Protege(71)
As she stood in front of the other man, Jude frowned. Brys sat at attention and spoke quietly. Collette took the tiniest step back and Ezra then turned to frown at the other man.
Stepping closer so he could hear, Jude watched to see what was transpiring. Brys stood, towering over Collette.
“When a Dom tells you to do something, it isn’t a request. Kneel.”
With clipped strides he went to her, rage suddenly pumping through his blood. “Don’t you dare, Collette.”
Brys scowled at his interference. “This doesn’t concern you. I’m only explaining something to the lady.”
Jude stopped a few feet away and without really moving, Collette seemed to creep closer to him. “Explain all you want, but you will not order my sub to kneel at your feet. You dishonor me with such a request.”
The man frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
“My submissive doesn’t kneel because she’s ordered to do so. She does it because she’s called to the act by a Dom’s actions, not his commands. Demanding her to lower herself before she has the natural instinct removes the honor she pays me every time she falls to my feet. You will not disgrace that. Not in my home and not with my submissive.”
There was a chilling moment of silence, but Brys eventually conceded. “Very well.”
It might have been Jude’s will to see her explore this side of herself, but her submission was reserved—at the moment—for him and him alone. Brys could eat a dick and he’d be eating his fist if Jude caught him speaking to her in that tone again.
He glanced at Collette. Her eyes quivered under a wall of unshed tears, and he frowned. Had she wanted to kneel for the other Dom?
“It’s getting late.” Ezra interrupted the silence. “We should probably be going.” He directed his wife to dress and find their jackets. Stepping in front of Collette, he cupped her face and pressed a kiss on her cheek. “It was our pleasure to be here tonight, peach. Thank you for having us.”
“You’re welcome, Sir. Thank you for coming.”
He turned and shook Jude’s hand. Leaning close, he whispered, “She’s a gem, my friend. Savor the final weeks.”
Brys stood as well, collecting his clothes and dressing. Collette remained by Jude’s side, her gaze averted and her face hidden by her loose curls. When the other man came to say good night, he touched her face with familiar intimacy and a good helping of genuine affection. “I look forward to the next time we see each other, Collette. It was a lovely evening.”
Her voice was small. “Thank you, Sir.”
Brys smirked, apparently amused with her response. Nodding, he turned. “Jude, you never fail to keep us thoroughly entertained. We should do this again soon.”
Get out of my house. “I’ll let you know.” He shook his hand and didn’t breathe easily until every guest was off the property.
Turning to Collette, he asked, “How are you?”
Her head lowered and he frowned. Rather than answer his question, she asked, “May I please be excused for the night, Sir?”
Wanting to drag the details out of her, he struggled with letting her go. However, she was likely still processing. He weighed each option, knowing he should see to her needs and not make assumptions until he was certain she was fine. But . . .
At the moment he couldn’t trust himself to be in control. His emotions were all over the map and maybe it was in both their best interests to regroup and address the subject later. “Of course.”
He could give her some time. He touched her chin so she looked at him. “I’ll be up to tuck you in in an hour.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
He watched her leave the room, then went to the bar.
***
As Jude approached her door he stilled, hearing only silence. With a bracing breath, he entered. The room was dim, but not dark. Collette sat on the edge of the bed with her back toward him. Her hair was a riot of damp curls.
“Collette, you’re not in bed.” He rounded the corner and stilled. “What’s the matter?”
Her face crumpled as she lost the battle against her tears. “I’m so sorry, Sir. I’m sorry. I was only trying to do as expected—”
“Hey.” His voice softened as he bent in front of her, wrapping her in his arms. “Shh . . . you owe me no apology, Collette.”
She shook her head adamantly. “I did a terrible thing.”
“No, you did what we always knew you would do. You tried something to gauge your tastes. If you learned having a ménage is something you don’t enjoy, then you make it a limit, that’s all.”
“But that’s it. I did enjoy it. There’s something wrong with me.”
“Hush, peach. If there’s something wrong with you, then there’s something wrong with all of us. You’re in good company.” That pulled the chirp of a chuckle out of her. He kissed her lips. “You did nothing to disappoint me, Collette. Please don’t beat yourself up.”
Her gaze slowly searched his. “Nothing?”
He didn’t like it, but his disappointment or displeasure wasn’t her fault. She hadn’t deviated from expectation, and that was commendable. His own baggage should stay out of the equation.
He was responsible for her and it was his limit apparently, a limit he hadn’t had years ago. And certainly not something he should feel threatened by with a woman he wasn’t committed to. “Nothing.”