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“Givemy world start to crumble around me
“How much?”
“I don’t know”
“You better decide” He slid out of the booth and threw a handful of dollar bills on the table “Or else I’ll do it for you”
“Damn it, Todd”
“It’s the only way” He stood by the table “But I’ll keep your secret I won’t tell Elaina”
“Thanks for the small favor,” I said with a sneer
“You’ll thank me one day,” he said, and turned to leave the bar “See you at dinner”
I dropped my head to my hands when he left
Chapter Twenty-three
I eventually made it back to the suite, and since it was still too early for Abby to be back from the spa, I sat on the couch and stared at her collar
Todd knew
Todd knew and he would force my hand and Abby would be upset How else could she react to the news that I’d been watching her? I had lied to her A lie of omission, true, but a lie all the saain?
I would have to tell her of the way I’d watched her That would lead to the ridiculous safe word and how I’d deceived her about the lifestyle She would know I’d misled her
No, she would never trust ain
I wouldn’t blame her, butI didn’t have to tell her Whatever Todd decided, so be it Let him do it
After the previous night, ed, taken a turn for the better I would not, could not, destroy it Not after all we’d been through and not over so as silly as a crush
What did it matter anyway? So I’d watched her I’d never approached her I didn’tdeal
Except it was
Our relationship, perhaps more so than any other, demanded complete trust and honesty I knew that I’d lived that Abby deserved that
But I couldn’t do it I thought back to the absolute trust she had given ht and I knew I couldn’t look her in the eyes and tell her I was too much of a damn coward
After dinner, I’d find Todd and tell him Abby would remain in the dark Bottom line
I picked up the newspaper and skie was even worse I glanced atany minute
I couldn’t wait to see her
Finally, I heard the key in the door
She walked into the suite looking totally and completely beautiful The spa day had been a wonderful idea—she glowed Her soft curls brushed her shoulders and her expression was luminous
“Did you enjoy your day?” I asked
“Yes, Master,” she said and her head dipped slightly
Fuck I loved it when she calledit from her always make me hard?
I stood up and held out the collar “Miss so?”
She nodded
I walked toward her “Do you want it back?”
She nodded again
“Say it” I wanted to hear it Needed to hear it “Say you want it”
“I want it,” she whispered “I want your collar”
My collar Daht She wore my collar She was mine And I’d be damned if Todd would take her from me
I slipped her shirt over her head, the bite ht visible on her shoulder I pushed her hair to one side and kissed the bruise where I’d bitten her “I ain” I ran my teeth over her tender skin “There are so many ways I can mark you”
I slipped the collar around her neck Fuck The sight ofmore than to push her over the arm of the couch and fk her senseless
Instead, I fastened the collar “Unfortunately, we have to have dinner with Todd and Elaina Go change I have your clothes out on the bed”
I stood by the couch when she returned wearing the cotton dress I’d laid out after she left this ail”
She lowered her body over the couch, resting on her arms, and I lifted her skirt No panties I chuckled “Hoell you read my mind” I ran a hand over her soft skin “Too bad I was looking forward to giving you a spanking before dinner”
Elaina had made reservations for the small waterfront bistro earlier in the week As we drove to the restaurant ht before A nice serving of fish would be good for her, so I instructed her to order fish for dinner
Todd and Elaina were nowhere in sight e arrived I waved Abby into the booth while aited She picked up her
Todd entered first and spotted us immediately Elaina looked troubled She knew, then, that solanced over to Abby—she was still reading the menu
I’ her, I mouthed to Todd as he came closer
His expression grew darker “Abby,” he said in a rough voice
Abby looked up warily Shit Now she knew so Todd didn’t take his eyes off lare on me
We all sat down, and the waiter came to take our drinks order
You need to tell her, Todd mouthed while Abby and Elaina chatted quietly
I shook my head
Todd slapped his menu on the table when the waiter left
“So, Nathaniel,” Elaina said, obviously desperate to keep some sort of peace at the table “Where’s Apollo this weekend?”
“At a kennel,” I said I could talk normally Keep the conversation reasonable This was possible
“He’s better, then?” she asked “You can leave him there?”
See? We were talking aboutPerfectly reasonable
“He’s inal improvements,” I said
“Glad someone has,” Todd mumbled
So much for reasonable