Page 51 of Beneath the Surface
His heart tightened at her admission. He sat up, cupping her face gently in his hands, his thumb brushing her cheek. “You’re not weak, Belle,” he murmured. “You’ve been through so much, and it’s okay to feel this way. Let me help you, okay?”
Her gaze flickered to his. “But you’re already dressed.” She hesitated for a beat but then nodded, surrendering to the care he offered.
Brad stood up and began stripping down, his movements slow and purposeful, giving her time to process. Her eyes followed every motion as he shed his clothes, but there was no protest from her. Only trust. When he was fully undressed, he reached for her hand, leading her toward the bathroom. She was still naked from their earlier lovemaking, her body glowing in the morning light.
Inside the shower, the warm water cascaded over their bodies, and Brad kept her close, his arms around her protectively. His hands moved over her skin, tender and careful, washing away not just the hospital stay, but the lingering fear she still held on to. He kissed her neck softly, murmuring reassurances as he traced her curves, each touch deliberate and filled with care.
Isobel leaned into him, her body slowly responding to his gentleness, a soft moan escaping her lips. Her head fell back against his chest as his touch became more intentional, more intimate. His fingers slid down her sides, teasingly grazing her skin before slipping between her thighs, awakening the desire that still simmered between them.
He turned her slowly, her body pliant under his control, until she faced the wall. His lips trailed down her spine as she braced herself against the cool tiles. His hand slid down to herhip, while the other pressed gently between her shoulder blades, guiding her into position.
Without a word, Brad slid on a condom and positioned himself behind her, his grip tightening on her hips as he entered her slowly, savoring the soft gasp that escaped her lips as he filled her.
Her body pressed into the wall, her hands resting against the cool tile as Brad began to thrust, each stroke deeper than the last. Isobel’s breathing quickened, her body arching into him as their rhythm synced, her moans growing louder with each passing second.
Brad’s hand slipped between her thighs, finding her nub with expert precision. His fingers rubbed in slow circles, edging her closer to the point of no return. Isobel trembled beneath him, her body growing taut as the pleasure built.
She shuddered, screaming his name as her release rocketed through her. Brad held her steady, his own release coming with a deep, guttural moan as he buried himself inside her one last time.
They stood together under the warm water for a while, their bodies still intertwined, the intensity of the moment slowly fading into a deep sense of calm. Brad’s arms wrapped protectively around her, his lips brushing against her shoulder, his heart still pounding.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered into her ear, his voice filled with admiration and tenderness.
Once the water had cooled and they’d dried off, Isobel dressed quietly, but Brad could sense a shift in her. Her expression grew more serious as she turned to him, pulling her hair back into a neat bun. “I need to go to the office today. I have a report due, and it can’t be late,” she said, her tone resolute.
Brad frowned, his protective instincts flaring up immediately at the idea of her leaving the safety of his home. His jawtightened as he considered her request. “Are you sure? You don’t have to go back today.” His eyes searched hers, looking for any sign of hesitation. “I can help you handle whatever needs to be done. You don’t need to push yourself.”
Isobel shook her head, her resolve clear. “I have to, Brad. My career is important to me. I need to do this.”
He exhaled slowly, frustration simmering beneath the surface. He could see how determined she was, but the dominant side of him, the part that needed to protect her, wasn’t ready to let her go so easily. He stepped closer, his voice lowering as he met her gaze.
“Belle, listen to me.” His hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her closer, his grip firm but not forceful. “You know I care about you, right? You trust me?” He waited for her nod before continuing, “Part of being with me, part of the dynamic I need in my life, is that when I see danger, I take control. I keep you safe. And right now, going to the office is a risk I’m not comfortable with.”
Her brows furrowed slightly, but she didn’t interrupt him. Brad’s hand remained on her back, his touch tethering her to him as he spoke. “I understand your career is important, and I respect that. I’m not trying to take away your independence. But you need to understand that, in our relationship, in my role as your Dom, keeping you safe is non-negotiable.”
Isobel’s eyes softened, and Brad could see she was starting to understand. Still, the flicker of stubbornness remained. She opened her mouth to speak, but he held up a hand, stopping her gently.
“You will go to the office today,” Brad said, his voice firm but compassionate. “But not without protection. I’ll make sure the police are there, and I want you checking in with me regularly. That’s the compromise. This isn’t about control for control’s sake. It’s about keeping you safe because that’smy responsibility, and it’s part of what I need from this relationship.”
Isobel looked up at him, her resistance fading. There was no anger in her eyes, no resentment—just understanding. She nodded slowly. “Okay.”
Relief washed over him, and he kissed her forehead softly. “Good. Now, let me make some calls. You’ll be safe, I promise.”
As Brad stepped away to call Detective Larson, a sense of calm settled over him. He had asserted his dominance in a way that was firm but caring, ensuring Isobel understood his need to protect her without diminishing her independence. This was what it meant to be her Dom—to balance control with compassion, authority with care. She was learning to trust him more deeply with each passing moment.
And that trust made all the difference.
Twenty
Brad poured a fresh pot of coffee, the aroma cutting through the tension hanging in the air. Isobel quietly prepared breakfast, the soft clink of dishes punctuating the silence. Their exchanges were minimal, but the unspoken connection between them filled the space.
As they finished eating, Brad’s phone buzzed, shattering the quiet. He answered swiftly, his tone sharp. “Brewster, what do you have?”
“We’ve got Jace Rodriguez in custody,” Brewster replied. “He’s not talking much, but we’ve got enough to hold him. You asked me to let you know.”
Brad’s jaw tightened. “Good. Put him in the box and let him sweat. I’ll be there soon.”
Ending the call, he turned to Isobel, his demeanor shifting to something more protective. “They’ve picked up the guy who bought the bee dispersal equipment. I need to head in and question him.”
