ReclaimedSurrender (18 page)

Her stomach churned as she realized that Michael knew. He’d
known for a long time.

The silence was palpable until Michael intoned, “She’s not
happy.”

“Are you sure?”

Alex was glad that Rene sounded strong. Sad, but strong.

“Yes.”

“And you think you have the ability to make her happy, do
you?”

“Yes. If she were mine I’d top her cleanly and forever
remind her of her place. She’d never be left like she was on the weekend. Alone
in a hotel hallway with a man who wants her to be nothing until he gives her
permission to be his everything. The fact that she was there with me shows me
what kind of Dom you are…or aren’t, as the case may be.”

Alexis blinked away the threatening tears.

“So, tell me. When she told you about our moment together is
that when you made her agree to the collar”

Rene refused to be baited. Instead he stuck to the
rudiments. “Let’s talk about your moment with her.”

She came away from the wall when she heard Rene’s tone. He’d
recovered, thank heavens, and if he didn’t kill Michael she was going to.

“I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but she thought so much of
your ‘moment’ together that she didn’t even mention it to me.”

“She was probably too frightened to.”

Alexis gasped.

“Frightened? No. Embarrassed. She, my friend, was
embarrassed for you putting yourself out there when you didn’t have a hope in
hell to succeed with her.”

Now might be a good time to get in there. Get them to the
dinner table and get Michael the hell fed and out of here because then she’d
have to deal with Rene.

Straightening her shoulders, she walked into the fray.
“Okay, guys. Dinner’s ready.”

The walk to the table was like a death march. Silent. She
knew the two of them wanted to kill each other and she wanted to kill herself
for putting Rene in this awkward position. But then she wanted to die when she
realized that Rene wouldn’t look at her. He kept his eyes averted. They began
to eat but no matter how much she tried to draw him into a conversation he was
quiet. Reserved. And Michael loved it.

She was dying inside.

“Rene?

“Yes?” he asked without looking at her. He always looked at
her.
Please look at me.

“How do you like your dinner?”

“It’s good, Alexis. Very nice.”

But the words, the compliment, the tone of his voice were
off. As if it were switched off. As if Michael had won and she’d lost the only
thing that ever mattered to her.

She looked at Michael. Trying to piece together her
careening thoughts to make sense of this mess. Taking a deep breath, she dove
right in. “So, Michael, I take it you’re into the lifestyle?” It was a stupid
and obvious question to ask him, given what she’d heard.

“Let’s just say I love every flavor of ice cream, Al. Every.
Single. One. Every one but vanilla.”

“How did you know this ab-about me?”

His eyes softened and his cheeks looked a little ruddy. Was
he embarrassed? “I— It was an accident. On our first business trip out of town.
That first night out to dinner. Your skirt rose up as you crossed your legs and
I saw his name on you. I’ve known it all this time and I’ve tried to be patient
and give him a chance to make things right between you. But six months ago?
That was the final straw.”

She swallowed and only got out, “Why would you think you and
me—”

“I’d take care of you. I swear. I’d do my best to make you
happy. Something you haven’t been for a very long time.”

She shook her head in silent denial. Why wasn’t Rene saying
anything? Why didn’t he look at her?

And Michael. Oh she was angry at him for sticking his nose
in where it didn’t belong. He and his misguided notions about her marriage. His
heart may have been in the right place because it was obvious he cared about
her, but he’d crossed a line here and he had to know it.

“Michael, I know you care for me…”

Her eyes widened and she shot a look at Rene. That’s why her
husband wasn’t lashing out. Michael obviously had her best interest at heart,
so Rene must have believed some of what he’d said tonight. About how Rene
wasn’t worthy of her submission. Wait, how could Rene think he was worthy, that
she believed he was worthy, if she was hiding the proof of his claim so
willfully? In front of the man who was challenging it?

Do or die. In or out.

Was she ready to do this?

“Alex,” Michael said.

She paid no attention to him. The adrenaline soared inside
her.

“Al.”

Her heart pumped to a loud roar in her ears as she came to
certain undisputable truths. Rene was who she wanted. Who she needed. He’d told
her a long time ago that he desired to be her Master. To care for her and love
her that deeply and she’d refused. She’d given him only half of herself and he
loved her enough to accept it without protest and now? Now having spent the
last few days living with him the way he always intended she knew it was right.
It was good. There’d been nothing but a perfect honesty between them and she’d
gone and ruined it and there was only one way in her mind to make this right.
To fix this and ultimately give Rene the love, devotion and respect he
deserved.

“Go home, Michael.”

“No. Alex?”

“Rene? Did you turn the thermostat up? It’s warm in here,”
she murmured. She looked at Michael as she began to slowly unwind her scarf.

Michael didn’t let go of her eyes. He put down his fork and
whispered, “Don’t do it, Al.”

Her hand stilled on the material while she plucked the
napkin off her lap and threw it onto her plate. Gaining a steadying breath and
feeling as if the weight of the world was going to be taken off her shoulders,
she dug her fingers into the scarf and snapped it off in one clean flick.
Without a word she let it flutter to the floor. Liberating. She took a deep
breath and shook out her hair behind her shoulders.

Michael glowered at her, but she didn’t care. She turned to
her husband.

“Rene?”

He wasn’t looking at her. He did, however, put down his fork
so she knew he was aware of what she was doing.

“Rene?”

He stared straight ahead and her heart cracked just a
little.

“Look at me. Please.” Michael was forgotten. Dinner was
forgotten. All that mattered was Rene. Only Rene.

“Al, you don’t have to do this.”

She didn’t take her eyes off her husband. Instead, she
pushed her chair back and got up. She kept her movements slow and precise as
she went to him and sank to her knees. “Please look at me.”

He didn’t. Her heart was breaking in two. “Please. I would
have told you about the kiss, but it meant nothing to me. Michael’s like a
brother to me. He was just confused because I was whining about the state of
things with you.”

Rene didn’t react and she started to panic.

“I-I didn’t want to make matters worse. I didn’t want to
fight about this too. I—” She bowed her head and whispered, “I belong to you,
Master. I love you.”

Silence.

She stayed in this position and figured that Michael was
staring at the spectacle she was making of herself but she didn’t care. Her
heart physically ached in her chest as if it had been cleaved in two. The only
thing she cared about. The only thing she wanted was Rene’s attention. For him
to look at her and when he still didn’t she began to lose hope. She moved to
wrap her arms around his leg, intent upon laying her head against his thigh,
but his quiet command stopped her.

“No. Hands behind your back, kitten. Good girl.” His gentle
and patient tone slid into her heart and filled her with joy. “I want you to go
to my room. Strip everything off. Everything but your panties. You know how I
like to take those down myself.

“I want you to climb up on our chair on bent knees and hug
the bolster tight. Press your cheek into the fabric and breathe nice and slow
for a few minutes and then I want you to close your eyes and wait for me like
that until I’m ready to deal with you. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” She hesitated for a moment, making sure that’s all he
would say. When she was confident that it was she stood and left the room
without looking back.

Rene waited for Alex to leave. He was reeling with the gift
she’d just given him. His heart swelled with love for her. But there would be
plenty of time later to praise her for courage. Right now he needed put his
massive relief aside and focus on the misguided fool seated at his table.

“A kiss? That’s all there was?”

“I think that’s enough, don’t you?”

It wasn’t but Rene wasn’t going to tell him that. Instead he
asked, “You care deeply for her I take it?”

“Yes.”

In this, Rene couldn’t blame him. His wife was a special
woman. A really special woman and Michael obviously got that.

“That answer just saved your sorry ass.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Now, put the pride aside. The truth is I did
what you couldn’t with her.”

“Fuck.” He threw down his fork and drilled holes in the
table with his black look.

Rene studied him and sighed. “I don’t blame you. I would
expect any guy worth a damn to want her from day one. In an odd,
love-your-enemy kind of way, I like you, kid. That’s why I’m going to help you
out.”

Michael’s frown deepened to a scowl. “Kid? Okay, I think we
better straighten this much out. I think I may be older than you.” Rene stared
until Michael dropped that subject and went on to another. “Ah, you said
something about helping me out?”

He was glad to see the guy could be reasonable. “Yes. It
goes like this. No more armchair philosophy about controlling men and the lives
they ruin. The subject will never again be spoken between you and my wife for
obvious reasons. I want you to keep your bastardized opinions to yourself. If
you have plans to embrace the lifestyle you may want to do some research on the
subject and I don’t mean internet look-up either.” Michael’s lips parted in
surprise and Rene continued. “Because women generally respond in a positive
manner when they put their trust into the hands of a man who knows what to do
with it. And believe me, you can’t learn that from the so-called experts
online.”

He continued to stare him down until the mortified guy
looked away. “Good. I’m guessing I don’t have to say this, but I will anyway.
If I ever discover that you embarrass, humiliate or degrade Alexis in any way
because of the intimate scene and details she shared with you about our
relationship, you will deal with me. On a very, very personal level. Do you
understand?”

Michael begrudgingly answered, “Yes.”

“Good. Listen.” When Michael eyed him again, he lowered his
voice and said, “I appreciate that you cared enough for Alexis to want to do
something about her situation, but the next time you want to be the knight
riding in for the damsel, make sure the damsel wants to be saved. Otherwise you
come off looking like a home wrecker.”

Michael sat back fast. “That wasn’t my intent. I never did
or said anything to advance my cause with Alexis this whole time. With the
exception of that…”

For a smart guy he sure was a dumbass to nearly bring up that
stolen kiss because Rene was trying his best to forget about it.

“Maybe it wasn’t what you
did
say that influenced
her, but all that you didn’t. Think about it.” Michael came forward, looking
ready to launch into a denial, so Rene held up his hand. “That’s all we’re
going to say on the subject. Got it?”

Michael closed his mouth and took a deep breath through his
nose.

Rene gave him a moment and then tackled the next order of
business. “You have talent, kid. You’ve been an asset to the company. I like that
about you. But you need to quit being an asshole. People don’t respond well to
an asshole unless they own it or it’s theirs.”

Michael looked away and Rene had to give him credit once
again. He was taking this verbal spanking rather well.

“Look, you got two gifts tonight so I want you be grateful
for them.”

“Gifts?”

“Yeah, the woman I love above all else has shared something
with you about herself that she hasn’t shared with anyone else. She must really
like and respect you. Even though I have no idea why.” He made a face. “No
offense. I trust her judgment. So, here’s the deal. I’m going to cut you some
slack instead of cutting you off at the knees. Got it?”

Michael lips pressed together and then relaxed as he hissed,
“Yes.”

“Good.” Rene was feeling magnanimous. He leaned back and
sighed. “Dinner was delicious, wasn’t it?”

Michael blinked and looked down at his near empty plate.
“Yeah. Yeah it sure was.”

“Do you like seafood?”

“Seafood?”

“Yeah, lobster and Ipswich clams.”

“I suppose.”

“Great. I need a capable guy to head up the new plant we’re
opening in New England. You in?” He leaned forward and gave Michael a direct
stare. “Say yes.”

Michael’s brows went up and then slid back down in place as
he nodded. “Yes.”

* * * * *

Alexis heard the echo of the front door close and waited.
Hearing the telltale tumble of the deadbolt, she let out a sigh of relief.
Although why she should feel this at peace was a mystery. Given that her
deepest secret walked away with someone else tonight. How did she feel about
that? She searched her heart and decided as long as she had Rene she felt
pretty darn good. Only problem at the moment? Her bottom was still sore from
her last punishment. Maybe he’d go easy on her now.

Rene never went easy.

The bedroom door opened and a chill went up her spine. Not
from the temperature. It was warm in the room.

“Who do you belong to?” her husband whispered. Coming in
close.

“You. Always you.”

“Good girl.”

He slipped his arm around her waist and peeled her off the
chair back. “Easy, let go, little one. There won’t be any punishment tonight.”