry. He maneuvered the door open and set Lara onto the passenger seat. After making sure she was buckled in, he adjusted the blanket over her.

Colby shivered as he climbed in. It might be the beginning of May, but the nights in the Pacific Northwest were still chilly. He started the car, and before they made it to the main road, heat began filling the vehicle.

Lara snuggled into the blanket. She let out a sigh.

She’d trusted him enough to let go. To allow him to play with her breasts in the club. Yeah, they’d done it before, but tonight was different. No tensing up, no worry about who saw them. She’d been relaxed and leaned into his touch. It made the Dom in him proud. He drove to his place and carried her into his bedroom. The shorts were okay, but that bra had to go so she’d be comfortable. He unhooked it and drew the covers over her. She snuggled right under them.

She looked so good in his bed. He wanted her to stay there forever. The thought didn’t scare him. Lara had wormed her way into his heart, and he was going keep her there. He grinned as he made his way into the bathroom. After a quick, hot shower, he slid between the covers with her, gathered her into his arms, and closed his eyes.

* * * *

Lara’s cell phone rang for the fourth time as Colby drove to her home. “I guess I better get it,” she said.

“I don’t think your mother is going to stop until you do,” Colby commented. He understood why she was avoiding the call, but it was apparent her mother wasn’t going to give up.

“Hey, Mom,” Lara said. She stiffened and looked over at Colby. “There is nothing to discuss.” A pause. “I’m sorry, but this is my life.” Her fingers tightened around the phone. “Sorry you can’t deal with it, but it’s my life, and I’ll live it the way I choose. I am an adult.”

Lara ended the call and powered off her phone before tossing it in her bag.

“That didn’t sound like a very good discussion.”

She snorted. “There was no discussion. I’m supposed to toe the line. Well, guess what? I’m not.” She folded her arms over her chest.

“I don’t understand your family.” He held his hand out and was pleased when she placed hers in his. His fingers closed over hers. “Your aunt isn’t like your parents and brothers are.”

“Aunt Tammy has always been my rock. She’s always supported me.”

“Why not your mother?” He really wanted to understand more about her family.

Lara let out a sigh. “My mother follows whatever my father says. She’s one of those women who was raised to obey her husband.”

“I see.” He did. There were a lot of women in his neighborhood that were like that. Over the years, he’d tried to make sure they understood times were changing and got some counselors in to help them.

“Yeah.” She squeezed his hand. “I don’t believe in the obey part of the marriage vows. I refused to speak them.”

“Except in our bedroom, right?” he grinned.

“Only with you.” Lara answered without hesitation, making the Dom in him proud as hell.

“Still, I bet your family was upset when you wouldn’t say those words.”

“They were, and you know what? I don’t care anymore.”

The finality in her voice made him proud. Lara was a strong woman, much stronger than she realized. When Colby pulled up to her house, there was a man pacing outside her home on the sidewalk.

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