Page 30 of For the Sub

“I try to teach them some manners. Success is measured in varying degrees.”

Niles shook Dana’s paw first, then he crouched to pet MW. The animal promptly rolled to his back and offered his belly to be rubbed. “He likes attention.”

“He’d get more of it if he didn’t bite toes.”

“He seems fine to me.” After playing with the dogs, Niles stood to rinse his hands. Bowls and cutlery had to be moved aside, and she made no apology for her mess.

The kitchen cabinets were painted white and were complemented by dark-blue laminate counters.

Knickknacks adorned the shelf beneath the window. An old-fashioned stove, large refrigerator, and a seen-better-days dishwasher made the place feel homey, lived in.

It was quite a contrast to his enormous space that was filled with stark marble, steel, strategic decorator lighting, and satin nickel fixtures.

For the first time, he found his life lacking.

Brandy moved in next to him and offered him a towel to dry his hands.

With the newcomer sniffed and welcomed, the dogs wandered over to their beds and curled up.

“Now that they’re settled, may I offer you a beer? Bottled water? A glass of the wine you brought?”

“Wine.”

“For me, too, if you’re okay with sharing?”

“I was hoping you’d join me.” He put down the hand towel then uncorked the bottle.

After she removed two glasses from a cupboard, he accepted them from her.

“We’ll let it breathe for a minute,” he said. “And in the meantime, you can greet me properly.”

“I…” Her eyes widened as she sucked in a breath and looked up at him. “Honestly, Sir, I’ve wanted to kiss you since you walked through the door.”

There was that raw honesty he appreciated so much.

Right there, in the middle of the kitchen floor, she sank to her knees.

Fuck. She was perfect. “How long do we have until the rest of your company arrives?”

“At least half an hour, Sir.”

He offered his hand and pulled her up before removing the band that secured her hair, allowing the long waterfall of blonde to fall past her shoulders in a gentle wave. “I meant it when I said I want to restrain you that way sometime.”

“Since you mentioned that, Sir, I’ve fantasized about it.”

“Then I’ll have to make sure it becomes a reality.”

“Thank you.”

He captured the hem of her sweater and pulled it up over her head.

“Pale blue?” he asked approvingly when he saw her bra.

“I figured you would expect me to go for black or red. So I wanted to surprise you.”

“You succeeded.”

That night at the Den, he’d wanted to be sure that she hadn’t offered to scene because of a misplaced sense of obligation.