Confusion clouded her eyes, and a little wrinkle formed on her forehead. Domi stared up at him as if he was speaking a foreign language. Yeah, that hadn’t exactly been clear. This was why he’d wanted to prepare something to say.
“Like, hang out as friends?”
“No.” He shook his head. Use your words, Mitch. Olivia’s voice echoed in his head. Mistress Olivia had been in charge of the class for new dominants at Stronghold, the one he’d taken with Kincaid, Zach, and Brian. She’d also been the lead instructor for the submissives when Mitch had met Domi. One of the things she’d hammered into Mitch’s head during both classes had been the importance of clear communication. “I want us to date. I mean, I want to take you out on a date.”
Domi
She didn’t know whether to be bowled over by Master Mitch’s adorable awkwardness or bang her head against the wall. Why was he doing this?
“You want a date?” She asked in disbelief. Mr. No Commitment, Mr. I Only Scene, Mr. Don’t Get Attached… wanted to date her?
“I don’t want to just date. I want to date you, specifically. No one else.” He cleared his throat again, shoving his hands in his pockets. Something vulnerable about his demeanor tugged on her heartstrings. Mitch was a commitment-phobe, and she hadn’t heard about him ever asking anyone out on a date before. No wonder he didn’t seem very confident.
Part of her worried this was a road to certain heartbreak, but another part of her had to wonder—how strongly must he feel if he was willing to break his usual M.O.?
“I like you,” he said when she didn’t say anything right away. “I like spending time with you. I liked your daughter, though I’ll understand if you don’t want me to spend time with both of you right away. After you broke things off, it made me realize I’ve gotten used to having you in my life and I like you there. I missed having you there when you weren’t.”
It wasn’t the most romantic speech she’d ever heard, wasn’t the most practiced, but it very well might be the most honest. Domi melted… just a little.
“I…”
“You don’t have to decide tonight,” he said hurriedly. “I know I’m springing this on you. If you want to think about it...” Soulful blue eyes begged her not to think too long. It was almost painful to see this earnest side of Mitch rather than his classic joking demeanor. Definitely not the confident, swaggering Dom she was used to, but it didn’t diminish her attraction to him. If anything, it made him seem more real.
“I’ll think about it,” she found herself saying. This wasn’t a Mitch she could turn away with a smile and a joke. This was a more serious Mitch. Similar to the one she’d seen yesterday at the hospital, but not the same. Serious, but open in a way she’d never seen him before.
A brilliant smile was her reward. Damn, if he smiled at her like that all the time, she wouldn’t be able to resist him.
“Do you want to play tonight? With me?” he asked hopefully.
“Sure.” Yup. Definitely a bad idea, but how was she supposed to say no right now? She wanted to scene with him. She’d wanted to scene with him even before she’d known he was there, and now that he was not only there but saying he had missed her and wanted to try dating her…
If she’d thought his smile was brilliant before, it was even better now. Blue eyes sparkled with anticipation as he straightened up, pulling his Dom persona around him like a cloak. Hands no longer in his pockets, he held one out for her to take, and Domi slipped her fingers into his.
She almost swore she could hear Rae’s inaudible groan.
Yup, I’m over here making poor choices. You can scold me later. Right now, I’m gonna go get laid.
Turning, Master Mitch pulled her into position along his side, wrapping her hand around his arm like an old-school gentleman. Domi couldn’t help but giggle.
“Let’s see what’s open in the Dungeon,” he said with a wink, walking toward the stairs. No, walking wasn’t the right word. He was strutting, and Domi couldn’t keep the grin off of her face.
He might be terrible at dating—probably would be—but he wanted to try. That meant something to her. Wasn’t it at least worth trying? Not that she was going to give him a yes right now, but they could at least scene together. She’d give him her answer after she’d had some time to think about it.
Even though she was already pretty sure she was going to say yes.
Chapter Ten
Mitch
Thankfully, one of the nooks along the far wall of the Dungeon was open, with hanging chains and cuffs, providing all sorts of fun possibilities once he got Domi restrained. Leading her over to the nook, he dropped his play bag on the bench beside it and smiled down at her. She looked back at him, bemused since he was escorting her like they were on their way to the theater or something.
“What kind of scene would you like to have?” he asked. Domi raised her eyebrows. Usually, he took the lead, but tonight, he wanted to make sure she got what she needed, but she didn’t seem to understand why he was asking. “Is there anything special you need after yesterday?”
Comprehension flashed in her eyes.
“Stress release.” She made a face. “I know I shouldn’t feel guilty about Ana being hurt, it was an accident, but…”
Domi was the type to take the blame for things outside her control. Must make being a single mom difficult. He wondered who took care of Ana when Domi was at Stronghold… Not his business, though he hoped they’d be able to talk about their actual lives soon. Maybe when he took her out on their first date.
This wasn’t the time to ask. She needed time
