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That proved impossible when she leaned sideways, her arm against his. She was cold. He didn’t lean away. He even considered putting an arm around her, but that would be inappropriate. Instead he held still, letting her absorb his body heat.
“Rose, my job is to save you. That’s what the Grand Master hired me to do.”
“I thought you were bringing me back to Boston?”
“That’s part of it, but the very last thing she said was that I should save you.”
Rose shook her head. “This situation is so fucked up and messy.” Her head hung. He decided this wasn’t the right time to mention her language.
“I’d like to hear the story,” he said simply.
“What story?”
“Your story. You know Wes. You thought he was dead. You were raised by these purists, but clearly don’t believe what they do if you had to be coerced into helping them. There’s a story there, and I’d like to hear it.”
“All of it?” Her voice was little more than a whisper.
“Yes.”
“I’ve never…” She puffed out her cheeks, then exhaled. “There were nights when it was all too much and I’d tell parts of my story. Always to strangers.”
“I’m a stranger.”
“True.”
He waited. She said nothing. Did nothing—but there was a fine tremble running through her.
“You’re cold; may I put my arm around you?”
Her eyes slid closed and a tear slid down her cheek. “Yes.”
He put his arms around her, trying to give her as much of his body heat as he could.
“You ask me before you touch me,” she whispered.
“Of course.”
“Maybe that’s the best place to start.” She swiped at a second tear. “You see, people don’t ask me before they touch me. That’s who I am.”
“I don’t understand.”
She shifted a little, settling herself more firmly on the step. “I mostly grew up in a boarding school. When I was young I’d spend my breaks with my grandmother. After she died, every so often I’d get to spend time with my mother, but she traveled a lot, so most holidays and summers I spent with the Andersons.”
“The rest of your mother’s trinity?” he guessed.
“No. They were family friends, but members too—Barton, Elroy, and Victoria. They had three kids. Their house was my house. When my mother disappeared on one of her trips, they took me in.”
“Where was the rest of your mother’s trinity?”
“The Hancocks? They wanted nothing to do with me. They’re well connected and both fair. With my coloring, I couldn’t pass for their kid, so I never spent time with them. I’ve only spoken to them a handful of times. But they were friends with the Andersons.”
“A hard way to grow up.”
“Just wait, it gets worse.” She took a deep breath, let it out. “Do you know anything about BDSM?”
This had taken a rather stranger turn, but he answered her question. “Bondage, Domination, Sadism, and Masochism, but I’m afraid that’s all I know.”
“This is about the domination—about masters and submissives.”
