Page 40 of Lesson In Honesty
His head cocked slightly to one side; he was probably wondering why she wasn’t jumping on the baby train conversation. Well, if he stayed around long enough, he’d find out all her failures and secrets, wouldn’t he?
“Hmmm, that’s a broad question,” he said thoughtfully. “It’s been a while since I indulged. Anything using my hands is usually a favorite—spanking, tickling, the occasional sensualmassage for a tired, well-deserving sub. My whip skills aren’t up to scratch anymore, but I enjoy floggers, paddles, the tawse.” He itched his index finger on his jaw. “Extreme kinks like watersports, bloodsports, scat…” He gave an exaggerated shudder. “Reallynot up my alley.”
They were in solid agreement on that.
“Anal and bondage are probably my favorites,” he continued with a slight hum in his tone. “I know they’re not exotic or as flashy as some kinks, but then I prefer a good fuck rather than sexual gymnastics. My knees just don’t bend the same way anymore.”
Sierra bit her lip before she laughed. “You’re not that old.”
“Old enough to wonder where the hell half my life has gone.”
“The same way as your knees,” she quipped, then slapped her hand over her mouth in horror.
Mack roared with laughter, leaning back as his sense of humor made itself known to the room. “Speak without thinking more often, pixie. That’s some wit you’ve got there.”
She blinked. If she’d made that crack at Wyatt, depending what mood he was in, the likelihood was she’d have triggered his temper. Even in the latter end of the relationship, in the final few weeks of his life when everything seemed to be settling and flowing normally, there’d been that edge of derision simmering under the surface.
It had been entwined in him.
“Yes,” she said impulsively, shrinking down into her seat when the rich, raucous laughter stopped abruptly and those fluid gray-blue eyes landed on her again, darkening and heating in the same breath.
“Repeat that, please.”
Oh God, that wasthetone. Squeezing her thighs together as those three words thrummed between her legs, it wasn’t thewords themselves causing mischief; it was the utterly dominant command. “I… yes?”
The arching eyebrow was a bad sign, she was sure.
“Yes… Sir?” Shit, that didn’t sound right. “Yes, please?”
“All of the above.” Grinning, he shot her a wink. “Relax, pixie. Just wanted to make sure I’d heard you right the first time. I’d ask if you’re sure, but fouryeses probably answers the question. Are you usually this brave?”
Sierra shook her head. Quite the opposite, actually; her middle name should’ve been coward. Any opportunity to avoid the things that hurt her—criticism, rejection, heartbreak—she grabbed with both hands.
“I think you are,” he disagreed, checking his watch. “We’re a little ahead of schedule but I’m guessing Liam won’t mind.” He lifted his hand, twitched it a couple times, before lowering it to snag his beer. “From the bits and pieces of information Liam’s supplied, I gather you’ve had a rough time over the last few years.”
Five, she thought sadly. Five years since Avalon was blown to hell along with three men, and everything in her life changed. Some stuff for the better, some for the worse. Where the hell had all that time gone?
“Being extraordinarily serious isn’t my aim in life,” Mack continued. “Not trying to be morbid, but death is a sneaky bitch, creeping in and decimating every trace of joy and happiness. All it takes is a blink, a heartbeat, and nothing’s the same ever again.” He sipped his beer, pondering his next words. “I realize joviality probably isn’t what you need in a Dom, Daddy or otherwise, but I figure Liam’s going to balance that out. A good Daddy, bad Daddy situation.”
Despite the ache in her chest from half a decade of grief, Sierra managed a soft laugh. “He has strict down to a science.”
“Yeah, I bet he does. I’ll follow his lead, adhere to his rules and your hard limits. I’m pretty damn psyched you’re trusting me enough to let me in, so in return, I give you my word in all its best intentions that breaking your heart or hurting you isn’t my goal.”
Hands landed on her shoulders as though they belonged there; a panicked upward glance told her they did. “What is your goal, precisely?”
Mack shrugged and took another swallow of beer like Liam’s appearance didn’t faze him in the slightest. “Having fun, letting loose for a few weeks with two people whose company I find enjoyable. Exploring a new dynamic, finding my footing in the lifestyle again. Being the best Dom I can be for the pixie in the time we have, and hopefully earn myself a place beside you that I deserve.”
“Mmm-hmm. Sierra?”
“Yes, Sir.” Oh, she loved it when he massaged her shoulders.
“Your thoughts?”
Because every brain cell was directing attention toward his thumbs working the knots in her muscles as he spoke, she answered without much internal debate. “He’s funny. Not mean. Treats me like I’m normal.” Her back twisted when he pressed a sore spot. “You already picked him out for me.”
“Yes, I did. A damn good choice.” Liam kissed the top of her head. “All right, Maverick. I’ve got the early shift tomorrow, eleven until seven; Jonah’s taking over for the evening shift. Sierra will be ready at eight a.m.—stick to public play areas. No heavy scenes, no sex. If you haven’t driven each other crazy by the time I’m done, we’ll try a scene.”
“But Daddy,” Sierra whined, sliding into her Little headspace with no effort, “I got work to finish ‘morrow. Lots of poorly stuffies to fix.” Maybe it was her imagination, but it came out like,Wots of poorwy stuffies to fix. “I has to make them better.”