Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
I’d assumed that meant he was still low on the corporate ladder and embarrassed by it, but now I wasn’t sure if I’d missed anything else. Clearly I hadn’t asked enough questions…and I wasn’t sure if I should attempt to fix that now.
Did he even remember we’d met before?
Work was definitely easier to talk about, though, and I decided it might break the ice. “Do you have plans to expand? That has to be a career with a lot of different ways you could take your company. Have you done surveys of your customers? I could look—”
Someone cleared their throat next to us and I glanced up to find Remy shaking his head. “No. No numbers or papers or planning.”
Trying not to look guilty, I shrugged. “We were having a polite conversation.”
Remy snorted as Hunter giggled, a wonderfully innocent sound that had me glancing over at him. He tried to cut it off, but his eyes were dancing as he shrugged. “Sorry. It’s funny seeing you try to lie to Remy and it be so unbelievable.”
Rolling my eyes as the two men grinned, I waved my hand, brushing aside his point. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I enjoy finding out about other people’s businesses.”
Numbers were easier to talk about than people.
Dom did not mean slick and confident, no matter what people wanted to assume.
Remy shook his head as he set down our drinks. “I’ll be right back with the rest. But when I get back, I’d better overhear something more fun or I’ll sic the rest of these nosy bastards on you.”
Gleeful expressions filled the faces of the nosy bastards in question, and I knew he’d do it. “You’re going to be a very frightening lawyer one day.”
That got a beaming smile from the normally shy sub. “Thank you, Sir.”
As he turned and nearly danced back behind the counter to grab our pastries, I glanced over at Hunter to see him staring at me with wide eyes. “What?”
What could I have to apologize about now?
Remy’s sub status and the fact that he was going to law school were common knowledge. Hell, I was pretty sure someone had mentioned it on the news during a story about some of the local drama. Hunter was always chatty and listening when he was in the shop. It couldn’t be a surprise.
Hunter blinked at me.
This day was getting worse and worse.
“Is everything alright?” I wasn’t sure where the conversation had stumbled.
Did he think I’d insulted Remy somehow?
Dropping my voice so I wouldn’t be overheard, I glanced over at Remy quickly. “He hasn’t hidden the fact that he’s a bit nervous about not being aggressive enough at work. It’s not how he sees himself usually. It was a compliment.”
“No. I…” Hunter’s voice trailed off as he went back to staring at me again.
Realizing we weren’t going to make progress with this anytime soon, I reached for my coffee and leaned back as I took a sip. After a little while, he blinked and followed my example. When we were both a bit more caffeinated, he finally came out of his stupor.
“I didn’t realize you were a Dom.”
Oh.
Oh.
Now I was the one blinking and staring.
“I am.” It was a terrible response, but it was all I had at the moment.
“What kind of Dom are you?” Just as the words came out of Hunter’s mouth, Remy walked up with my muffin and Hunter’s cookie.
He gave us beaming smiles as he set down our food. “That’s a much better topic.”
Looking terribly pleased with how well we’d followed directions, he almost floated through the air as he skipped back behind the counter. He might’ve decided that we’d been good enough to leave on our own, but our audience was still hanging on every word.
It felt like they knew something I didn’t…and I didn’t appreciate it.
Hunter was still obviously waiting for me to answer, but I wasn’t sure why he was so curious or why he looked so surprised.
Everyone in the place was either kinky or curious enough about kink that they wanted voyeuristic exposure to it. He couldn’t have thought I was completely vanilla.
Right?
Fuck it.
I was never going to date again.
The occasional scene at some place like Bound & Controlled would be enough.
With that decision made, I took another sip and answered as I set the cup down, projecting calm. “I’m under the heading of caretaker Doms. I’m a Daddy.”
His mouth fell open.
Fuck it all.
That was not an unreasonable type of domination these days. Hell, there were all kinds of littles online and even documentary-style shows about the lifestyle. It was nearly mainstream with all the coloring books and articles about embracing your inner child everywhere.
Not knowing what had gone wrong or why he was so surprised, I waited while I tried to decide if I was just going to escape with my muffin.