I admit it, I was hurting so goddamn bad. The life I’d been dreaming about was dissolving in front of my eyes. I bawled and raced for our bedroom, throwing myself onto the comforter. I lay there, crying, as my mind played out the amazing life I’d had for the last few months. I could hear Kip in the house, but he didn’t come to me.
Fine. If this is how it has to end, so be it.
A few minutes later, the bed dipped and Kip was there, running a hand over my back. I flinched.
“I understand, you know,” he said softly.
“Understand what?” I knew I sounded belligerent as fuck, but I was past caring.
“I was upset when she did that too.”
“Why? Your wife should be able to kiss you, right?”
He grabbed me and flipped me over, so I had no choice but to look at him.
“After all the things we’ve done together when we were kids, and all the naughty things we’ve done as adults, do youreallyhave so little faith in me?” He cupped my cheek. “Or is it that you have so little in yourself?”
Yeah, that last part nailed it. I thought I was over it. I thought once I got together with Kip, it would all magically be healed.
“I… don’t know.”
He lay beside me, and I noticed he was wet. He must have taken a shower to get the smell off him.
“Yes, you do. I amyours, Mase. No one else will ever have me. I understand, or at least I think I do, that a Dominant can have up to four spouses, but guess what? The one I have? He’s the one I love, and besides, he drives me crazy enough for four people.” His hand was gentle on my cheek. “Please, Mase. Have faith in me. Trust in the love I have for you.”
My mind was reeling at his confession. “You don’t wanther? You used to tell me she was awesome between the sheets. AfreakI think is how you put it.”
“I don’t need a freak.” His voice was soft, soothing. “I needyou. That’s all I’ll ever want. And for the record, she kissedme, I did not kissher. Jolene saw it and she was pissed off. She came over and grabbed Allison’s arm, pulling her away. Then she looked at me and said to go after you.” He bit his lip. “Except you’re every bit as fast as you were when we were younger, so I had to wait for you to come to me.”
“You… you don’t want her?”
“No, baby, I do not. And I understand why you were so upset. You could smell her on me, couldn’t you?”
I nodded, shame coursing through me. “I’m sorry.”
“For what? Standing up for us? Nothing makes me happier. Just… try talking to me first before you assume I’m going to push you aside. Okay?”
“And there won’t be a harem?” My face burned. “It’s kind of expected.”
“Then they’re going to be bitterly disappointed, because I have the only person who means something to me, and I won’t give him up for anything. Now, I’m going to head downstairs and make us something to eat.”
I tried to sit up. “No, let me.”
His hand splayed over my chest held me on the bed. He kissed me then, a gentle brushing of lips. “I got this. I want you to rest.”
I wouldn’t argue with him. At least not about this.
He got off the bed and headed for the door.
“Kip?”
He turned and smiled at me. “Yeah?”
“I really am sorry.”
He shrugged. “It’s a matter of trust. I know I have to earn yours.”
“But you’ve always had it,” I argued.
