“Would you care to explain why you left me a voicemail canceling dinner last night at the last minute and why I couldn’t reach you all night long?” Tara’s stepfather, Adam Sterling, asked in her ear, his voice unnervingly calm, at five thirty the next morning.
Tara sighed. When Logan had popped in the shower a few minutes ago, she’d taken her phone off vibrate, only to realize her stepfather had left her nine messages since seven last night, each one more concerned than the last. His question weighed on her mind, along with her broken engagement, the terrible turn in her case, and everything she’d done between the sheets last night.
Logan had awakened her twice more during the night to make love to her, once rolling her to her stomach, cupping her sensitive br**sts and pinching her stiff ni**les until her pu**y flowed wet for him. He’d pushed inside and rode her with a desperation that had her clawing the sheets and gasping his name. Then, just an hour ago, he’d slid into her again and awakened her with molasses strokes and a devastating smile.
“Tara?” Her stepfather’s voice rang with concern. “Where have you been? Are you all right, princess? Tell me what’s going on so I can help.”
She was going to have to tell Adam something about why she’d broken things off with Brad and moved out or else he’d keep badgering her. She stuck to the factual. “Brad and I called it quits yesterday. It’s better for both of us. I’m fine, just tired.”
“He called me to tell me that you’d ended the engagement. I want to hear your side of this.”
Oh, crap. What exactly had Brad told Adam? Her stepfather had loathed Logan when she’d merely been his tutor. After he’d broken her heart, protective Adam had hated him with a vengeance. She didn’t want to imagine his reaction if Brad had told him that Logan was back in her life. She had to hope that since Adam hadn’t mentioned it, neither had Brad.
As a grown woman, she should be able to tell the man who had raised her through her teenage years that she was working with Logan. But Tara didn’t want to rehash the ancient argument with Adam, especially if he thought that Logan had had a hand in ending her engagement. Besides, whatever Logan said, he’d likely be out of her life in less than a week. Telling her stepfather the truth served no purpose except to worry—and rile—him needlessly.
“Tara, please. You’ve been missing all night, and I’ve been frantic. What’s going on? Why did you suddenly break up with Brad? Are you all right?”
Maybe. No. Tara wasn’t really sure. “I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m sorry. I wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. Our breakup was sudden, but I’ll be fine.”
“Really? I’m concerned about you.”
Adam had always been concerned. True, he’d always been busy. Lately, more so. Adam simply wasn’t the sort of man to show much outward affection, but he’d always been there when she needed him.
“Everything will be all right.”
Her stepfather sighed. “Where are you? Do you have a place to stay until you can find a new one? You’re always welcome to move back home.”
“Thanks, but I’m good. I found a decent motel for a few days near my latest assignment. I’ll find a new apartment afterward.”
“If you’re sure. Tell me what happened with Brad.”
“It’s this case,” she finally said, choosing her words carefully. “The mission is to retrieve my friend Darcy. You remember her, right?”
“Of course. She’s spent a few Christmases with us. Sad that her parents died so horrifically.”
“Yes. She went undercover inside a sex ring based in Florida. I’d like to snuff the ring and nail the bastard who runs it. So I’m getting some training to go undercover myself to this ‘adult’ resort. You’ve always said missions are taxing, and that sometimes you have to give yourself over to them. Brad couldn’t handle it.”
“You’re taking a field position?” He didn’t sound pleased, but she could do this.
“This is more like an audition. I volunteered, and my boss agreed because I fit the right age and . . . characteristics. And he knows how badly I’d like to make a difference in this case beyond analyzing the papers shuffling across my desk.” She shrugged. “We’ll see how it turns out. It’s demanding; I’m managing.”
“What are you training for?”
This was where the explanation was going to get hairy. “To be a sexual submissive. Before you say anything, don’t worry. I can handle it.”
“What?! This is the big leagues.” The worry in her stepfather’s voice deepened. “Princess, I don’t want to see you get hurt. Drop the case, go back to Brad, and work out your issues, please. He loves you and he’s good for you. He’ll give you everything you need.”
No, Brad wouldn’t. Last night with Logan had proven that. Sex wasn’t everything, but the needs he was unlocking inside her weren’t just those of her body. The intimacy that she and Logan shared resulted from some deep, organic bond—a connection she’d never felt with her ex-fiancé.
And she’d discovered over the last two days a certain . . . pride that she was learning to submit. Tara knew she wasn’t perfect, but was doing pretty well at living up to Logan’s demands. Even more, she’d done it on pure grit. Somehow, obeying him made her feel stronger. As powerless as she’d felt as a child without a home, as a teenager with a broken heart, as an agent wondering if she was ready for field assignments, this made her feel damn capable.
“No, he won’t. He wants me to quit my job.”
Adam sighed. “Would that be so bad? Field work will consume your life. Take it from someone who’s been there.”
Of course Adam knew. The fact that he’d rarely come home during some of those years and often been absent mentally had caused Adam’s separation from her mother. He’d only changed after her mother had died suddenly in a single-car accident.
“I thought you’d be proud of me, following in your footsteps.” Tara was somewhat hurt that he wasn’t and pushed back. “Now that I don’t have anyone to come home to, the job taking over my life is a nonissue. Really, it’s for the best.”