Page 34 of Piece Us Together

When he speaks again, his voice is softer. “I’m glad.”

“You probably noticed—I mean, with his scars and—well, you might have figured out he has some trauma in his past.”

“You both do.”

I look at him. I don’t mean to. I can’t stop, once I’ve done it, though.

He looks good, for the morning. Hell, for any time of day, really. Even in sleep pants and a sweatshirt with a hole in the neck, he’s exuding that calm confidence he always has.

His glasses are missing, his eyes more green than hazel in the morning light, intense as I stare right into them. I don’t have it in me to tell him he’s wrong about us both having trauma. It’d be a waste anyway. I’ve let him see too much already to convince him that I’m fine now.

I swallow. Then I manage to tear my gaze away, returning it to the coffee. “I’m just glad it went well for him. Thank you.”

“I’m glad, too. Now it’s time for you both to decide what you want going forward. There are options. We can do what we did last night again, maybe once or twice a month, or more often.We can do longer scenes, like a whole weekend. We could even set up something that has a hands-off element, such as rules for Nolan when he’s not here, for him to follow while waiting for his next scene. We can discuss it at breakfast, or you can let me know later. Whatever the two of you need.”

What do I need?

So much.

So fucking much.

But this man can’t give me any of it.

I can’t let him.

I won’t.

That’s okay,I remind myself.He’s here for Nolan, not me.

“We’ll ask Nolan.” I leave the bed, careful not to spill the coffee. “Whatever he needs.”

He doesn’t step back when I stand, despite how close we are.

I could skirt around him.

I don’t.

“Maison,” he murmurs after we just stand there for a few seconds, not even looking at each other. At least, me not looking at him. I’m pretty sure I can feel him looking at me.

“Yeah?”

“I just want you to know something before you let Nolan make this decision for you both. It feels wrong not to tell you. You deserve to know.”

That…doesn’t sound great.

“Okay.”

“Can you look at me, please?”

There’s something about this man—thisdom—asking me please that unravels me a little. I don’t understand it.I don’t understand anything with him.

I look at him.

He’s gotten closer. I can smell his toothpaste. His deodorant. I can see every emotion in his eyes, as he doesn’t seem bothered to try to hide them.

“I’m interested in both of you, Maison.” His hand flutters at his side. I track it out of the corner of my eye, watching him raise it halfway toward me, then drop it. I remember watching those hands last night. I had told myself I was watching to make sure he didn’t harm Nolan. It’d been a lie. “If this continues, I would love to pursue something with you as well. With the three of us, together. I’m not just in this for Nolan.”

I shake my head, sure there must be a catch. “But—why? I’m not a sub. I’m not anything.”