Doc paced back and forth along the living room.
“Will you sit down?” Archer asked him impatiently. He was fiddling with something on his phone. The wind was picking up outside. It sounded even worse than it had last night.
“I can’t sit down.” He wasn’t very good at sitting. He liked to keep moving. It kept his mind from thinking too much.
“She hasn’t had breakfast. Or lunch.” He’d knocked on her door at both mealtimes. Both times, she’d claimed she wasn’t hungry.
He’d wanted to march in there and drag her out to the dining table, sit her down and feed her himself. But Archer had warned against being too forceful.
Damn it. He was probably right. If she was his…different story. Her ass would already be red, and her belly would be full. She’d also be having a nap right now after her late night.
Not that he’d have allowed that either.
Shit. Was Archer, right? Was he being an ass? Had he been too overbearing with her earlier? He’d been worried when she’d gotten all teary.
Upsetting little subbies wasn’t his thing. He might be brisk and gruff, but he wasn’t mean.
At least, he didn’t think he was. At one time, he’d been easier going. He’d had more bend in him. More softness. He still tried to find a bit of softness for the Littles on the ranch, but he knew they all dreaded a visit from him.
He ran a hand over his face. Christ. When had he become such a grouch? He couldn’t even blame it entirely on Evelyn and her betrayal. It had started earlier than that. But now…now he wondered if he wasn’t becoming bitter.
Archer glanced over at the door to her office. “You said she’s a writer. Perhaps she’s just in the zone and has lost track of time.”
“She’s going to get sick. She barely slept last night.” He sat on the armchair, staring into the fire. “Is she hiding because I make her uncomfortable?” Why had he gone all Dom on her? There was just something about her that stirred him. “Should I apologize?”
Archer’s sharp eyes met his. “Do you know how to apologize? Aren’t you afraid you’ll go up in flames?”
“I’m serious here.”
Archer ran his hand over his face, looking tired. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make light of it. Should you apologize? You’re right, she’s been in there too long without food. Even if she is in the zone with her writing, it’s not healthy. Why don’t you see if you can coax her out?”
“Coax her out? With what? My charming personality?”
Archer shot him a look. “You’ve been a Daddy Dom for years, Issy. You know how to talk to an unsure sub.”
“Been a long time since I had a Little.”
“You’re interested in her, though.” Archer nodded to the door.
Interested in her? Was he?
Come on, would you really act this way towards a stranger if you didn’t find yourself intrigued by her? Attracted to her?
He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter if I am. I doubt I’m her type. I’m sure she’d prefer you. Maybe you should talk to her.”
Lord knew, Archer was better at dealing with people.
“Why would she prefer me?”
Doc sent him a look.
Archer ran his hand over his face. “Issy, is this about Evelyn? I never wanted—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Doc interrupted him, not wanting to get into that.
Archer sighed. “Issy, it’s clear to me she’s interested in you.”
Was she? Maybe. But then he thought he’d seen something in Archer’s gaze when he looked at her. “Do you like her?”