“Thank you, Master.”
He gave her a satisfied smile. When she felt it to the core of her heart, she used his title, and she was okay with that.
__________
Later they went upstairs, hand in hand, to take a shower. Her parents expected them to be on time for Thanksgiving dinner. On the way to the master suite, they passed one of the guest bedrooms that Keith had converted into a child’s room. He’d arranged a crib along one wall. Perpendicular to it was a pink-and-white toddler’s bed, complete with side rails. A dresser, a low set of shelves, and a huge toy bin rounded out the furniture.
Mrs. Daley was still working on a permanent placement for Angelina and Corey, but Keith had been granted regular visiting privileges, which he exercised at least twice each week. The kids hadn’t stayed overnight, but they’d napped in that room quite often.
Katrina bit her bottom lip as they passed. Keith might protest now that having children wasn’t a priority, but she’d seen him with Corey, a little blond boy who greatly resembled his uncle. And Angelina had wrapped him completely around her tiny finger. She had only to smile up at him with those big brown eyes, and he would scoop her into his arms and swing her around.
They’d dealt with one full-out tantrum. Keith had kept his calm as he wrapped her in his embrace, which had helped Angelina normalize. Since then, they’d been working on appropriate ways to express anger and frustration. It wasn’t easy, but Mrs. Daley had been helpful in providing names of counselors. While they hadn’t discussed the idea of the children becoming a more permanent part of their lives, the possibility remained out there, with Mrs. Daley giving them stronger and less veiled suggestions every time they met.
Keith and Katrina stepped into the shower together, and he drew her into his arms. He kissed her lips and whispered in her ear, “Touch yourself for me.”
Katrina reclined on the shower seat, one of her favorite features in the house they now shared, and lifted one foot to let it rest on the edge. Across from her, Keith stroked his cock as he watched her through his half-closed lids.
“I love you, Kat.”
She smiled at the man of her dreams. “I love you too, Keith.”
Michele Zurlo
I’m Michele Zurlo, author of over 20 romance novels. During the day, I teach English, and in the evenings, romantic tales flow from my fingertips.
I’m not half as interesting as my characters. My childhood dreams tended to stretch no further than the next book in my to-be-read pile, and I aspired to be a librarian so I could read all day. I’m pretty impulsive when it comes to big decisions, especially when it’s something I’ve never done before. Writing is just one in a long line of impulsive decisions that turned out to showcase my great instincts. Find out more at www.michelezurloauthor.com or @MZurloAuthor.
Excerpt from Re/Claimed
Coming July 2015
Dustin wanted to be her boyfriend. He wanted to date her. Go steady. Be an item. It seemed both juvenile and momentous.
After Brodie, the man she'd thought would fill the roles of friend, lover, and Master, had proven to be not at all the person she'd thought he was, she had sworn off dating a Dom. The liberties he'd taken—and forced her to consent to—still gave her nightmares. Memories snuck up on her at the oddest times, battering her with intense waves of humiliation that stole her confidence and sense of self.
Yes, Dustin was a good man—much too good for her. Once he found out about the things she’d allowed Brodie to make her do, he would gently break her heart and run as far as he could go.
Dustin's palm pressed against hers, warm and firm, tangible proof that she was about to take a step forward. Right now, she had paused in a figurative half-step, her foot hovering uncertainly in the air. Once she put her foot down and shifted her weight, the ground behind her would fall away, leaving her forever teetering on the precipice.
Full disclosure. She should warn him of the consequences to his actions.
"Dustin, if you're serious about this, I think you should know that I date vanilla."
He didn’t move. She lifted her gaze from the floor to find him staring at her curiously. Was she nervous? Utterly. She stared back, her manner appropriately sober.
"Why?"
No need to go into the details or give voice to uncomfortable memories. "BDSM scenes are fun, but they're not what I'm looking for in a long-term relationship. If I ever settle down, I want a husband, not a Master." Nobody was ever going to order or coerce her into doing anything she didn't want to do. Not again.
He brushed his thumb back and forth over her wrist, evidence that he was both considering and bothered by her assertion. "Can't you have both?"
Once she'd thought it possible. Brodie had proven her theory wrong. "No. A husband is a partner. A Master is the boss. That's exciting, but impractical for the long haul. I just think you should know my views on the issue before you decide to change lanes." Silence fell in a heavy, oppressive blanket, but she didn't attempt to alleviate it with mindless chatter, further explanation, or false assurances.
Finally his head bobbed a brief nod, indicating he'd arrived at a conclusion. "So you're thinking that we'll eventually get married?"
Lost Goddess Publishing
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Lost Goddess Publishing Anthologies
BDSM Anthology/Club Alegria #1-3
June 2015: New Adult Anthology/Lovin’ U #1-4
Menage Anthology/Club Alegria #4-7
Lost Goddess Publishing Novels
Re/Bound (Doms of the FBI 1) by Michele Zurlo
Re/Paired (Doms of the FBI 2) by Michele Zurlo
July 2015: Re/Claimed (Doms of the FBI 3) by Michele Zurlo
August 2015: Blade’s Ghost by Michele Zurlo
Nexus #1: Tristan’s Lover by Nicoline Tiernan
Tessa by Ali Baran
Dragon Kisses 1 by Michele Zurlo
Dragon Kisses 2 by Michele Zurlo
Dragon Kisses 3 by Michele Zurlo
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
Michele Zurlo
Excerpt from Re/Claimed
Lost Goddess Publishing
Lost Goddess Publishing Anthologies
Lost Goddess Publishing Novels
Re/Paired (Doms of the FBI Book 2) Page 34