No.
“But you’ve thought about it? Thought you might be submissive?”
Her heart raced, skipped. Standing, she held out her hand to him. He raised his eyebrows.
I have something to show you.
He stood and slipped his hand into hers.
She could do this.
Or maybe she couldn’t. Because she couldn’t even make it out of the room, let alone up to the third floor. Her fingers started tingling and the urge to hide rushed through her.
“Hey, Duchess. Whoa, okay, breathe with me. You’re safe. You’re fine.”
Suddenly she found herself pulled against his chest, and instead of feeling panicked or suffocated, a feeling of safety stole over her. This was right. She sucked in a deep breath, and he held her until she calmed, not trying to push her for anything.
It was exactly what she needed.
“Whatever it is you think you need to show me, you don’t. Not yet, anyway. We go at your pace.”
She stiffened at that.
He ran his hand up and down her back. “Or not?” He drew her back, studying her. “Shit, Duchess, I’ve no idea what you’re thinking.”
He grabbed her whiteboard and pen.
“Tell me what’s going on. Now.”
Yikes. He meant business.
“You don’t get a pass on this, Juliet,” he told her firmly.
She bit her lip in frustration.
Just because I have issues doesn’t mean I’m not capable of making my own decisions.
He reared back as though she’d slapped him. “I didn’t mean to imply you were stupid.”
No, you didn’t!
She was making a hash of this.
I can make my own decisions, but that doesn’t mean I always want to be in charge.
“Right,” he said slowly. “So, what you’re saying is . . .”
I might need to go slow. But I don’t want to always be in control.
He let out a sigh. “That, I can work with.”
I feel safe with you.
His whole body softened. “Good.”
I’m sorry I can’t tell you everything.
“You will. There’s something else we need to discuss if we’re moving forward.”