Baron

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I am so sorry. I can’t imagine how that must feel knowing that. At least I knew my parents loved me. You...I am sorry, Baron.” I don’t know what else to say, so, instead I connect my mouth with his and let my actions tell the story.

His hands immediately go to my waist and grab a hold like he is afraid to let go. My heart and head unleash a bit, recognizing the little baby desperate to maintain a hold of something that can’t be taken from him. I feel the acceptance his tongue is now seeking. No longer seeing it as commanding, but asking for permission to own, acquire...retain forever. It makes the ownership...sweeter...sexier even. No longer scared to say yes to the ownership, my hands fumble with his tie. The desperation is once again trying to take a hold of me. I feel as if I am going to climb him. What I was mad about is no longer prevalent. Hell, I can’t even remember why I was upset at this point. I am seconds away from removing my clothes when he pushes me away from him, while both of us are gasping for air and each other.

“Fuck, Red. I am trying so fucking hard not to seem like I am using sex as a way of getting what I want. Shit. Help me, ok! Let’s finish this conversation, so that when I take you again there is nothing else between us.” Well hell. That just made me even wetter. This man.

“Fine. I’m sorry. It just broke my heart to see you so...not you. But you are right.” We both sit there staring at one another. Our brains are trying to connect the conversations with our need for one another.

“Look. I need you not to try and take everything over. It’s appreciated that you want to take care of me and to be honest I find it endearing. I just...I need time to get used to not having to struggle. Do you understand? I am not saying no to the help or even that I won’t ask for it when I need it. I am simply saying no to you taking over. Do you understand that?” At this point I don't care if he can hear the pleading in my voice, or the begging for him to say that he gets it and we can get back to the fun stuff.

“I get it, baby. I’m sorry. From the moment my eyes landed on you, I have had this voice inside of me telling me you are mine to protect and spoil. And, I am used to following those voices...I mean that's how we got all this. But I hear you baby. I will work on it. But you have to promise me you won’t run from me again.”

“I promise.” I say to him, as I walk into his arms. With my head on his chest, I can feel his heartbeat, as mine tries to sync with his.

“Thank you.” he says letting out the breath I didn't know he was holding.

“I do have one more request, Red.” I lift my head and look into his eyes waiting for him to tell me what it is.

“My family has a weekly dinner. I would like for you to come with me. If you are ok with it, I want to introduce you to my family and them to you. Will you go with me?” I can feel myself tensing at the thought of his family not liking me and it’s more than a little overwhelming, but I can’t bring myself to say no.

“Yes, Baron. I will go with you. I would love to meet your family.” I just hope they want to meet me.Chapter ElevenBaron“Baron, are you ever gonna do an honest day's work again? It's been a week man. Prince is gonna rip you a new one," Duke says to me in a way only a brother could.

"I will. Eventually. You just don't get it," I answer.

"You’re right. I don't. Enlighten me," he says.

“You saw her when you added her to the list. But, it’s much more than that. It’s everything. Somehow, she has awakened something inside of me that I didn’t know existed. To me, she is my everything. She still refuses to believe,” I tell him.

“I did see her, and wish I had some advice for you. Thankfully, I have never been in that type of situation before. Women don’t stick around when it comes to me. Didn’t you hire a bodyguard for her?”

“Of course, I did. He just sent over this report,” I say tossing the folder down on his desk. I watch as he opens it and sucks in a sharp breath.

“Who is this?” he asks harshly.

“Who?” I ask, standing by the chair in front of him. Leaning over his desk, I see Frannie and Esther standing in line at the coffee shop by their apartment.