“Tell her you’re sorry,” Joseph said.
Grant’s expression was heartbreaking as he whispered it. “I’m so sorry.”
“No,” I said.
But it was ignored. “Now tell her you know what you did was wrong, and you will never, ever do anything like that again.”
Before Grant could repeat it, I snarled it out. “No.”
“Put your fingers in her mouth,” Joseph commanded.
Grant reached up and pushed his first two fingers past my lips, all the way to the top knuckle, stopping my tongue from moving. His expression pleaded with me to listen. “I promise you, I’ll never do anything like that again.”
“Tell her it doesn’t have to happen tonight, but you need her to forgive you. Not want, but need.”
My tremble was back and picked up steam. Shudders rolled down my legs.
Grant sounded desperate. Lost. “I need you to forgive me.”
“And ask her where your needs fit in the hierarchy.”
Fucking Joseph. Hot tears stung my eyes. The sub’s needs were first, but the dom’s needs were next, and Grant had put mine first at every step of the way. He’d helped with my audition. Learned a new piece of music. Given up his rugby game for me. Gone to the terrible dinner with my sister.
Not to mention, he’d followed every rule Silas and Regan had dished out. All for me.
He’d honored the hierarchy, and I had to do the same. Thankfully, his fingers retreated from my mouth, so I could answer.
“Speak,” Joseph said.
Only he wasn’t specific in who his order was for, and Grant seized the window of opportunity. It spilled from him like wine from an uncorked bottle. “If this is all we can be, I’ll take it. If you only want me around t
o play cello, or watch, or be your fourth with Silas and Regan, yes. I’ll do it.” He took in a deep breath. “If all you have left for me is scraps, I want them.” His voice was solid. Absolute. “Anything to be with you, Tara.”
I couldn’t stop the tears. I blinked, and they streamed hotly down my cheeks. “Why?”
“Because I love you.”
I was done. Obliterated by his admission, and then by his kiss. He hadn’t asked for permission, but I was glad. It would have slowed down the time it took before our lips met, and I needed the connection to him right that instant.
His mouth roved against mine, tasting like love.
“Speak,” Joseph ordered, and it was very apparent who he was talking to.
I broke the kiss and wiped my tears from my cheeks with a shaky hand. “I love you too.”
He pushed me down and onto my back, climbing on top of the table. “Forgive me.”
“Yes,” I whispered. And I said it again as he slid inside me. “Yes.”
Gone was Joseph’s hard voice. This one was gentle, as if the moment had moved him. “Take off her collar.”
Because I didn’t belong to Joseph. Nor Regan, or Silas.
I was Grant’s.
Every piece of me, even the ones I’d tried to hide. He wanted them all, and I would give them, because he was mine. He raced to get the collar undone, and when I was free, he dropped it over the side of the table. By the time it thudded to the ground, everyone else was moving toward the door.
They sensed we needed this time together alone. I wanted to thank them, but I got lost in Grant’s urgent kiss. It was full of so much passion, it nearly restarted my tears. Then, his hips moved, reminding me of all the places we were connected.