Master No (Masters and Mercenaries, #9)(39)

Faith followed behind. “I invited Erin and her boyfriend to come with me.”

She hoped Theo was still Erin’s boyfriend by the time they got to the Caymans. They were too sweet together. Erin and Theo did a great job of hiding it, but they were the kind of D/s couple she would like to be part of. Theo was a loving top. Erin was a true partner to him. They cared for each other and gave the other what they needed. In and out of bed.

Could she find the same thing with Master T?

Hope smiled. “The more the merrier. As long as I get to spend some time in the sun with my little sis, I’m happy.”

They both started to follow Erin inside.

A heavenly smell hit her nose. It smelled like she wouldn’t have to eat that granola cereal she’d bought. Erin had gotten a box of something a five-year-old would eat for her and Theo. But whatever was cooking now truly smelled magically delicious.

“Hey, you’re in time for breakfast.” Ian Taggart was sitting in Erin’s kitchen, a baby in his arms.

Her damn stupid heart nearly melted. There was something about a big strong man and a baby that got to her.

Of course, there was also something about a man who knew his way around a kitchen that did something to her girl parts, too. Ten was standing at the stove, flipping what looked like pancakes with an expert hand. Theo was pouring a cup of coffee.

It was a lovely domestic scene.

“But we bought cereal,” Erin said.

“Which we no longer need,” Faith added quickly. “It smells heavenly, Sir.”

“Sir?” Hope stood beside her, her eyes wide. “Oh, Faith, tell me you’re not. Oh. Hello.”

Hope had gotten a good look at Theo, and for the first time in Faith’s memory, her sister seemed to go completely blank. She would practically swear her sister was drooling.

Theo nodded her way, but held his hand out for Erin. “Hello. Baby, Ten decided he could do better than our sad cereal. He’s making pancakes and bacon and eggs. I have to say I’m really surprised that he’s got that skill set. So, why don’t you introduce me to the new girl?”

Erin waved her way. “Apparently Faith’s sister is a paranoid freak who keeps close tabs on her.”

Faith felt all eyes on her. “This is my sister, Hope McDonald. I recently found out she tracks my cell phone. Hope, this is Erin’s boyfriend, Theo, his brother, Ian, and my…friend, Ten.”

Ten turned and held out a hand. “Timothy Graham, but my friends call me Ten. And I’m obviously more than her friend. For now, let’s just say your sister and I are involved. It’s nice to meet you. Would you like some breakfast?”

Hope took his hand and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Graham. Do I call you that or is there some weird lifestyle thing I should call you? Sorry. My sister doesn’t tell me much, but she called you sir so I figured it’s one of those things.”

Faith could feel herself turning beet red. “Sorry. She’s very vanilla. I’ve tried to explain.”

Ten shook his head. “It’s not an issue. Hope, it’s very nice to meet you.”

“And you,” Hope said, though she was still looking at Theo.

Erin seemed to notice. Her arm went around her man’s broad shoulders. “Yes, welcome to our place. Any relative of Faith’s is certainly welcome into our home.”

Theo kissed his girl’s cheek. “Damn straight, baby. Let’s eat.”

Ian slapped a hand on the table. “Now you’re speaking my language, brother. Ten, I’m going to need a fat stack of those pancakes.”



By the time an hour had passed, Faith had found herself completely surrounded by Theo’s crazy family. The women had shown up about fifteen minutes in. Charlotte Taggart had led the way. The gorgeous redhead had strode in, complaining that someone better put a baby on her boobs because her milk was letting down and it had made yoga class very interesting. She’d pulled out a boob and started nursing her baby at the long dining room table. Phoebe Murdoch had simply grabbed a plate and a cup of coffee and texted her husband to join them.

It was a joyous chaos that somehow filled her soul. It reminded her of the way meals went in her clinic in Africa. They all gathered around and talked and ate and complained about the day. The only difference was these people knew each other. Intimately. Completely. They were a family. They didn’t rotate out every six months.

Dinners at her father’s house were quiet affairs. She could barely remember her mother. She’d been five when her mother had been murdered by a mugger. So when she was actually home and they sat down to eat, it was her father, her sister, and Faith talking quietly about how their day had gone.

There were no women breastfeeding. No men ribbing each other. No one marched in and started making out with his wife while he stole her bacon. Phoebe had vowed revenge for the loss of her precious protein.

She’d loved every moment of it. She’d especially loved it when Ten had sat down beside her, putting a plate in front of her before digging into his own. She’d waited for him. He’d tried to give her the first plate, but she’d stood by him, helping him. It was her place.

She really liked being Master T’s sub. There was something soothing about it. He was a man who put others first. Someone needed to put him first. He needed to know he was important.