Protege(24)



“Express my appreciation for the work she did at the chateau. It looks incredible. I’d like to repay the favor.”

“Careful what you offer.”

“Collette’s not an option. Not yet.”

“Jude said you did a wonderful job on the chateau, baby. He’d like to return the favor.” He waited as Lea mumbled something he couldn’t make out, and Ezra chuckled. “I don’t know how his protégé will feel about that.”

“What does she want?”

“She wants to watch you and me.”

Jude considered this and laughed. It would be good to see Collette’s reaction, but he’d have to break her in a bit first. “Maybe.”

“He said maybe, now go find something to do before I find something for you.”

“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Jude,” she called.

Jude shook his head. “She’ll never be easy. You better find an obedient second, because Lea will eventually corrupt her and then you’ll have two of them on your hands.”

Ezra laughed. “Don’t I know it? So how’s it going? Fuck the peach yet?”

“Don’t be crass. And no. God, it’s strange being back here.”

“It’s where you belong, Jude. You never should have left.”

“I had no reason to stay.”

“You had us. The women missed you. So did the guys. Fernweh isn’t the same when you’re gone.”

“Well, I’m here for the next month.”

“And after that?”

He couldn’t make any promises. “A month’s the most I can offer right now.”

His friend sighed. “I understand.”

Ezra had always claimed to understand, but he never would. Lea was his perfect match, one third of the pie. Eventually, they’d have their final part and be complete. He and Tiffany weren’t so lucky.

Jude never wanted more than one woman. Sharing from time to time was fine, but he wasn’t into a long-term polyamorous relationship the way some of the others were. Jude appreciated the basics. He needed to be the head of the household and he wanted his woman happy and submissive. It was literally as simple as that—sometimes too simple for some to abide.

When he finished the call, he walked the common areas of the chateau. Certain rooms, such as the library, were clear of memories. Others were simply too painful to enter.

Gripping the back of his neck, he quietly muttered, “Jesus, she f*cked me up.”

A collection of Tiffany’s personal items was gathered in a spare bedroom. Lea could have thrown them away. At this point, Tiffany wasn’t coming back. The last he’d spoken to her was two years ago and she was engaged—not even to the * she left him for.

“Jude?”

He turned and frowned. “I thought I told you to wait for me.”

“I got bored.”

His energy to correct her disobedience abandoned him. She was risking a lot coming here, and he didn’t want her to feel as if she were in a prison. This would be her home for the next thirty days and he wanted her to be comfortable. He permitted her disobedience only because he selfishly wanted the distraction from memory lane and it was her first night. Tomorrow he’d be stricter with her.

Excusing her slip with a nod, he appraised her body. She wore a sleek black robe. The satin fit her, but the black didn’t; however, he hadn’t been specific when he told Lea what to provide.

“Whose room is this?” she asked.

“Just a guest room.” He reached for the knob.

“Whose stuff is that?”

He glanced at the pile of Tiffany’s belongings. “That goes to Goodwill. The girls forgot to put it out.”

Ignoring his hand on the door, she stepped into the room and angled her neck to see deeper into the box. “They’re women’s shoes. Old fetish or old flame?”

He caught her chin with a long finger and turned her face until she was looking at him. “Nosy woman. I sense if I give you an inch you’d take a mile.”

She smirked, her full lips pursing cutely as her rounded cheeks blushed. “Sorry.”

His thumb dragged over her bottom lip. Their gazes locked and he breathed in her familiar fragrance. Her usual scent was slightly hidden by whatever soap she’d used, but he could still pick up traces of her natural musk.

He fingered the soft curls surrounding her face. “Where did you inherit all this hair?” Only the tips were wet, a few thin strands by her neck coiled from the steam of her shower.

Her mouth curved again. “I’m cursed on both sides. My two grandmothers had wild hair.”

“And your mother?”

“She always kept hers trimmed too short to tell.”

“Yet you grew yours out.”

Her smile turned cheeky. “I like a challenge.”

“So do I.” His gaze traveled to the lapels of her robe. “I’d like you to come to my room now.”

She hesitated, then nodded. Good.

As he slid his hand into hers, they left the room together. His bedroom was beside hers with a connecting door that remained locked. He had the only key. When they reached the door, he paused before turning the knob. “Tell me your safe word, Collette.”

Her gaze met his and she whispered, “Penguin.”

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