Read Online Destined for the Dom [Masters of Submission 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Jan Bowles - Free Book Online

her made her feel protected. It was a far cry from the life she’d left behind in Pittsburgh, where she’d constantly had to fend for herself. Through hardship and necessity, she’d become a tough cookie. She’d had to, in order to survive, but the idea of Hunter looking out for her made her want to do the same for him.
    Zoë slipped from the bed, and pulled a robe around herself. It was Hunter’s and absolutely swamped her. She padded over to him. As she stood behind his chair, she smoothed her fingers over his powerful shoulders. He squeezed her hand, making her wonder if she could help him after all.
    “I’m a good listener. I don’t shock easily,” she whispered affectionately in his ear.
    Hunter took a long, slow breath, held it for a second or two, then slowly released it. He patted her hand. “It’s not easy discussing some things, Peaches.”
    “Well, in that case, did I ever tell you I was good at Champissage ?” She was determined to lighten his mood.
    “What the hell is Champissage, and can I eat it?”
    Zoë giggled. “You’d have a hard job. It’s an ancient form of Indian head massage. It’s very, very good for relaxation. I have a diploma in it.”
    “Are you kidding me? Little Zoë Leighton has a diploma.” Hunter sounded amused.
    “And what’s so shocking about that?” With mock outrage, she playfully slapped his wrist.
    “Zoë, as I remember it, just like me, you never took your education seriously.”
    “Yeah, the care home system hardly equipped us kids for success. I left St. Mark’s with nothing. No education, no qualifications, nothing. All I had to my name was a bag full of old clothes, and a few personal possessions.” She wistfully shook her head, realizing how inadequate she’d felt when she’d walked through the gates of St. Mark’s for the last time. “I mean, I was an eighteen-year-old kid with nothing. How the hell was I supposed to cope with life in the outside world?”
    He tenderly took hold of her hand. “We didn’t do so bad, Zoë.”
    “You think so? C’mon, Hunter, wise up. You joined the Marines, and now you can’t sleep at nights. And as for me, I ended up working in some seedy dance club.”
    “We fared better than most. A lot of kids in care end up as junkies. The number of girls who leave the care system, only to end up in prostitution, doesn’t bear thinking about. Just like us, they didn’t have any family. If they lose their crappy minimum-wage jobs, then they’re out on the streets. The government tells us there’s a safety net, but as you and I both know, that’s a crock of fucking shit, a lot of kids from the care system fall right through it.”
    She sighed. “I guess you’re right. Let’s not talk about it anymore. I’m supposed to be helping you relax, not adding to the tension.”
    “Let me assure you, your feminine presence is a welcome distraction.”
    “Then I’ll distract you some more.” She manipulated her hands. “May I?”
    “Go right ahead.”
    She began massaging his shoulders, flexing her fingers into the tight muscles. “Just relax. You’re very knotted.”
    “Tell me about it.” There was irony in his voice.
    “Champissage will clear the pathways, allowing your internal energy to flow freely once again. You’ll feel so much better after I’ve finished.”
    He groaned, and she could tell he was starting to relax. “I already do.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve never told anyone this before, but I lost five good friends.” He slowly emptied his lungs with a deep sigh, and she knew he found it difficult to speak. “Two of them died right before my very eyes.”
    “I’m sorry, Hunter. I’m so very sorry.” She made small circles with her thumbs into the back of his neck, working her way up to his hairline. He twisted his head back and forth as she applied more pressure.
    “Oh, that’s good, real good. It kinda does something to a man, seeing his best buddy die right in front of him. Sometimes