“I want that,” Ryder says softly.
“I need you to understand that you’ll be mine to protect, hold, and cherish. But I’ll never control you. You’re still your own person; you’re just giving me a part of yourself no one else has.”His submissive part.“Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jesus Christ.This boy is going to be the death of me. I take a breath and ask the one question hanging in the air, “Do you want to submit to me? Mind, body, heart, and soul?”
He shudders. “Yes, Sir.”
“Do you trust me to take care of you?”
“Yes, sir.” A shudder rolls through me, this time at the trusting look in his eyes. That scowl he carries a lot is gone; his face is relaxed, open, and honest.
“Stand up.” I need to put us back at equal height. When he stands up, I lay with him on the bed, face to face. “This is a two-way street, Love. You need to know you aren’t the only one giving something here.” He nods. “I’m all in this too.”
“Have you ever done this before?” he asks, and I know he’s asking about this type of dynamic.
“No,” I tell him honestly. With Les, I always want to do everything for her, just like I told Ryder I’ll do for him. But she doesn’t need it in this way. Ryder does. “Thank you for trusting me.”
“I always will.”
I slant my mouth over his, taking the kiss I’ve wanted since he walked into the room. When he melts against me, I pull back. “Now talk to me.”
Chapter 36
Alessa
After Ryder apologized for his outburst in the kitchen, he kissed me stupid, and then said he needed to talk to Zane. I didn’t even take what Ryder said personally, even though I should have. We’re all under so much pressure sometimes it comes out in ways we don’t want it to. Ryder’s is anger.
They were in there for a couple of hours, but when Ryder came out, he looked relaxed. Then he explained to me the relationship between him and Zane. I was ecstatic for them. Ryder’s whole childhood, just like mine, revolved around being the biggest and the baddest. That’s how Rocco raised him because that’s the only way he knew how. With Zane, Ryder doesn’t have to be that person. Zane gives him the freedom to be whoever he wants to be. I want all my guys to get everything out of this relationship as I am. I have the love of all six men; now, they have each other too.
We’re on our way to meet Micah, with Holden this time because he wouldn’t take no for an answer, to get the computers. After we meet Micah, we’ll hide out for the other stuff we have planned.
Zane and Ryder are up front, with Zane surprisingly driving, Leo and Gage in the middle, and I’m in the back with Holden and Dex. I turn to the latter. “How are you feeling about what happened yesterday?”I whisper just for his ears. I want to make sure he’s okay after what happened between him and Leo.
He smiles, and he does that so much these days. “I’m fine, Baby girl.”
“Did you like it?” I ask, waggling my eyebrows.
“You’re a dirty girl,” he chuckles. “I did.” He leans closer. “But you’re my only good girl.”
God, that always does things to me. “Maybe he can be your good boy.”
Dex barks a laugh, making Gage and Leo turn around. “You okay there, Big fella?” Gage asks. Dex’s cheeks darken, and Gage’s mouth pops open. “Are you blushing?”
Holden leans across me, looking closer. “He sure the hell is.”
“I’m not fucking blushing,” Dex grumbles, his cheeks getting darker.
“I think it’s cute,” I declare, kissing his red cheek. “You thought about it, didn’t you?” I whisper. He playfully pushes my face away. “It’s okay. Ryder asked me to peg him,” I announce loudly.
Ryder’s head whips around. “I didn’t ask you to peg me.”
“You kind of did, Love,” Zane says with a laugh. Ryder’s eyes narrow on me, promising retribution, and I grin.
“This car is full of a bunch of freaks,” Gage says. “I’m ashamed to be seen with you.”
I lean up between the seats, propping my chin on my arms. “I’ll just keep my freak self away from you, then.”
