Page 82 of Serpent & Saviors

She turned her face toward mine. “That’s good to hear. Especially about Alek. Cam…he didn’t like Declan drawing, said only a sissy boy draws.”

My grip tightened around her. “We’ll have to unteach that concept then. But back to what you were asking. With Kinsley, it’s complicated,” I admitted.

Kinsley was my patient. That line was clear. But outside of our sessions, she was also family, tied to me in ways that had nothing to do with therapy. She was my best fucking mate’s lover times three.

She was someone who I’d watched break apart and help piece back together, and it was an ongoing process. Some that might involve me, not crossing the line but tiptoeing it. Even if that was just an orchestration and being present while she worked things out.

Victoria shifted again, this time more of a stiffening. “Are you going to tell me or are you going to make me ask?”

Smirking at her tone, I trailed my hands down her stomach and cupped her pussy. I chose my words carefully, keeping the air of mystery a bit longer.

“Ask away. Depending on the question, I will do my best to answer.”

Her brows furrowed. “Andrew.”

“Victoria, I’ll repeat myself. If you have a question for me, please be direct and ask it,” I challenged her, keeping my grip on her firm.

There was a moment of hesitation, a subtle shift in the air as she gathered her courage. “Are you and Kinsley sleeping together?”

I laughed, impressed and even more turned on by this flash of assertiveness. “I’m not in the habit of having sex with my patients,” I stated firmly, making my stance clear before teasing her entrance with a little pressure. “Which reminds me, would you prefer a female therapist?”

“What does that have to do with Kinsley?” she moaned.

“Nothing at all. But since I don’t sleep with my patients, I can’t very well be your therapist.”

Her expression remained steadfast. She challenged me further, “Okay, understandable I suppose, but it’s really not an answer to my question. Especially since you’ve already told me she’s much more than a patient to you,” she asserted. “Let me ask a different question then.”

I leaned in slightly, breathing her in. Every part of me felt alive in her presence. She shifted slightly before stilling under my hand.

“By all means, please do,” I encouraged, nibbling her ear.

“Will she be wearing your collar when I meet her?”

I let out a soft sigh, realizing my answer probably wouldn’t satisfy her curiosity. “No. She is unaware it exists and I’m going to need you to not say anything about it to her or Isabella, for that matter.”

Her face flushed with knowledge. “I see. Well, I think that tells me all I need to know,” she muttered, flustered. She went to move my hand.

“And what is it you think it tells you?” I growled, squeezing her cunt possessively.

“This is getting us nowhere,” she retorted, nostrils flaring. “Look, I get it. You have another woman in your life. I don’t care how sweet she may be. She’s going to lose it when she hears about Declan…sees…”

“Oh, I don’t doubt she’ll lose it. And although she is primarily sweet and docile, she can be a brat too.” I paused, enjoying the playfulness with her. “Now, do you think you could answer my question? What does her not wearing the collar tell you?” I softened my voice and flicked my thumb across her clit.

Her eyes fluttered closed at the contact, and she gasped. She took a deep breath before continuing, “Why are you doing that?”

“Doing what? This?” I asked before thumbing it some more. She whimpered against the strokes. “I’m trying to train you here. I want you to answer me about the collar.”

She was passionate and beautiful, with her cheeks inflamed and eyes glazing over. The more she got worked up, the more I wanted to play with her. She sat up, water sloshing around us as she turned my way. Her brow furrowed.

“I don’t know. It could mean you just haven’t collared her yet. Maybe it’s an anniversary gift and you’re re-dedicating yourself to her. Replacing an old one. It could mean a thousand different things.”

“Very good, and you’d be right about the first one and wrong about the last two.” I traced my finger down the side of her face. “Let me ease your mind. I will never collar Kinsley. She and I are not in, nor will we ever be in, a sexual relationship. She belongs to another and she is my patient.”

“Really?” she sighed heavily, and the relief on her face was instant. “Wait, the blade charm. Ivan had a blade on his forearm. Well, a tattoo, anyway. Does that mean?” She turned hopeful eyes my way.

I chuckled softly. “It’s complicated. But I assure you, it will all become clear soon enough. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m done talking about her.”

She flushed bright red. The pulse at the side of her throat picked up its pace, and her eyes grew wide as I grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her over my legs.