Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

“Of course it is.”

She’s lonely.

And for some reason, he couldn’t stand the idea of her being lonely. Or scared. Or locking everything down in order to protect herself.

“Did she tell you I’m a basket case?”

He scowled. “What did you say?”

Her eyes widened in surprise and she took a few steps back.

“Freeze.”

She immediately stilled. Crap. He didn’t want Molly to be right. Not that it was anything he didn’t already know. He knew Mia was submissive. He also knew how delicate she was. He didn’t deal with fragile. He wasn’t a teacher. He didn’t take new subs under his wing. He didn’t heal lost little lambs who looked at him with big, wide eyes like he could fix everything.

“I don’t want to hear you speaking about yourself like that again, understand me?” The temptation to add an “or else” was right there, but he couldn’t do that unless he intended to follow through. “You went through something traumatic. It’s all right to need help.”

“Right,” she said disbelievingly. “Got a lot of experience asking for help, have you?”

“We’re not discussing me. Molly wants to continue your sessions via Skype. Have a think about it and let me know. You look tired. Why don’t you go rest? I have to get to work.”

He turned away, knowing he was being abrupt. But he had to get out of her presence before the temptation to take her into his arms and kiss that look of confusion and pain on her face became too strong to ignore.

What the hell was happening to his control?

9

Mia sat curled up in the corner of the sofa, the TV was muted with some romantic comedy playing on it. She wasn’t really interested in watching it. Three days had passed since Molly had visited and she had barely seen Alec.

Maddox had gone into Haven and picked up her prescription. Raid had grabbed the things on her list while he was in Freestown getting supplies. She’d kept the list as small as possible.

It was best that Alec was keeping his distance. It wasn’t like she needed him; she was fine as she was.

Sure, you are. Fine and lonely.

Molly had called, wanting to set up some Skype sessions, but she’d brushed her off. The last thing she wanted was to talk about what had happened. Bad enough she had to relive it each night in her nightmares.

Real healthy way to live, Mia.

The phone rang just as she was trying to decide if she was tired enough to go to bed. Not that it really mattered, she wouldn’t actually be sleeping. She knew she shouldn’t answer it. She’d been warned against doing that.

She let the phone ring. It stopped. She sighed. She’d actually considered answering just to have someone to talk to. Pathetic, huh?

It started up again. She frowned at it. Then it stopped. What was going on? It started ringing a third time and she knew she couldn’t just sit there and ignore it. Alec was going to kill her, but she picked it up. She attempted to disguise her voice, making it low and gruff. “Hello?”

“Hello? Who’s that? Mia, that you?” Jaret asked. Relief filled her.

“Jaret? What are you doing calling?” He was supposed to be with Gloria, his girlfriend tonight.

“Mia? You ill? You sounded funny before.”

She sounded funny? He was slurring his words.

“Are you drunk? Jaret?” Alarm filled her. What was going on?

“Yeah, it’s me.” She glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was only ten. But then who was she to judge?

“You’re not supposed to be answering the phone, darlin.” He made a tsking sound.