Page 23 of B is for Beg

Gabe nods.

“Youbothlike me?”

“Yes,” I say.

His stare darts between us, and for a moment, I think all is forgiven. Then he lifts his chin. “Good intentions or not, you still used me. That’s no way to treat someone you want to fool around with.” He steps away from me and stalks off to the drinks table.

“That went well,” Gabe says dryly.

“We fucked up,” I say.

For the first time since it became apparent we both liked the same man, it feels like we’re on the same side: the losing one.

“We did,” Gabe agrees. “So what are we going to do about it?”

“I have an idea.”

“Care to share?”

I shake myself. We’re not on the same side. I pat Gabe’s chest. “Sorry, you’re going to have to come up with your own way of getting into Blake’s good book.”

I join Blake. He’s got himself some water, but instead of sitting on the sofas, he’s leaning against the wall, looking in the direction of the couples who are playing.

“It’s hot, isn’t it?” I ask. “Watching them?”

He nods, then stills himself and sets his jaw into a hard line. “There are plenty of beautiful Doms here tonight. I doubt I’ll have any trouble finding someone to tie me up and play with me.”

“What sort of play are you interested in?”

He shrugs and twists the black band around his wrist. “I’m not sure. Maybe a light spanking?” He lets out an annoyed huff. “I’m not talking to you.”

“No?”

“No.”

I chuckle because he’s definitely talking to me. “I’m sorry, Blake.”

He doesn’t even look at me. Hurt burns in his eyes, and I realise it’s going to take more than an apology to make up for what Gabe and I have done. There has to be trust between a Dom and their sub, even if they’re only playing for one scene. I didn’t mean to upset him, and I sure as hell know Gabe didn’t either. We wanted Blake to come to the party, and we were trying to do a nice thing for Hamish at the same time. Neither of us meant to upset Blake or make him feel used. I understand why he does. Damn, we should have thought our plan through more instead of getting carried away. It’s a classic case of acting without thinking. Gabe and I are a pair of dumb arses. I want to put things right. I want to draw Blake into my arms and tell him I’d never hurt him again—well, not likethatanyway—if he would just give me a chance.

I hold my hand out. He stares at it, unmoving.

“Let me show you how sorry I am.”

He glances up at me. The set of his jaw is less hard than before, and there’s another emotion spinning in his eyes, twisted up with the hurt. I can tell he’s wavering.

“Trust me.” It’s a pretty big ask, and I know it.

Surprisingly, he puts his hand in mine. I take him to the centre of the room and get down on my knees.

His eyes go wide, and his jaw drops into a gasp. He’s not the only one staring at me, but that was the point. I’m willingly humiliating myself to make things up to him.

“I’m sorry I upset and hurt you. I didn’t mean to make you think I don’t want you, because I do, Blake, so fucking much.”

He blinks and looks away before saying, “Okay.”

I stand and loop my arm around his shoulders so I can tug him close enough to whisper into his ear. “If you choose to be my sub tonight, you’ll be the one getting on your knees.”

He trembles and looks up into my eyes. “Just say the word.”