Free The Principles Of Lust by Sasha White

to her in the basement. The submissive one was the one ultimately in control. The man wasn’t dominating her so much as she was gifting him with her submission.  
    Zach didn’t dominate her, or try to control her. He just accepted what trust she gave. And he would never take something she wasn’t willing to give.

    Zach tried not to stare when Teal strode into the gallery. She looked amazing. But something was missing. The magic that was her, the attitude that had both caught his attention and warned him away, was gone. Heaviness settled in the pit of his gut when their gazes met and hers skittered away quickly.
    Was she pissed off to see him there?
    “You have got your hands full, don’t you?” Dom laughed at him in a way that only a man who’s never been in love could.
    Zach met Teal’s brother’s gaze. It hadn’t take five seconds for Dominick to put two and two together when he’d walked in the gallery only to find Teal had left to shower.
    “So you’re the reason no one could get hold of my sister this morning, eh?” Had been the way Dominick had greeted him.
    He’d looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Yes. Do you have a problem with your sister having a private life?”
    At first he though the guy was going to swing at him, but he was pleasantly surprised when instead, Dom had grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.  
    They’d gotten started cleaning up, working side by side with Dom grilling him not so subtly about himself and his relationship with Teal. Zach had answered the questions about himself, but stonewalled him when it came to Teal and their relationship.
      But this time he just answered with the simple truth. “I’m in love with her.”
    He saw Dom’s eyes flick over his shoulder and he knew Teal was standing behind him. Before he could turn to her, she was at his side.  
    “Take this and get lost,” she said, holding out a steaming paper cup to her brother.
    Dominick took the cup and walked away without a word. Zach turned to Teal, bracing himself for her anger. She could yell at him all she wanted for being there, but he wasn’t leaving.
    Shoving her hands in the back pockets of her jeans was the only way Teal stopped herself from grabbing Zach and kissing him. Sure, he’d shown up, but for all she knew it was because he still had a podium to finish for her. The closed look on his face was one she’d never seen before, and she really didn’t like it.
    Unsure of exactly what to say, she started at the top. “Thank you.”
    His eyes widened and his mouth opened to speak, but she put a hand out to stop him. “Please, let me say what I need to say before I lose my nerve.”
    His jaw snapped shut and he nodded, a small light flickering in the depths of his eyes.
    “Thank you for letting me go this morning. For letting me come here alone, and for showing up now. It means a lot to see you here.” She took a deep breath, shaking her head at him when he opened his mouth again. “Also, I want to say I’m sorry. I was a bit of a bitch this morning, when all you were trying to do was help.”
    When she didn’t continue, he raised his eyebrows and she nodded.
    “A bit of a bitch?” His eyes sparkled and lips twitched.  
    “Yeah, well, I’m not much of a morning person.”
    He chuckled and pulled her to him in a hug. “I gathered that.”
    Teal relaxed into him. She couldn’t believe it had been that easy. That Zach wasn’t going to make her beg for his forgiveness. He felt so good, so solid and comforting. His cotton t-shirt was soft beneath her cheek. His clean, crisp scent filled her lungs and his heartbeat thumped steadily against her ear.
    Being in his arms felt so right and she finally accepted that, yes, being together could be that easy. That was the whole thing. Zach truly only wanted what she was willing to give.  
    She leaned back and looked up at him, stilling his arms. “I have more to say.”
    His arms tightened around her, but he nodded. “Okay, go