“Oh.”
As we walk outside, I’m hit in the face with the cool, early morning air. I shiver a bit, wishing I’d worn a jacket.
“Brr!” Casey releases my hand and rubs her arms. “I thought it was supposed to be warm this weekend!”
I swallow, knowing I should make a similar, small-talk type response, but I’m unable to come up with anything. Casey rushes over to her car and opens the passenger door for me.
“Get in quick!” she says. “Can’t have my new sub freezing to death, can I?”
I comply, and Casey shuts the door for me. Inside the car isn’t a lot warmer than it is outside, but I’ve already forgotten about being cold. My stomach clenches, and I clasp my hands in my lap.
“Roc? What is it?” Casey slides into the driver’s seat and starts the car before reaching over to put her hand on top of mine.
“I...” I don’t know how to express what I’m feeling, and I start to tremble.
“Take a breath,” she says. “Calm down. What upset you?”
“I...you...I should have...” I can’t get the words out, and I start to breathe faster.
“Slow down, Roc.” Casey reaches over with her other hand, stroking my hair as she leans in close. “I’ve got you. It’s all right. Just take your time.”
“I’m never going to be normal!” I finally blurt out. “I’m never going to be that guy you can count on. I’m always going to be a disaster, and you’d be better off just...well, just running away now.”
“I don’t want to run away, Rocco.” Casey shakes her head, obviously confused. “I want to give you what you need, but I don’t understand. What brought this on?”
“I should have opened the door!”
“Why?” Casey asks after a short pause.
“I’m...I’m the guy, and I’m supposed to...to open your door.”
“Fuck that!” Casey sits up straight and grabs a hold of my chin. “Roc, let’s get one thing completely straight here. I’m the Domme. That means I take care of you. Got it? If that means I’m going to open the fucking door for you, then that’s how it will be. I make the decisions, and I don’t give a shit about traditional gender roles, so get that out of your head right now. Understand?”
“Yes.” And in an instant, the panic leaves me.
Casey runs her thumb over my bottom lip and then leans in, kissing me softly.
“You’re adorable, you know that?”
I just stare at her, unable to form a response.
“We are never going to be traditional, Roc, not together and not apart. Cree and his psychology books are all well and good, but you and I both know that sometimes people just don’t fit into those boxes. Some people can’t be helped by the pros, at least not without some other options. I want to give you another option.”
“What other option?”
“Let me be the one to bring you some peace in your life. Let me be the one in control, making your decisions. You follow my lead, and leave behind all those assumptions about who is supposed to do what. I’m going to make sure I always choose what’s best for you.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“Because it’s what I need in my life, too. I need the control to feel safe, and you need to be controlled to function.”
She strokes my cheek before pressing her lips to mine again. It starts off as a slow kiss but quickly deepens. I relax against her, letting her take charge, letting her lead. When she breaks away, we’re both breathing harder, and the car’s windows have steamed up.
Casey smiles as she leans back in her seat.
“You never know, Rocco. We just might be perfect for each other.”
Chapter 12—Casey