Free The Dominant by Tara Sue Me

him tonight, and honestly, she
     was Abigail’s best friend—how bad could she be?
    How’s the librarian fantasy girl?
he texted.
    I will kick the shit out of you if you mention that to her
, I warned, right as Abigail shuffled into the kitchen.
    She looked tired, and part of me cringed. After all, I’d been the cause of her lack of sleep, the reason she walked so carefully.
     But I was still feeling the high of incredible sex.
    “Rough night?” I asked, keeping my eyes focused on my phone.
    “You could say that again.”
    I smiled. I couldn’t help it. She was tired, sore, cranky, and she still had her sense of humor.
    “Rough night?” I asked again.
    She took a muffin from the counter and sat down across from me.
    Good thinking on the blueberry, West
—but she needed more than a muffin.
    “You need protein,” I said.
    “I’m fine,” she said, before I could tell her I had eggs waiting for her.
    “Abigail,” I warned. Damn, I didn’t want to punish her. Not after the previous night.
    She stood up, moved gingerly to the refrigerator, and took out a pack of bacon. That pleased me. Even though she was in pain,
     she would still cook protein because I told her to.
    “I put two boiled eggs in the warming oven for you,” I said. Relief covered her face as she put the bacon away. “The ibuprofen
     is on the first shelf, second cabinet beside the microwave.”
    “I’m sorry.” She took the bottle from the shelf and shook two pills into her hand. “It’s just . . . been a long time.”
    “What a ridiculous thing to apologize for. I’m more upset over your attitude this morning. I didn’t have to let you sleep
     in.”
    She sat, head down, with her hair hanging over her eyes.
    “Look at me,” I said. “I have to leave. Meet me in the foyer dressed for the benefit and ready to leave at four thirty.”
    She nodded, and I wondered what she would look like in the dress Elaina had dropped off. I wished, not for the first time,
     that I hadn’t agreed to golf and lunch with my family. Wished that I could spend the day with Abigail.
    Wished I could be normal.
    But what was the point in normal? She didn’t want it and I couldn’t do it.
    I sighed. “There’s a large tub in the guest room across the hall from yours. Make use of it.” Maybe a long soak would make
     her feel better.
    As suspected, lunch was long and golf was longer. I usually enjoyed time with my family and Todd, but knowing Abigail was
     at home, alone, made the day drag.
    Yes, I told Todd, my date was a librarian.
    No, I told Jackson for the fifth time. I didn’t have a strange librarian fantasy going on.
    I made it back home at three thirty and went straight to my bedroom, noting as I went that Abigail’s door was closed. By four
     fifteen I was in the foyer waiting. I turned when I heard her heels on the stairs and almost dropped the wrapper I held.
    The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, and the low neckline showed her delicate collarbones. Her hair had been
     gathered up in a simple knot at the back of her head with a few strands hanging low and brushing her neck.
    “You look beautiful.” Stunning, actually.
    “Thank you, Master.”
    I held the wrapper out. “Shall we?”
    She walked over to me and stopped at my side. I dropped the wrapper around her shoulders, taking time to brush her soft skin
     with my fingertips, breathing in her soft floral scent. If only we could stay home . . .
    But no. She was probably still sore. I had to remember that. I must remember that.
    As we walked to the waiting car, it struck me that we could be any normal couple on a normal date on a normal night. For this
     evening, I decided, that’s what we’d be. Normal.
    Driving along in silence, Abigail by my side in the passenger seat, I thought back to the two other collared subs I’d introduced
     to my family. Beth and Paige had both met my aunt Linda, and Jackson, Todd, and Elaina too, but I’d introduced them as