A definite spark of mischief played across her features. “Apparently I like to play with people’s websites.” She immediately snapped her mouth closed. “Sorry. I’m still dodging a parental guilt trip. My father called recently, and his message rarely changes.”
He laughed, remembering his last call from his mother. “If your parents are anything like mine, they always include the complaint that you don’t get home often enough, and a reminder that they are still waiting for their expected grandchildren, as in multiple.”
Kate smiled, but her expression was wistful. “I’ll trade you, anytime you’d like.”
He frowned. “That bad?” From Kate’s dossier, he knew her father lived here in L.A. and was also a possible suspect in his case. Her mother had died when Kate was in high school, and she had no other living family.
Kate waved away the question as if it didn’t matter. “Nothing I haven’t heard so often that I don’t have it memorized. I’m sure every kid gets the same riot act. Mine involves the fact that I had no desire to become a surgeon, or at the very least a neurologist.” She shrugged. “Because how embarrassing is it for my father to have to tell his friends that his daughter is a graphic designer and can even do some pinch-hit computer programming? That would be horrifying for any parent.” She pressed her palms against her cheeks and opened her mouth in a mock scream, making Dex laugh.
He signaled Opal for another coffee and latte, then returned his full attention to Kate. “I was lucky my parents never wanted me to go into any specific profession. They are just glad I found one I enjoy.”
Kate’s shoulders slumped, and an expression of sadness darkened her features. He wanted to gather her into his arms but held himself in check, hoping to learn more while her guard was down.
She blew out a long breath, obviously still working through the frustration of the dreaded upcoming phone call.
“I wish it was that simple with my father. But with him, it’s all about appearances. And since I won’t let him run my life, I’m supposed to listen to him complain about it at every opportunity.” She shook her head.
The pain underlying the forced smile was obvious, at least to Dex, who was very adept at reading people, especially subs. Glad the U-shaped booth let them sit close enough to touch, he reached over and rubbed his hand lightly across her shoulder, giving in to his intense need to comfort. “I can tell this bothers you. Is there anything I can do?”
Her mischievous chuckle made his cock harden as he thought about all the things he would love to do for and to her.
She slapped her hand over her mouth, but too late for the unspoken not to hang tantalizingly in the air between them.
“Is that why you came to The Dungeon tonight?” He ducked his head to catch her gaze. Kate looked everywhere but at him, almost as if he had already seen too much. She was shielding herself from revealing any more.
His protective instincts when it came to this woman intensified. He reminded himself that he would have to use any insights he could gain to get information from her, regardless of whether she was involved in the plot or not.
Opal slid a new cup of coffee onto the table next to him and a fresh vanilla latte close to Kate. After gathering the empty cups and trying unsuccessfully to catch his attention, she stepped away and went back to her duties.
Dex realized that resisting his Dom instincts with Kate would be counterproductive to what he needed to accomplish, and gave in to the urge to teach his new sub how to please him.
“I’m sure you know it’s not a good idea to play scenes while dealing with turbulent emotions.” He kept his voice strong, but not threatening or confrontational. She hadn’t agreed to have him as her Dom…yet. Although he soon planned to be, and not only for the case, if he was totally honest with himself.
As he watched, she seemed to rebuild her composure in the space of a few seconds. When her face was smooth and calm again, she raised her chin in the adorable defiant gesture he’d seen earlier and met his gaze squarely in almost an unspoken challenge. “I’m used to my father’s rants. I hope one day he’ll give them up, but I’m not holding my breath.”
Dex gave her a sympathetic look. It had to be tough for a smart, independent woman to deal with such an overbearing parent.
She tossed her head to flip her long black ponytail over her shoulder from where it had fallen over one full breast. “In the meantime, I decided a dozen good orgasms might chase away the father-induced stress from dreading his inevitable next call.” She smiled, a true smile that lightened his concern only the tiniest fraction. Kate was obviously very good at hiding her emotions from those who didn’t bother to look too closely.