Layover (Open Skies #1) - Becca Jameson Page 0,20
mean. I can’t deny you turn me on like no one I’ve ever met, but I’m not usually like this. I’m strong and independent. I don’t take shit from anyone. I don’t even ask for help. I’ve spent my entire life making up for how small I am and the fact that I’m female and Latina. Three strikes against me. But I was born feisty. I rarely ask for help. I figure things out for myself and stand as tall as I can.”
His smile was so warm. “I know that, baby girl. You’re not an anomaly. Many submissives are actually very strong in their regular lives. It’s not unusual at all. But it’s a lot of weight to carry around, always being in control of every damn thing, isn’t it?”
She shrugged.
“So it’s common for people to enjoy a break. Turn over all that power to someone else for a few hours. I realize that night we spent together was probably the first time you’d ever experienced that kind of release. Didn’t it feel amazing?”
“Yes,” she whispered, barely able to agree with him. This conversation was so deep, bordering on embarrassing. And like everything else, Libby didn’t embarrass easily. Or at least she didn’t show it or admit it. She met his gaze. “I don’t let people boss me around. It’s out of my comfort zone.”
He lifted a brow. “Except your mom. You let her choose who you date,” he pointed out.
She sighed. “Okay. There is that. But I’m really just humoring her. What harm is there in a bunch of blind dates? I’ve always figured eventually she might get it right. I don’t even have to put out any effort.”
He chuckled. “Has she gotten it right?”
“No. Never.”
“Are all the men she sets you up with as cocky as that Eddie guy from last night?”
“Usually, yes. And I have struggled a bit trying to figure out how you’re different. But you are. Your dominance makes me want to…”
“Obey?” he offered, his brows lifted.
She scrunched up her face. “I guess.”
He took her hand gently in one of his and rubbed the back of her knuckles with his thumb. “Because my kind of dominance is about bringing you pleasure. I get off on your arousal. It’s not all about me.”
She nodded. “That’s exactly it. That’s why I flirted with you. I was kind of desperate to find out what it felt like to have sex with someone more into me. Or maybe I’m just more into you because you’re different.”
“Are you seeing this Eddie guy again?”
She shook her head. “No. That was a disaster.” She shuddered as she remembered him dropping her off last night. He’d wanted to come inside, and she’d feigned exhaustion and managed to put him off. The hardest part about dating random men was then explaining to them later that she didn’t want a second date because she just wasn’t that into them. Some took it better than others. And, of course, sometimes they weren’t into her either. Easy.
“How often does your mom set you up?” His gaze narrowed and he shifted his weight on his stool.
“As often as I let her. It makes her happy. Gives her hope.”
“That’s pretty fucked-up, Libby.” He looked away, grabbing his soda and taking a long drink.
She winced, realizing her situation with her mother sounded far more ridiculous out loud. Obviously, Jason wasn’t impressed with her weakness when it came to her mother. He must think I’m the most pathetic woman alive. “I know. Pitiful. It keeps the peace. And like I said, perhaps one day she’ll find a good one. Somebody I can live with for the long haul.” The more she spoke, the more nervous she felt. How had she become such a pushover?
“Live with?” He jerked, his spine straightening. “That’s the extent of your life aspirations? Finding a man you can tolerate for fifty years? I feel sorry for that poor bastard.”
Libby scrunched up her face and dipped her head. “You sound like Destiny.”
“Destiny’s a smart woman. You should listen to her. I can’t believe you would even entertain the idea of settling for such a low bar.” He leaned back, putting some space between them, and ran a hand through his hair. She’d obviously struck a nerve. And she had no one to blame but herself.
On the flip side, Libby also felt defensive. He didn’t know her well enough to judge her. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe you’re not. But I’m not interested in rocking the boat with my mom