Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“You know much about BDSM, Thea?” Carrick asked, studying her closely. As though he could read all her secrets.

Holy. Shit.

“A bit,” she rasped. “Are you saying that you’re a . . .”

“Dom? Yeah, I am. Although there are times I enjoy a bit of pain too. So maybe I’m more of a switch. Although, I don’t think I could bottom for anyone except the man in there. Just like I’m the only man for him.”

“You and he are . . .”

“Together. Yep. It’s still new but we know each other well. It fits. You just know when it works, right?”

She nodded. She wouldn’t know.

“You ever played?”

“I’m not a-a submissive or a Domme.”

“Rocket, I know you’re not a Domme. But you could enjoy submitting. To the right person. You certainly enjoy the idea of being spanked.”

Earth swallow me up now.

“We shouldn’t be talking about this,” she whispered. Her nipples had hardened to points and her panties were getting wet with how turned on she was. “He’s my boss and you’re—”

“A friend. A friend who’s attracted to you and who wants to get to know you better. Who’s worried about you.” The sincerity in his face struck her hard.

“You don’t need to worry about me. You shouldn’t. Yesterday—”

“Yesterday, I overreacted. Felt like I’d gotten the dirty end of the stick. But I have to say, I’ve never been more grateful for having to meet with my accountant.”

“Because of Jardin?”

“And you.”

“You seemed to think that I’d . . . that he and I . . . I didn’t know who you were!”

“I know, rocket. Jardin and I have a past. One where we both made mistakes and got hurt. I’m sorry for scaring you yesterday. I’m sorrier for hurting you. How’s your wrist?”

She looked down at her wrist, trying to figure out what he was talking about. Oh, right, when he’d grabbed her.

“Can I have a look at it, please?”

“It’s fine,” she dismissed. “It had a bruise from the other day. Banged it while I was doing some stuff around the house. That’s all.”

“Then there’s no reason I can’t check it. It would make me feel better.”

“Maybe you should go wait in Jardin’s office.”

“And disturb the bear while he’s working? I don’t think so.”

“I have a lot of work to do.”

“And I’m interrupting.”

She gave an abrupt nod and expected him to move away. Instead he leaned back in his chair to study her. “Jardin told you we used to share a woman?”

“I’m not sure how this is any of my business.” Hadn’t he shared enough personal information? She was already reeling over the fact that both he and Jardin were into BDSM, that they were Doms. Well, Carrick might be a switch. Holy. Shit.

If things were different, she might be all over that. She’d always been curious. One of her past sexual partners had been willing to get a bit kinky in the bedroom. She’d loved being restrained. She wasn’t so sure about all the protocol stuff though.