Do not ask. Do not ask.
“Like what?”
She got a hint of amusement from him but it was hard to tell when she couldn’t see his face clearly. “Like letting me take control of you tonight.”
Her air whooshed out of her lungs. Had he really just said that?
It was a risk, bringing that up. Maybe he should have just left well enough alone. Obviously, he’d given her a lot to think about. Perhaps he should just leave her to her thoughts.
Only, tonight was too good an opportunity to pass up. Clint had asked him to stay the night with her in the big house, telling Zeke he wasn’t comfortable leaving her on her own.
Zeke hadn’t told him that she was twenty-five, well past the age of needing a babysitter. Nor did he point out Sanctuary’s top of the line security system. Truth was, Eden needed someone close by, watching over her. Even if Clint didn’t know about her Little, her brother recognized that much.
So, Zeke was going to be alone in the house with her. Perfect time to push a bit more.
Would she go for it, though?
“Control of me?” She had twisted towards him and he had no doubts she was scowling at him. He turned into the long driveway leading to the big house. He rolled down the window and pressed in the code. The gates wouldn’t open until whoever was manning the security room tonight let them through. “I’m not giving you control of me, whatever the hell that means.”
“It means that tonight you let me make the decisions. You put yourself in my hands and trust me to take care of you.”
The gates opened and he drove through.
“No way, buddy. Whatever you’re thinking, I’m not into it. I’m not a submissive.”
Little liar.
He didn’t taunt her. He was trying to coax her into giving him control. Wresting it from her wasn’t the idea. That put a bad taste in his mouth. This was all about consent. Her giving him her submission. Him treating it like the amazing gift it was.
“What about your Little? Would she like a chance to come out? To have Daddy take car
e of her? Maybe brush her hair, play with her, cuddle her, bathe her and put her to bed? Wouldn’t she like that? Giving up control doesn’t have to be a bad thing, Eden.”
She took in a deep breath, let it out slowly. “It can be.”
“Why?”
“Because when you give up control, you lose who you are.”
“Or you gain more understanding of who you are. As long as you trust the person you’re gifting that to, you can be safe to be exactly you. Let all of you free.”
“And you’re saying I can trust you?” she asked as they pulled up in front of her house.
“You’d never have let yourself dance with me if you didn’t. You’d never have let me press you up against that tree and kiss you. You certainly wouldn’t let me drive you home after all that, let alone stay in the same house alone with me.”
“You’re staying here with me?”
He grunted. “Should have known Clint wouldn’t tell you that part. Bastard was probably trying to avoid an argument.”
“Clint loves a good argument and you know it. You’re not staying here with me.”
“Either I’m staying here or you’re staying at my place. And you can argue all you like, princess. Those are your two options.”
“Urgh, you’re such a bossy bastard.” She let out a low, annoyed noise. “And there is one thing you got wrong in your statement just before.”
He turned off the truck and undid his belt, turning towards her. “What’s that?”
“I didn’t let you do any of that. I didn’t have a choice.”