“Yeah, but you can’t live under her thumb, Libby. You’re twenty-eight years old. How long do you plan to go out with every Guatemalan man in Dallas that your mom sets you up with?”
Intellectually, Destiny was right. Libby knew it. But she’d never had the balls to confront her mom. Instead, she politely put up with the woman’s antics. Ironic, considering the fact that Libby wasn’t such a pushover in the rest of her life. She couldn’t afford to be. She’d been the smallest one in any room for her entire life. She’d made up for her stature with her personality, ensuring people at school and work and even in her personal life knew she was a strong, independent woman.
If she couldn’t reach something, she got a ladder. If she didn’t know something, she looked it up. If she felt emotions welling, she waited until she was alone to let the tears fall.
Except with Jason. That man controlled her with ease. It was both unnerving and intriguing.
“I figure eventually I’ll meet someone my mom approves of that I also like.” This was true. It was why she rarely turned down all the arranged dates. Surely one of these days the right man would show up at her door and she’d fall for him.
“Like? Do you hear yourself? You aren’t looking for a man you like, Libby. You need to find someone you’re head over heels in love with. No exceptions.”
Libby chuckled. “Just because you met that man when you were five, doesn’t mean the same thing happens for the rest of us. Besides, you got lucky that you finally ran into him after more than a decade of misunderstandings and cleared the air with your tequila mouth.”
Destiny laughed. “I was pretty drunk that night. Thank God. But seriously, you must at least like Jason more than any recent guy you’ve dated or you wouldn’t have gone to the trouble to call and get his number,” she pointed out.
She was right. Libby took in a deep breath. “What’s he doing in Dallas? Do you know? He said he moved here.”
“He got out of the Army a few months ago. He got a job here.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize that.” She hadn’t taken the time to ask him any questions last night.
Destiny giggled. “You two don’t do much talking, do you?”
Libby flushed. Destiny was right. How embarrassing.
“Hey,” Destiny whispered before going silent for several seconds.
Libby could hear her shuffling around.
“Sorry. I wanted to step outside so Trent wouldn’t hear me.”
Libby frowned. “Since when do you keep secrets from Trent?”
“Never. This isn’t something he doesn’t know. I just didn’t want him to realize I was telling you.”
“Oh.” Libby stiffened.
“Maybe you already figured this out but just in case you didn’t, Jason is, uh, kind of, well, dominant.”
Libby closed her eyes, shocked and uncertain what she wanted to divulge.
Destiny continued, rambling. “I mean it’s more than that. He’s a Dom, Libby. Do you know what that is?”
Libby nearly choked. “Yes, Mom. I’m not that innocent. I’ve read books. I have the internet.”
“Oh. Right. Sorry. Well… I just thought you should know. If he’s pursuing you, you’ll eventually find that out, I guess, but maybe if I warned you…”
“Destiny, stop. I’m aware.” It felt weird admitting this to one of her closest friends, but it also felt like a weight had been lifted. At least she would have someone she could talk to if she had questions or concerns.
“You are?”
“Yes. He doesn’t exactly hide that fact and save it for the second or third date.”
“Oh. Wow. Okay. Hmm. Then I guess you, uh…”
“I’m not ready to discuss it with you, okay? It’s kinda weird and personal and I’m still wrapping my head around it.”
“Okay. Sure. I get it. It’s not like I’m well-versed in any sort of kink anyway. I’m just, well, I’m here for you if you need to talk.”
“Thank you. That means a lot. Really. I appreciate it, and thanks for looking out for me, even though you’re a date-and-a-half too late,” Libby joked, chuckling. “Now, text me his number so I can call him before he gets his panties in a wad. As you obviously know, the man doesn’t like to be challenged.”
“Got it. Good luck. Be careful.”
“Be careful? You just went to a great deal of trouble pointing out he was a good guy and I was in good hands,” Libby teased.
“He is. I meant with your heart.”
Libby flinched. Destiny was right. There was little concern for her physical wellbeing. Her heart was another story.
The moment Libby ended the call, there was a knock at the door. She shuffled over and opened it to find a teenager holding a narrow vase with a single rose in it. “Delivery for Libertad Garcia.”
She smiled as she took it from him. Apparently, even though she hadn’t tracked Jason down until just now, he’d found her information. The man had been busy this morning. Impressive.
As she shut the door, she leaned in and inhaled the scent. It wasn’t until she’d carried the rose over to set it on the counter that she noticed there was no card. Nothing. Just the rose.
So, the man was romantic and mysterious.
And dominant, she reminded herself.
Chapter 6
Jason smiled when his phone indicated there was an incoming text. His little imp had kept him waiting. It was five minutes until noon. He wasn’t surprised. He’d expected as much.
He took a deep, cleansing breath and dropped onto his couch, keeping the face of his phone against his jeans for a few more seconds. He needed to get himself under control. He’d never been this interested in a woman before. He didn’t want to fuck it up.
Finally, he lifted his phone to read her text.
Reporting in as demanded before noon, Sir.
He nearly swallowed his tongue. His cock jumped to attention. Holy shit. She’d even called him Sir. It wasn’t a term he had ever demanded from a
