Make Me Stay by Ella Jade

learn.”
    “Why don’t you tell her that? She’s distraught and upset. I don’t like to see her that way.” Martin headed to his car. “You work things out with her, and I’ll be in touch with both of you.”
    “I didn’t agree to your offer,” Cade said.
    “For now, I’m the stronger Dom and if you want me to release her to you, you’ll need to prove to me you can handle her. Think about it, Mr. Jameson.”
    Cade watched as he got into his car and pulled out of the driveway. He wasn’t sure what to make of Martin, but after meeting him he knew they both had Gracie’s best interest in common. Now he had to prove to the woman he loved he could handle anything she threw at him.
     

Chapter 11
     
    Gracie watched from the window as the two men who meant everything to her talked to one another. No one had thrown any punches, so that was a good sign. She feared that the two domineering men who would do anything for her could clash in disastrous ways.
    Cade waited outside as Martin pulled away and then he headed up the steps. Her heart rate increased as the door opened and he stared at her from the hall. He was intense and sexy, but she also saw the conflict that coursed through his body. She wondered if he’d ever come to terms with who he truly was.
    “Is everything okay?” she asked.
    “He’s an interesting man,” Cade said. “But he seems honest, and he does care for you. More than I realized.”
    “I told you he was good to me. He wants me to be happy. He knows I can have everything I’ve ever dreamed of with you. In all the time I spent with him, I never withheld how I felt about you.”
    He walked to where she was standing and took her hand. “I can’t be who you need.”
    She felt nauseous and then lightheaded. One minute they were standing by the window and the next thing she knew she was in his arms and they were on the couch.
    “Gracie? Baby, are you okay?” She heard the panic in his voice.
    She nodded.
    “What happened? You looked like you were going to pass out.”
    “I’m fine, but I think I need to be alone.” She tried to sit up but he held her still. “Can you please leave?”
    “I’m not going anywhere.”
    “Cade, I don’t want to play anymore. If this isn’t the life you want and I’m not the girl you need, then let me go. There’s no sense in trying to make something work that can’t. I tried to make you into someone you didn’t want to be because I thought I knew better. I’m sorry.” Her heart ached, her stomach hurt, and she wasn’t entirely sure she wasn’t going to throw up all over him. “It was wrong for me to come back here and try to lure you into a lifestyle you clearly aren’t interested in.”
    “Are you finished?”
    “Yeah.” She sat up. “I think I am.” She couldn’t do this anymore.
    “Good, because now I need you to be quiet and listen to what I have to say.”
    “Cade, really, it’s not necessary.” Being dumped by him once was more than enough for one lifetime. She wanted him to go so she could figure out a way to move on.
    “That wasn’t a request.” He pressed his fingers to her lips. “Now shut it and let me speak.”
    She opened her mouth but one fierce look from him told her she wasn’t going to win. She’d let him have his say and then she could put him behind her. They could both move on and say they gave it the best try they could.
    “As I started to say before you went all wobbly on me, I can’t be who you need without some guidance.”
    “You want Martin’s help?” She hoped she wasn’t misinterpreting what he was saying.
    “I think I might, but it has to be on my terms.” He stopped to think for a few seconds. “He doesn’t come in the bedroom with us, and he doesn’t touch you. I can’t allow that.”
    “I understand.” She felt excited over the prospect of Cade learning from a true master. Martin would teach Cade everything he needed to know. Martin could show Cade exactly what he was capable of.