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

think of a thing to say to Jason or Carlton. The arrangement he had proposed to Lori was between them. If Lori had taken it to Jason, that was her choice. But Jude couldn’t imagine facing the man again until he had his ducks in a row.
    Jason had every right to be pissed. He thought of Lori as a daughter. He’d been her everything for many years. Her mother had never been a strong role model, and she’d moved to the West Coast years ago.
    Even though Jude and Jason had been close friends, there was no excuse for the way Jude had behaved. At least none he could offer up. The only way to win his way back into Lori’s life was to prove himself worthy. He’d considered leaving her alone hundreds of times over the last month, but he’d never been able to picture an existence without her.
    They’d had the kind of a relationship that was once in a lifetime. She’d been so young and inexperienced when he’d met her, but she’d had every aspect he could ever want in a woman. They’d been inseparable for two years. Everyone assumed they were lifers. Hell, Jude had too.
    And then the unthinkable had happened.
    He shook the thoughts from his head. No sense dwelling on the things he couldn’t change.
    Returning to Lori had never been on his radar. Until recently. Visions of her had kept him alive in his absence. He had photographs too. It had taken every ounce of willpower to keep from contacting her.
    But he’d stayed strong. Not wanting to do more damage than he’d already done. And then, a few weeks before his return, he’d realized he might be able to go back. Hope had lifted his spirits. Thoughts of Lori living her life had tormented him, but all he could do was pray.
    And things were looking up. She was pissed. There was no way around that. But she wanted him. That was clear. She didn’t want to want him, but her body overrode her mind. Hopefully her heart would trump also.
    Jude was concerned about her feelings for Margaret. He could see the attraction easily enough, but was Lori in love with Margaret?
    Lori was the perfect submissive in every way, but she wasn’t weak. There was no fucking with her. She didn’t cower.
    What made her a perfect fit for Jude was they agreed on the same fundamental principles of D/s. She didn’t have to cower to Jude because he knew her limits better than anyone. He’d never ask anything of her she couldn’t accept.
    Sure, he’d pushed her boundaries on many occasions, but always openly and consensually. If he’d intended something new, he told her up front. And let her know what he expected. She’d never had to use her safe word under his care. That was the sign of a good Dom. He prided himself on knowing his sub well enough that she never had to safe out.
    But was Lori the same? She could have changed. He didn’t believe people changed their fundamental personalities, but she was older. She could have evolved. Grown. Hell, she was a Domme. Why?
    Lori was an authentic submissive. It came naturally to her. The tone of his voice alone brought her to her knees.
    Jude moaned. He stood in the home office, staring out the window. Something moved in the background, catching his eye. He steadied his gaze on the trees behind the fence and narrowed his eyes to the location of the movement. He was trained to notice things. It was second nature.
    Finally he shook his head and lifted his eyebrows. “Lord, Jude. Get a grip. Probably an animal. You’re in the United States for Christ’s sake. Not the Middle East.” His words hung heavy in the air, making him shudder to hear his own voice. Now he was talking to himself.
    He ran a hand across the top of his short hair. He did that a lot. Nerves. Stress. Lack of sleep. And now he was seeing things in the backyard that weren’t real. He really needed a nap. At the very least he could close his eyes and lie on the couch. During the day he could usually catch a few winks while it was light out.
    Turning to leave the office, he glanced back