Page 101 of Over the Line
“Tell me you didn’t.”
Michael blew out an annoyed breath. How did Jeb know him so well?
“When something matters, you’ve always been willing to work for it.” Like Michael, Jeb stood. “You need to stop brooding and make a plan.”
“I’m not brood—”
“Yeah. You are.”
Michael didn’t respond. The truth stared him in the face, and he hated it.
“You need to get away from here for a while, catch a change of scenery. Take a vacation.”
The solace of ranch life was all he needed.
“Do yourself a favor and take a break. Something more than an occasional evening at Damien’s place. Or a trip to town for more liquor.”
Not that anywhere local carried Bonds whiskey. The expensive-as-shit brand he drank required a special delivery.
“Being away helped you figure out a lot of things.”
Much as he hated to admit it, Jeb was right.
Michael had attended school in College Station, Texas, where he’d studied agribusiness and ranch management. During his four years, he hadn’t spent much time at home, even over the holidays—something he’d later regretted.
Eventually, however, the majesty of the land and his connection to family had beckoned, calling him back across the miles.
“Eagle’s Bend gets in your blood,” Jeb observed.
Michael nodded.
“At least it does for the right person.” Jeb tipped back his remaining drink, then thumped the empty glass back onto the desk. “Think about what I said.”
Jeb reseated his hat, one Michael suddenly noticed was missing a chunk. “Chewie?”
“Pest,” Jeb acknowledged with an affectionate tone.
Guess I have another purchase to make.
“She needs a companion. Like you do.”
Jeb slammed the door behind him, hard enough to make the door dance in its frame. Long after he’d left, his words lingered on the late afternoon air, repeating themselves in Michael’s head.
Alone—and fucking lonely in a way he’d never been before—he stalked to his desk and dropped back down into his chair.
Reluctantly, he conceded he’d handled the situation with Sydney all wrong.
From a place of anger and hurt, he’d lashed out, saying unforgivable things.
One thing was sure as hell, he wouldn’t have reacted positively to behavior like that from her.
Early on, she’d confided in him, telling him about her ex and his abusive, demeaning ways. And Michael had responded by saying a true Dominant looked after their submissive’s needs, putting their interests first.
And he’d added that a good Dominant not only nurtured, but also protected.
Wincing in self-judgment, he picked up a pen and drummed it in front of him.
When Jeb had challenged him, Michael hadn’t wanted to admit that he actually had issued her an ultimatum. But that was exactly what he’d done—behaved in a way that was completely out of character for him.