Page 9 of Winter’s Fire

“You needn’t worry on that score, Mr. Simmonds.”

He kept his voice soft and low. “Logan, for now. You can work up to calling me ‘Master’.” In spite of his good intentions, his inner devil couldn’t resist provoking her.

He’d never seen anyone’s eyes widen and then narrow the way Lucy’s did then. Her nostrils flared—he almost expected her to breathe fire.

“In your dreams, Mr. Simmonds.”

The emphasis on his name amused him for a moment, then he heard something in her voice beyond the words. He heard the spirit, and something long dead inside him flickered into life at the impossible thought of one day hearing her use the honorific of her own free will.

Her knuckles had turned white under the pressure of her clasped fingers. That meant one thing to Logan—she was nervous, and the mulish attitude was a cover. It was also dishonest, and that was unacceptable. The enormity of the task ahead of them made the next week look shorter than ever.

“Maybe so, but you will have to get used to addressing me with respect, and that starts with ‘Sir’. Sir Guy and I discussed a few things before you arrived, Lucy. I want you to think very carefully about what I’m about to say.

“The chances are, we’re going to investigate a complete non-incident. The chances are—as Sir Guy pointed out—Diana and her boyfriend have gone off island-hopping. The chances are, we’ll arrive at the resort, ask a few questions, and confirm there’s nothing worry about. And if that’s the case, fine, act like a brat, and there are zero consequences.

“But remember what you said a few minutes ago? What if Diana and her boyfriend really are in trouble and depending on us for their lives? If it’s the kind of trouble that results from human intervention, then we’ll need to convince those people we are who we say we are. You go in with the wrong attitude, and you could get all four of us killed.”

Her reaction wasn’t what he expected. Instead of appearing chastened, she was looking at him almost as if she were… assessing him. “At least you don’t look as if you’re going to throw up today.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yesterday, in the briefing, you went grey when Sir Guy mentioned her name. I thought I’d have to get you a sick bag. Do you know her?”

He thought he’d covered his reaction well, but it appeared Lucy was more observant than most people of his acquaintance. “It was nothing. A little more focus, please?”

“I am focused. You were talking about a bratty attitude getting people killed and my calling you ‘Sir’.”

Her expression went through a series of subtle changes as she connected all the dots. The moment she reached the inevitable conclusion was crystal-clear. Her spine straightened, her shoulders went back, and her gaze connected with his. “You said research won’t work.” For a moment, apprehension ghosted over her face. “What’s the alternative?”

He couldn’t help himself. When Logan had offered her his hand in Sir Guy’s office, he hadn’t expected her to take it. When she had, it had been with a gentleness that had left him disorientated for a moment. Though he’d been reluctant to let her go, he’d had no excuse not to. Now he had one. He took her hand again.

“You’re a smart woman, Lucy. I think you know.”

Her gaze lowered to their joined hands. She had to be way out of her comfort zone, but to her credit, she wasn’t backing away. “Hands-on. That’s it, isn’t it?”

“That’s one way of putting it.”

“How else would you put it?”

“Total immersion, which isn’t as scary as it sounds. You already know it’s the Dom’s job to take care of his sub. I won’t let anything hurt you. Your safety will be my priority, no matter what. I’ll protect you.”

“I think you have more than just a passing interest in this subject. Why is that?”

Something about the way she asked the question told Logan she believed she already knew the answer. Something else told him she didn’t want to be right. Even if he had a problem facing his own demons, he owed it to Lucy not to allow hers to win as well. “Figure it out. Don’t be afraid.”

They couldn’t afford her fear—they needed her confidence. Without it, the mission could fail at any point, including before it even started.

“This… You really do this, don’t you?” Dismay creased her brow. “You’re a Dom.”

Logan gave a shrug. “It’s only a label. In practical terms, all it means is I like to be in control.”

“How much control?”

“In the bedroom—”

“Hold it right there!” Lucy shot out of her seat and put the chair between them, as if it were a shield. “I didn’t say anything about—”

“Stand easy, princess. Domination and submission doesn’t have to include sex. In this situation, it’d make sense to exclude it. Just bear in mind, though, we’ll have to act as if we have a sexual relationship and can’t keep our hands off each other.”