Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

It was a bit scary, kind of like jumping out of a plane with no idea how to work the parachute. She swallowed heavily. He reached over and grabbed her hand; she hadn’t realized she’d been tapping her fingers nervously again. “I know it’s hard to trust,” he told her. “I get that. But that’s why you came to me, right?”

She nodded. “I trust you. I’m trusting you with my life. I can trust you with this.”

“You can. And nothing happens that you don’t want to happen. There is going to be a safe word, we’re going to sit down and negotiate a contract. We do this right because you are important, Mia. Don’t forget that.”

Her breath caught. He really thought she was important. Okay, so she had some self-esteem issues. But he had problems with opening up. She also knew he wouldn’t say anything he didn’t mean.

She was important.

“So back to the eating issue.”

“I don’t have an eating issue.” Did he think he she had some bad relationship with food or something? Where would he have gotten that idea? She loved food. It was her passion.

“I’m talking about the fact that you don’t eat enough. And when you do, you eat crap like that.” He nodded over to the plate.

“I’ll have you know there have been studies that have shown chocolate is very good for your heart,” she told him.

“How do you address me? And, just so you know, you’re getting to the end of my warnings.”

A little shiver went up the base of her spine. “And what happens when we reach the end of those warnings?”

“Then you discover what a Dom does to discipline his naughty little sub.”

“Okay, then. Sir.”

Seemed she wasn’t quite brave enough to learn that just yet.

“So from now on, you start eating more than a bird does. Three meals. And I mean meals. I don’t mean picking at things. And no more chocolate sprinkles in your sandwiches.”

“I’m starting to rethink what I just agreed to.”

He grinned later. “Poor baby, because you’re going to have to eat your vegetables?”

She just glared at him. “And how are you gonna know exactly what I eat? You never eat with us.”

His face froze, and she immediately regretted saying that. “Not that it matters. I mean, I know you’re busy and everything.”

“Do you want me to eat with you?”

She stared at him in surprise. “Only if that’s what you want, Sir.”

He tilted his head to one side. “It won’t always be possible. Got a lot I have to do. But if it’s important to you, I’ll try to be there.”

It wasn’t a concession she’d been expecting. A wave of happiness flooded her. She found herself wrapping her arms enthusiastically around his neck. He dropped back on the bed, with her on top of him.

“Well, if I knew I’d get such a reaction I might have turned up to dinner before now,” he said dryly

“What’s your favorite food? I’ll make it for you.”

“Can you make lasagna?”

“Oh, baby, I can make a lasagna that will blow your socks off.”

His eyes did that warm chocolate thing again. And she found her breath catching in her throat, she was mesmerized by him.

“While I like hearing you call me baby, I like hearing you call me Sir more. And you’ve just reached the end of your warnings.”

Her eyes widened in alarm. He cupped her bottom. Then he grabbed the top of her pants and pulled them down over her ass. She was wearing a pair of plain, blue cotton briefs. Even though her heart was racing as trepidation flooded her, she didn’t protest as he ran his hands over her panty clad bottom. He arched his neck, glancing down at her underwear.