Austin hated what the morning would bring. “Goodnight, pet.” He would push her hard tomorrow, and take her to just beyond her hard limit. He’d never wanted to push a sub to say their safe word, but he knew it was the only way for Jessie to see the hopelessness of him being in her life.
“Are you not coming to bed?” she questioned, sounding so very feminine.
Deepening his tone, he said, “Did you forget about my rule about questions, pet?”
“I’m sorry.”
Knowing the risk but unable to resist, he bent down and kissed her cheek. It would be so easy to move to her lips, but he wouldn’t—couldn’t. “You rest. If you need me, I’ll be in the other room.”
“Yes, Master.”
His cock jerked painfully in his jeans. Shit! I’m in so much trouble.
Chapter Four
Jessie woke up, and realized she was alone in Master’s soft bed. He was talking, but she couldn’t make out the words.
She slipped out of the bed, and touched the collar he’d given her. It felt cool to the touch. She didn’t have any clothes and thought about using the blanket as a makeshift robe, but she didn’t think Austin would like that. So, she didn’t.
Tiptoeing to the closed screen divider, she listened intently.
“When?” Austin asked in a quiet tone.
No answer. He was talking on his cell, no doubt. They were still alone. Relief filled her up.
“Bastard.” Austin’s tone was hushed but filled with indignation. “I can’t believe Paul King sliced up his own wife. She was a good woman. What kind of crazy fuck is he?”
Jessie thought about opening the screen. She didn’t, believing Austin might curb his words. Instead she remained all ears, hoping to hear more.
“Denver, is the Sheriff certain he’s not in the area?”
Jessie’s heart leapt in her chest. Austin was talking to Denver. Were Jackson, Phoenix, and Dallas on the other end of the phone line, too?
“You guys keep me posted. Anything turns up, I want to know about it.” He paused. “She’s fine.”
Denver was asking about her, and that made her feel good. Austin, on the other hand, didn’t seem into her at all…at least not sexually. Sure, he’d given her the most amazing orgasms of her life, but he hadn’t made a single move to fuck her, and he’d spent the entire night away from her. All Jessie’s dreams about spending time with him to change his mind were starting to crumble.
“Count on it. If Paul King comes within three hundred yards of this place, I’ll blow his head off.”
Though Jessie wasn’t sure if Austin desired her or not, he cared for her enough to, at the very least, want to keep her safe. That meant so much to her, and she bolstered up her resolve to meet whatever he had in store for her. I might fail, but by God, I’m going to show him I’m worth staying for.
“No. I’m not taking her to my tree. That’s too exposed. We’re staying inside until I know Paul has been found.”
Jessie had been to his tree with his brothers. She wondered what it would be like to be there with Austin. Quite different, no doubt.
The tree was the same one that he’d been tied to by Paul King and the banker when they were all boys. Could the scars from that event be the reason he wanted to leave Wilde and his brothers? Made sense to her.
What if his demons never went away even into adulthood though he’d used the very same tree to take back his power? The more she considered that, the more an idea formed. She needed to get him to open up to her. That wouldn’t be easy with most men, but with one like Austin—next to impossible. Still, it was the only glimmer of hope she could latch on to. Somehow she had to succeed. But how?
“No, you can’t talk to her.”
Talking to Denver would be wonderful, but Austin had made it clear that wouldn’t happen with any of her cowboys while she was under his care.
“Jessie already knows I’m talking to you, Denver. She’s eavesdropping on our conversation.”
Her heart jumped up in her throat, and a shiver ran down her spine. He knew she’d been listening all the time.
“Anything at all, bro, you call me. Later.”