that part of our relationship yet. Hoping it would grow into that, I only smiled.
The men at the table said their hello’s and rose to their feet. I was surrounded by them. Suddenly I felt small. Memories from my past tried to force their way into my mind but I refused to let them take over.
You’re safe, Marketa. You’re safe.
I chanted those words over and over to myself, smiling sweetly as Matteo introduced me. Masking the anxiety I felt, I responded appropriately but I could feel Matteo watching me. He knew. Of course he did. He was a Sadist. Of all the Dominant men I had heard about, I found that Sadists knew their subs the most. Maybe because it had to do with pain, they had to dive deeper into the mind of a masochist for fear of ripping them apart.
“How’s life been treating you, Matteo?” the one man asked, taking a sip of his wine.
Matteo shifted beside me, holding my hand in his lap. “Busy.”
The man nodded once. “I get that.” He smiled, his eyes warming. “So tell me, Marketa. With that beautiful accent of yours, where are you from?”
I looked up at Matteo.
He nodded once.
“I was born in Czech Republic,” I said, meeting the man’s gaze.
“Ah. Yes.” His smile grew, easing my racing nerves. “I thought there was a European accent there. How do you like America?”
“It’s nice.” Not like I had a choice. It was my home. Had been for years. It was safe. But it was even better now that I had met Matteo.
The man I had come to know as Dr. Shrouter, leaned his head back and laughed. It was full bellied like he was pulling it from his soul. “That’s one way of describing it,” he said, winking.
I only smiled, my cheeks heating. Dr. Shrouter was nice, a breath of fresh air but I found myself antsy and wanting to go home. The hairs on the back of my neck tingled, the little voice inside of my head telling me to run.
“Mae, are you alright?” Matteo asked, his voice low so only I could hear.
With a shaky hand, I pushed a hair behind my ear and nodded. Bravery was not my strong suit and neither was lying.
A shadow passed over Matteo’s face, no doubt thinking of ways to punish me later. Which was fine. I wouldn’t ruin his dinner just because I was getting this “feeling”.
“How’s the wife, Dan?” Matteo asked, pouring me a glass of water.
“She’s good.” Dr. Shrouter puffed out his chest. “She has to be since she’s married to me.”
Matteo chuckled, shaking his head.
“Tell me, Matteo,” the man sitting across from me, Andre Post, said. “You’re a prestigious psychologist but yet you’re living in that run-down loft? Why is that?”
My head whipped around, catching the hard look in Matteo’s gaze.
“Not this shit again,” Dan grumbled, motioning for the waiter.
“What I do and where I live, Andre, is none of your damn business.” Matteo’s jaw clenched, his full lips pressing into a thin line.
“It’s okay. I understand. It’s hard to buy a house when you have to bail your father out of jail all of the time.” Andre smirked, bringing his coffee cup up to his mouth.
“Fuck you,” Matteo ground out through gritted teeth.
“That’s it,” Dan snapped. “You’re a doctor. You’re supposed to be professional. Fucking act like it.”
“I’m only saying the guy is amazing at what he does. He shouldn’t be paying for his father—”
“Matteo,” I said gently. “Walk me to the bathroom?”
He nodded once, pushing abruptly to his feet. “Excuse us.” He grabbed my hand, pulling me beside him and walked us to the back of the restaurant.
“Matteo,” I said, trying to keep up with his fast pace. “Talk to me.”
He stopped in his tracks, staring down at me. “Are you judging me?”
“No,” I pressed a hand to my throat. “Why would I?”
“Because I help my father. Because he’s a corrupt business man and I help him stay out of trouble. Because I have no problem lying for him.”
“I…” Wrapping my arms around his waist, I squeezed him. “No. I don’t judge you.”
His big body relaxed under my touch, his hand moving to the small of my back. “You don’t?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. If only he knew who my father actually was and what he had done. “We need to talk.”
“No.” He tilted my head back. “I know we need to talk. But right now, we need to go back to the table and I need to