Page 57 of Too Hot

“Maybe and maybe not. This last thing with Ward has kind of made me wonder if I’m doing something wrong.”

Rafe stiffened. “Ward was not your fault. I was there, Max. I’ve seen Ward in the club; nothing screamed predator. Some men are really good at hiding that side of themselves.”

“As my wife keeps telling me.”

“She’s right. Max, you did all the right things when you found out. By the way, what happened with him?” Rafe knew there had been an arraignment but hadn’t had a chance to check in with Logan.

“His arraignment and hearing didn’t go well. He went off at the judge, and the judge determined he was a danger to the community and kept him in jail. I believe his trial will be next year.”

“And Emily seems to have bounced back.” He’d seen her with Noah in the club.

“Emily is a lot stronger than any of us think. Hell, all the subs are. I think we Doms forget they have to be to put up with us.”

Rafe laughed. But Max was right, subs were some of the strongest people he knew—and that included Brianna. He needed to remember that.

“Thanks, Max. I needed this.”

“Anytime.”

* * * *

Brianna stood in her bedroom, staring at her closet. Rafe asked her to pack a bag to stay at his house. Was she ready for this? Maybe that wasn’t the right question. She’d already spent the night at his house.

Was she ready to make love with him? Her head screamedyes, but her heart was more hesitant. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been in a relationship before, but nothing like what she had with Rafe.

She’d heard the other subs talk about a connection between them and their Doms, and while Rafe was technically her first Dom, she’d felt the connection with him before she knew he was going to be her Dom.

That day at the school. Her entire being lit up when she made eye contact with him. Heck, she’d forgotten anyone else was around and where she was. But it still came back to whether or not she was ready to be intimate with Rafe.

A laugh escaped her lips. They’d already been intimate; they just hadn’t had sex. He knew her body better than she did. Plus, he turned her on. His caring nature, the way he touched her body, and how he never expected more than she could give. Blowing out a breath, she grabbed a pair of sweats, jeans, and a shirt out of her closet.

After throwing them in the bag, she grabbed a night shirt, underwear, socks, and her cosmetic bag from the bathroom. That was enough. She glanced at the clock. Two-thirty. Not bad. She’d cleaned her apartment, made her lesson plans, and showered. Laundry could wait until after work next week.

Next, Brianna switched out the contents of her club bag. She grabbed a clean pair of boy shorts and a sports bra. That would work for tonight. Rafe hadn’t mentioned what he wanted to do. She tapped her forefinger against her lips and threw a thong in there, as well.

She wasn’t ready to go completely nude in the club yet but was surprised at how comfortable she felt being topless. Not that anyone had seen her topless, but it was less of a concern now that she’d done it. No one in the club judged others’ bodies.

She’d always been a little self-conscious of her body. It would take time to get over her phobias, but Rafe was so good at working with her. She zipped up both bags and carried them to the front door.

Twenty-five minutes until three. Ugh. Going into the kitchen, she started making a grocery list. At least, she could get that out of the way. Next week after work was going to be busy, but that was okay. She’d rather spend time with Rafe.

By the time she’d finished her list and checked the fridge and what she had on hand, it was five minutes to three. The buzzer for entrance to the building went off. “Hello.”

“Hi, beautiful, it’s Rafe.”

“Come on up.” She buzzed him in, unlocked and opened her door, and waited for him. In a couple of minutes, he strode out of the elevator and down the hall to her.

“Ready?” he asked after brushing a kiss over her lips.

“Yes.” Her lips tingled from his kiss. She leaned down to pick up her bags.

“I’ve got them.” Rafe picked up the two bags.

Brianna grabbed her purse, then shut and locked the door. “So, what are we going to do this afternoon?” she asked. He hadn’t said much, only that he wanted to spend the afternoon with her.

“Did you eat lunch?”

She shook her head. “I was still full from breakfast.”

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