His Human (The New Neighbors #2) - M.A. Innes Page 0,60

again. “We are a very attractive pair. Many people will be jealous of our appearance and your submission.”

People were going to notice my submission?

Where in hell’s name were we going?

“Everyone will be jealous of what a wonderful Master I have.” I ran my hands over his shirt and smiled up at his proud face. “I have a smart, funny Master who’s a wonderful provider.”

That had been our newest discussion. Some moron at his work had told him that if he was really the “man” in our relationship then he should be providing better for us. We’d gone around in circles on what that should mean for quite a while.

But I’d gotten revenge on the idiot when I’d encouraged Maverick to bring in copies of our checking account balances. Maverick thought I was just wanting to make sure the man understood I didn’t need financial provisions from him…and that was part of it, sure.

That’d shut up the moron.

I was also starting to make weekly trips to his work to drop off random things for him and then casually name-drop the companies he was doing consulting for. It was fun watching the sexist idiot squirm.

’Cause clearly I was some kind of damsel in distress Maverick needed to manly boss around.

Maverick was just pleased that I was proud of him and was taking time to come see his work, so we were both happy.

“We are both wonderful providers and take care of our mates in very different ways.” That had been part of his lecture to the idiot and now he seemed to like reminding me too.

“Yes, we are.” Kissing his cheek again, I stepped back and smiled as he took my hand.

“I will lead you down the stairs.” He looked down at my shoes and seemed to be calculating the odds of my falling headfirst down them. “Please be careful.”

At some point, he was going to quietly relocate every pair of shoes I owned down to the front foyer so I never had to use the stairs in them, but so far that hadn’t occurred to him. His first tactic had been to try to convince me that going barefoot was better for my health.

Yep, I’d shot that one down quick.

“I will.” We carefully made our way to the first floor and out to the yard without an incident, which seemed to please Maverick.

As he led me over to the car, he pulled a blindfold out of his pocket which was so startling I didn’t even have the words to question him. He took that as permission, or maybe just the curiosity that had to be radiating from me did that, and as he buckled me in, the cloth was tied around my eyes. “Our drive will not take long.”

That didn’t help me either.

“How long is not long?” I wasn’t expecting an answer, but I had to ask anyway.

“Less than two minutes depending on traffic.”

He’d actually answered.

Where in the hell could we drive to in less than two minutes?

Why weren’t we walking?

Were there any restaurants in a two-minute drive from the house?

“Okay, Master. I’ll be patient.” Hopefully.

I was getting lots of practice today, so at some point, I’d at least accidentally learn the skill.

Maverick just chuckled, clearly not believing the poorly attempted lie.

Driving silently, Maverick took us around several turns, and before long, he’d pulled over and stopped the car. Before I could ask what was going on, he draped a tentacle over my eyes. “You must not look yet, my little human. I have several things to arrange and this must be a surprise. You will not be out of my sight. Do not worry.”

Was it a surprise party, maybe?

Was it his birthday?

Wait, when was his birthday?

Was it my birthday?

No.

Were we supposed to have planned a one-month anniversary kind of event? He’d never seemed to be the type to do those kinds of things, but maybe someone at work had told him it was something he should do?

I was left guessing when he shut the door and there was mostly silence around us. I could occasionally hear cars going by and a few times I thought I could hear people, but it sounded far away, so I wasn’t sure who it might be.

After a few minutes of Maverick seeming to riffle through the trunk and talking quietly to someone, he came around to the passenger side of the vehicle and opened the door. He kissed me as he unbuckled me and shifted me around in the seat.

“There is a small step