Needing Harte (1-800-DOM-Help) by Marilu Mann Page A

from their little corner of the bar and started filling other drink orders. Harte finished his coffee, left the cup on the bar with a generous tip and made his way back to the entrance.
    The same bouncer stood there. He smiled briefly at Harte as he held open the door. “Did you have a good evening, Master Harte?”
    “Yes, Hayden, thank you.”
    “Come back soon, Sir.”
    Harte made his way back to his car and sat behind the wheel for a few minutes. Glancing at the clock on the dash, he saw it was just after two. He was off tomorrow and wondered how much trouble he’d be asking for if he went back to Pulse or to Ramey’s apartment. Harte had the address from his earlier interview and no way was he finished with Ramey. He wanted more, a lot more from that particular sexy stripper.
    Despite the fact that being with Ramey could mean the end of his career as he knew it, he could not stop thinking about the other man. With a sigh, Harte started the car and headed for home. It wasn’t a good time to be making this decision. He needed some sleep and he had some work to do around the house before he went back to work.
    Even after that particular pep talk, the discussion with Tasha kept running through his mind. Did his co-workers really know he was gay? How could they? He’d always been so careful, so in control. No one in his family knew he was gay…did they?
    Entering his home, he went straight to the kitchen for a glass of water. His thoughts were way too deep for this time of the morning. He stripped in the bedroom and pulled on a pair of cotton shorts before heading to the spare bedroom and the treadmill. A nice run should calm his mind enough to let him sleep. He’d tackle everything tomorrow—including one sexy sub who wouldn’t stay out of his brain.

Chapter Five
    Ramey knocked on the office door, waiting for Jason’s acknowledgement before pushing it open and entering the room. Jason put his pen down and indicated the chairs in front of his desk.
    “Have a seat, Ramey. You okay?”
    “A little tender, but I’m fine.”
    “Good. I’ll be sure to let Leo know. He was worried about you. Now tell me about Harte.”
    Jason leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of him but never taking his eyes off Ramey.
    Knowing it wouldn’t do him any good to ignore the question, Ramey took a deep breath.
    “He’s amazing. Tentative but so damn in control at the same time. And you know he’s gorgeous.”
    “Was he good to you, Ramey? Did he hurt you?”
    “Yes. I mean, no! I mean.” Taking a deep breath and blowing it out slowly, Ramey started over. “He was good to me, Sir. He didn’t hurt me, he paddled the hell out of my ass and then fucked me like there’s no tomorrow, but…”
    “But?”
    “He’s a cop, Sir. What is he doing with someone like me?”
    “Ramey…”
    “No, I know it’s stupid. He’s not really with me, right? I’m just someone he was attracted to and it was just a hook-up. There’s nothing more to it than that, right? I’m just being stupid, just hoping for more. Just wishing my life away. Well, wish in one hand and shit in the other, right?”
    “Quiet!” The absolute command in the single word snapped Ramey right back to reality.
    With his heart pounding in his chest and his emotions high, he met Jason’s gaze then immediately dropped his eyes.
    “You are absolutely wrong, Ramey. Yes, Harte is a cop and yes, he’s new to the D/s lifestyle, you’re right about that. However, the man is more than attracted to you and he took to being your Master like the proverbial duck to water. Ramey, look at me.”
    Taking a deep breath, Ramey lifted his eyes to meet Jason’s. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with what you are or what you do. Yes, you dance for a living. You take off your clothes in front of roomfuls of people. But you are not a whore and you are more than worthy of love.
    You are not less than, Ramey. You’re an intelligent, totally hot man with a big