Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Maureen

I wanted to kill him. Just like the night we'd gone on our date, when my whole body thrummed with need for him, and he'd dropped that Dom bomb on me. His confession shook me so deeply to my core that I'd had to crawl through the fucking bathroom window to escape it and how my body reacted to it.

And I was still affected by him, even three years later. The man had a hold on the deepest part of me, the part that could still relinquish control. A place of submission where his wants and needs would become my own and I'd no longer recognize myself. I shivered just thinking about it.

But just like the night I'd snuck out the window, I knew I couldn't give in to that, no matter how tempting he was. I wasn't stupid, or too damaged to realize he was nothing like my mother. That what we'd have wouldn't be the same. But the risk of losing myself was too great. Too much of a sacrifice.

It was why I'd panicked and run then, and why I was so angry now. How dare he invade my safe space—the place I'd reinvented myself to become a better, stronger version of me.

I sighed. Why wouldn't he be here, though? He was a Dom after all, and a professor. Rawhide University was the perfect place for him, no matter how badly I wanted him to leave and never come back.

I'd hoped to never see him again, and now here he was. But this time I wouldn't be chased off. I wouldn't run. He was here, and I'd just have to deal with it. I could be aloof, cordial, professional. Nobody ever had to know about the history between us.

Even if he seemed determined to bring it up. Even if it was all I could think about.

"Ms. Stahlbaum?" Master Derek's voice cut through the silence, interrupting my trip down memory lane.

"Yes, Sir?" As if merely my thoughts about Trent had somehow left me looking as tattered as I felt, I patted the strands of hair holding my tight bun in place and smoothed my skirt.

"Now that we're alone. Did you need to talk to me about Trent Holland? I noted some hesitancy on your part and tension between the two of you. So I'm asking once more, is everything okay?"

I nodded. "Everything's fine, Master Derek. I'm sorry if I seem off. I've got something on my mind that's all."

"Oh? Is this why you asked to meet me?"

"Yes, actually. I'm a little concerned about Mira." I filled him in on the situation, even though Trent's invasion of Rawhide Ranch was suddenly far more concerning.

After I explained what happened, Derek reassured me I'd done the right thing by coming to him. We agreed to keep our conversation between us for now, but he promised to check on Mira's progress with her other professors.

"I just want her to succeed. And if she's taking on too much, we need to intervene," I finished, bringing the conversation to a close.

Derek reached out, giving my shoulder a squeeze. "I'm glad I hired you, Maureen. You're great at your job and just the kind of professor Rawhide needs."

"Thank you, Master Derek. I appreciate your encouragement."

"Certainly. Is there anything else?"

"No." I forced a smile onto my face so he'd see nothing was amiss.

"Okay, good. And remember I'm always here if you need to talk."

I nodded again, feeling a little like a bobblehead. Nod enough and everyone will believe you.

"Oh, and Maureen, thanks for helping out with Trent. I've been swamped since he arrived."

I waved in answer and cursed under my breath. I couldn't feign forgetting about the man now that I'd been reminded again. I could, however, do a scene in the Dungeon first to burn off my tension before meeting him.