want to be lenient, little one, but one more outburst and you’ll not be sitting pretty for a few days.”
“Give her to me for five minutes,” Jasper muttered. “She’ll never use profanity again.”
Not helping, brother.
Bodie curled her lip at Jasper, then ducked her head, all the color leeching out of her skin when he answered with a wolfish smile, showing every pearly white in a display of dominance.
Rolling his eyes, Braun nudged her face back to look at him. Pale as glass, she avoided his eyes until he gently cleared his throat. “Why are you so scared, little one?”
“I’m not!”
“Yes, you are. The fear runs deep enough you can hide it but not control it. It’s governing you and as a result, you’re lashing your claws at me.” His fingertips trailed over her forehead, down her cheek. “I’m not the enemy here, Bodie,” he whispered. “The enemy is inside you.”
The tears spilled over her cheeks. “It is me.”
Jasper uncapped the water bottle, slipped it into Braun’s outstretched hand. His eyes didn’t leave Braun or Bodie, studying both of them with unnerving focus. Braun couldn’t read the expression in those icy blue eyes.
Instead he made his subbie drink as she cried silently, feeding liquid back into her almost as quickly as it leaked out. “One way or another, I’ll get the truth from you, darlin'. Would be easier on us both if you just tell me. You’re not alone anymore, you don’t have to handle it all by yourself. You’ve got me. And Jasper, Liam, Atticus...” An idea hit him. While it galled him to think she’d been hurt—emotionally, physically, sexually—she might be afraid to open up to him. “Would you talk to Connie if I organize it, little one? Just you and Connie?”
Bodie went very, very still. Tears and water dripped from her chin as she hiccupped sadly. Her eyes were so sad now, the bitch fading into nonexistence. After such a good scene, she should still be floating on air, but she just looked defeated and miserable. “Y-You’d do that?”
“I’m prepared to go to any lengths to keep you here with me, Bodie. If we don’t purge the shit festering inside you, we’ll end up having this battle every time we play, and then you’ll bolt. Neither of us want that. I’d rather you talk to me, but it’s more important that you talk to someone.” As his shoulders loosened, he kissed the tears off her cheeks. “Connie will listen, little one.”
She sniffled pitifully, sighed. Then she rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Braun. I don’t mean to hurt you.”
“You’re not. I’m hurting for you, Bodie.” Setting the half-empty bottle down on the table, Braun sent Jasper an apologetic smile. “I know it’s about time you were hunting your subbie down, J, but would you mind—”
“I’m on it. Your office?”
“Yeah, it’ll be quiet and private.”
“I’ll get it done. I’ll be busy for the rest of the evening; if you need me, send me a signal. I’ll finish up whatever I’m doing as fast as I can.”
“Appreciate it. Tell Connie the door’s open; we’ll be there shortly.”
Jasper evacuated the booth, taking his glass with him. Tapping two fingers on his forehead in silent salute, he marched off on his mission. The same starstruck subbie who’d made eyes at him before latched onto him, trotting along three feet behind.
Might have trouble there.
Dismissing it for now—Jasper was certainly big enough and mean enough to discourage an overly fascinated sub if he wished—Braun leaned back and relaxed, hoping it would help keep Bodie from thinking too much. His drink sat on the table but, with what was coming, he wasn’t keen on imbibing just yet. He’d need something later, he imagined.
“I...you want to do this now?”
At Bodie’s uncertain whisper, Braun nuzzled her hair. “I think it’s best, yes. I don’t like seeing you like this, little one. The sooner we get you talking to someone, the sooner we can ease this nightmare you’re living in.”
“But...she’s a Domme.”
“She is indeed, so she won’t take any evasive shit from you if your bitchy side comes back out to play.” Which he had no doubts it would. “She’s also a highly qualified, kink-friendly therapist. A few members see her on a regular basis, and they sing her praises, Bodie.”
She just huddled deeper into the blanket, pulling it in tightly around her. Another defense system activated. “Will she tell you what I say?”
“Absolutely not. Connie won’t repeat anything you say to her, not without your