Naked Games (Hard to Get 3)

“Oooh, I see,” Gracie whispered back. “So, it’s like a dominant and submissive thing?”

“Yes, that’s it exactly. Has Wade ever . . . ?”

Gracie covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Let’s just say Wade and Dean have a lot in common.”

Somehow that made Catherine feel ten times better. “I told him I’d give it a try,” she confided. “Do you think that was a mistake?”

“No, definitely not.” Gracie shrugged. “I mean, with some men I suppose it could be weird or scary, but if Dean is anything like his brother, then he’ll make sure you’re enjoying it or he’ll stop.”

Catherine thought that over then said, “He did say that his pleasure comes from mine.”

“That’s pretty much the way Wade feels too. I mean, I don’t think it would be a turn-on for them if we weren’t into it too.”

“I guess when I think of it that way, what do I have to lose?” Catherine went for broke and sent another text. A few messages later, she tossed her phone back into her purse. “Done,” Catherine said, as excitement skittered through her.

When Gracie didn’t say anything, Catherine looked over at her and noticed the way she stared at the tile floor, as if working over a problem in her head.

“Gracie?” Catherine asked, curious what her sister was thinking about.

“You’re in love with him,” Gracie said as she turned her attention to her once more.

She hadn’t stated it as a question, but Catherine answered all the same. “Yes, and I have no idea how I’m going to be able to leave him.” It would break her heart if she never saw Dean again. He’d somehow very quickly become an extremely important part of her life. He’d stolen her heart, and Catherine was loath to take it back.

Gracie looked over at her, sympathy causing her bright green eyes to dim a little. “I think this is where I come up with some sort of wise advice for you, since you’re my little sister and all. Truth is, I’m not real experienced with these things. Matters of the heart always boggled me until Wade pushed his way into my life.”

“It’s okay. I guess if it’s meant to be then we’ll figure out something.”

“Does he feel the same way about you?”

Ah, the million dollar question. “He hasn’t said the words, but I know he cares. I know he doesn’t want me to go back to Georgia. And he trusts me now. Completely.”

“Finally!” Gracie said. “He’s over the whole ‘she must be a con artist’ thing then?”

“Oh, he’s definitely over it, just in time for me to head back home.” She snorted. “Thing is, I don’t want to go. I don’t want to leave either of you.”

Gracie’s face fell. “I’m not looking forward to you leaving either. I wish you lived here.”

Catherine reached over and took hold of Gracie’s hand. “Yeah, I’m beginning to wish that too, sis,” she said, her voice not quite steady any longer.

Gracie squeezed her hand and smiled over at her. “We’re going to figure something out, you’ll see. I’m not going to let you go, not now that we’ve finally found each other.”

Unable to speak, Catherine nodded. The rest of their salon visit was spent in quiet. Tomorrow she’d be going home. The thought made her feel hollow inside.

25

When Catherine arrived at Dean’s she knew immediately that something was different. The man in front of her seemed to be a total stranger. Gone was the sweet and gentle Dean, in his place was a man bent on possessing her in the most basic way possible. He stared at her the way she imagined a dom might stare at his sub, as if he owned her, body and soul.

Dean took her hand and brought her over to the couch. Once they were both seated next to each other, he said, “In your message you said you’re willing to submit to me. Does that still hold true?”

“I haven’t changed my mind,” she said, all at once anxious. “But I’m not terribly sure what is expected of me.”

Dean reached out and caressed her cheek. “You’re going to do as Mira did in the book,” he murmured. “I’ll be in control of how much pleasure you receive, as well as when and how you receive it. You’ll do as I say without question. Understood?”

Catherine’s libido woke right up at Dean’s explanation, but she still had concerns. “What if I can’t? I can be rather independent, Dean. And the whole calling you master thing is a bit much to expect of an independent woman.”

“Then we’ll stop.” He shrugged as if it didn’t matter one way or the other to him. “I don’t want you uncomfortable, Catherine. The only thing I expect is for you to trust me to make you feel good.”

She tapped him on the nose. “And you expect me to call you master while you do it,” she reminded him.