It was gone in a flash, but for just a moment, I swore I could see love shining in his eyes. He smiled tenderly. “I’d like that.”
Surprisingly, so would I.
9
Tanner
It waslike I’d fallen through to another dimension. It was all familiar, but nothing was the way it used to be. Shane had opened the car door and had even escorted me into the restaurant with his hand on my lower back.
The public display of affection should have felt awkward and new, but it was familiar and warm. We were exploring a completely different side of our relationship, but it felt like something that had always been there.
As he spoke with the waiter and ordered our dinner, I thought back to our conversation at the office. I’d never thought of the way he took care of me as a form of domination. His quiet support made everything easier. Finding the more dominant side of him wasn’t hard because I’d always been his focus. His focus now just encompassed a lot more than it had earlier in the week.
The waiter gave me one last odd glance as he finished speaking with Shane, but I simply smiled like I had no idea what he was concerned with. The polite beta was clearly uncomfortable with the way Shane was handling the situation, but I wasn’t going to let that matter to me.
I’d spent my entire life being the perfect omega in public, and he could kiss my ass if he thought I was going to go back to hiding what I wanted.
Shane nodded as the waiter walked away. The polite dismissal was natural to him, but he radiated a commanding confidence that the poor guy wasn’t sure what to do with. Shane was no apologetic alpha who was carefully holding himself back. He was letting it radiate out because he knew that was what I wanted…needed.
I was important to him.
Me. Not the boss who ran the company he worked for. Not his work acquaintance he was careful not to get too personal with. Me. The aroused omega who was desperate to know if he’d enjoyed the kisses back at the office as much as I had.
Turning back to me, Shane smiled. “He’s ready to charge in on your behalf and take me to task.”
I felt my cheeks heating up. “There’s no good way to tell him that you were doing exactly what I’d imagined.”
Fantasized about.
I didn’t want there to be any question about that. “But just because it makes him uncomfortable doesn’t mean I have to feel the same way.”
Shane reached across the small table and laid his hand on mine. “I’m not worried about him.” Then his smile turned wicked. “I like the idea of making you uncomfortable, though.”
I could feel the faint blush on my cheeks getting worse.
There was no missing what he meant. The look in his eyes and the devilish grin shouted out the dirty things going through his head as if they were a neon sign. I loved it. But I wasn’t sure what to do about it.
I’d finally gotten everything I’d dreamed of—but now what?
There was no time like the present to ask. “I know most people would be shocked at the type of relationship I want. I understand that. You’re not the least bit…uncomfortable with it?” I had to chuckle as his grin flashed wide for just a moment. “You know what I mean.”
Shane chuckled. “I know what you mean, and no, I was surprised at first, but it wasn’t in a negative way. You gave me things to think about that I’d never been exposed to. So yes, there were some things I had to wrap my brain around, but knowing you made it easier.”
“I know it sounds like I keep repeating the same ‘Are you sure you’re okay with this’ question, but I’ve had very negative reactions from even hinting about this with alphas I’ve dated.” Even the faintest of hints had gotten such bad reactions that I’d never told anyone the extent of my fantasies.
Well, anyone except the guys, but they didn’t count.
Shane nodded. “I understand that. I think of it as very delicate negotiations where you want to make sure everyone understands the finer points in the contract. Rephrasing the terms isn’t a bad thing if it makes you more comfortable.” He quieted as he stroked my fingers. “I think it makes me feel more confident, honestly. If you weren’t questioning me, I’d worry that I was reading the situation wrong or assuming things.”
“Our relationship has taken a very drastic turn.” I chuckled quietly. “But I just want you to be honest with me if something doesn’t feel right to you or if I ask for something you don’t want to do.”
“Nothing on your list seemed too far outside my comfort zone.” Shane’s grin said he was enjoying the way my face was heating up again.
There was something very different about sharing what I wanted with him versus talking about it with the guys. I tried not to squirm as I spoke, but I felt a little ridiculous trying to talk everything out so rationally. “Most of the things on the list were items I was interested in, but they were for the club as well.”
“The club sounds like it’s going to be an interesting place. I’d never realized how limiting common sexual practices were until it was popping off the page.” The light stroking over my fingers was sending waves of pleasure through me. It made it hard to focus on what he was saying. “I’d never questioned the information I was given about how relationships worked, but now I’m wondering why I didn’t.”
“Because we’re conditioned from a very young age not to question those types of things.” I shrugged and pushed back the warmth that was radiating through me. His touch was a lot more distracting than he realized. “I understand why to a degree, especially when we’re young. But as an adult, what I do behind closed doors shouldn’t matter to anyone.”
