Page 89 of Love & Power

That stopped me in my tracks. Here I was getting grumpy at him for doing something so incredibly sweet. “No, you don’t,” I agreed, pulling him so I could wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m sorry. Things have been intense the last couple of days, and it’s making me testy.”

With a squeak of surprise, I clung to Liu as he scooped me up, so I twined my legs around his waist. “There is no need to apologize so long as you let us take care of you every once in a while. That’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?” he reasoned as he carried me into the bedroom where Braxton was waiting.

Spotting us, he sat up from where he’d been stretched out on the bed. “My turn?”

“Yup, I got her out and dried, the rest is all you,” Liu assured, letting my naked body slide down his as Liu released his hold on me. “Be good and let Brax serve his Mistress.”

With a quick kiss and a wink, he left the room, confusing me even more about what was going on. “Brax…” I started to ask, but when I turned to look, he was kneeling on the floor, head down, hands resting on his thighs. This was the position we agreed he would use when we were alone if he needed me to take control of the situation.

“Pet,” I called, padding over to him. “Look at me.”

His dark brown eyes looked up to meet mine filled with love and happiness. “Will you let me serve you, Mistress?”

“I’ll allow it,” I agreed. “Tell me, pet, did your other master set a task for you?” I questioned, feeling there was some kind of coordination happening.

“Yes, Mistress. I’m to inform you that your other lovers have made dinner reservations, and I’m to help you get ready,” Braxton explained.

“Interesting,” I murmured and noticed the outfit laid out on the bed. “Well, pet, get to it. It seems we are on a schedule here. To speed things along, I don’t want to be asked any questions. Let’s see how well you know your Mistress.”

Braxton grinned, popping to his feet. Moving with purpose, he gathered various bits of clothing along with accessories before laying them out on the bed to take one last glance at the outfit together. Plucking the white thong he chose off the bed, he kneeled, holding the garment for me to step into. The cheeky bastard snuck a quick kiss to my inner thigh as I lifted my leg, sending a shudder through me.

“Pet, do we have time for that kind of play?” I questioned.

Brax tilted his head to look at me as he slid the underwear up my legs. “No, Mistress, we do not.”

“Then I suggest you don’t tease your Mistress, or you might find yourself forbidden to come for the next twenty-four hours,” I warned.

This was a game we’d played before, but the look of terror on his face told me that was the last thing he’d want to have happen tonight. “I apologize, My Queen. I’ll be good.”

My hair was already piled on top of my head since I didn’t want to wash it after soaking, making it easier for Braxton to secure the white, lacy bodice top. Frowning at it, I ran my fingers over the delicate lace that showed my skin through it from the bust down, keeping my actual breasts covered.

“Did you buy this?” I asked, knowing it wasn’t something I’d bought.

“Actually, this is a gift from Ivy. She said to tell you it’s from Grace and Darla, who say hello as well,” Braxton answered, the question clear in his words.

Grinning, I looked at the rest of the all-white silk pantsuit. “Of course, Ivy would try to cheer me up with something from those two. Grace is the woman who made my dress for Domenico’s gala and the party a week ago. Since they have my measurements, all I need to do now is tell them what I’m looking for, and like a fairy godmother, those two just know.”

“Ah, so they are your suit guy,” Braxton muttered to himself as he helped me into the pants.

They fit perfectly, sculpting my ass then hanging in a loose wide-leg style so they just brushed the floor, knowing I love to wear heels. The jacket was tailored to perfection, cropped, and buttoned low to show off the lace underneath. Looking in the mirror, I grinned, loving how chic it made me feel.

Braxton finished the look with a layered gold necklace, simple gold hoops, and a bracelet I’d never seen before with charms dangling from it. When I took a closer look, I noticed the charms had a letter for each of my men, along with a few other symbols that represented events that happened since meeting them.

“Braxton,” I whispered, brushing my finger over the piece, my eyes welling up with the rush of emotion.

“That wasn’t just from him,” Jace interjected as he walked over to stand next to Brax, wrapping an arm around his waist. “We all came up with the idea, just as a way to keep all of us with you no matter where you are. Things are going to be hectic for the next couple of months as you learn to balance both Families, and there might be a time when we all can’t travel with you back and forth.”

I quickly dashed away the tear that slipped out. “How did I end up so fucking lucky?”

“Guess you could say it was the luck of the draw, but personally, I like to think it’s karma paying you back for all the shit you’ve been through,” Jace said, reaching out to take my hand and draw me into a group hug.

A contented sigh left my lips as I just enjoyed being held by them. These were the moments I needed to remember to make time for—the simple pleasures that boosted my spirits like no other.

“As much as I don’t want to let you go, I came up here for a reason,” Jace divulged. “I know dinner out isn’t like some major affair, but tonight is about us spoiling you. The woman, Bella, who did your hair and makeup, is downstairs if you want. No pressure if you’d rather do that yourself. We just wanted to make her available to you.”

“How can a girl resist an offer like that?” I grinned, kissing Jace then Braxton. “I would love to have someone else do the work for a change. Braxton, could you hold onto this jacket for me, though? I wouldn’t want it getting dirty.”

“It would be my pleasure, Mistress,” Braxton said with a bow before slipping it off my shoulders. “Bella did tell me she brought along a smock to cover you, so the rest of the outfit shouldn’t be in danger.”