Page 30 of Surrender
“Because it’s too intimate,” I explain, knowing the complications that kissing would cause. “I have a million other things on my mind, so I can’t have feelings getting in the way.”
He looks back and forth between my eyes like he’s searching for something, then shakes his head and sits back in his chair. “You know what? That’s fine. I want you to make all the decisions, so whatever you say is fine with me.”
This makes me smile. “Then it’s settled.”
“It’s settled.”
After a significant pause, I stand to leave and Gareth follows me to the door. He nearly leans in to kiss my cheek goodbye, but thinks better of it and pulls back. “Can I kiss your cheek?”
Rolling my eyes, I reply, “Are we starting this now?”
He braces his hand on the doorframe, propping himself like a fucking model doing a cover shoot. “I don’t see why not.”
I straighten my spine and give him a simple nod. “Yes, you can kiss my cheek.”
He leans in and his chuckling breath is warm on my skin. His lips brush against my jaw and linger for a beat as he inhales the area behind my ear. “The ball is in your court now, Treacle.”
I take a moment to marvel over that fact.
Control.
Complete and utter control.
It feels pretty damn good for a change.
AT TEN O’CLOCK, MY PHONEvibrates on my nightstand, indicating a text message has come in. I mute the television and reach over, swiping my thumb across the screen. I can’t hide my smirk when I see Sloan’s name.
Sloan: Are you expecting me to be a dominatrix?
Gareth: No.
Sloan: Because I don’t want to be like that.
Gareth: Have you been researching online?
Sloan: Yes, and I’m not cut out for this. I just got done watching some really disturbing porn, and I’ve come to the conclusion that you should find someone else.
Gareth: I don’t want anyone else and I don’t want what you’re watching. I just want you.
Sloan: …
Sloan: …
Sloan: So you don’t have expectations of me being one of those women in a corset with a bullwhip, wrapping your dick in a leather chastity belt?
Gareth: I’d prefer not.
Gareth: I just want you to be free. You’re trying to label what we’re doing, and that’s not what this is about.
Sloan: Well, I’m trying to figure out what you want.
Gareth: I want what you want.
Sloan: I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WANT.
Gareth: Yes, you do. Think back to that night we were together. What did you like about it?
Sloan: …
