“Never, Sir!” Jade said sharply, rising as he did. Softening her voice, she said, “I will do as you asked, Sir. And Sir…” She looked around him at Bunny and then looked up at him. “Sir, it was me who set off the fire alarm.”
“I know, Jade. I’ve seen the surveillance camera footage.”
“There are cameras in the kitchen?”
“Yes, Jade. I guessed that you would tell me with time. I only wanted to know why.”
Her cheeks flushed and she looked down at her clenched hands. “I was jealous, and I didn’t want her here because I had hoped I might find a place in your heart, if given time. I found her…boldness intimidating, but I see you enjoy her challenging nature and that she makes you happy. I’m sorry for causing trouble and for being dishonest. I still don’t think she knows the first thing about submission, but I will do everything I can to make her welcome, or at least stay out of her way. I want you to be happy.”
“Thank you. Be well, Jade.”
She looked up at him and gave a small shake of her head, and he wondered how much of what they’d talked about would make it from head knowledge to heart certainty. Donald had been a good man and an excellent Dom. It would disturb him to know she hadn’t made progress in her grieving.
With head lowered, she walked back to the French doors. Bunny opened the door and smiled at Jade as she went through. She spoke softly to her, and Jade paused to share a brief conversation with her, the effect of which he saw in Bunny’s expression. She smiled, nodded, and patted Jade’s shoulder. At the last second, Jade gave Bunny an awkward sideways hug and then excused herself, leaving Bunny standing there alone. Concern filled her eyes as she looked at Jade and then out the doors at Joseph.
She pointed behind her. “Jade just said…”
“She apologized?”
Bunny nodded. “Is she all right?” she asked, and he heard the timbre of sympathy in her voice.
“She will be.” I hope. “How are you this evening? Nervous?”
Bunny nodded, her eyes sparkling.
He leaned against the doorjamb, looking down into her beautiful face. When she was happy or excited, she seemed to almost vibrate with it, and she was bobbing on the balls of her feet. Her beaming smile erased the tension in his shoulders and eased the ache in his chest and simultaneously created one a little lower.
Cupping her chin, he leaned down slowly, enjoying the anticipation in her posture and her expression as she lifted on tiptoe and pressed her full warm lips against his. She kept her hands behind her back, and he took advantage, gently grasping her upper arms to press her plush breasts against his chest.
If comfort could take the form of a person, it was her. Just with her presence.
“I have a confession to make, Joseph.”
This must be my night for confessions. “Yes?”
Bunny nodded as she studied his face. The receding rays of sunlight glinted on her red hair, and he indulged himself by gathering a thick lock of it into his fingers. It was heavy and silky, sliding through his fingers. “I was watching you with her, when Mr. Hughes came upon me. I told him I didn’t want to interrupt you, but the truth is I wanted to watch. Not because I’m jealous or possessive,” she murmured as she looked away for a second, biting her lip before turning her warm gaze on him. “Okay, I was a little jealous until I saw how upset she was and I realized you were being a Dom, doing…Dom things. I saw the way you held her hands and how she submitted.”
“Did you?”
She stared at the buttons on his dress shirt as she nodded. “She’s in a lot of pain. I understand now, and I think she’s lucky to have your help. There was a time when I needed help, too, and I was lucky to have Grinnie to talk to. I hope Jade will be all right.”
Joseph cupped her shoulders, relieved she’d been honest with him and pleased she hadn’t let possessiveness blind her to the pain of another person. “I hope she will be, too. I’d like to hear about the events that led to you needing ‘help,’ as you refer to it.”
She averted her gaze. “It’s in the past. Remember I told you Grinnie was a guidance counselor with the school district before she retired? She was good at talking to young people and she helped me work through my…stuff.”
“Tabled for now, evasive one. Eventually you’ll trust me enough.”
Bunny grinned and shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe…Sir.” Her soft utterance of his title stirred a sensation deep in his chest. She was so tender, so yielding, and yet so strong. She gestured at her work attire. “I brought my change of…clothing because I came straight from work.”