I stare at the paper for a moment before I realize my mouth is hanging open. I shut it quickly. Glancing at Yvette, I’m glad to see she’s still sitting with her eyes cast downward. I’m fairly certain I didn’t hide my initial reaction to the words on the page, but I hope she didn’t see it.
Jesus Christ, what is Holly thinking?
I have to dismiss this woman. I have to call a cab and send her on her way as quickly as possible. She’s been damaged. Not just damaged, but damaged by a man like me in the same way I had damaged Lily. There is no way we can be suited for one another.
“Excuse me,” I say as I stand and move into the adjoining room. I take my phone out of my pocket and quickly select Holly’s number.
“Holly, what the fuck is wrong with you?” I try to keep my voice low, but my tone is harsh. “How can you possibly think I’m suited for this woman?”
“You are perfectly suited for her,” Holly replies with calm certainty.
“I put someone through exactly what she’s experienced!” Again, I have to force myself to remain quiet enough that Yvette can’t hear me through the walls.
“You did not.” She’s still calm, and it pisses me off.
“How can you say that? You were there when Lily was in the hospital!”
“Your situation is the exact opposite of what Yvette’s been through,” Holly said insistently. “Lily didn’t safeword when she should have. She was so focused on pleasing you that she forgot about her own safety. Yvette used her safeword, and she was ignored. Are you telling me you think you would ignore a sub who used her safeword with you?”
“Fuck no!” I snap.
“Exactly.”
I let the single word sink in for a moment. Could Holly be right? Is Yvette exactly what I need? More importantly, can I be what she needs?
I close my eyes for a moment and breathe deeply. Perhaps Holly is right. Could this be my chance? My hope of redemption? If I can heal this sub, can her healing lead to my own?
“I’ll take her,” I said quietly. “Trial only.”
“I thought you might.” She hangs up without another word, and I walk back into the office where Yvette still sits in the chair by my desk. As far as I can tell, she hasn’t moved an inch.
Through the strands of hair slightly covering her face, I can see the way she presses her lips together in a thin, pale line. She blinks rapidly in the same way people do when they’re trying to hold back tears.
She’s terrified.
Something inside of me clicks, and the primal instinct to protect her grows rapidly. I need to take her pain away. There is a deep-seated need in my gut to protect, to save...
…to own her.
I’m afraid no other Dom will be interested in me.
Cleansing Bonds: Chapter 2
“Yvette, there is something I need to know.”
“Yes, sir?”
I walk with purpose back to my desk chair and sit. I lean with my elbows against the top of the desk and peer at her.
“I want you to look me straight in the eye,” I start. She moves her eyes up to mine, but she hesitates. It is uncomfortable for her. “I wasn’t aware of your…your difficulties in the past until just now. I need to know, under no uncertain terms, that this is what you want. I want you to look me in the eye and tell me if you are still in this lifestyle willingly and why. Speak freely now.”
I temple my fingers and lean against them, my lips pressed against my forefingers with my thumbs under my chin, and I wait. For a moment, she looks away and seems to gather her thoughts, and I allow her the time. I need an honest answer. Finally, she tilts her head and looks me square in the eyes.
“Mr. Bauerman,” she begins, “when I was thirteen, my mother left my father. I have not seen her since. I have four younger siblings—two brothers and two sisters. While everyone else was talking about dances and dates and football games, I was raising my brothers and sis
ters. I took care of the house, the finances, and changed the oil in the truck. I cooked and cleaned up after them. I made sure they did their homework, and I was there for them at all times until I was twenty-one years old.”
“My father has passed away, and my brothers and sisters have all grown up now. I spent my childhood being responsible for those around me, and now I just want someone who will take care of me. Someone who will take the burden of decisions away from me.”