“The vibrating one, of course. Go fast, breakfast’s ready.”
I didn’t time his piss, but it must’ve been one of the quickest in history. He was back at the kitchen table by the time I put a plate before him. “Thank you, Sir. You’re very kind.”
“You’re most welcome. I’m happy to cook breakfast while we’re here. You can prepare lunch and dinner. Something light—for lunch at least. I plan to work you hard.”
He grinned. “I’m looking forward to it.” Then he sobered. “Am I allowed to smile?”
I eyed him. “Who told you that you couldn’t smile?”
“Well, you know, BDSM is serious, and?—”
“Bullshit.” I toyed with a piece of crispy bacon—just the way I liked it. Another reason I loved to cook breakfast. So I could have my bacon my way.
His jaw slackened.
I sighed. “Sure, there are times when it’s absolutely serious. Times when I need your full attention because I’m doing something risky. Always within the boundaries of what you can handle and what I’ve been trained to do. I’m not tryinganything new on you and would seek guidance before adding to my repertoire. There’s a BDSM club in Vancouver as well as several well-known Doms I vetted. So if I want?—”
“You vetted other Doms?” His brow knit.
“Of course. If I’m going to connect with someone from whom I might want to learn a new skill, I’m going to ask around. Other Dominants or even submissives they’ve played with. It’s a tight community. If someone has a bad reputation, that word gets around—even to outsiders. I’ve got the name of a guy who isn’t careful and has hurt some bottoms. More-experienced members of the community try to warn newcomers, but they can’t always catch them before they hook up with this guy.” I bit off a bit of bacon as I contemplated my next words. “I want you to promise me that you’ll always come to me so I can properly vet anyone you’re going to play with.
“I know you’re a strong guy, but—as you’ve seen—you can get hurt. Physically and emotionally. I’m willing to be your protector. To vet anyone you might want to play with. Or to have a relationship with. Promise me this.” I ate the rest of the slice, savoring the flavor. I’d saved the maple bacon for the end of the week. A parting treat.
That thought made me queasy and hurt my heart.
“I only want you.” Jack toyed with his eggs with his fork. “I mean, it’s nice that you’re offering. But I only want you.”
“Jack—”
“No.” His gaze shot to mine. “I tried. I met a Dominant down in Washington State.”
Oh Jesus Christ. He did that, and I didn’t know. I didn’t keep him safe. Fucking hell, it’s my job to take care of him. To?—
“He was really nice.”
I tuned back into Jack’s words, forcing my panic to recede.
“But we weren’t…a good fit.”
“How so?”Stay calm. Keep your voice level…let him come to you.
He sighed. “Sanjay was a great guy. Attractive, smart, funny…” He blinked. “You said BDSM can be fun?”
“Plenty of shits and giggles to be had. Especially when you’re trying to evade my dragon’s tongue.”
“I think I don’t want to know.” He grinned.
I wasn’t going to be derailed. “The guy. In Washington State.”
Slowly, Jack nodded. “We met and after a long conversation, he…told me I had unfinished business with you. He said I needed to understand why I only wanted to submit to you. To be dominated by you. That if I could figure that out, then I might be ready for a new Dominant in the future.”
But I don’t want you to have another Dominant. I want to be your one and only.
Tires screeched in my head.
What the fuck are you thinking? You’ve got years left on your career. If you don’t get traded to another team, then we might be coach and player for years. You can’t fucking ask him to wait. Just like you shouldn’t be without someone for that long—it’s not fair to either of you.
I drew in a deep breath. “So we’re here—in this place—to give you time to figure out what it is about me that makes you want to submit and then for us to find a way to hook you up with another Dominant?”