by Sherri Hayes
Again she was quiet for way too long. Then she whispered, “If I do?”
Once again I framed her face with my hands. I leaned in close, making sure she could feel the sincerity of my words. “Then we have a lot to talk about.”
Over the next two hours there was little talking done. She looked so lost that I ended up pulling her onto my lap and just holding her.
Brianna did ask me about the collar I’d given her. I explained that it had more to do with her safety and security than a traditional one given by a Dominant to his submissive. It signified, as I’d said, that she was my responsibility. She was under my protection. I had not wanted her to think that anyone would just come and take her away from me. My commitment to her hadn’t changed.
When dinner time came, I decided to order in, rather than having either Brianna or I make something. She was distracted and rightly so. The last thing I needed was for her to hurt herself in the kitchen by not paying attention. I also wanted to keep an eye on her.
All throughout dinner I kept watching and waiting. I told her earlier that she could ask me anything she wanted, and I would answer her honestly. So far, she hadn’t asked any more questions.
Once our food was finished, I stood to help her clean up. She froze. “Is everything all right?” I asked, coming up to her side.
“Yes,” she nodded and then seemed to shake herself out of wherever her mind had been.
It didn’t take long to clean up the takeout, and once the leftovers were put away, she seemed lost again. Her eyes couldn’t find a resting place. First she would look down and then at me. I even caught her glancing over to her bedroom door a few times.
Not wanting to cause her any more distress than what she was obviously in, I walked over to my chair and sat down just like I always did after dinner. I turned on the television and waited to see what she’d do.
At first, she did nothing. She stood unmoving behind me. I had to force myself not to react, not to do something. Brianna needed to make the next move.
Finally she did move. Her footsteps were slow and hesitant as she drew closer to me. She paused beside my chair for several seconds. I didn’t move from my position.
Then in a flash she sat in the middle of the couch just to my right. I glanced over and gave her a small smile to let her know everything was all right, but she didn’t return it. She wasn’t even looking at me.
The smile I’d been wearing turned into a frown as I noticed her hands begin to fidget and then shake. My discontent deepened as she pulled her knees up to her chest and began to rock. This was not what I’d been hoping for.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and said, “Brianna, look at me.” She didn’t respond. “Brianna,” I said more firmly. This time her head snapped up, and she looked at me. “Would you like to sit with me?” She nodded, and I opened my arms in invitation.
For the rest of the night, we sat in my chair holding on to one another. I had no idea what the future would bring for us, but for tonight she was still in my arms, still mine.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title
Copyright
About the Author
Dedication
Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 05
Chapter 06
Chapter 07
Chapter 08
Chapter 09
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Table of Contents
Cover
Title
Copyright
About the Author
Dedication
Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 05
Chapter 06
Chapter 07
Chapter 08
Chapter 09
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
