Heaven Leigh giggled. “We get that a lot here. Would you like some recommendations?”
Before I could answer, Ethan stepped in. “Two mochas and two chocolate croissants please, Heaven Leigh.”
His deep voice temporarily rooted Heaven Leigh in place before a smile curled her lips. “Right away, Sir.”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I was in the same boat as Heaven Leigh, my knees going all rubbery when he talked with authority instead of the easygoing way when we’d first met, and almost every time since. I was beginning to think that was a fake Ethan and this one was real. But honestly, it was also hard to trust my own judgment.
He seemed to catch on to my discomfort and shifted again when he said, “Thank you, kindly.”
Ethan paid and then escorted me to a table in the corner by the front picture window. He tucked me into my chair and I relaxed in my seat and focused my attention on the street traffic outside. Not that there was a lot, but it kept me from fixating on Ethan who had sat down opposite of me.
We remained silent until Heaven Leigh had delivered our goods. “Oh my!” The burst of chocolate and flaky crust dissolved in my mouth like butter. Ethan took a bite, his eyes closing with enjoyment. I imagined him looking just like that as I pleasured him on my knees sucking what I was sure was a large cock, hidden behind those Wranglers. The vision caused me to gasp aloud.
Ethan’s eyes flew open. “What? Are you okay?”
His look of alarm quickly morphed when he took in my expression which I’m sure was one hundred percent guilty pleasure. I’d never felt my face burn so hot before. He raised a single brow as he examined me. Then gave me that all-knowing smirk which I was quickly learning to hate. That man just saw way too much!
“Do you like it, Lena, all the sugaring goodness teasing your tongue?”
His voice was deep again, compelling and I found myself drifting into subspace.
“Take a bite and show me how much you like it.”
It wasn’t a command, but still, I found myself doing exactly what he said. This time I allowed all the dirty images to take over and showed him exactly what I thought of the croissant.
His eyes darkened as he watched me. “Good girl,” he soothed. “Your submissive is so beautiful.”
I felt a tear and blinked it away. His words were ones I’d been longing to hear for so long. They tugged on a piece of my soul that I thought had been destroyed.
Ethan reached out and cupped my chin, holding my gaze. “Your submissive is beautiful, Lena, I would love to get to know her better.”
He released my chin and I missed the heat of his skin on mine.
“I want you to know why I came to Rawhide Ranch. I’m hoping that by sharing, you will understand me better.”
I perked up. This was it; I was going to learn why he was here and I prayed that whatever caused him to be here, I was the answer.
CHAPTER 8
Ethan
My carefully controlled plan unraveled when Lena dropped into subspace just from my voice. I’d heard about those submissives. The ones so responsive that just a Dom’s tone could put them there. The need and passion I’d felt for her earlier erupted, and I was unable to keep my attraction for her at bay.
I knew she saw the hunger in me. My need to have and control her overrode common sense. I managed to rein in my beast and pull us back from the precipice of no return. It would cost me though. What on earth had gotten into me? A man like me never revealed his hand. Never.
I was waffling in a way I hadn’t since my first debate in high school. That’s the effect she had on me. My modus operandi was to dehumanize. It kept the shadows at bay, and when it didn’t, I had the boardroom, the cat and mouse chase in the business world that inevitably led to me winning.
Get a hold of yourself, Reacher. If you can’t control yourself, how can a submissive trust you?
That sobering thought brought me back to the point at hand. What do I tell Lena as to my motivations in being here?
“I came to Rawhide Ranch to let go of control.” Her lovely plump lips parted and rounded into a perfect O. Her jaw snapped shut.
“Is this a joke?” She looked upset like I was lying. She pushed away from the table as if to leave.
“Sit down, Lena.” I used the boardroom control that she’d fallen so hard for earlier. She sat back down and I rose to push her chair in. “It’s not a joke but I need to explain.” I took a deep breath and let it go. One wasn’t enough and I took two more. She picked up on the anti-anxiety breathing I’d taught her by the lake and joined in. Soon we were breathing in sync with each other.
I watched the tension ease from her erect posture and felt it leave mine also. “Look, I find myself in an entirely unique position with you.” I slid my hand across the table and took her slim one in mine. Her porcelain skin was a contrast to my perpetually tanned flesh. I was a large man and although Lena wasn’t tiny, my hand completely engulfed hers.
