Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
A bit of turbulence brought Lane out of his thought process, and he shifted in his seat. “Are you both comfortable with this?”
I certainly was, but I peered up at Walker for his take.
“There’s something you’ll notice with Macklin in a more well-defined D/s dynamic, and it’s that he has a natural tendency to need to be what his partner requires.” He set down his empty whiskey glass on the bar across the aisle. “That’s how his switchiness works—something I, unfortunately, discovered way too late, because I never allowed him to explore the full range of dominance and submission in the past.”
“I didn’t allow myself that either, Sir,” I pointed out. Fuck if I was letting him take all the blame.
He inclined his head. “Nevertheless, Lane, I’m more than comfortable to see you two discover what kind of dynamic works best for you. In fact, I hope I get to witness it—be a part of it, if only on the sidelines.” He paused and combed his fingers through my hair. “Chances are he wants to be more dominant with you now because he senses you need that element.”
I had nothing to say in response. I was just reveling in the amazement of how well he understood me. Which was ironic because of the strangers we’d been to each other at the point of our breakup. Then again, in kink, we’d really been perfect for each other. He’d always had the ability to put my feelings into words so that I grasped them better.
Lane smirked, and I saw the humorous approach coming from a mile away. “Doesn’t that make him the ultimate sub—if he wants to be what others need?”
Oh, you.
I refrained from rolling my eyes.
“Not if the dominance runs in his blood,” Walker replied smoothly. “He’ll never be your Sadist, will he?”
Exactly. Because I wasn’t a Sadist. Nothing that went beyond the pleasurable pain, anyway.
“I’m glad you’re joining Mclean House, pet,” Walker continued. “You’ll get to see more of Macklin in his kinky habitat.” He earned some chuckles from us at his phrasing. “When he’s surrounded by friends, you’ll see how he switches from one approach to the other, depending on who he’s talking to. And that’s how he gets to satisfy both the sub and the Dom in his identity, when others draw it out of him, whether it happens through chemistry and natural behavior or it’s something they need.”
Lane bit his lip. “So who is what Macklin needs when he needs it?”
“That would be me,” Walker said. “And you, if you choose to be his sub.”
Lane had nothing to worry about in that regard. He already had a good knack for picking up my moods and urges.
“I would love to try,” he said hesitantly. “As long as we keep it on a level similar to our previous relationship.”
I knew what he meant. The flexibility and the intensity. “No more, no less,” I promised. “But we’ll chuck the idea of us being temporary and casual.”
Even a relationship where we didn’t see each other every day could be serious.
He smiled a little. “I’d like that.”
I smiled back, happier than I could express. It gave me hope too, because I wanted to help him draw some conclusions in a nearby future.
“I say this calls for a toast,” Walker announced. “You boys have your milkshakes. I’ll pour myself another drink.”
I chuckled.
Lane grinned, uncharacteristically bashful, and raised a brow at me. “So I’ll call you Sir from now on?”
Titles weren’t that important to me. “You can mix it with my name. Not unlike you already do with other Doms.” With this out of the way, I was eager to start. I was eager to get back to my food too. I threw a few fries into my mouth and chewed quickly. “As Walker’s submissive, on the other hand, I demand you treat him very respectfully. With his permission, I’d like for you to call him Master McKenna.”
Walker returned with his drink and nodded once. “I’d be honored.”
“Master McKenna…” Lane tested the words. “Will do. Sir.”
Good boy.
And now I strike.
“One more thing,” I said, lifting my burger to my mouth. “You have two days to come up with what exactly it is you want to fix in your life before you deem yourself less complicated and ready for a long-term relationship.”
Lane blinked.
Walker rumbled a laugh.
January 4
Lane Sawyer
“Oh, this is cool,” I panted, scrolling on my phone. “The green orchid bee has established another home in southern Florida.”
Not all invasive species were bad for the ecosystems.
Nora huffed, out of breath. “You don’t know the meaning of cool, Lane.”
Pffft. She was uncool if anything. But before I could sling a comeback her way, my phone rang.
“Yeah?” I slowed down on the treadmill as I took the call, and I did my best to get my breathing under control. Oh, finally. It was the delivery service. “Right—thanks for returning my call. I just wanted to confirm my address change on my shipment. It was originally listed to be delivered to my home address, but it’s supposed to be at our warehouse in Fairfax.”