“Meetings,” Banner grunted. “Don’t you ever work?”
“I’ve temporarily handed most of my work over to Augustine. He needs to know how to run the company too.” Ambrose’s brother, only two years younger, was like a classier, more reserved version of Ambrose. He was more suited to being the financial manager, but Ambrose was determined to give the kid as much responsibility as he could handle.
“What, in case you sprain your dick and can’t go in to work?” Way to fish for information you don’t want to hear, idiot.
“Mmmm. It could happen, eventually.”
“Not yet?” Fuck. It was like poking at a sore tooth. It hurt like hell, but he couldn’t help himself.
“Actually, that’s what I came to talk to you about.”
Of course. Damn.
Ambrose got up and closed the door, then reclaimed his chair. Great. This visit just kept getting better.
“I know it’s only been about a month, and Kate’s training has been going really well, but I think it’s stalled.” He scratched at his head. “She’s a dream sub, really. She does anything I ask her to without complaining. Sure, she brats sometimes, but you know I like that.”
Visions of Kate giving Ambrose a blow job in the parking lot of the farmer’s market sprung to mind. He knew the two of them had a standing date to go there every weekend, not to mention the fact that they’d gone to almost every classy restaurant in town together.
He should have taken her out on a date or something himself, when he’d had a chance. It was too late for that now. Hopefully, Ambrose was more of a gentleman with her than he’d been.
Did he hold doors for her? Did he bring her flowers? Or did he finger fuck her while the waiters weren’t paying attention?
“Are you okay?”
“I think I’m catching a cold or something.” Maybe that explanation would cover the jealous heat he could feel creeping up his neck.
“That sucks.” Ambrose grimaced. “So, she kneels like a pro, knows the positions I want her to know, walks at my elbow, makes good eye contact, pays attention to my cues.”
Fuck, what was Ambrose doing with her? She wanted to be a submissive, not a slave.
“I can imagine some of that went over like a lead balloon.” Banner tried not to look annoyed, but he really should have been paying closer attention to the girl’s needs. “Submissive, not slave. That’s why I gave her to you, remember?”
“Yeah, that’s mostly stuff she learned from you, though, dickhead. I’m not usually that thorough with protocol.”
She was still doing the things he’d taught her?
“I saved you some work. What’s the issue?”
Ambrose sucked at his even white teeth and leaned forward in his chair. “She’s not . . . fully submitting to me. You know what I mean? I can feel her holding back.”
Traitorous hope welled in his chest. Maybe she didn’t like Ambrose as much as she had been saying.
“She was doing that with me too. Maybe you’re not the right guy for her either.” They stared at each other in silence until it became uncomfortable.
“So now you want me to give her to Konstantin to see if they hit it off?” Ambrose’s expression went bland. With him that meant angry.
His guts twisted. Envy was making him say stupid things. “Well, no. I . . .”
“Just because you’re lazy and self-centered, doesn’t mean I’ll give up on her too.” Ambrose said quietly. Fighting words. “Kicking a new sub aside because she doesn’t learn fast enough is cruel. Not the behavior I expected from you, of all people.”
“It wasn’t like that!” Was that what Ambrose had been thinking? “I told you, she needs someone who isn’t as extreme. The idea of being a slave horrifies her. Would you force a girl you were in love with to try your
kinks if she wasn’t into it? Kate deserves more consideration than that.” He hated the way his voice had wobbled when he’d said her name, but maybe Ambrose wouldn’t notice.
“She’s a grown woman. Why wouldn’t you let her decide for herself?” Ambrose grew quiet again, studying him. “You know what? I really like Kate. I enjoy domming her.”
It knocked the wind out of Banner’s lungs. “I can’t listen to details. Please.” He held up his hands, and Ambrose glared at him.