There was no speck of dust, no book with a broken spine.
Moving to the next shelf, there were books about psychology.Just the Basicslooked to be a bit more worn than the others, but otherwise everything was in a neat order.
On the second shelf were books with terms I didn’t understand.Bondage, the Benefits. Submission isn’t given, it’s earned. Dominance and Demisexual.
Alright, then.
Submission I understood. It was serving my master, my Alpha, to the best of my ability. It was to give it my all, and to not expect anything in return. It was exactly what I’ve been trained to do.
But the other titles confused me.
“Which book are you looking at?” I jerked, forgetting for a single second that I wasn’t alone.
What had I been thinking? How could I forget my place? I shouldn’t be looking at these, especially when they didn’t even pertain to me.
Alpha Harris repeated his question at the same time as the sound of his chair sliding backwards reached my ears.
“Just looking, Sir.” A lie, one I hoped he’d let me get away with. Well, technically it was a lie hidden in a truth.
I wasn’t the best liar, but I was able to get away with it a few times before.
“Exactly, Charles. You are looking. So which shelf?”
My heart sank. Not because I was called out, but because I was going to lie. Again.
I pointed to the shelf that contained the physic books. They could be interesting, at least.
“Hmm.” Alpha Harris looked at the shelf closer. “The way people react always intrigued me. As my profession, it’s important to read others, to know what they expect and how to answer.” He paused. I could feel his eyes on me, and I did everything I could to not meet his look head on. My heart beat in my chest too quickly for my liking. “But I think you know that. How to read other and the room as though it’s second nature.”
It was my job.
“Those book aren’t even the best ones to learn from. They’re more for decoration than anything, since I have clients that come here to seek my ability to help them. It’s amazing how many people don’t know how to manage their money.” He stepped closer to me. “You’re welcome to read them, if you’d like. Any of the books in this room, this house, can be read.”
“Oh, no thank you, Sir.” I had a book to read, which I had started on last night.
The bounded leather felt like it would break against my skin, and I was extremely careful not to tear a single page or corner.
“The offer stands while you stay here, Charles.”
I dipped my head.
“You are free to roam, to go to your room, or whatever. I have a couple of hours’ work that I have to get done. Even though I was clear it was my vacation time.” He huffed, backing away.
I stood there, frozen, unsure on what to do.
“Is there anything you’d like me to do, Sir?” Having something to do was better. It didn’t make me overthink on options. Like at the grocery store when he handed me the basket, when he told me which items to grab. It had the same quiet structure. Not forceful, but clear.
“Go get the book I lent you,” he said, voice calm. “And bring a pillow or blanket. You can keep me company while I finish up some work.”
No room for indecision. And I was grateful for that. The choice had already been made, and my mind settled into the simplicity of it.
I used the bathroom, grabbed a drink, then returned to his office with the book and a pillow tucked under my arm.
He glanced up from his desk, offering a small, encouraging smile. “Sit wherever.”
That was easy.
I placed the pillow at his feet, folded my legs, and settled onto it. Close enough to lean into him if I wanted. But I didn’t. Not yet. Instead, I opened the book to where I’d left off the night before. And within moments, the words pulled me under—quiet, steady, safe. For now, that was enough.
