Chapter 10

We spend the rest of the long weekend learning how to make love to each other when he’s not teaching me the subtle nuances of being a good little submissive to his dominant hand. Both fill me full of love and light—Drak makes me feel treasured, not just desired—and I’m happier than I’ve been my whole life.

Now it’s Sunday afternoon and I’m packing my bag to head home. He wants me safe in Rizona before the sun sets, which means I have to leave sooner than I’d like.

I know he wants me to stay, but he understands my commitment to Ma and the diner. The unspoken question between us is how are we going to make this work?

Neither of us has an answer.

Drak holds the driver’s door open for me, my ass pressed against the metal frame as he kisses me goodbye. “I miss you already.”

“I think I’ll convince Ma to pull the trigger on shutting down the diner on Mondays too. That way, we’ll have a four-day weekend every week.” I place my hand on his chest.

“Still not enough time, but I’ll take what I can get.” He takes a step back. “Call me as soon as you get home and remember what I said?—”

“Any shenanigans around the diner, I’ll call you.”

He nods and closes the door once I’m buckled into the driver’s seat. “Love you, babydoll.”

“Love you too, Daddy.”

* * *

Mid-morning on Tuesday, my phone rings while I’m wrapping silverware to prepare for the lunch crowd. “Hello, my love.”

“How was the morning rush?” Drak’s voice is a soothing balm to my soul. He said I’m not allowed to get myself off when we’re not together, and even though I’m sexually sated enough to last a lifetime for a normal girl, anytime I think about our weekend and the wicked ways he played my body, my pussy clenches in anticipation and it takes everything within me not to grab my vibrator and ease the ache building between my legs.

“It was fine. A bunch of the regulars again. Although, one trucker said I was glowing today.”

“Did he?” His voice darkens.

I giggle. “She did, and then asked me about my new skincare regimen.”

He sighs. “You did that on purpose, which means you’ll have to be punished.”

“Okay. I like your punishments—” I lower my voice and cup the microphone to my lips “—Daddy.”

Drak growls into the receiver and I can almost picture him shaking his head with that devilish glint in his eye. “What are you doing tonight?”

My smile grows wider. “Nothing. Do you want me to come to Maplewood to tuck you in?”

“No. I thought me and the boys would come to Rizona for some of that pie we never ate.”

“How many? I’ll put aside the slices now.”

“Three or four of us, plus a couple of back warmers.”

“Back warmers?”

“Chance and Triton met some ladies that I’d like you to meet. I think you’ll like Jessa and Bess.”

The idea of being introduced to my man’s friends and their significant others makes everything between us real—like an honest to god, serious relationship, couple. “Really? You want to introduce me to your friends?”

“I can’t keep you tied up in my bedroom forever, babydoll.”

“I wouldn’t mind, but I would like to meet your friends. What time can you get here?”

“I’ll shut down early so we can hit the road by five thirty. Be there a little before seven.”

“Come straight to the diner. I’ll have the lights on.”

“Sounds good. See you tonight. Love you.”

“I love you too.”

For the rest of the day, I’m whistling while I sling hot plates to my customers with a smile on my face. I’m so freaking happy that everyone comments on it and the news that Missy is in love quickly circulates around the diner, causing Ma to beam with unbridled happiness.

We close the doors to customers at two and clean until almost five, which leaves me with enough time to run home, shower, and change before heading back to the diner. I have to take Ma’s car because my Mustang wouldn’t start this afternoon and I’m too preoccupied by my date this evening to worry about it. I’ll see if Mr. Dayton can have it towed to his shop tomorrow and go from there. God, I hope it’s not a costly repair that takes weeks to complete. With Drak in Maplewood and the weekend approaching, I cannot be without a car right now.

Freshly showered, I throw on a cute corset top with a flirty skirt—just in case Drak would like easy access before, after, or during pie. Oh yes, I’m his dirty, greedy girl and I plan to do everything I can to seduce my man. His friends will understand, right?

I quickly dry my hair and apply my makeup before glancing at my missed text message from Drak, letting me know they were hitting the road shortly. If he left within fifteen minutes of sending his message, they should pull into the parking lot by seven.

“Ma, I need your keys.” I say as I practically skip down the hallway to the living room.

“Where are you going?” Melanie asks from the kitchen as she sits her three kids at the play table with their chicken nuggets and boxed mac-n-cheese.

“What are you doing here?” I groan like the bratty little sister I can be. Ever since my date with Drak ten days ago, I’m even less tolerant of her judgemental attitude.

“Family meeting.” Jerry says from the door to the carport, where the twenty-year-old beer and soda fridge sits.

I glance at Ma, who shakes her head and shrugs as her response. She has no idea what’s going on either.

“I don’t have time for a family meeting.” I huff and grab my purse, slipping my phone inside before tossing it on the entry table.

“No choice. It’s time to have a talk.” Jerry gives me a pleading look, and I can tell that keeping secrets from Melanie has been slowly killing him. I don’t think he’s a dirty cop—at least not intentionally one—but a decent guy pinned between a rock and a hard place with a family to protect. And as he said, he considers me and Ma part of that family.

I glance at the clock on the wall and plop down into the chair. “You have ten minutes.”

Melanie rolls her eyes. “What’s so important, Missy?”

“Drak and his friends are meeting me at the diner, Melanie. That’s what’s so important.”

Jerry stiffens. “They coming here tonight?”

“Yeah, so what?”

He slides his hand down his face. “I found a job with the McLennan County sheriff’s department that will pay a lot more money and provide better schools for the kids.”

“That’s wonderful,” Ma says.

“We want you to come with us,” Melanie adds.

I watch in rapt fascination as Ma shakes her head in confusion. “But I have the diner.”

Melanie sighs while shaking her head. “The diner is barely covering the cost of food, utilities, and the line cook. You and I aren’t making any money except the tips Missy pools everyday. Jerry and I have paid the last two years of taxes and insurance, and we can’t keep doing that. What is coming in is not enough, Ma, and although I know you have a sentimental attachment to it because of Pa, he’s been gone for fifteen years and it’s time to let go.”

“How dare you!” Ma stands up and I’m betting Melanie is thankful we’re not at the diner and within reach of a flour-dusted rolling pin right about now.

Jerry interjects. “It’s not safe here anymore, Ma. Anyone who stays here will eventually be pressured into doing things they don’t want to do and you’re not the kind of woman to bow down to the pressure. You’ll fight, and you’ll lose, just like Sylvie lost the bar a few months ago. We all will lose if we stay and fight.”

“And you are the kind of man to bow to the pressure?” Ma snaps back.

Jerry blanches, his complexion ghostly white, and for the first time I see the truly broken man behind the doting husband and caring father he tries really hard to be. He opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. “They’ve been poking around the diner, Ma, harassing me and making inquiries about the kitchen and storage rooms. They have their eye on us and if the diner isn’t making enough to pay its bills, why not cut our losses and get out of town?”

I glance in Jerry’s direction, who looks back at me in surprise. As much as my sister pisses me off at times, the last thing I want to do is destroy the perfect husband and family image she has in her head, even if it is built on lies.

“I didn’t know that, Missy. Why didn’t you say anything?” She reaches out for my hand and retakes her seat.

“Because we want to protect you, Ma. You’re the only reason we’re still here in Rizona. We love you and can’t leave you here alone, especially with the diner open,” I say with tears in my eyes. I know she loves the diner, but if she’d be willing to walk away, then I can start my life with Drak.

Melanie sits next to Ma while Jerry crouches in front of them. “Let’s move to Waco. I’ll get a part-time job and you can finally retire.”

“Didn’t you just finish remodeling your kitchen?” Ma shakes her head again, clearly processing this at her own pace. I glance at the clock on the wall. Five minutes.

“Who cares?” Jerry quickly responds. “We’ll find a better house, a bigger house, with enough room for all of us. I can’t protect us here, and the kids need proper schools with after-hours programs and club sports and dance recitals, all the things you’ve wished for them. Come on, Ma. Let’s make a plan to close the diner and move away to some place better for all of us.”

Ma sighs, casting me a small smile. “All I’ve ever wanted was for my girls to be happy. I never meant for you to feel trapped here.”

“Does that mean you’re willing to make a plan to close the diner?” I ask hopefully.

She shakes her head. “I don’t know. It’s a lot to think about, and I will not be forced to make a decision tonight.”

Jerry’s shoulders sag. I glance at the clock again, noting the time. “I gotta go.”

“Have a nice time, Missy.” Ma smiles and pats my hand. “Tell Drak I said hi.”

I stand up at the same time my phone rings in my purse across the room. Weirdly, Jerry’s work phone rings next, followed by Ma’s house phone—all three devices ringing within seconds of each other.

Jerry answers at the same time I pull my phone out of my purse, a missed call followed by a text from Drak.

Where are you?