Free Through the Eyes of a Male Submissive by Andie Lea Page A

car.
    “I told you, we have plans for dinner.”
    She scowled at me, not sure if she should trust me or not, sighing as if to cave. “Alright. I won’t hound you with any more questions. I trust you.” She cringed at the sound of her words.
    I was well aware it was going to take a hell of a lot of time and effort for her to trust me. Unlike certain people, I was willing to spend a lifetime convincing her I was one of the good guys. I would do whatever it took to make her understand I was in this for the long haul. I was not her fucking mother, who decided to abandon her many years ago!
    Charlie pulled the car into my parents’ driveway, stopping once he was close to the front door.
    Via stared at me as if I had just committed murder. “You have got to be kidding me! Couldn’t you just know one person who hangs out in a simple bowling alley or Chuck E Cheese ?”
    She had returned, the smart-mouthed woman I had grown to adore! Kissing her cheek, I smiled at her as we climbed out of the car. “It is dinner. I think you will survive.” I held her closer to me as we made our way inside the house. “I do have a rather large surprise for you inside.”
    Before she was able to speak a single word to rebut, my mother had grabbed her hands and pulled her out of my reach. She glared back at me, sending me a mental message that I was in deep shit for not forewarning her.
    I trailed behind my mother and Via into the living room. Via paused at what she saw a few feet in front of her, “Daddy, you’re here! How did you… When did you-?”
    Mister Johnson smiled at his daughter and gestured towards me. “Your boyfriend had me flown in this morning. He claimed that you were insisting on this.”
    “Yeah, I guess you can put it that way.” Not taking her eyes off her father, she ran up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I am so glad you are here, daddy!”
    Alright, Rayner, it’s now or never . I strolled over to him and held out my right hand. “May I say, it’s truly an honor to meet you, sir. Olivia talks non-stop about how great her father is.” Attempting to keep the nervousness out of my voice, I said, “Please, have a seat. Make yourself at home.”
    Via sat between her father and me on the couch. My parents sat on the chairs nearby, and Jason was standing a few feet behind them.
    The intense thumping of my heart became louder as I fiddled with the miniature box inside my jacket. Come on, Rayner, you can do this! As I sat there fidgeting, the back of my throat felt as if it was on fire. I had no idea why I was nervous. It wasn’t as if I didn’t know the answer. However, our parents and my brother were here. This new emotion of apprehension she had given me was bittersweet. I hated how she manipulated me into this vulnerability, and I abhorred the possibility of her never being mine. I shook my head as if to wobble away the negativity. My stunning soon-to-be-bride looked over at me with a concerned expression in her eyes.
    You need to do this, Rayner… Now!
    “Via, Ryan tells us you decided to move to Seattle. You must be thrilled to be opening your restaurant here. It is a fine city.”
    My cheeks reddened as my mother spoke. Leave it to her to interrupt and embarrass the hell out of me!
    Assuming she was going to convulse into hysterics, Via took me off guard when she kept her cool and smiled. “I am grateful for Ryan’s assisting me by sparing a room until I can find a place of my own. As for the business, I have yet to find the perfect place.”
    My mother’s eyes flickered in my direction. I swallowed hard, shaking my head at her. Mother, if you love me as much as you claim, you will shut your mouth this instant! She focused her attention back to the woman who I had given my heart. “I am certain that Ryan will be able to assist you in finding what you need.”
    Glancing over in Via’s direction, I saw a hint of a smile forming upon her lips. Winking at me, she said, “I am hoping he is