Wilde Surrender (The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 5)

Jessie wasn’t sure if she should jump back in the bed and feign sleep, or if she should open the screen and face his wrath. Instead, she didn’t move a muscle. With only the collar on her neck, she spotted gooseflesh popping up on her arms.

“Are you going to keep crouching in my bedroom like a little girl caught with her hand in the cookie jar, or are you going to be a brave sub and come in here?”

She gulped and opened the screen. “A brave sub, Master.”

His lips curled up, creasing his cheeks, making his face look even sexier. “You got spunk, pet. That’s for sure.” Austin sat on a wooden bench. He patted the spot beside him. “Come sit here.”

She walked over and sat down.

He reached out and touched the little ring on her collar. “You hungry?”

“Yes, Master.”

“I’m no Phoenix, but I can whip up a pretty mean breakfast. You like sausage, eggs, and toast?”

She nodded.

“Good.” He stroked her cheek, and his gaze made her warm. “You’re going to need your strength for what I’ve got planned for you today.”

She could feel little aches, throbs, and warmth from last night’s round, and wondered how she was going to survive a full week with this cowboy—Dom.

He stood up. “Follow me.”

They walked into his very neat kitchen. Everything was stainless steel. There were no cabinets, only open shelves. That would’ve never worked in her kitchen in DC. She needed, not one, but two junk drawers. At one time, she’d thought about having glass doors put on, but reconsidered after Michael, her ex, pointed out the disarray of her pots and pans. Austin’s shelves were nothing like that. They were orderly and functional.

He pointed to a thick blanket in the corner of the kitchen, out of the way of the work triangle. “That’s for you, pet. I put that there while you were sleeping. Whenever we’re in the kitchen, I want you on it.”

“Thank you, Master.” She went to the soft, fluffy quilt. Stretching out on her stomach, Jessie put her elbows on the floor, clasped her hands together, and rested her chin on her fists. She looked up at Austin, who stared at her intently. What was he thinking?

She wiggled just a bit on the comfy blanket, hoping to entice him.

“Keep that up, and you won’t have breakfast.”

“I’m not that hungry for food, Master.”

“Sweet little liar.” He shook his head, and then started to make breakfast. “Tell me about yourself, Jessie.”

He wanted to know more about her, and that thrilled her. “How do I start?”

“From the start.” Austin pulled out a carton of eggs and sausage patties from his refrigerator.

“Okay. Did you know I was engaged?”

“I heard you were. Gay guy, right?”

“Yes, Michael. He’s really great.”

Austin put a skillet on one of the burners on his stove and turned on the gas flame. He placed the meat into the pan, and Jessie heard it start to sizzle. “I heard he delivers a pretty good punch.”

“I guess so. He’s a mess but very loyal. Especially to me.”

“Good to know. You like coffee, pet?”

“Oh, yes.”

He punched a button on the pot, and the coffee began brewing. She got a whiff of the sausage, and her stomach growled.

“So, who broke it off? You or your ex?”