Page 17 of Haden

“And how did she take it?” Brody asks.

I wipe my brow. “She’s…persistent.”

Brody laughs. “That sounds like Emilia. I’m starting to think the reason she stayed here this summer is because she heard you were coming and wanted to stick around.”

He’s probably right. It doesn’t mean I should pursue her.

“I have no idea how many men she’s dated or even if she’s had any lasting relationships. She’s never brought a guy home. She probably didn’t want to deal with the scrutiny she would have gotten from me or Dallas. But I’m betting she hasn’t had any serious partners.”

“She didn’t share that information with me,” I tell him, “but I suspect you’re right. And again, let me point out that I’m super aware of the fact that I’m far too dominant for her. I spelled that out plainly.”

“But you and I both know she’s not going to take no for an answer. Not just because you ordered her to,” Brody prods.

I sigh. “Yes.” I glance at him. “You’re acting very weird about this. Don’t you want to hit me?”

“Nope.” The smug bastard. “I know you. Better than I know Emilia. You would never get involved with a woman unless you were certain she was on the same page as you. If Emilia wants what you have to offer and decides to go down that path with you, that’s her decision.”

He’s serious. I’m a bit surprised. I was expecting more of a lecture. Perhaps a stern warning that I should stay away from her. That doesn’t mean I would have heeded Brody’s advice. He doesn’t choose who I sleep with, not in the long run. But if he were more hesitant about the idea of his sister and me together, he would tell me so. This is practically his way of giving me his blessing.

“She’s not Renee,” he says softly after a long silence.

I inhale slowly. “Yeah. Maybe.” I can’t actually know for sure if Emilia would be any different from Renee. Neither can Brody.

Brody knows the details about my disastrous relationship with Renee. It was a long time ago, before I met Emilia, but it isn’t something I will forget.

After another silence, during which we pound the pavement, Brody continues, “My wife is seventeen years younger than I am. She’s my world. I had no idea I would ever fall for someone so young, but then I met Melody, and that was it. I knew. I love that she’s young and innocent. I love that I get to teach her things and gently guide her into my lifestyle preferences. I get the appeal. I won’t stop you from pursuing Emilia. Dallas won’t either.”

“You’ve spoken to Dallas about this?”

“Yes. We were both in the kitchen grabbing snacks for our wives when Emilia snuck out the back door. That’s how we knew she went to see you.”

Hopefully, that’s all they know. No matter how this goes down, I’d prefer they not be privy to every detail of my private life with Emilia.

If there is such a thing.

“I appreciate what you’re saying about guiding Melody into your preferred lifestyle, but you’re well aware that I’m not the guiding sort of man. I like my submissives to already be familiar with my style of dominance and anticipate my expectations. That’s not ever going to be the case with Emilia, which is why this conversation is most likely moot.”

Brody laughs. “Good luck with that. Sometimes, the things we think we can’t live without alter a bit when the right woman comes along. I know shit was bad with Renee. She fucked with your head. You haven’t been willing to give another woman a chance since she left San Antonio. But, Haden, Renee wasn’t right for you. You know that. Maybe it’s time to allow your heart to open up again.”

I wince. Fuck.

He’s right.

I’m already whipped. I can argue with myself, with Emilia, and even with Brody, but it’s all just words. The truth is, I will do just about anything to teach her how I want her to submit to me. She’s under my skin. It’s too late. There’s no going back.

Sure, there’s risk involved. There’s always risk in any relationship. But is she likely to fuck me up six ways to Sunday? I don’t think so.

She’s. Not. Renee.

I’ve had my palm on Emilia’s bottom. I’ve watched her squirm, listened to her moan, and felt her fucking pussy dripping from my punishment.

She might not understand everything I need her to, but I’ll fucking show her, and then she’ll know. I don’t know when exactly in the last twenty hours I decided what my path in life would be, but I can stop lying to everyone about it now.

Maybe I was holding back because I knew I needed to face Brody before I could take another step forward with Emilia. Now that I’ve spoken with him, a weight has lifted from my shoulders. He’s not planning to stab me in my sleep. In fact, it would seem he’s actually on board with the idea of the two of us.

We’ve had the “if you hurt her” talk. He didn’t say those exact words, but they were in his narrow-eyed expression.

I would never intentionally hurt anyone, least of all Emilia. I’m not sure I could take it if she started crying for any reason other than because her ass was on fire from my palm, especially if I were the one who caused it.