“Of course not.” Jason fell back against the seat. “But Genni was always able to get under my skin and make me lose my cool.”
“So, you still have a thing for her?”
Jason finally gazed at me. “Nah, not in that way. I am very protective of her and threatened discipline to help her, not for any sexual gratification.” He raised an eyebrow. “Why? Are you interested, my friend?”
“No, I’m only interested in makin’ sure you don’t fuck up and damage a vulnerable woman.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I wasn’t going to admit to anyone the intensity of my attraction to her after just that one meeting.
“I’m not going to damage Genni. She’s stronger than you think.” Jason studied me with a critical eye. “And I don’t believe you one whit, but I won’t push for now. I will simply say, if you hurt her in any way, I won’t be the only one in this town out for your blood.
“Duly noted.” I had no intention of hurting her, well, not emotionally, but a bit of pain-filled pleasure might be what she needed. I noticed Jason tapping away on his phone. “Somethin’ important?” I quirked an eyebrow in question.
“Yup, making sure our girl is safe. Kendra is going to sit with her until she’s ready to leave.” Jason pocketed his phone. “Let’s go grab a beer and some grub.”
“Who’s Kendra?” I tried to keep the suspicion from my voice. I had no right to be this protective of a woman so closely after meeting, but every fiber in my soul demanded it.
“An old high school friend and the mortician for this funeral home. They go way back, and both have fond memories of Genni’s gran. I promise she will make sure Genni eats dinner and gets home safe.”
I cranked the engine, put my black betty in reverse, and asked, “Where to?”
“Otis Campbells has the best burgers in town and the coldest beer.” Jason buckled up. “Plus, I get a sheriff’s discount for friends and family.” His egotistical smirk slipped effortlessly across his lips.
“Are you serious? Otis Campbells?” I rolled my eyes and backed out of the parking spot. “Okay, just tell me how to get there.”
I grabbed a high-top table next to the pool table while Jason grabbed us a pitcher and ordered some wings to start with and burger plates for dinner. It was moderately busy, but it was still early, and it would fill up soon.
Jason set the pitcher down with two mugs and poured our first round. “So, tell me what you’ve been up to. I was a bit surprised to get your call, let alone to find out my old friend was coming for a visit.”
“I just needed to get away for a bit. Mom has been so excited about Brett and Brody gettin' married. She is now focused on me as the last son in need of a family.” I drank down half the cold beer, letting the alcohol wash through me. “A visit with an old friend would be the perfect getaway to give her time to relax.”
“Your mom was always intense when she was focused on something.”
“That she is, like a dog with a bone.” I laughed. “Enough about me, tell me what you have been up to. You conveniently forgot to mention you were elected sheriff.” I pointed to the star on his chest. “Does your town know your deep dark secret?”
“No, and I plan to keep it that way. What I do behind closed doors is no one’s business but my own.” He huffed. “Now, keep your voice down about such things. I have a reputation to uphold and being the town Dom is not it.”
“Dude, I’m not here to blow up your life. It was just a simple question. It can be hard tryin’ to balance yourself and your needs. Please, at least tell me you have someone who helps with those needs.” Having been introduced to the lifestyle by my brothers, I understood how difficult it could be to balance both. I also knew Jason’s needs were on the darker side of the BDSM spectrum, and his last sub had been perfect up until she wanted more from the relationship. She wanted to renegotiate their contract to include marriage, and Jason ran fast and far.
“Yes, we have been contracted for the last three months, and it’s been what we both needed.” He emptied his mug and refilled it. “I appreciate your concern, brother. How about you? How long has it been since you collared a sub?”
His words brought back memories I would have gladly left unvisited. I thought my last sub, Tiffany, was the one. The perfect yin to my yang until I found her scening with another Dom in a club in Dallas. The worst part was, she had removed my collar. I confronted her the next day and broke our contract immediately. I hadn’t taken a sub for more than a scene since.
“I’m good, man.”
“I didn’t ask if you were good; I asked how long it’d been since you put a collar on someone?”
“Not since Tiffany,” I mumbled into my beer.
“What? Dude, that mess was over two years ago. You’ve got to let her go. Her betrayal proved that you weren’t meant for each other. There has to have been someone since then that you’ve felt attraction with.”
“Well…” I let the word hang in the air as I met his gaze. “Tell me about Genni.”
“What? You’re kidding, right?” He sat back. “She’s not in the lifestyle.”
“How do you know? Her body screamed at me when I was with her. She submitted without realizing it.”
“Because I tried to forge that river in high school, and the rapids at her fork were impassable.” Jason adjusted his belt, leaning forward. “Get her out of your head now.”
“That’s a unique way of puttin’ it. But, Jason, people change as they grow? How do you know she would still be against it?”
“I just do.” He stood as a young blonde with a too-tight T-shirt plastered with the bar’s logo approached with a food-laden tray. “Gotta hit the head, I’ll be back.”
“Hi, my name’s Stacey, and I’ll be your waitress. Two burger platters and a bottomless order of wings.” She placed the plates down. “Just give me a wave when y’all need the wings refilled.”
“Thanks. Everything looks great.” I pointed to the pitcher. “Bring us another one, please.”
“Sure thing. Coming right up.” She bounced back toward the bar, swaying her hips. Normally, I would be thinking of how to get her back to my place for a romp, but I felt no such need.
“Well, that’s not a good sign.” A picture of Genni’s face popped into my head, of how she lowered her lashes and submitted to my orders without realizing what she was doing. There was a sub inside her crying to get out, and I would be the one to coax her out, show her how her body could crave my touch, and how mine craved her submission.
At that moment, the woman in my mind walked through the doors as if I conjured her myself. She searched for something or someone. I sat up straighter at the thought she might already be with someone else. My hands clenched of their own accord as I watched her smile and wave at someone. My eyes tracked her progress through the crowd to one of the booths on the side of the room, only relaxing once another female stood and hugged her. I recognized the blonde from the funeral home. Kendra. Jason had said she was an old high school friend. I relaxed, content to watch her from afar.