“Hello to you, too.”
“Don’t even,” she warned. “I’m serious as a fucking heart attack today. What the hell did you do?”
“Are we going to play twenty questions or can we just get to the point of what you think I’ve done?”
“Jesus, Tucker. You’re such an ass sometimes.”
He smiled. She had no idea. “And as usual, you are as colorful as always my dear.”
“Maggie’s here.”
Tucker straightened. “What? Why? Is she okay? Did she tell you what happened? Tell me.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, big boy. I thought I was asking the questions. Don’t even think about using your Jedi Dom mind tricks on me.”
He sighed. One of these days someone was going to take Nina over their knee and make her learn the hard way not to be such a brat all the time. “Not in the mood, Nina. What’s going on?”
“You really do suck the fun out of everything don’t you. Fine. She showed up in the café about five minutes ago looking rather shell shocked. She took a table in the corner and with some prodding managed to order some coffee.”
“Dammit. I’m on my way.”
“Hold up, lover boy. If she looks like this because of something you did maybe you should give her some space to pull herself together. Why don’t I talk to her? Feel her out first before you come crashing through here about as graceful as a bull in a china shop. Plus I’ve got your keys.” He listened to her jangle them next to the phone.
“It’s nice to know you think so highly of me. She did text me and ask for some time alone.”
“Came on a little strong did you? Color me shocked.”
“Your mouth is going to get you in a lot of trouble some day. You really need to learn some manners.”
Nina laughed. “Fuck that. Now tell me something I don’t already know. Like what you did to make Maggie look so distressed. No wait. I have a feeling those details would require brain bleach to forget.”
Tucker growled. Literally growled. His sister always found a way to get under his skin and drive him crazy. If he didn’t love her…
“Look. Why don’t you go back to your cave and do your artsy thing. I’ve got this and if I need you I’ll let you know.”
“I don’t like this, Nina. If she’s upset I need to be there.”
“Tuck. Do the right thing here. Give the woman some damn space instead of smothering her to death. I WILL call you if you’re needed.”
His grip on the phone tightened as he fought every instinct to follow Maggie and bring her back. He couldn’t wrap his mind around why she left in the first place so why wouldn’t she want him to take care of her? It was his duty. His right.
“Helloooo. Are you listening to me?”
“Reluctantly,” he answered.
“Are all you Dom types this stubborn?”
Tucker cringed. He already regretted telling his sister the truth about his past. His recovery might have required it but if she was going to bring it up all the time they’d have to have another talk.
“You don’t really expect me to answer that do you?”
“Nope.” Nina grunted and Tucker heard the sound of her feet hitting the floor. He imagined her sitting on her desk in her office behind the café, twirling the phone cord on the antique phone line she loved twice as much as her cell phone. “Later, Tuck. I’ll call ya.”
The phone disconnected and he stared at the screen. He brought the text back up from Maggie and started typing.
I want to help you. You don’t have to be alone. But I’ll honor your wishes, for now. Call me when you’re ready.
Nina was right about one thing. He was dying to get back to the studio. Maggie had inspired him to start painting. His first love and primary source of stress relief would always be glass blowing, but with the frigid temperatures outside, it would be a while before he’d be working in front of the furnace again.
He’d puttered with some of his drawings for the last week, but it wasn’t until he’d seen Maggie attached to the bondage wheel he’d finally been bit with the bug, again. Tucker returned to the studio and the first thing he noticed was the scent of Maggie and sex permeating the room. His groin tightened. The vivid memories of the beautiful sub restrained to his wheel slammed into him. He’d never seen a more beautiful wet and ready woman.
He took a seat in front of the canvas and began filling in some of the rough sketch. He focused on her eyes first. If he could capture all the emotions she shared with her expressions, the rest would come. He hunched closer and shaded first one and then the other. Right in front of him, Maggie came to life. His sweet, submissive pet. He’d captured the look in her eyes the moment she climaxed. Never in his life had he seen such perfect beauty as in that moment. From here on out he wanted to devote his life to making her come simply so he could watch and listen. Whatever it took, he’d do it just to witness the innocent, all-consuming pleasure of beautiful Maggie in the throes of her heart’s desire.