“The kitchen’s this way—follow me.”
Damn it. She really needed to read up on her role in this arrangement of theirs, because just when she thought she was starting to understand, she went and stepped out of line again. The last thing she wanted to do was make things awkward, not when she was finally feeling at ease around these two.
“Ethan?” she said, hurrying after him. “I’m sorry if I said something I shouldn’t. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
Ethan stopped, and so did she, and she braced herself for some sort of dismissal. Instead, his features softened and he walked back to her.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” He reached for a piece of her hair and twirled it gently around his finger. “I do. I’m sorry. My response? It was a knee-jerk reaction to an unexpected question. It’s been a long time since someone has me asked about my parents. I lost them when I was a boy. Their estate—this estate—was left to me.”
Chloé’s stomach sank. “I’m so sorry.”
“Again, you have nothing to be sorry about. You couldn’t have known, and I shouldn’t have made you feel that way.” He let go of her hair and cradled her cheek. “Will you let me take you to their kitchen? I think you might like it.”
Something about the gesture and his words made her heart warm, and when she looked back at Zayne, he winked, and everything fell back into place.
It was hard to believe that only hours ago she’d felt nervous as she stepped inside this house, but now she felt nothing but complete and utter contentment.
As crazy as it seemed, what happened here tonight had been life-changing for her. Life-changing. Eye-opening. And one hundred percent satisfying.
She’d always suspected something was missing for her in past relationships. She always left intimate encounters feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied. But never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined that this was what she’d been searching for.
A submissive? If someone had even suggested that, she would’ve thought them insane. But there was no denying it now. Not after what had just happened up in that bedroom. Not with the way Ethan had commanded her and tapped into a side of her that wanted to please and beg him to give her what she needed—and somehow, he had followed through.
Not to mention the sexual high she got from watching him work his mastery on Zayne. That had been something else entirely. A whole other level she’d yet to explore.
But damn, watching Zayne submit to Ethan had made him even sexier, if that were possible. All of those big muscles straining against his restraints while Ethan teased and tortured his body—it had been exciting, erotic, and so damn arousing that she couldn’t help but wonder when she’d get to see it all again.
“Well, will this do?”
Chloé stepped inside one of the most impressive gourmet kitchens she’d ever seen outside of her father’s. “This is perfect.”
An enormous marble island that overlooked a living area was the first thing she saw, and behind her, framed by white cabinets and gold handles, was a double-oven gas-top stove that she was about to work her magic on.
“Wow. I’ve been in a lot of kitchens, and this one…” She let out a whistle and turned to see Ethan and Zayne watching her ooh and ahh over all the fancy appliances. “This one is top of the line.”
Zayne pulled out a stool and gingerly took a seat, and before she even thought about it, Chloé joked, “Now who’s having a hard time walking?”
Both men froze, and for a second she thought maybe she’d overstepped another line, but then Zayne laughed and that second of panic vanished.
“I can walk just fine—sitting, though”—he looked at Ethan, who smirked—“is another story.”
“You’re welcome.”
Chloé laughed along with Zayne at Ethan’s arrogance, then asked, “Do you mind if I take a look in your fridge?”
“Not at all,” Ethan said. “Treat the place like it’s your own. Whatever you want or need, let one of us know, and if we don’t have it, we’ll get it for you.”
“Just like that?”
“Yeah.” Zayne smiled. “Just like that.”
“Okay, then. Let me see what I’m working with here.”
“ALL JOKING ASIDE,” Ethan said quietly, “are you all right?”
Zayne looked at him with a frown as Chloé opened the fridge and began to hunt up some ingredients. “What do you mean?”
Ethan’s eyes lowered to below the belt of his robe, and Zayne grinned.
“I’m fine. Just a little tender.”
“And you would tell me if it was more?”
“Of course.”
Ethan’s eyes flicked to Chloé and then back to him. “Even with Chloé here? You aren’t trying to…impress her?”
“You know better than that. I wanted what you gave. If I’m feeling it a little, it’s because I wanted to feel it.”
Ethan nodded, and Zayne knew he understood.
After last weekend, and the meeting with the senator, Zayne had wanted Ethan to take him.
Claim him.
Dominate him in front of their new sub, to show Chloé that belonging to this beautiful man was one of the most crucial parts of who he was.
He also wanted to show her how powerful it was to be on your knees for someone like Ethan Holt.
“Okay.” Ethan slid his hand up under his robe and squeezed. “I’m just taking care of my boys.”
Zayne laughed as that wandering hand found his balls. He loved this side of Ethan, the relaxed, satisfied side that only came out behind closed doors.
“Your boys are very happy.”
“Hmm.” Chloé turned around at the fridge and eyed the both of them, unaware of what was going on beneath the bench. “How do you feel about coq au vin blanc?”
Zayne grinned. “Have no idea, since I don’t know what it is.”
“Oh, uh, chicken in white wine sauce. Now, I know you’re not vegetarians. One had duck and the other veal, so…”
“Definitely not vegetarians, and good memory.” Ethan leaned back on the stool and crossed his arms.
“I always remember when I please a customer.”
“Oh we were pleased, all right, Red. That food was some of the best I’ve ever eaten.”
“Some?” She raised a brow.
Zayne held his hands up. “My mistake, my mistake. The best.”
“That’s better,” she said, flashing him a flirty grin. “So neither of you have anything against creamy white wine chicken?”
“Definitely not.”
“Good.”
She turned back to the fridge, and as she started to load up on ingredients, Zayne said, “Do you want some help?”
“No, no. I’m fine. You just sit over there and rest your weary body.”
Ethan snorted and slipped off the stool to walk around to her. “How about I help?”
She smiled at him and nodded, handing him a packet of bacon, and Zayne couldn’t help but take a moment to enjoy the homey picture they made.
It was a rare occasion to see Ethan in anything other than a suit, but wrapped up in a robe with an armful of ingredients, he showed a side that was almost…domesticated.