Make Me Stay (8 page)

Chapter 10

Gracie lowered her head and waited for Martin to speak. Her heart pounded against her chest just from his close proximity.

“Do you know how beautiful your submission is?” Martin slowly walked around her. She didn’t have to see what he was doing. She felt his presence and visualized him taking in her body. He gently stroked his fingers over her neck, causing a chill to course through her entire body. “As much as it pains me, you no longer wear my collar, so you shouldn’t be on your knees.”

She looked up at him and smiled.

“Please.” He extended his hand for her. Once she was on her feet he pulled her against his strong, muscular chest, wrapping his arms around her. He placed a soft, comforting kiss on the top of her head.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered as she hugged him hard against her.

“I’ve missed you too, love.” He released her and looked her over. “You’re thinner, and you’ve been crying.”

“I’m fine,” she assured him. Martin was always so concerned for her well-being.

“Hmm.” He shook his head and stared intently at her with his stunning green eyes. “I don’t think that’s true, and you know I don’t like when you lie to me.”

“What are you doing here?” She took his hand and led him to the living room.

“The last time we spoke, I didn’t like the way you sounded.” He sat down on the sofa and patted for her to sit next to him. She stared at the sofa and then at the floor by his feet. “Whatever makes you comfortable.”

“Thank you, Sir.” She dropped to her knees by his feet and he tangled his fingers in her hair just like he would when she was his submissive. His touch was always so soothing to her.

“I need you to speak freely,” he said as he stroked her hair.

“You came all the way here because you didn’t like the way I sounded on the phone?”

“I had business to tend to not far from here, so I decided to check on you,” he said. “How are things going?”

“Okay.”

“Don’t lie to me. I already warned you once. I wouldn’t have any aversion to taking you over my knee.”

She laughed but she knew he would spank her if she tried his patience.

“Is Cade not the man you thought he was, after all?”

“He is and so much more. He just doesn’t understand who I am.”

“You need to make him comprehend.”

“He thinks I’m confused. That it’s his fault I’m submissive.”

“Absurd.” She felt Martin’s fingers tense in her hair. “Your submission is a gift, and if he can’t understand that, maybe it’s time for you to come back to me.” He slid his hand out of her hair and rested it against her cheek. She relaxed into his touch.

“He likes my submissive side, but he wonders if I can handle it.”

“Does he know the things I’ve done with you in the past two years? What I’ve had you endure for him?”

She nodded. “He knows I’ve submitted to you and you’re pretty hardcore. I let him read our contract.”

“Then what’s his problem? If he wants to dominate you and you’re willing, I don’t get it.”

“He doesn’t practice this lifestyle. He likes to be rough and take control. He thinks because he was my first and I was young when we were together he influenced my sexual behavior.”

“But you know that couldn’t be further from the truth. You’re a natural submissive. A perfect submissive, and if your Cade doesn’t figure it out soon, you’re coming back home with me.”

A small part of Gracie felt protected in the knowledge that her Master would take her back without a question. He made her secure enough to pursue her submissive side. He’d encouraged her to come back and make things work with Cade.

“You would take me back, wouldn’t you?”

“Always, my love. I won’t collar another. You were an exception for me.” He ran the back of his fingers against her face.

“I was your special project.” She knew how much he’d given up to take on a full-time submissive. It wasn’t something he’d ever planned on doing again. “You saved me.”

“You helped me in many ways too.”

“I miss being in your house.”

“It is rather quiet without you. Have you eaten?” Martin stood from the sofa. “Let me take you to lunch.”

“I could make you lunch. I think I’d be more comfortable talking here.”

“Very well.” He cupped her chin in his hand as he stared down at her. “I want an omelet.”

“So demanding.” She giggled.

“I think that’s one of the things you like about me.”

“One of them.”

Just as she was about to get up, the front door flew open. Gracie’s head snapped in the direction of the entryway. She saw a flicker of hurt in Cade’s eyes just before they raged with anger. She was certain the image of her on her knees as Martin held her chin in place didn’t look very good.

“What the fuck, Gracie?”

“Cade, it’s not what you think.” She stood up and headed toward him.

“Stop!” Cade held up his hand. “Is this him?”

“Mr. Jameson.” Martin moved to stand in front of Gracie. Always her protector, she thought. “I’m Martin Abrams.”

Cade shook his head as he stared at Gracie, the betrayal evident in his expression. “One fight and you drop to your knees for another man?”

“No, I mean yes, but not why you think. Martin is my—” She stopped to rephrase. “He was my Master, and I still treat him with the respect he deserves.”

“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I’m not into it. You want to serve him, go right ahead.”

“Cade, let me explain.”

“Forget it. I was never going to be the Dom you needed anyway. I’d never be him.” He turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

“No!” Gracie chased after him, but Martin grabbed her arm. “I have to go after him and make him understand.”

“He’s angry,” Martin said. “I’ll go.”

“No.” Gracie swallowed hard because she’d never told Martin no before.

He arched a brow at her, and she quickly lowered her eyes. “I’ll make him see.”

She nodded and whispered, “Please.”

* * * *

Cade stormed down the steps and to his car. What the hell was she doing to him? What kind of games was she into? Bringing another man here and serving him. Cade had come to apologize for his behavior, but now he was just disgusted.

“Mr. Jameson.”

Cade turned to see Martin coming down the steps after him.

“Save it,” Cade said. “I don’t care.”

“I don’t believe that’s true or else you wouldn’t be this upset.” Martin stood directly in front of him. He was a tall, imposing individual. Cade could see why he was the bad-ass Dom. “I’d like to speak to you.”

“I’ve got nothing to say to you.” That wasn’t entirely true. Cade had a shitload to tell him but this was Gracie’s life. If she was into Martin’s kind of kink, then more power to her. She wasn’t his problem anymore.

“Then I’ll talk and you’ll listen.”

Cade rolled his eyes and smugly smiled. “In case you haven’t heard, I’m not submissive.”

“So I’m told,” Martin said.

“What do you want?”

“I’d do anything for that woman.” He pointed to the house. “She came back to this town with a whole lot of hope in her heart, against my better judgment.”

“I didn’t ask her to come back to me.” Cade was angry and hurt. But no matter how humiliated he felt over walking in on Gracie and this guy, he wasn’t sorry she’d come back to him. The past few weeks had been the best of his life. His stomach churned when he thought it might all be over.

“Maybe you should start seeing her for the gift she is. Do you know how I met her?”

“In a club in the city,” Cade said. “She told me some things, but not everything.”

“Some things are hers to keep.”

“I guess.” Cade shrugged. He wanted to know everything there was to know about Gracie. Good or bad.

“She was scared and alone when she came to my club. She was talking to a few of the Doms and I overheard her telling them she wanted to learn about the lifestyle. She had no idea the world she was stepping into. She was young, inexperienced, and beautiful. The more time she spent talking, the more men were drawn to her. They were like sharks circling, and I knew not all of them were as proper as they appeared.”

“So you snapped her up for yourself? How proper of you. What’s your age difference?” The more Cade learned about what Gracie had put herself through the angrier he became with himself.

“I’m twenty years older than she is, but age doesn’t matter. She’s mature beyond her years. She’s been through so much in her short twenty-four years.”

“And it didn’t occur to you to leave her alone?” Cade didn’t understand what this man’s motivation was.

“The same way you did? She’s just lucky she ended up with me. I would never hurt her. I can’t say the same for some other Doms I’ve encountered.”

“So you’re her savior?”

“I’m not the enemy. I sent her back to you when I thought she was ready and not a moment sooner.”

“What does that mean?”

“Didn’t it strike you as odd that your PI said she couldn’t be found? She didn’t change her name, she was enrolled in school, and the address listed on her driver’s license was my house. You didn’t do your homework.”

“Son of a bitch,” Cade said. “You knew I was looking for her?”

“Luckily for me, your PI travels in the same circles as I do. He approached me and told me someone was looking for my sub. He thought she might be in danger. It was my responsibility to keep her safe.”

“But you’re still a presence in her life. How can she move forward if you’re still involved?’ Cade didn’t care what Martin had done for her. He didn’t want Gracie to rely on anyone other than him for the rest of their lives.

“I don’t plan to be involved forever,” Martin said. “But I couldn’t send her here not knowing how you’d react to her. I couldn’t trust you wouldn’t turn her away or hurt her again. I may have given her the tools to get here, but she came back to you because it was what she’d always wanted. I knew that from the very first day I met her.”

“You probably know her better than I do.” Cade hated to admit that, but it was true. “I don’t know if I can be what she needs.”

“Have you asked her?”

“Asked her? She’s so damn busy trying to figure out what I want all the time she forgets about herself. She frigging asks me if she can come.”

Martin smiled.

“I know that’s your thing, but sometimes I just want to have sex and not be in command.”

“These are the things you need to discuss,” Martin said. “It’s clear you’re not looking for a twenty-four-seven arrangement, but from what she’s told me, you do like to dominate.”

“She’s so comfortable in her submission. What if I’m not Dom enough for her? What if I disappoint her?”

“If all she wanted was a Dom she could have stayed with me. She wants you. The rest you can work out, but you need to be honest. Is Gracie who you want to be with? Can you handle her submissive side without taking advantage of it? Can you learn to find a balance between dominating her and loving her?”

“I’ve always loved her,” Cade said. “She’s easy to love.”

“Yes, she is,” Martin admitted. “She’s a smart, strong, independent woman too. Don’t let her submissive side fool you.”

“You know her so well.”

“So do you.” Martin nodded toward the house. “You just have to get acquainted with the woman she’s become. Has Gracie told you I’ve offered to help?”

“Yeah, that’s part of the reason I walked out of here a few days ago. I couldn’t wrap my mind around that.”

“But you came back. Have you rethought her request?”

Gracie had already done so much for him. He never would have asked her to submit to Martin if he was given the opportunity. But she’d done it anyway, and she’d done it for Cade. He wanted to be as devoted to her as she was to him. He loved her with everything he had. He came back today because he wanted to find a way to make their relationship work.

“I don’t know. I want to make her happy. She deserves that from me, but having another man in the bedroom with us really isn’t my deal.”

“Yeah.” Martin laughed. “I don’t really have to be in the bedroom with you. Perhaps if you would have given her the opportunity to explain, you’d know that I would help you with the contract and the checklist. I’d help you set up limits and establish boundaries. I’d also make myself available for you.”

“For me?” Cade wasn’t sure why Martin would do this. “Why?”

“I already told you I’d do anything for her. You’re who she wants, but I can’t allow you to hurt her. You’re not a Dom, but I think you have potential. I could mentor you.”

“Is there a program for that?”

“You’d be surprised what you’ll find in the community. In my club, support for both Doms and subs is very important. I don’t take abuse lightly, and I take emotional stability very seriously.”

“Gracie was lucky she found you. I was wrong to demand she walk away from you. I have a lot to learn.”

“Why don’t you tell her that? She’s distraught and upset. I don’t like to see her that way.” Martin headed to his car. “You work things out with her, and I’ll be in touch with both of you.”

“I didn’t agree to your offer,” Cade said.

“For now, I’m the stronger Dom and if you want me to release her to you, you’ll need to prove to me you can handle her. Think about it, Mr. Jameson.”

Cade watched as he got into his car and pulled out of the driveway. He wasn’t sure what to make of Martin, but after meeting him he knew they both had Gracie’s best interest in common. Now he had to prove to the woman he loved he could handle anything she threw at him.

Chapter 11

Gracie watched from the window as the two men who meant everything to her talked to one another. No one had thrown any punches, so that was a good sign. She feared that the two domineering men who would do anything for her could clash in disastrous ways.

Cade waited outside as Martin pulled away and then he headed up the steps. Her heart rate increased as the door opened and he stared at her from the hall. He was intense and sexy, but she also saw the conflict that coursed through his body. She wondered if he’d ever come to terms with who he truly was.