Free Bound to be Tested: Emergence, Book 3 by Becca Jameson Page A

your new attitude at the door.” He paused.
    Lori’s entire body shook as though she had a fever. She pulled her hands together and fisted both palms in her lap. She dropped her gaze. She couldn’t decide if she was about to blow steam out of her head at his high-handed proposal or kneel at his feet and thank him.
    “I want you back, Lori. I’m not going to deny that. It would be ludicrous. I won’t deny I feel awful about breaking up your relationship. That would be insensitive.”
    Yep, she was going to hit him if she moved an inch. Insensitive? Like leaving her with no warning and no explanation and popping up two years later demanding he take over where they left off? That kind of insensitive?
    “Don’t say anything right now. I’ll give you some time to think it over. How about a week? That should give you time to examine the idea and decide if you’re in. I just rented a house this week. I need a few days to move in. I’ll come back here at the same time next Friday and we’ll discuss your decision.”
    Lori swallowed. She didn’t move. She couldn’t believe what he’d suggested. Proposed. Fucking demanded. He hadn’t worded anything as a question. He’d simply stated he wanted her back. On his terms. She knew those well.
    “Okay then. I’ll see you next week. Same time. Same place.” He stepped over to the door and paused without turning around. “One more thing. Don’t fuck anyone this week. No orgasms either. Ponder. But no sex.” And he left. Walked right out the door, shutting it behind him.
    Lori flinched, nearly jumping out of her skin at the finality of that door shutting. The noise resounded in the apartment like an echo, over and over. He never did answer my question. Where the fuck has he been?
    Minutes went by before Lori pulled herself up and dragged her body to the bedroom. She felt like she was stuck in quicksand. She went straight through to the master bath and turned on the tub. After sitting so stiff and tight for so long, she needed the relaxation of a hot bath.
    She peeled off her clothes and reached in to touch the water to make sure it was warm enough.
    She cringed at the demand placed on her not to orgasm, but she stuffed it into the back of her mind. It didn’t matter anyway. She hadn’t had sex for the past week as it was, not even with herself.
    He needn’t have requested that of her. There was little chance Lori would be able to Domme for Margaret this week. And not a chance in hell she could allow another Dom to command her. She was wrung out from the crazy tornado that had blown through town, lifted the homes, and not yet set anything back down.
    The water felt wonderful as she slid into the steaming tub, but how long would it take for her muscles to relax enough that she could stop shaking?

Chapter Six
    Jude set his laptop on the desk, turned it to face the chair and stepped back. It had taken him only hours to move in. He owned nothing more than what was in his truck. He’d intentionally rented this home because it was fully furnished. The owners were on sabbatical and looking for a short-term renter.
    As an added bonus, it was relatively secluded, with neighboring homes spaced far enough apart they each had plenty of privacy. And his favorite feature—hot tub on the deck.
    He’d kept himself busy all week, but in his idle moments he’d worried. What were the chances Lori would turn him down? When he’d made the decision to come back here, he’d had no idea what he might find.
    Lori living as a Domme with another woman wasn’t on the short list. Could she give up her new lifestyle and rejoin him? He felt confident she was still a submissive at heart. She’d reacted to him the same way she’d always responded. Her body language betrayed her.
    Tomorrow. One more day and he’d have his answer. The only task left on his list was a trip to the sex shop to replace everything he’d owned before leaving town.
    Jude had steered clear of Emergence. He couldn’t