8. Drake

CHAPTER 8

DRAKE

My patience is wearing thin.

How has she never tried Japanese food? And got free? She mentioned recently being divorced, so maybe that’s what she meant, but something doesn’t feel right.

She waves her hand dismissively, and I want to spank her for it. Because this isn’t something light, and I’m not going to allow her to be flippant about it.

“Lily, what do you mean? What did you get free from?”

Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she clears her throat. “I was raised in a less-than-traditional kind of life. The rules and views within that community were extreme.”

It’s like a bucket of ice has been dumped over my head. “A cult, Lily. You’re talking about a cult.”

She winces and clears her throat again. “Yes.”

Jesus, fuck.

“When did you get free?”

“About six months ago. My friend Hannah helped me.”

I want to drill her with questions and demand she answer every single one so I can destroy the people who raised her. I don’t know much about cults, but I know they have some fucked- up ways of thinking. Now isn’t the time for more questions, though. She looks as if she could burst out crying at any minute.

Slowly and gently, I reach out and take her hand again. “Thank you for telling me. I want to talk about it some more, but when we’re in private. So, how about I order us some dinner?”

Peering up at me, she gives a small nod and sniffles. “Okay.”

When the waiter returns, I order three different meals. Something tells me the beautiful woman in front of me hasn’t tried a lot of things in her lifetime, and I want to be the one to change that. I also want to keep hearing her call me Sir.

I’ve never had a reaction like that to the title Sir. But when Lily said it, my pants grew tighter, and I think my heart stopped for a brief moment. Maybe it’s because it seemed to slip from her mouth so naturally. Like she didn’t have to think about it; it just happened.

“Do you like working here?”

Small talk has never been my thing. It’s pointless. With her, though, it doesn’t matter what we talk about. I just want to get to know her.

“Yes,” she says, her eyes lighting up again. “I love it. It’s fun. Everyone has been so kind to me.”

My shoulders relax, and I lean back in my chair, keeping hold of her hand. She looks at where we’re connected, but she doesn’t try to pull away this time.

“It looks like you found some suitable dresses.”

They’re more than suitable . She’s perfectly fuckable in them.

Her cheeks turn pink, and she bats her dark eyelashes slightly. Even though she doesn’t wear any makeup, she’s gorgeous. I wonder, though, if she doesn’t wear it because she was never allowed to.

“Thank you. I’ve never worn any other color besides black. Eventually, I’ll get the guts to wear a hot-pink dress or try makeup or even put highlights in my hair. One day…”

Clenching my jaw, I barely keep from letting out a low growl.

She scrunches her face. “I’m sorry. I keep saying stuff I shouldn’t. I need to remember to shut up. Sorry.”

Nope. That’s not going to work.

I scoot my chair closer to her and reach out to cup her chin, forcing her to look at me. I’m being forward, probably more than I should be, but with Lily, I can’t stop myself. At least I reminded her of the club safeword. She can stop this at any time.

“Don’t apologize. I want you to talk to me. I want to know all of this. Never apologize for telling me things. If I want you to be silent, I’ll tell you that’s what I want. Okay?”

She searches my face for a few seconds before she lets out a soft breath. “Yes, Sir.”

The noise around us fades away, and as I hold her chin between my fingers, it’s like we’re the only two people in the room. We keep our eyes locked on each other.

I want to kiss her, but I can’t. I need to talk to my brother about this thing I’m feeling for her. When we opened Edge, we made the rule that we would never get involved with an employee because we never want someone who works for us to feel taken advantage of.

“Drink some water,” I say, breaking the moment. “How are your feet? Are they swollen? Let me see them.”

Lily chokes on her sip of water, coughing several times. “I’m not letting you see my feet.”

“Why not? I’ll rub them for you. You’ve been running around in those heels all night.”

Shaking her head, she fights a grin, and a dimple appears next to her mouth. It’s adorable. She’s adorable.

“Has anyone ever taken care of you, Lily?”

She takes a deep breath and stares at me, her lips slightly parted. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Using my thumb, I stroke the back of her hand. “I mean, have you ever had a man take care of you? Make sure you’re eating, resting, and taking care of yourself?”

“No.”

My gaze roams over her delicate face. “That’s about to change, sweetheart.”

Her eyes go wide, but before she can ask what I mean, the waiter brings our food and sets the plates in the center of the table.

Lily examines each dish, licking her lips as she does. My cock twitches. One day, I hope she looks that hungry for my dick.

The mixed aromas of ginger, soy sauce, and beef make my mouth water. We have one of the best chefs in the city, and every time he has this dish on the menu, I love him a little more.

“Open.” I load my fork with noodles and meat and touch it to my lips to make sure it’s not too hot before I hold it up to her mouth.

She obeys, and sweat gathers at the back of my neck from the effort it takes not to groan. After I slip the bite between her lips, her eyes close and she hums with approval.

“This is so good. What is this again?”

“It’s a beef and broccoli udon stir-fry.”

“It’s delicious. The flavors all mixed together…It’s buttery and peppery but has a slight sweetness to it.”

I grin because she just described it exactly as I would. This time, when I hold up another bite for her, she doesn’t hesitate. “Good girl.”

Her eyes flash to mine, and her cheeks turn pink. After she swallows and takes a drink of her water, a slow smile spreads on her face. It’s breathtaking.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been called a good girl before.”

Shaking my head, I move to the plate of braised short ribs with a savory sauce and cut a piece off. “We’re going to have to remedy that, aren’t we?”

She dips her head, but when I hold my fork up to her mouth, she takes the offering. I love that she hasn’t tried to reach for her own fork. Feeding her might be a bit over the top, but I couldn’t care less. It pleases me, and she seems to be soaking it up.

“Do you, um… Do you always do this for your employees?” She motions toward the table of food, keeping her gaze averted.

“Look at me, Lily.” My command is soft and quiet. Something tells me I won’t need to be firm with her. She’s a natural pleaser. When she obeys, I continue, “I don’t do this for anyone. Not my employees or any other women, for that matter. And after tonight, you won’t be my employee.”

She goes completely rigid, and I realize what I just said. “Let me clarify, baby. You will be under Easton’s management. We have a rule about not getting involved with our employees, so I’m going to make you his employee.”

And I hope to God he goes for it because I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t.

“I’m not sure…What?” She scrunches her nose and looks around the restaurant as though she’s ready to bolt. Fuck.

I set my fork down and reach for her hand, taking it between both of mine. Maybe I’m doing it so she can’t run, but a guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. “I’m sorry, Lily. I’m overwhelming you. Fuck, I don’t even know if you’re interested in me. Or this type of lifestyle. I like you, though. I like you in a way I’ve never liked any other woman.”

She lowers her head and stares at our joined hands. “I like you too,” she whispers. “But, I’m really messed up. I barely know how the world works.”

“It’s a good thing that I do then, huh, baby?”

A small smile spreads on her lips, and I relax slightly. I didn’t intend for this conversation to become heavy. I’d much rather do this in private.

“I want to get to know you. We don’t have to do anything or define anything, but I’d like to spend time with you. Do you think you’d enjoy that?”

I’m not sure what I’ll do if she says no. I’d respect it, but it would be a gut punch I’m not ready for. Especially since whenever I’m around her, I feel a peace I’ve never experienced before.

“Yes. I would. I like my job, though. I need my job and the medical.”

“Why do you need insurance so badly? Do you have a medical condition I should know about?”

She shakes her head. “No. My joints ache sometimes. It’s no big deal, but the medication to help with it is expensive out of pocket, and the medical insurance helps to cover it.”

The desperation in her voice makes my teeth ache. No one should ever have to be this worried about employment or medical insurance. “Your job won’t be affected by anything that happens between us. We can draw up an agreement, and I’ll put you under Easton’s management, so I’ll have nothing to do with your employment.”

“Okay.” She looks unsure, but I’ll take it.

“Good girl. Now, I’m going to finish feeding you and then in two hours, you’re going to take another break. Are we clear?”

Her lips part for a second before she nods. “Yes, Sir.”

“Drake. Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

My brother reacts pretty much exactly how I expected.

“I know. Look, I get it. If the tables were turned, I’d be pissed at you. We made the rules for a reason. She’s something special, Easton. I wouldn’t be asking if she weren’t.”

Easton runs a hand through his hair, tugging at it as he paces the third-floor office.

“So because of this one woman, you want to split up who reports to whom in the entire club?”

“Yes. Think about it, though. It makes sense. You manage the service employees, and I manage the security and reception employees. It will make things less confusing for them because they’ll know exactly who to go to when they need something.”

He stops in front of me and jabs a finger at my chest. “Now you’re just making up shit to get your way. What happens when you fall in love with one of the security guards? Are we going to switch them?”

When did my brother become such an asshole? And why does he always have to be right?

“First of all, Jax isn’t my type, so I don’t think we need to worry about that.” I grin, but all I get in return is more pacing. “I know I’m asking a big thing. And I also know you’re doubtful, given my track record with never committing to a woman. She’s different, though. She’s so naturally submissive, I think it’s in her DNA. But she’s been hurt and never had anyone take care of her. I want to be that person.”

Easton huffs and lets out a forced chuckle. I’m going to have to go in for the kill.

“You told me when you saw Faye come in for the Intro to BDSM class that you knew right then she was the one. Well, I think Lily is my one .”

Stopping in his tracks, he narrows his eyes at me. “You’re a real asshole for bringing Faye into this.”

I smirk and square my shoulders, standing a little taller. “Yeah. It got you to buckle, though, didn’t it?”

“Fuck you. You better marry this girl; otherwise, I’m going to kick your ass.”

I laugh and stride toward the door. I need to check on Lily and make sure she’s on her break. Then, I need to go somewhere alone and analyze why I’m not freaking out over Easton’s comment about marrying her.

“Love you, bro,” I toss out before I leave.

“Love you too, dick.”