Free His to Command #4: The Arrangement by Opal Carew

 
    Kate steeled herself for what was to come. “What is it?”
    “You know I met her because she’d done some legal work for a charity I’d been involved with. We had a few lunches together to talk about details and found we had some similar interests.”
    He’d told Kate a little about this before they’d gone to Ileana’s party, so Kate knew he was referring to their common interest in the BDSM lifestyle.
    “She and I became casual friends, and when she invited us to her party, I had thought it would be a great way for you to meet others in the lifestyle.”
    Kate nodded. “I remember.”
    “Yes, of course. The thing is, later it became clear that she wanted us to be more than friends. Since you and I were in a relationship, she must have seen this as an opportunity to get you out of the way.”
    Shock seeped through her. “Are you saying that she did what she did to scare me off?”
    “I’m really sorry, Kate. I had no idea she’d do such a thing.”
    Her chest tightened. “So, did you date her?”
    He sighed deeply. “Yes, briefly. After you and I broke up, she ensured she was conveniently around to console me.” He squeezed her hand in his. “And I missed you so much.”
    Pain tore at his voice.
    Kate’s heart ached at the thought of Ileana holding Matt close, whispering soft words of comfort in his ear. Then that comfort turned to passion.
    The thought of that witch taking Kate’s man—pleasuring him and making love to him—made Kate ill.
    Matt covered her hand with his, and the comforting warmth calmed her.
    “I know you must hate me.”
    Her gaze darted to his face. “Hate you?” She rested her hand on his cheek. “Matt, I could never hate you.”

    As Matt gazed into her warm and loving eyes, he couldn’t believe she was willing to forgive him for being with Illy after what the woman had done to Kate. He had expected to see hatred in her eyes.
    He knew he should take this opportunity and tell her the rest, but he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t bear to see her trusting look wither and die completely. Not yet.
    And it wouldn’t be fair to her. Because at least now she would accept his financial help to get her company on track again. If he told her everything now, she would probably walk away. Or more likely run.
    They sat in silence for a while, both wrapped in their own thoughts, as the miles passed them by.
    “Kate, maybe we can’t be together, but I want to help you. I really think that you could learn to accept your submissive nature, and I’d like to help you do that.”
    “What are you suggesting?”
    He gazed deeply into her eyes. “You said you trust me.”
    She nodded. “I do.”
    “Then I have a proposal.”
    The car made a right turn, then curved around and came to a stop. Matt glanced out the car window and realized they were at the entrance to an apartment building.
    “We’re here, Mr. Pearce,” the driver, whom they were still separated from by the glass barrier, said through the speaker.

    Kate glanced out the window at the familiar front door to her apartment building. She wanted to hear what Matt had to say, and she really didn’t want to say good-bye yet.
    “Would you like to come up for a coffee?”
    He smiled. “I’d like that.”
    The driver opened her door and she got out and stepped toward the entrance. Matt spoke to the driver for a moment, then followed her.
    As they walked across the lobby, Ellen came through the door from the parking garage. She smiled when she saw Kate and hurried to join them at the elevator doors.
    “Hi, Kate.” Ellen smiled broadly and glanced toward Matt.
    “Hi, Ellen. Matt, this is my friend and neighbor, Ellen.”
    Matt shook hands with her. “Nice to meet you.”
    The whole time Ellen beamed at him.
    “Ellen, this is Matt. We used to know each other when I lived in New York.” Kate knew Ellen was well aware this was Kate’s ex. And from the broad grin on her face, she knew Ellen suspected they were getting together