He shook his head. “You’re a crusader with a soft heart.” When she looked dubious, he added, “There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, I admire you for it. Most people would take the extra money and run. But you’ve used it as a way to help others and make a difference.”
She gave him a small smile. “My father calls it being na?ve and giving away my time for very little return on my investment.” She shook her head.
“Forgive me for saying so, but I think he’s missing the big picture. He should be proud he has a daughter who has empathy and compassion for others.”
She pursed her lips. “Sometimes I’m not sure if he’s proud of me for anything. I love my father, but we definitely don’t see eye to eye on much.” She straightened in her chair. “Thanks, Dex. For everything.”
“You’re welcome.” He ran his thumb down her cheek. He couldn’t get enough of her silky-smooth skin. “Oh, I have to tell you, I gave in to the pitiful looks and put down some treats for Rusty.”
She laughed. “He has you wrapped around his paw already? Don’t be surprised if your sister talks you into your own cat soon. They are pretty great, and they treat their servants well.”
“Servants?” Dex asked.
She nodded. “The old saying is that dogs have owners and cats have staff. But I think it’s more like cats have servants. We go into captivity willingly, but we are their servants nonetheless.”
After a minute he nodded. That was the impression he’d always gotten from watching his sister with them. He still didn’t think he was up for getting one of his own, but he didn’t mind spoiling Rusty while he was here taking care of Kate.
“I’d like to check out those two spots on your back before I leave, if you don’t mind. I want to make sure they haven’t gotten worse.”
She shifted in her chair as if testing out the sensitivity of the two areas. “They don’t hurt as much today. That liniment is great stuff.” She lowered the footrest of the recliner and then leaned forward in her seat so she could open her robe and shrug it off until it fell around her waist.
She was naked beneath the robe other than a thong. So the action freed her luscious breasts, distracting Dex for several moments.
When he realized he was clenching his fists to keep from reaching out to cup the delectable mounds, he forced his mind back to the business at hand. He studied the two areas on her back that had taken the brunt of the flogging yesterday. Both were still a shade darker than the other marks, but Kate didn’t wince when he touched them.
He ran his hand down her back and then stopped himself when she shuddered under his touch. He had no business getting Kate keyed up right now when he wasn’t willing to finish what he started. She needed to rest, and the list of things he wanted to do with her didn’t currently involve rest.
He allowed himself to run his fingers through her thick hair, but he resisted the temptation to grab a handful and pull her head back to expose her long neck.
“They look better. Are there any other spots that are painful?”
He leaned forward so he could see her face.
She shook her head. “No. Just the normal ‘day after’ tenderness. But nothing like those two places were last night.”
“Good. You’re looking much more alert, Kate. How do you feel?”
She stayed silent for a long moment, taking stock before answering. “Better. I think a shower will get me back to my normal self so I can knock out some work.” She licked her lips, and his balls tightened, reminding him of another thing on his list for her. He would love to have those beautiful lips wrapped around his cock. But not until after she rested.
“Will you be at The Dungeon later?” she asked with a sensual smile.
Dex fought not to blurt out an answer. He didn’t want to sound too eager, even though he definitely was. With any other sub, he wouldn’t be reacting this way. He’d known instinctively when he first met Kate that she could be dangerous to him, personally. “I should be there at some point this evening. I’m not sure when yet.”
He wanted to tell her not to go there without him. Not to play scenes with any other Dom. To mark her fully as his. But at least he wasn’t so far gone as to let any of that pass his lips. Even if she weren’t a suspect in an active investigation, none of those things were wise this quickly after meeting her.
Not that Dex didn’t believe in love at first sight, or at least strong connections at first sight, but even under normal circumstances he was more cautious than that, letting things unfold in their own time.
The fact that he was as drawn to Kate as he obviously was both surprised and concerned him. He wasn’t sure what he would do if she was involved in the terrorist plot. He wouldn’t be so foolish as to let her off or look the other way. But it just might break his heart if things kept going in this direction between them.
“Kate. Promise me something.”
She turned to him, her large green eyes now sharp and aware, even though there were still dark circles under them, a telltale sign she needed more sleep. “What?”