“Hey,” Garrett said, “that dog likes you a lot.”
Yep, he was getting kisses.He needed to make sure theyweren’t the only ones he got today.
He watched out the window while the dog tried to get intohis food cave and vowed he would use this situation to his best advantage.
Chapter Six
Garrett set down his bag and looked around Olivia’shouse.She told them she lived in what she described as a guest house on theranch grounds.He expected something small.
Well, he supposed it was small compared to the ranch house,which was a two-story mansion.
But Olivia’s house was bigger than anything he’d ever livedin.The foreman’s house on the O’Malley Ranch was nice but small, with none ofthe softness he found in Olivia’s house.There were books on the shelves and abig comfy chair where she obviously sat and read.There were tea sets andbookshelves and paintings.It was feminine and lovely and warm.
He and Keane had been in the cold for so long.
“How long have you lived here?”Garrett asked.There was atension since they’d been dropped off.The minute they were alone, Olivia gottense.They needed some small talk.Without a Chihuahua around.
“Just the last couple of months.Until then Josh and Grimlived here and I had a suite in the main house.But my parents bought the ranchnext to ours as a wedding gift for them and Nicole.There was some irony inthat purchase since it was owned by Grim’s biological family.They kicked himout.Now he owns it all.”
And that was satisfying for her.He liked how fiercely sheseemed to love.“So your dad doesn’t merely cube cars.He likes to make surekarma hits hard.”
Her lips curled up in a smile.“Yes, he does.My dad is bigon long-term revenge.He’s patient.Papa likes to throw punches.At leastthat’s the way Momma tells it.From what I understand my papa was differentwhen he was younger.”
“I would bet he was just less mature.”Garrett looked overat Keane and then back to Olivia.“Your papa is a genuinely good man.I likeSam a lot.I’ve only met him a couple of times, but I enjoy his company.Yourdad, on the other hand, can be intimidating.”
“Dad is a good man, too, but he’s got a lot ofresponsibility.You know my mom and papa are his subs, right?”Olivia asked asthough waiting for judgment.
Garrett snapped his fingers.“Damn it.I owe Keane.”
Keane seemed to relax slightly.“Sorry.You can’t scare usaway like that.I clocked Sam as a sub right off.Garrett thought he might be aswitch.”
Olivia snorted.“No.My papa can be assertive in the outsideworld, but he relies on my dad everywhere else.”
Keane nodded as though he already knew.“I’ve only met yourdad briefly, but I think he’s probably a good Master.He would be indulgent,and he’ll take his responsibility seriously.I would bet he’s overly protectiveas well.”
Olivia frowned.“You have no idea.Did I mention the cubes?”
“You did indeed.”Garrett moved closer.“We’ve been in thelifestyle for years now.We’re not going to judge you or your family.”
She stiffened, losing any relaxed state she had.“Well, I’mnot worried about your judgment.I’ve lived with it all my life.It doesn’taffect me anymore.”
Oh, but it did.
He glanced over, and Keane’s energy matched hers.
It was hard to be the reasonable one.
Olivia moved around the couch, arm sweeping out toward theother side of the house.“The kitchen’s back there.Let me know what you liketo keep on hand and I’ll get it.If you follow that hallway there are twobedrooms, though I use one as a home office.”
And his best friend was on the edge.
He knew that look in Keane’s eyes.It was the look thatusually sent Garrett to his phone so he could make a reservation at Subversion.
Keane felt out of control, and he needed it so desperately.
“My bedroom is on the other side of the house.”Oliviaseemed flustered, too.Like she had them here and now she wasn’t sure what todo with them.
He could tell her what she should do with them.It lookedlike the time for small talk was over.“We should discuss the arrangement.”
