“You could have stopped any time. Always, you can call a halt.”
“I know that.”
He nods, smiles at me. “So, this moment…?”
“When you told me to call David sir. Then he told me that you were in charge, that I was to take instructions from you. That you were still my master.”
“I should have made that clear.”
“Maybe. But it is clear now. And as long as I know that, anything is okay with me. I trust you. I knew you’d take care of me. I trust David too, but with you it’s… more. Deeper. I know that you love me, and care about me. And you know I adore you. I’m your submissive, you’re my dom. So—anything you ask me, anything you tell me to do, I’ll do it.”
Ewan is silent. The only sound is that of the indicator signalling left as we join the M62 motorway, headingtowards Bradford. I’ve said my piece, I have nothing more to add.
Ewan navigates the car from the slip road to re-join the main carriageway. His eyes are fixed on the road ahead once more. Maybe he has nothing to add either.
“I’ll never let you down. You have my word. I love you.”…or perhaps he does. I reach for him, lay my hand on his thigh, and give a soft squeeze. It’s enough.
Chapter Thirteen
“Babe, could you do me a favour?”
I roll over in bed, pressing my mobile against my ear as I do. I glance at the clock, the angular, glowing numbers flickering on my bedside table. Seven-thirty in the morning here in the UK, nine-thirty in Qatar. Ewan’s been up for hours already I gather, locked in meetings with the Qatar football hierarchy, the Qatari royal family, and a bunch of local planning authorities dealing with the details of God knows how many new stadia they want to construct over the coming decade. I’ve only just woken so my brain is less focused. All I know is, I miss him.
“Mmm, I daresay. What do you need? Any idea when you’ll be back?”
“A couple more weeks probably.”
“I miss you.” He’s been away for three weeks already. Twice daily phone calls and more or less continuous texting does not cut it. I want him here.
“I miss you too. Are you sure you can’t give yourself a few days off? I could book you a flight out here today.”
I close my eyes, considering his offer. Itistempting. Hot sun, even hotter sex. Sea, sand. Fabulous shopping. I sigh as reality reasserts itself
“Nice idea. But I’ve got orders to meet. Deadlines.”
“Pity. If you change your mind, the offer’s still open. So, this favour…”
“Right, what do you want me to do?”
“You remember I said Carrie’s brother wants to collect her stuff? From her old room?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Well, it seems he’s got a few days off work and can come up to Yorkshire this week. Otherwise it’ll be three months before he gets another chance. I’ve told him I’ll try to sort something out so he can get in my house.”
“You want me to let him in?”
“Could you?”
“I suppose. But are you sure? I mean, do you really want someone poking around in your house when you’re not there?”
“You’ll be there to keep an eye on him. But Mike’s a nice guy, there won’t be a problem. It won’t take that long. Just a couple of hours or so.”
“When does he want to be here?”
“Today. Or tomorrow. Up to you really.”
“Give him my number and tell him to get in touch. I’ll sort something out with him. It’s just the stuff from her room, right?”
