Page 42 of Master Cole

“I can’t wait to see you too.” The line went dead. Janie glanced down at her phone to see several text messages. She pulled them up. Five from Cole, three from her boss. She texted her boss back letting her know, yes she got home safely, sorry she didn’t answer sooner—dead battery, and okay about the clinic being closed; she’d see her tomorrow.

“So Alicia is arriving tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

“What time?”

“Four-thirty.” Janie stared at Cole. While he didn’t seem upset, his eyes were hard and his features closed down.

“Okay, we can go pick her up then.”

“I can get her.” Janie put her phone back on the charger.

“We will do it together. And I’m getting you a new car.” He stacked the pancakes on a platter.

“What?” Janie whirled around and gaped at Cole. “I don’t need a new car, mine is just fine.”

“That skateboard on wheels is why I was so worried last night. Your vehicle isn’t built for storms or the weather we have in winter.”

“Really.” Ire filled her veins. Putting her hands on her hips, she tapped her foot. “It’s been fine since I got home; hell, it was fine all the years I’ve had it. Last night’s storm was unusual.”

“You haven’t been here in winter, we do get snow.”

“Snow.” She waved her hand in the air. “Maybe an inch or two if we’re lucky. What’s going on, Cole?” Because something was.

“Your safety is paramount, and that’s all there is to it.” He turned from her and slipped the oven-proof platter into the oven.

“Stubborn male,” she mumbled. “I’m going to go get dressed, maybe you’ll be in a more reasonable mood when I get back.”

“Pancakes will stay warm in the oven and don’t bet on it,” he said as she left the kitchen.

Janie fumed all the way to her room. Stubborn man. But in a way she also understood. He wanted her safe. But she didn’t need a new car. With a sigh, Janie took off Cole’s robe and dressed quickly.

Funny, it hadn’t even bothered her that she’d been naked under the robe for all of breakfast. Then an idea came to her. Since they were both stuck at home today, maybe she could get Cole to play with her.

Anticipation had her dancing from one foot to the other as she put her necklace on. Maybe last night had knocked some sense into him. Janie raced back downstairs, only to find Cole behind the closed door in his office. His rule was if the door was closed, he was not to be disturbed.

With a sigh, she turned and made her way into the library. Might as well find a good book to read until Cole made an appearance. But she wasn’t going to wait long. If he wasn’t out of his office in two hours, rule or not, she was going to get him.

After his callto a car dealership, Cole sat back in his chair. He cleared his calendar for tomorrow afternoon. In the morning, he could drop Janie off at work and then pick her up in enough time to go pick up Alicia.

His fingers caressed the spine of Janie’s journal. Having Alicia in the house would curtail his and Janie’s activities. Maybe that was a good thing. Holding Janie all night had Cole wishing for more. To have Janie in his arms all the time. But he couldn’t do that. It would be a betrayal to his father and hers.

Picking up the journal, he opened it and began reading. After the first page he set the book back down. Well, he’d asked her to be honest, but damn. The woman had practically ripped him a new one. He’d pulled back for a reason, to protect her. He snatched the journal back up and continued to read.

I don’t know what is wrong with Cole, but it is pissing me off. I want to play, I want him to teach me, I want to understand my reactions to what he is doing to me. But no, mister ‘I am Master Cole’ was holed up in his office all day Sunday and then worked late Monday night.

As I write this I’m seeing red because I’m so angry at him. Yet, at the same time, my heart hurts that he doesn’t seem to trust me. I don’t know what I did to make him not trust me and what I want. I thought we’d gotten past it after he showed me his playroom and the days of fun and especially after making love on Saturday night.

Is that it? Because we made love? But why should that matter, it was going to happen eventually anyway. Cole is my teacher, he needs to show me everything within my limits so I know when it’s time to leave I can find the right Dom.

What the fuck? This time the journal hit his desk with a thud. So she thought she could go from him to another Dom. He stood up and was at his office door before reason hit him. But wasn’t this what he wanted?

Janie wanted to learn about BDSM, and he’d agreed to teach her. His emotions were getting in the way after he’d told her they wouldn’t. He couldn’t seem to help it. Cole sat back down in his chair and stared out the window.

It was as if the storm last night had never happened. The sun was shining brightly and birds were singing, but he couldn’t forget the tears rolling down Janie’s face. The way her body trembled in his embrace. Every flinch when thunder rolled through the skies.

His gut clenched. He never wanted to see the look of fear he’d seen on Janie’s face last night again. He wanted to keep her safe, protected and ... his.

Damn. He was becoming possessive of Janie. A sad laugh left his lips. Since Janie had come home he’d been possessive of her. But he wanted to make sure she didn’t end up like his sister, broken and dead.

Maybe it was a good thing Alicia was arriving tomorrow, as it would curtail his and Janie’s time together. With that in mind, Cole picked up the journal and made his way to the library.

Janie was curled up in the oversized chair, the book she’d been reading open in her lap, her head resting against the high-backed chair. She was sound asleep. She was probably still worn out from last night. Setting her journal on the low table, Cole quietly went to the bookcase, pulled out a book, and set it on top of her journal.

He stood there staring at Janie. Should he carry her to bed? No. It was better not to. He needed to put a little more distance between them while he figured out his emotions. He pivoted and walked out of the room, but pain shot through his heart.

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