Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“Damn, but you are fierce, princess.” He stared down at her like he was utterly fascinated. Not like her vengeance was something that was going to scare him away. “But it had to bother you, too. I know you don’t care what other people think, but you were a teenager. I think your sister is softer than you are so you shoved your feelings down and concentrated on your sister. Was it hard to change your life so much?”
She nodded. “I had to leave some friends, but I joined some others. We shared a tutor with the Lodges, and with our friends Aria and Dane Roberts. So we were our own class, I suppose. Sometimes we would spend a couple of weeks out at Aunt Dani’s spa. Most of the people who worked there were in the lifestyle, and they had a school. We would go for special classes. It was nice, but I always knew we weren’t normal.” She sniffled. It felt good to get emotional. It had been a long time. “You are a very therapy-forward Dom.”
He smiled and stroked her hair. “I’ve learned that the hard way. First thing the board did when they were considering my application was send me to a psychologist. He offered some sessions. I still see him twice a month.”
“Did they make you see my Uncle Leo or one of the therapists from the Ferguson Clinic?” They both did work with the different clubs, vetting new members.
“Ash Rycroft at the Ferguson Clinic. I think they’re sending everyone my age his way. He’s good at working with PTSD and complex family relationships,” Niall admitted. “I like talking with him. I’m about to be out of my board-mandated sessions, but I think I’ll stick with him for a while. I’ve got some things to work out. My father was abusive, to say the least. I’m no contact with him.”
Her heart ached for him. They were sitting on his couch, which might also be his bed. She wasn’t sure. There was a door and it might lead to a bedroom, but she hadn’t asked. She moved closer to him, putting a hand on his knee. “And your mom?”
“Same.” Niall huffed out a laugh. “My family was pretty toxic.” His gorgeous face went soft. “I did not mean for this to turn into a therapy session.”
Oh, but wasn’t it always? “I feel connected to you. You have no idea how much I appreciate you being open to me. The last relationship I was in… It was passionate, but there wasn’t a ton of connection on an emotional level. It felt good at the time, but this feels better.”
“Don’t discount passion, Harlow.” His eyes heated. “I think you need both, and sometimes you have to go to odd lengths to get it. Like your parents. But that’s a discussion for another time. When are we going in? I’m talking job wise. Where are we going in to?”
“It’s a lifestyle club, but it’s more like a bar with BDSM elements, I think. I haven’t gone. Normally I would go in myself or with Ruby and do some recon, but I think I should go in with a partner.”
“Into a tourist lifestyle club when some Dom might get aggressive with you? Yes.” He stroked his hand over hers. “I know you can take care of yourself, but a gorgeous, single submissive is going to attract more attention than you want.”
He was so good at handling her. If he’d acted jealous or like she couldn’t take care of herself, she could get offended. But he was one hundred percent right.
So unlike Jensen, who plowed through without giving thought to how to phrase things.
She had to stop thinking about him because Niall was turning out to be perfect. Almost too perfect.
“Yes, hence me asking you. I considered asking one of the spy boys, but they’re mostly paired off now, and they could get a call in the middle of my op and have to leave to go save the world or something. The McKay-Taggart bodyguards would likely reach out to my dad and let him know what’s going on.”
“I do not have your father’s phone number,” Niall pointed out.
“Which is why you’re perfect. I also wanted someone who I do have some chemistry with.” It wasn’t the insane, off-the-charts, do-anything-to-get-into-his-pants chemistry she’d had with Jensen, but she liked it. It was softer, warmer. It felt like solid ground. “But you know I’m truly asking because I’ve been interested since the minute we met. It’s an excuse.”
His lips curled up in the sweetest smile.
That was what time with him felt like. Sweet.
Would sex with him feel just as sweet? She was honest with herself. The chemistry between them wasn’t as moth to the flame as she felt for Jensen, but she wanted him. It hadn’t been the fall into bed the first night and start planning a life, but it was totally there. A slow burn might keep her warm and not torch her whole soul.