Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Christ, I’d forgotten. They had five kids too.
“Greer must be happier than a hog in a wallow.” And I was happy for him. He’d always wanted a full house.
“I believe he is the hog,” Lucian joked.
I grinned.
It was amazing to be home again.
I stayed in Alexandria after Lucian went back to work, and I spent a few hours in a noisy coffee shop where I dropped a small fortune on office supplies and furniture we’d need. Unlike Macklin, I wasn’t fond of online shopping, but I’d read tons of reviews, so those office chairs better be comfortable.
With that out of the way, I finished my third cup of coffee and texted Macklin.
Macklin, I have called you three times and sent you seven messages. How should I interpret your silence? Is this your way of working on our problems?
I sat back in my chair with a sigh and ran a hand through my hair.
My confidence was wavering, and a despondency was growing inside me. The feeling was downright painful in my chest, reminding me of the early mornings I’d woken up after a dream about better days, only to find the spot next to me cold and empty.
What the fuck were we doing?
What was I doing?
Maybe he didn’t want—
A text interrupted my pity party for one, and I drew a big breath when I saw he’d replied.
I can apologize a hundred times, but I’d prefer to show you. I’ve been going through something these past couple of days, and I will tell you all about it on Saturday. I am so fucking sorry, Walker. I know what my problem is now, I think. Can we have lunch at my place before we head out to Mclean?
Good fucking Christ, all air left my lungs, and the relief that flooded me was so overwhelming that I wanted to both laugh and cry. My eyes stung, and I cleared my throat and held back my emotions as I answered.
Boy, you’ve scared me. Of course we can have lunch. I hate when you shut me out. I miss you terribly.
Fuck, I was all over the map. I exhaled heavily and scrubbed a hand over my face. My chest seized up at the same time as the relief forced a breathy laugh out of me.
I wished he wouldn’t shut me out to work through something, though. We should do that together. But I was ready to hear him out, even if I had to wait another full day. Safe to say, I would spend tomorrow in my studio as well. I was going to need the distraction.
Macklin replied again, and that made me feel even better.
I miss you more. I’ll show you, Master. I promise. But I was a ticking time bomb, and if you hadn’t left the other day, I’m afraid I would’ve crossed a line. I was so angry, and it took me a while to realize I was angry with myself. You did the right thing by not spending the night. Can you be at my place at noon on Saturday?
I clearly needed to get out of here before I fell apart like a child. Surrounded by parents with crying babies, students, businesspeople, and teenagers, there was no room for me to relax properly.
I fired off another response before I buttoned my suit jacket and put on my coat.
Noon, it is. I love you so very much, and I understand the flight response now. See you on Saturday. I will be at my studio, by the way. Ty decided to fly home early, so we’re going to meet up tonight and see what we can do for future tentacle play.
In an hour, in fact. I’d successfully let time fly, and now I only needed to swing by a grocery store. Ty was bringing pizza, and I was going to stock my fridge with beer and essentials.
I’d found out Ty lived here in Old Town, and his home was only a few blocks away from my workshop.
Macklin’s final reply was just…very him.
I love you too, Master. With everything that I am. Feel free to test the toys on each other! ;)
I snorted, and before I could pocket my phone, one more text popped up.
I’m serious. This openness will be good for us. Being with others won’t diminish our love for each other.
My amusement drained out of me, and I suddenly felt cold.
He wanted more openness? But all the things he’d said in Florida… He’d been so worried that we would go too far; he’d rambled about me going on dates and falling in love and…
I couldn’t respond right now. I needed to breathe.
I needed a distraction.
If Georgetown hadn’t already been my favorite neighborhood in the DC area, Old Town Alexandria would’ve taken the prize. I loved the Victorian buildings, the quaint but freakishly expensive and remodeled townhouses, and the way they’d turned old factories into trendy lofts and studios. The waterfront was stunning too, especially in the summer. Less so now when it was freezing outside—and evidently getting worse and worse by the hour.