but she’d never been able to fully submit mentally. That disconnection kept her from putting herself fully in a Dom’s hand, and she’d never been able to let go and be vulnerable enough to orgasm in front of strangers…until tonight.
Standing, Joelle smiled but knew it wouldn’t fool anyone. “I’ll just grab my things and head out, it’s late and I’d like to get home before dawn.” The only part of the lifestyle Joelle had ever found challenging was the late hours. Clubs were notorious for catering to night owls…something she’d never been.
“Sit. Down.” Ryan’s sharp tone surprised her so much she plopped back down before her mind fully processed his command. She blinked in surprise, but he didn’t miss a beat. “Joelle, you are obviously exhausted—both physically and emotionally.” She looked on as he turned to Nate, they seemed to share some sort of unspoken communication and at the end, Nate nodded once. Very strange indeed. Ryan turned to Brandt and asked, “Is there any reason you can’t stay down here tonight? You could drive Joelle back to Pine Creek in the morning and I’d follow you in her car.”
Joelle felt her breath hitch at the implication. Again she felt there was a lot of silent communication taking place, but this time, Phoenix was watching with obvious interest as well. Ryan studied her for long seconds before returning his focus to Brandt. “Berlin?” Well, at least, they are using words now…sort of.
“Yes.” Brandt hadn’t hesitated, his answer quick and sure, then he’d smiled before turning to Phoenix, handing him a small key ring. “There is a go bag in the trunk. Send it in with the valet, he can make sure it gets upstairs. I’ll send Beck a message letting him know he’ll be on call until we get home tomorrow.” Joelle knew Brandt was referring to his part-time deputy and she hoped this wouldn’t be a problem for the other man, after all, he had a new baby at home.
Phoenix nodded but didn’t leave. Instead, he turned to her. “Are you okay with this, sweetheart?” She understood what he was asking…he wanted to be absolutely certain she understood what his brother and Ryan were proposing. Oh, she a pretty good idea. She might not know all the particulars, but their intent seemed fairly straightforward to her. What she didn’t understand was why it didn’t bother her. Shouldn’t she be outraged at the suggestion of staying with two men? For some reason, she couldn’t think of a single reason to turn down their invitation. When she finally managed to nod, Phoenix shook his head, “You know better, sweetheart. I need to hear the words.”
Joelle swallowed hard making sure her voice would sound convincing. She and Phoenix had become friends, and she knew if he sensed any trepidation on her part he’d drive her home himself. “I’ll be fine, Phoenix. Thank you for your concern.” When he pulled her into a hug, she whispered against his ear, “The only thing at risk is my pride…and maybe my heart.”
When he pulled back, he shook his head. “Actually, I think it might well be the other way around.” Grinning, he leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss against her forehead. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Be careful with my brother and cousin, they pout if they don’t get to be the boss.” Cousin? Oh, Lord. Didn’t that just figure? She knew they had the same last name, but Morgan was a fairly common name. And hadn’t Ryan told her he was originally from Texas?
“Please be careful driving home, it’s awfully late.” Phoenix gave her a sharp salute and then walked out the door.
Master Nate looked at her and smiled before turning to Ryan and Brandt. “Make sure you explain where everything is upstairs.” She wasn’t sure what he could be referring to, but obviously, both men understood.
“She’ll be safe in our care, Big, you know that.”
“See to it she is.” Master Nate was definitely back in residence. He turned to
Standing, Joelle smiled but knew it wouldn’t fool anyone. “I’ll just grab my things and head out, it’s late and I’d like to get home before dawn.” The only part of the lifestyle Joelle had ever found challenging was the late hours. Clubs were notorious for catering to night owls…something she’d never been.
“Sit. Down.” Ryan’s sharp tone surprised her so much she plopped back down before her mind fully processed his command. She blinked in surprise, but he didn’t miss a beat. “Joelle, you are obviously exhausted—both physically and emotionally.” She looked on as he turned to Nate, they seemed to share some sort of unspoken communication and at the end, Nate nodded once. Very strange indeed. Ryan turned to Brandt and asked, “Is there any reason you can’t stay down here tonight? You could drive Joelle back to Pine Creek in the morning and I’d follow you in her car.”
Joelle felt her breath hitch at the implication. Again she felt there was a lot of silent communication taking place, but this time, Phoenix was watching with obvious interest as well. Ryan studied her for long seconds before returning his focus to Brandt. “Berlin?” Well, at least, they are using words now…sort of.
“Yes.” Brandt hadn’t hesitated, his answer quick and sure, then he’d smiled before turning to Phoenix, handing him a small key ring. “There is a go bag in the trunk. Send it in with the valet, he can make sure it gets upstairs. I’ll send Beck a message letting him know he’ll be on call until we get home tomorrow.” Joelle knew Brandt was referring to his part-time deputy and she hoped this wouldn’t be a problem for the other man, after all, he had a new baby at home.
Phoenix nodded but didn’t leave. Instead, he turned to her. “Are you okay with this, sweetheart?” She understood what he was asking…he wanted to be absolutely certain she understood what his brother and Ryan were proposing. Oh, she a pretty good idea. She might not know all the particulars, but their intent seemed fairly straightforward to her. What she didn’t understand was why it didn’t bother her. Shouldn’t she be outraged at the suggestion of staying with two men? For some reason, she couldn’t think of a single reason to turn down their invitation. When she finally managed to nod, Phoenix shook his head, “You know better, sweetheart. I need to hear the words.”
Joelle swallowed hard making sure her voice would sound convincing. She and Phoenix had become friends, and she knew if he sensed any trepidation on her part he’d drive her home himself. “I’ll be fine, Phoenix. Thank you for your concern.” When he pulled her into a hug, she whispered against his ear, “The only thing at risk is my pride…and maybe my heart.”
When he pulled back, he shook his head. “Actually, I think it might well be the other way around.” Grinning, he leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss against her forehead. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Be careful with my brother and cousin, they pout if they don’t get to be the boss.” Cousin? Oh, Lord. Didn’t that just figure? She knew they had the same last name, but Morgan was a fairly common name. And hadn’t Ryan told her he was originally from Texas?
“Please be careful driving home, it’s awfully late.” Phoenix gave her a sharp salute and then walked out the door.
Master Nate looked at her and smiled before turning to Ryan and Brandt. “Make sure you explain where everything is upstairs.” She wasn’t sure what he could be referring to, but obviously, both men understood.
“She’ll be safe in our care, Big, you know that.”
“See to it she is.” Master Nate was definitely back in residence. He turned to
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