He didn’t have plans for Friday. Abby would be at her parents’ party—the one she didn’t want him to attend. Dark Haven could survive without him. He had no reason not to obtain a new funding source for Mrs. Abernathy.

But he preferred Janae not make any false assumptions. This would not be a date. “If you give me the address, I’ll swing by. For an hour.”

Her smile was brilliant. “Perfect. In fact, I’ll meet you outside the house so you don’t have to search for me.” She hastily scribbled down the address.

He turned the paper over in his hand. She’d gone to some work for this. “Thank you, Janae. This is thoughtful of you.”

“Not a problem.” She kissed him on the cheek, her breasts pressing into his arm, and then strolled away, hips rolling.

As Xavier dismissed her from his mind, he wondered if he could slip out early. Abby should be out from under her test papers by now, and he had a craving to hold her soft little body on his lap.

* * *

Taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air, Abby stretched her sore neck and shoulder muscles. She shouldn’t be out here. She had exams and projects to check, grades to hand in, and her own essay to finish. But eating breakfast on the patio had been a temptation she couldn’t resist…especially since Xavier had surprised her with eggs Benedict.

Normally they’d cook together—unless they were competing—but he’d known she was falling behind.

She checked her watch. “You’re going to be late to work.”

“There’s a benefit to being the boss. Mrs. Benton will handle any problems until I get in.” He glanced at the clouds in the west. “I wanted to grab some sunshine before it disappears.”

The wind had started to pick up, whipping Abby’s long batik caftan against her body.

He eyed her. “You wearing anything under that?”

Uh-oh. “Behave yourself. Some of us have to work.”

He sipped his coffee, his gaze lingering on where the soft fabric outlined her breasts.

“Men really do think about sex all the time.” She frowned. “In a D/s relationship, what happens if you want sex and I don’t?”

“I win, pet.” A crease appeared in his cheek. “But if I don’t make you crave to be fucked, then I’m a poor excuse for a Dom.”

Guess that makes him an awesome Dom. She flushed, remembering how quickly he could get her to that craving state. “Then for other stuff—who chooses what chores to do, where to go, the decorating…? There are other things besides sex, you know.”

His smile disappeared. “I hope you’re not teaching your students such a foul lie.”

She choked on her tea. “Wouldn’t that be an interesting topic? It all comes down to sex.” She’d definitely have the attention of every student in her class. “But seriously…”

“You’ve been here awhile. Is what we’re doing not working for you?”

“I keep waiting for you to order me to kneel or say I have to do all the cooking and cleaning.”

In the bright light of morning, she could see the laughter in his black eyes. He was dressed for the office in a long-sleeved, cream-colored shirt, but the top buttons were open, giving tantalizing glimpses of his tanned, muscular chest.

She yanked her gaze away. Maybe he was right, and it really was all about sex.

“If you were a slave, then those orders would be reasonable—and expected. However, a Dominant and his submissive usually work out between them how far his dominance extends.” His eyes glinted. “There might be times I will have you kneel…simply because I like the way you look at my feet. And how your expression and body change when you do.”

Her bones turned soft as she saw the stern set of his jaw and the utter confidence in his posture. “What if I don’t want to?” she managed.

“But you do, Abby.” He closed his fingers around her hand, firmly enough that she knew she couldn’t pull away. He trapped her gaze as well as he said softly, “And if it was inconvenient or uncomfortable, you’d still obey, because it would please me.”

She would. The knowledge was frightening and heady at the same time.

“But later, if something truly bothered you, then you’d tell me. And we would adjust the boundaries.”

“That sounds workable.” But awfully vague. She frowned. “What are the boundaries now?”

“I don’t interfere in your work, relatives, friends, what you wear outside the house, or what you do when you’re not with me. Your finances and possessions are your own.”

Well, that left her a lot of leeway.

“Inside the house or the club…or if we’re somewhere together, I assume command since we haven’t set any boundaries. So just because I don’t care to choose your clothing or ask for service now doesn’t mean that will continue.” His smile grew. “In fact, I considered telling you to take off your caftan so I could enjoy the sight of you in the sunlight.”

She felt heat filling her cheeks with color.

“But I won’t because you have work, and the minute you stripped, I’d have you bent over the table.”

Her entire lower half tingled, danced, and screamed, Yes, yes, yes. She pulled in a breath and kicked her brain into gear. He’d settled her fears on how far his control would extend and created a whole new set of worries. But she was more curious than afraid. “Okay. But what if I just absolutely can’t…?”

“Can’t do something I order?” His gaze softened, and he squeezed her hand. “You have your safe word, pet. It works as well in the home—or anywhere—as it does in the club.”

She hated when he understood her worries so well. Even if it did make her feel all squishy inside.

On the other hand, maybe she needed to test some of those boundaries.

When he set his cup down and reached for the platter in the middle, she snatched the last piece of Canadian bacon off the plate before he could…and was rewarded with a dark frown. “So sorry, lord and master, but you snooze, you lose.”

XAVIER TAPPED HIS fingers on the table. She would definitely pay for her theft. “That, my little fluff, is called bratty behavior.”

Her chewing stopped for all of one second before the smirk reappeared. Yes, she was starting to be able to read him, now that her fear of his anger had decreased. “Do I get a funishment, then?”

“This is a serious crime.” He stretched his legs out, enjoying the warmth of the sun. “I’ll think of something nasty. Perhaps painful as well. Tonight, I believe. Or maybe at the club tomorrow.”

Ah, her gaze held a tiny hint of anxiety. Perfect.

Then he frowned. “Didn’t you mention being gone this weekend?” Would she invite him?

She blinked. “Oh, right. Yes, I have a party to attend on Friday night. It’s at my parents’ house for their anniversary.” She went no further. Extended no invitation.

He didn’t like the uncomfortable feeling that invaded his chest. Apparently, even after she’d had time to think, she didn’t want him to meet the rest of her family. Or her friends. His hand tightened on the cup. Then he set it down slowly enough that it made no sound.

“How about you? Are you going to the club?” Abby asked.

He’d hoped to be with her, but come to think of it, he had an appointment to meet Janae Edgerton’s father. Mrs. Abernathy would definitely owe him a favor.

“I’ll—” He stopped. Abby had mentioned his gorgeous and glamorous women. Telling her that he was joining one at a party would make her more insecure. “I’ll probably stop by Dark Haven.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

The day had turned gloomy in the way only San Francisco could. A rare summer storm had blown in from the ocean. Rain ran in long streams down the windshield, resembling the tears Abby refused to shed. Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap. I didn’t want to let them go. Her heart ached, and each beat made the hurt worse. I wasn’t ready.

The phone call from the rescue organization had taken her by surprise.

Xavier took one hand from the steering wheel to stroke her arm. “The woman said they’d get good homes. They’re careful about who gets to adopt, and the pups will be safer than if they returned to the shelter.”

“I know. At least Grace took Blondie.” She blinked hard. “Thank you for coming with me.” It was good that he had, actually. Her mind wouldn’t have been on driving. “I didn’t realize turning them in would be this hard.” It never had hurt so much before.

He rubbed his knuckles over her cheek. “I daresay you probably smothered the pain before. You’re quite good at hiding your emotions from yourself.” The corner of his mouth tipped up slightly. “Or you were.”

“I think I’d rather they stay smothered,” she whispered as he drove into the garage.

She didn’t wait for him to open her door but hurried up the ramp into the house. All she wanted was a place to hide away so she could cry.

Unyielding hands closed on her shoulders and turned her around. He pulled her into his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder. “Let go, Abby. Don’t be ashamed of crying.”

“B-but it hurts.” Blackie had watched her leave, confusion in his dark eyes. I want him back. She tried to push away and got nowhere, and as if the struggle had destroyed the last of her walls, the sobs tore through her, hurting her chest, shattering the peace of the quiet house. The icy ball around her heart started to melt.

He held her close, a mountain against the storm of her tears. Solid. Immovable. His warmth seeped into her; his breathing never faltered.

When she’d finished and only shuddering breaths remained, he kissed the top of her head. “You’re shivering. Come.” He took her hand and pulled her out to the right side of the patio, past the swimming pool. As he uncovered the stone-encircled hot tub, steam rose from the surface.