you and her in separate boxes, on separate paths, think about both of you, together. When you’re around one another, there’s a thread there. One that’s grown into a damn rope. We all see it, including you. When you came over here and I asked if you loved her, you gave me a pretty over the top answer, but I didn’t doubt you meant it as you said it.”
Rustling noises suggested Marcus had gotten to his feet. Once awake, Marcus had to be moving. Rory expected he’d just disrupted the guy’s sleep for most of the rest of the night. He’d have to make that up to him, damn it.
“You going to give me any specifics, or are we going to keep talking generalities?” Marcus asked. “What happened to get you to this place in your head?”
“I’m not going to disrespect her by talking to you about specifics.”
“Give me the high level.”
“She was responding to something the way I expected. And then suddenly she wasn’t. On the surface, with her background, it makes total sense, but I think there’s more to it. I think I’m missing something.”
“That’s what a good Dom does, Rory,” Marcus said. “He looks deeper than the obvious. If there’s anyone in the world who needs a Dom with that kind of radar, it’s Daralyn. To her psychiatrist, she’s a puzzle of behaviors, treatment options. Dr. Taylor is great for her, and Daralyn needs her approach. But she needs yours as well. Stick with your perspective. Set your worries aside. What do you want to do?”
He thought. “I want to dig. I want to figure out what’s really going on.”
“Then that’s what you do. If she had a rough day today, give her some breathing room. If you set the boat rocking, settle it down, put it back on an even keel, then go after the problem. Or, in terms you’ll understand, wait until the rains have passed to dig the hole, so the shovel doesn’t clog it up with mud.”
“Farm analogies. Next thing, you’ll be saying y’all and wearing overalls.”
“You just reminded me why I need to get my ass back above the Mason Dixon. Before I fucking forget how to be a New Yorker.”
“What’s sad is you say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Shithead. One last thing. Try not to get pissed off about her father and uncle around her. She can’t use the anger.”
“I know. But it’s tough.”
“Tell me about it. You and I prefer violence to handle asshole behavior. But your brother? He’s better than anyone I know at looking past the anger and hate and seeing the people behind it. Like your mom. I literally wanted to kill her a couple times. He saw her pain, her confusion, and that became more important to him than stepping on her to get to the relationship we wanted to have. It took time and pain to get there, but because we took the harder route, we are where we are right now, all of us in a better place. You could express all that rage you have on Daralyn’s behalf, but what does that do for her? How does that help her love you and you love her in a healthy way?”
Rory thought about it. “Didn’t you get all of this from years of experience with the Dom and sub stuff?”
“Some of it, and that’s why it’s important to mentor with an experienced Dom, the way you’re doing. But it’s more than that.” Marcus sighed. “Thomas and I might be Master and sub, but we learn from each other. If we’re doing it right, we grow in love with one another, like any other couple out there. Talk to her, Rory. Read everything she gives you, from the words that come out of her mouth, to every bit of body language. The things she doesn’t do or say, as much as those she does. You’re asking yourself the right questions, and reaching out when you need help. That’s all the way it should be.”
“Okay. Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Marcus grunted. “I do twenty hours of community service a month. Helping the handicapped and all that. Mentally handicapped, that is.”
“Pansy.”
“Cripdick.”
Rory clicked off. Much as he hated to admit it, his brother’s husband was becoming something he never would have expected.
A good friend.
Chapter Six
Rory glanced over as Daralyn put a cup of coffee at his elbow. Then she was gone, headed for the trio of women chatting at the handmade quilt display, even though they hadn’t signaled