Read Online Safe Harbor by Tymber Dalton - Free Book Online Page B

for?”
    “Tylenol.”

    62

    He smiled, opened a cabinet she hadn’t checked yet, and handed her the bottle. “It’s all in there. You ready for coffee and breakfast?”
    She blushed as she shook out a couple of capsules and took an offered glass of water. “You don’t have to cook for me, Mac.”
    With a gentle touch, he used his finger to tip her chin so he could look into her eyes. “I want to.”
    She sat at the counter and talked with him while he cooked. He took a mug of coffee to their bedroom for Sully. When Mac returned, he explained. “He likes to be alone when he first wakes up. Helps him think, helps with his writing. Clears his head.”
    She sipped her coffee. “What does he write?”
    “Lots of things. Fiction and nonfiction. He travels quite a bit too.
    He gives law enforcement and author educational seminars on several topics.”
    “What kind of fiction?”
    “Mysteries, thrillers, procedurals, erotica.”
    The last raised her eyebrows. “Erotica?”
    “Yeah. He uses a pen name for that stuff, but it’s not a secret he’s the author. The irony is that’s where he makes a goodly chunk of money long term.”
    Mac set her food in front of her when she heard their bedroom door open. Sully emerged wearing jeans and a T-shirt and carrying his coffee mug. She watched Mac bow his head when Sully walked in.
    Sully cupped his hand around the back of Mac’s neck, his hand on Mac’s collar, and whispered something to him that she couldn’t hear.
    She didn’t miss the smile that lit Mac’s face as he softly replied,
    “Yes, Master.”
    Sully handed Mac his mug, which Mac refilled for him. Then Sully turned to her and offered a friendly smile.
    “How do you feel? Did you sleep well?”
    She hesitantly nodded, still trying to process the intimate exchange she’d just witnessed. Innocent, but obviously full of meaning to the men. “I’m okay. Sore.”
     
     

    63
    “You sure we can’t take you to the doctor?”
    “That’s okay. I’m fine. Just look like hell, that’s all.” Relieved that Sully decided to sit at the far end of the counter away from her, she rushed the rest of her meal and excused herself to her bedroom.
    Sully sadly watched her departure, then looked at Mac.
    Mac knew what he thought. “Yeah, it’s going to take her a while to not be afraid of you.”
    Sully finished eating. “Take her with you today, if she feels up to it, to visit Tad and shopping.”
    “Master?”
    Sully arched an eyebrow at him. “Was I not clear?”
    Mac reddened. “It’s okay?”
    “I’m going to shut myself in the office and work today since we’re not out on the boat. It’ll be easier on her if I make myself scarce.” Leaving his dishes on the counter for Mac to take care of, Sully stepped around and softly said, “I mean it. For today and tomorrow, the five still apply for the clothes, but except for the three you’re taking for earlier, I’ll give you a pass until Monday. We’ll revisit the issue then.” He gently squeezed Mac’s shoulder before he left the kitchen.
    Mac ate his breakfast before washing the dishes. One of their ironclad rules of conduct stated Mac couldn’t do more than shake hands with people, or friendly hugs with only certain, preapproved people they knew, unless Sully was present or had given prior permission. By comforting Clarisse the way he had before Sully arrived, Mac had earned himself three strokes, which surprised the hell out of him because normally Sully would have demanded at least ten for that infraction.
    It was a rule Sully strictly enforced after Mac’s habit of friendly, innocent hugs had led to a girl at one of the clubs they frequented wanting to get a little too friendly and causing them problems. In the years since the rule’s inception, Mac had never breached it.
    Until now.

    64

    Mac took a shower and dressed and did his usual chores while he waited for Clarisse to emerge. He didn’t really think she would want to go shopping with