Bait & Switch (Alphas Undone #1)(12)

Nolan pulled open the sliding door that led to the patio out back, and I stepped through. Thankfully the blistering heat of the summer had faded into a pleasantly warm fall. The sun was just beginning its descent, leaving the sky to decide if mellow oranges or pretty pinks were to dominate that evening’s view. Either way, the atmosphere seemed to glow with possibility.

“Is everything okay?” Nolan asked, joining me beside the wrought-iron railing. “You’ve been quiet today.”

He had too, but I didn’t point that out. “It’s fine. I’m just a little out of my element.”

And a thousand miles outside my comfort zone. Not only because of getting involved with Nolan, but living in a new state, away from all my family and friends. It was bound to throw a girl off a little. But it felt nice to have company, and something about his presence made me feel safe.

He placed a reassuring hand against my lower back. “I’m glad you came today,” he said, his voice low.

I swallowed down a wave of nerves. “Me too.” I meant every word of that, surprisingly.

I shifted my weight, looking out over his backyard. Neat lines from the lawnmower and a row of well-groomed hedges at the very back. If only my life were that tidy . . .

“So, how does all this work? Do you mind if I pry a little?” My cheeks heated slightly, knowing all the questions spinning in my mind. It was one thing to hear about it over drinks the other night; it was quite another to see it with my own eyes.

“Pry away.” He chuckled softly, his hand slowly stroking up and down my spine.

Awareness zinged through me. It had been a long time since I’d felt a man’s touch. Six months, to be exact.

Taking a deep breath in an effort to embolden myself, I released it slowly. “Do you bring other women home to your bed often? And how does . . . she feel about that?” I didn’t want to say her name, but Nolan didn’t hesitate.

“Daniella has lived here for two years, so yes, I have brought women home before. But other than the gorgeous woman standing in front of me, I’m not interested in seeing anyone else right now. If that’s what you’re getting at.”

“Does she sleep in your bed?”

He shook his head. “No, it’s me and Sutton in there, and since she can’t stand him, it’s never even been on the table.” His hand stilled, giving me time to process his words. “And whenever I . . . play with Daniella, it’s in her bedroom, not mine.”

“Play?” The question sprang from my lips without thought. Damn lack of filter again.

Nolan shifted beside me, dropping his hand from where he touched me. I immediately felt a sense of loss.

“Daniella’s interests are somewhat . . . dark.”

A shiver of real concern ran through me. I didn’t know this man, not really. What if he was into things I couldn’t possibly tolerate?

“Does she bring men home too?” I asked next. Although curiosity gnawed at me, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to hear the extent of his kink just yet.

His expression tightened. “No. And not because I’m against it—that’d be pretty f*cking hypocritical of me—but because she’s not interested in other men. She’s always been a one-man kind of woman.” Then he studied me. “What else is going on inside that pretty head of yours?”

I glanced away for a moment, embarrassed that he’d seen through me so easily. “I admit, I’m curious about those . . . interests you mentioned.” Yours more than hers.

“I see. Well, without going into too much detail, Daniella is a submissive.”

My belly tightened into a knot as my hunch about Nolan’s dominant side came into clearer view. Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself why I came here. I wasn’t allowed to fall for this handsome man anyhow, so what did it matter if his sexual tastes were a little darker than mine? I got the bodyguard I needed, while Nolan and Daniella fed each other’s need for kink. Everybody won. So why was my stomach twisted into a knot?

“H-how did you get this way?” I cringed when I realized how it sounded. Like I thought he was damaged goods. Then again, maybe he was.

But he didn’t even raise an eyebrow at my question.

“After a demanding career as a SEAL . . .” He let out a deep sigh, gazing out at the yard. “My goals are much simpler now. I just want to enjoy life one day at a time, take pleasure where I find it.”

I simply nodded. He didn’t elaborate, but he didn’t need to. I knew he had seen too much, done too much, probably experienced losing teammates he fought beside. Battle could mess a man up. At the very least, it changed them. And in Nolan’s case, it made him harder and closed him off to the hearts-and-flowers kind of love I hoped to find someday. He was surviving, but in his own way.

“Now my work isn’t quite so intense. I’m a consultant for a private security firm called Redstone. And while it can be dangerous, it’s not nearly as life-and-death as my previous world.”

Looking down, I gave a nod of acknowledgment. I already knew all about Redstone, but it was good to hear him say that his life had improved.

Chuckling softly, he returned his hand to my lower back. “Come on. What else did you want to know about Daniella?”

Was I being that obvious? “How did she end up living here with you?”

“I knew her through a mutual acquaintance, and after breaking up with her ex, she needed somewhere to live. I had a spare room—three, actually—and I offered her a place to stay. Rent-free. No strings. And she said yes.”