“You take care of everyone else but you. Probably always have. I’m guessing your mother wasn’t much of a caretaker, so you took over from a young age and you’ve been doing it ever since. Caretaker. Breadwinner. Mother. Protector. Who takes care of you?”
“I take care of myself. What are the rules?”
“They’re not so different from the rules of Haven. You won’t put yourself in danger. If you need help then you will call me straight away, after the police. No lying. No risking your health. You’ll take care of yourself.”
“So that’s it? A job and a place to live and I just have to follow the rules of the town?”
“Pretty much.” He smiled. “Of course, break the rules and there will be consequences.”
Consequences.
She stewed over those words as she stared at him. How could he look so at home? He should appear completely out of place, dressed in his expensive clothes, not a hair out of place, sitting in her shithole kitchen. His confidence astounded her. Why is he here, offering to save me? This wasn’t something she’d expected. Not from him. He was throwing a drowning person a life raft. And he knew it.
She needed to be cautious though. She knew the perils of jumping in without taking note of all the pitfalls.
She licked her dry lips then got up and poured herself a glass of water. “Would you like one?”
“No. Thank you.”
So much for that diversion. It had given her a few seconds of reprieve, though. She sat again, well more like slumped, in her seat. Part of her was screaming that she should tell him no and run far and fast.
But the other part wanted to believe in him. To believe in what he said. That part of her said she could have what she wanted. A safe place for her boys. A job she really desired. To stay in Haven.
To get to know this man better.
And that last part really scared her.
“What are the consequences? I won’t be abused.”
He rubbed at his chest. “Another direct hit. Jesus, what did I ever do to make you think so badly of me? Did you see me torment a kitten? Kick a puppy? Maybe steal a child’s ice cream?”
“You know I didn’t,” she said impatiently. “But—”
“But what? Just because I’m a Dom I must be abusive?”
“Well, no.”
“You must have a pretty poor opinion of most of the men in Haven. I’m surprised you ever moved here. Or do you not realize that the sheriff and all three of his deputies are members of my club?”
She’d really insulted him, she realized. She sighed. “I’m sorry, Saxon.”
“Joel.”
“What?”
“When we’re like this then I’m Joel to you. In the club, I’m Saxon. Or Sir or Master. Although we’re not there yet.”
“We’ll never be there.”
“We’ll see.”
“Damn it. That’s what I’m talking about. I’m not one of your subs.”
“First of all, just how many subs do you think I have? Considering your poor opinion of me, I’m guessing you think I’ve got them locked away in my dungeon. Sometimes I throw them a few crumbs of bread, maybe a piece of fruit if they’ve been very good.”
There was disgust in his voice. And anger. She flinched.
“That’s not what I think—”