He knew how old he was—he’d be sixty in a couple of months—and having a sex club frequented by those decades younger than him—but still of legal age—was a nightly reminder.
That’s why when the university reached out about being a technique consultant for their revamped swim team, Zee said yes immediately.
In their bathroom, he splashed water on his face, brushed his teeth and chucked his clothes into the laundry hamper.
He said yes so immediately that he didn’t talk to Ella about it.And though that’s how their power dynamic worked, Zee wasn’t in the habit of making major decisions without consulting the love of his life.
Yes, he was her Master, butshewas hiseverything.
He hated to think of how his life would be if he hadn’t met her.Her devotion and her smarts were the reasons for all their success.
Stopping in the doorway of their bedroom, Zee paused for a moment, taking in the quiet intimacy of the space.
Ella had already pulled the heavy blackout curtains, blocking out the world so they could get a few hours of sleep.
She had turned on his nightlight, which added a warm glow to the room, enough to break the darkness.
As always, she had set both their phones on the charging station by the closet, lined up perfectly.
All her little acts of service fed their dynamic and showed him the love she had for him.
She waited for him, like she did every night, kneeling at the side of the bed, naked.
Her vibrant red hair had faded over the years and was now streaked with strands of white at her temples, but to Zee, she was still that shy farm girl he met all those years ago.
He hated that her body, her weight, her changing hair bothered her, even though she tried hard not to be bothered by it.
That’s partly because she wanted to set a good example for their twin daughters and the young women they know and partly because she spent so many years looking after herself and caring about her appearance.
But she also knew that one of his rules was not to talk badly about herself or think negatively about herself, and that’s why earlier at the club, he traced her cesarean scar.
His daughters were adults, en route to successes of their own, but it still bothered her, even though he had always told her she was beautiful, every part of her.
“You’re so beautiful, my heart.I love you.”He placed his hands on her shoulders, her signal to rise, and she turned to face him, the admiration and love clear in her gaze.
He brushed his lips gently against hers and she bowed her head and ran her hands over his chest and he could stay here all night, just like this, if his body didn't need sleep.
“Tuck in, my love,“ he pulled down the comforters and gave the bed a pat.
She snuggled into bed and yawned.
He pulled the sheet up to her chin, followed by the soft blanket she always insisted on, even when it was warm outside.
Then, he climbed into bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her, inhaling the faint scent of her fruity shampoo from her hair.
“Good night, Master,” she whispered, snuggling against him, pressing her body into his.He nuzzled her hair, resting his chin against the crook of her shoulder.
“Good night, my love.”
Yeah, he was one lucky son of a wrench.
All he wanted was to make the peace they’d created last for years to come.
3 ELLA
Heralarmalwayswentoff half an hour before her Master’s, and automatically she got out of bed without hesitation because she didn’t have time to deny the wake-up call, even though her body protested being dragged to consciousness.
Ella stretched, then reached over and smiled, seeing Zee sleeping on his side, like he’s reaching for her still.
