night and were up early this morning. You must be tired.”
“ I am a bit.”
Brax grabbed the bill as it arrived. Holly placed her soft hand over his. Her nails were painted a bright yellow, making him smile.
“ I invited you. I’m paying,” Holly said sternly.
“ No way.” He drew the bill out and got out his wallet. “When I go out to dinner with a woman, I pay.”
She raised her brows. “There’s that old-fashioned attitude again.”
“ You got it, baby. Deep down I’m just a Neanderthal.” He took in the dark circles under her eyes and stood, holding out his hand.
“ Come on. Let’s get you back to your room so you can get a good night’s sleep.”
He escorted her out of the restaurant, helping her with her jacket, and ignoring her look of surprise. It was about time someone treated her the way she deserved.
They walked out and he placed his hand on the small of her back. It felt so natural, having her beside him. He lifted her up into his truck, inhaling the sweet scent of her. His cock stirred, loving the feel of her against him.
As he pulled out of the parking lot to drive the short distance to the hotel, she turned to him.
“This was really fun, thank you for agreeing to come out to dinner with me.”
He glanced over at her with a smile. “Thank you for inviting me.” He pulled i nto a park outside the Braemark Hotel.
Holly cleared her throat nervously, clenching her hands together in her lap. “Would you like to go out another time, perhaps?”
Yes!
Except he couldn’t. His satisfaction faded. As much as he wanted to spend time with her, he couldn’t lead her on.
Twisting around, h e tipped up her chin. “I'm attracted to you, Holly. You’re beautiful, smart and funny. But I can’t be more than friends with you.”
He tried to keep his voice gentle, hating the flash of hurt that crossed her face.
“I see,” she said quietly.
“ We’re just too different, honey. We want different things.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I enjoy dominating in the bedroom, but my need to be in control goes beyond even that. Any relationship I have, I will be in charge. This is just who I am. I like to take care of my woman in every aspect. You—”
“ Might enjoy that.”
He shook his head. “Honey, you have no idea what you're saying.”
“Is it because I’m not a submissive?”
“What?” he asked, shocked.
“Is it because I’m not into BDSM? Y ou know—bondage, dominance, um, I forget the rest.”
“Bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, s adism and masochism,” he replied distractedly. “How do you know about that?”
“I read. Plus, Derrick has been in the lifestyle for years. Not that he realized I knew that until recently. Roarke knows you so I just guessed you might be into the lifestyle.”
“ You know Roarke?”
She nodded. “He and Derrick are good friends. We stay with him when we visit Austin.”
“ Oh, right.”
“ You’ve gone all pale.”
“Y ou kind of caught me by surprise.” Sucker-punched him, more like.
“I’m sorry. Should I not have brought it up?”
He shook his head. “Umm, it’s fine.”
“ Would it help if I started going to clubs with Derrick? Maybe I could pay someone to show me the ropes.”
He gripped her chin, turning it towards him. “You will not. Don't even think it.”
“ How are you going to stop me?” she challenged.
“ I have my ways. Don’t doubt it.”
She stuck out her lower lip. “Spoilsport.”
“ Honey, you can't just decide to try BDSM because you think it would please someone else. It has to be something you want.”
She turned her head away from him, her shoulders slumping . The sour feeling in his stomach increased.
“Holly, look at me.”
When she glanced up at him, her eyes unsure, he couldn’t resist any longer. Leaning in, he took her mouth in a light, sweet kiss that soon morphed to something deeper, stronger.
Fi nally, he forced himself to move back.
That had
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