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In front of me, Bennett’s concerned expression spread into a smile, his features softening like he knew everything I’d just realized.

Of course he did.

“Bennett—”

“Kiss me,” he whispered. “Then go to Miranda’s room. I’ll send her up in a few minutes once I talk to the others and plan it. Trust me, honey.”

“Okay.” I barely got the word out before his lips pressed against mine. His tongue pushed against my lips, opened me and he slid inside. His hand on my chin moved to the back of my head and he kissed away my concerns and my fears and all my nerves.

He infused me with confidence, with passion. It had nothing to do with sex, everything to do with the kind of man he was.

I slid my hands to his biceps and held on to him. I poured everything I felt into our kiss and when he pulled back, I was breathless.

“Bennett—”

“I know,” he replied, his voice hoarse and full of emotion. “I feel it, too. Swear it. Now go obey. I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay.”

“You say that a lot.”

“You make me forget the rest of my vocabulary.”

He laughed. Deep and beautiful and then he slammed his mouth to mine, kissed me until I wanted to melt into a puddle on the floor and pulled back.

He left the bathroom without looking back, but without a doubt, he’d do everything he just promised.

* * *

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.

“Miranda.” I squeezed her hand next to me where we sat on her bed. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You’ll be fine,” she assured me. “You’re just watching them.”

Seriously. How did I get myself into these messes?

A knock rapped on the door and at Miranda’s invitation, opened slowly. I expected Bennett, but it was Chloe whose head popped into the small opening. “Can I come in?”

“Of course,” Miranda said, waving her in.

“Thanks.” She walked in and closed the door. She’d stripped out of the jeans and boots and light blue sweater she’d been wearing earlier, and was now only wearing a thick, black robe. Barefooted, she walked toward us. “I was hoping we could talk for a little bit,” she said, looking at me. “We don’t know each other well at all, but Bennett sort of explained some things.”

Miranda stood and gestured to her spot on the bed. “By all means.” She ran her hand down my hair and smiled at me. “I’ll see you in the room, but trust Bennett. Trust us.”

My throat had gone too dry to speak, so I nodded. Once she left the room, Chloe gestured to the spot next to me on the bed. “May I?”

“Yes.” I cleared my throat. “Please.”

She took the spot next to me and wrapped her fingers around the knot at her waist. “Bennett gave us a brief rundown on your background, so I wanted to give you a quick one of mine.”

Her intentions were sweet. Exactly how I’d expected her to be, but I wasn’t sure anything she’d say could help. These were my own fears, and my own misgivings. Still, I waved her on. “Okay.”

“See, there’s a long history between Simon and me which I won’t get into, but in short, he used to date my sister. I sort of went after him last year, and asked him to train me.” My eyes popped. Holy crap! “Yes,” she giggled. “I know it sounds bad, but I’ll explain when we have more time. Anyway, he trained me and when our training time was done, he was supposed to hand me to another Dom.”

“Bennett.”

“Yeah.” She smiled, but held no interest for Bennett in her eyes. “I haven’t been in your shoes where you don’t understand this life. I think a part of me has always wanted it, but I know people close to me who have issues with it. I want to make sure that whatever happens here tonight, is something you’re okay with. Simon and I can be tame if you’d prefer—”