Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
His lips turned down. “I always wear a condom. Trust me. That was drummed into my head. I never asked you a single question that would have led you to tell me what your dad was doing. Not one.”
“I suspect those were going to happen after you got me into bed.”
“I can certainly understand why you would feel that way, but it’s not true,” he replied. “I understand I’ve lost my chance with you, but I wasn’t joking about what I said to Brad. Are we going to our rooms at night? Are we not taking advantage of these spectacular clubs?”
It didn’t matter that she’d thought the same thing. “You seriously think I want to play with you?”
“I think I’m an experienced top and you enjoy a good scene.” He sounded so reasonable.
“Is this what you talked to Taggart about when he kicked everyone out?” She was still surprised he’d asked for advice.
He seemed to consider how to answer her. “Yes. I thought I should try to protect you from what’s going to be a dangerous op, and he thinks we should celebrate how deadly our women are or something like that. I guess I was still seeing you as that soft woman who wanted nothing more than to go to college.”
A bittersweet memory of being in his arms swept across her. They’d talked about the future that day. Had he gotten stuck in the past? “I thought the whole reason you let them take me away was the fact that you decided I was using you. That doesn’t sound very soft to me.”
His fingers traced the edge of his glass as though he was seriously considering whether he should take another drink. “The minute I heard what you were being taken for, I was right back in that place where my sister betrayed me. I was stuck in that moment, and I was mad, Taylor. That was my real sin. I couldn’t see that you weren’t her. In that moment I pulled back into myself and erected a wall between us that had no place there. I did that. I should have followed you. I should have used every connection I had to get to you, but instead I let the pain I felt lead me. I am so sorry.”
Damn him. And herself. She should be able to hold a grudge for longer. She should be suspicious for longer.
It was Kyle who sold it. Kyle was obviously in pain, and he trusted Drake. If he didn’t that man would be walking around telling every person who would listen how sus Drake Radcliffe was.
Still. She couldn’t simply give over. They still had problems. They still would never work long term. “I suppose I can understand that. But it’s probably for the best.”
“It wasn’t best for me,” he replied, his eyes steady on her.
“I’m only saying, it wouldn’t have worked, and I don’t know that we should put ourselves in that position again,” she explained.
“Do you want to play tonight, Taylor? Don’t think about anything but tonight and tomorrow.” His voice was soft but deep, comforting. “Don’t think about the future. Think about what you need tonight.”
She sighed. “I could use a session.”
He nodded. “So could I. We’re stuck together for a while, and I’m kind of your only option. I’m sure when we get to London, Master Damon could find someone he trusts and pair you up with him, but for the next two weeks it’s me or an excellent vibrator. I happen to know Sandra has many.”
That was an interesting way to put it. “How would you know that?”
“Because I had an affair with her about eight years ago. She taught me most of what I know about D/s.”
She felt her eyes go wide. He’d talked about the woman he’d bottomed for years ago. It had been Sandra? “But she’s…”
“Old enough to be my grandmother? Yes. And she was still hot as hell. We’re friends now. She found the love of her life, and I’m happy for her. If you think less of me because I had an affair with an older woman, well, then you’re not the woman I thought you were.”
“I don’t think less of you.” She kind of thought it was cool. She’d had it in her head that Drake was all style and no substance.
Also, Sandra had taught him incredibly well.
“I was in my early twenties, and all my sex up to that point had been quick and not entirely satisfying. I thought that was how it was supposed to be. I was taught how to spy not how to seduce women.” He settled in as though they were old friends talking. “Sandra thought I could do better. We were working an op on this island, and I learned a lot. See, we knew we weren’t some love match but still managed to give each other what we needed. And I’m pretty sure I’m a better operative when I’m relaxed. She actually did a lot of odd jobs for the Agency when she was working for Big Tag. When we worked together, we played together. We got to be pretty good friends. It was weird to go to her wedding, but then I realized I was not the only one of her mentees there. I wasn’t even the youngest.”