Secrets Shared by Raven McAllan Page A

you’d have known it. Now be honest with me.”
    She was silent for so long, David wondered if he’d pushed her too far too fast. It might seem like tiny steps to him, but who knew what it felt like to her? He might generally be intuitive, but not, it seemed, with Jess. She was a mass of contradictions. Just as he was going to change the subject, she spoke.
    “Oh, okay, yes, I was turned on, but I hated the thought. If you must know, it scared me shitless to think you were hitting me and I got wet. The only way I’ve got like that before tonight was with Hector. My vibrator. What the hell does that make me? A sad, dried up biddy, old before her time?” The words burst out of Jess. She looked startled as if she’d had no idea she had been going to say them. “Sorry.”
    David held her head in his hands. He realized with a jolt he’d done that a fair bit in the few hours he’d known her. “Never feel you have to apologize for being honest. Without honesty, there’s no point.” He didn’t elaborate and she didn’t ask him to. “Right, we’ll carry on. One word of warning, or advice if you prefer—once we leave my quarters, we’re on show. I’m not asking you to participate or comment unless you want to. You can ask me questions when we’re alone, and if you feel overwhelmed or unhappy tell me quietly. Red will be fine. What I am asking for is respect. For me and anyone else you see, whether you agree with their actions or not.”
    “What if it’s something I reckon is wrong? Utterly and totally wrong. What then? Will you listen?”

Chapter Eleven
     
     
     
    Gah, I sound like a stuck record, but I can’t bloody help it. What if he said no? Jess had never felt so mixed up in her life. David had turned her ideas and impressions upside down, and all he’d done was swat her ass and hint at what he’d like to do.
    “If you’re worried then pinch my wrist. Like this.” He gave her a quick, sharp, nip, which twisted the skin just above her palm. “I’ll get us somewhere you can tell me what worries you. Okay?”
    She inclined her head. After all, she could hardly blurt out something looked off if no one else thought so. It wouldn’t help either her or David, and whatever happened, Jess knew she didn’t want to harm David’s reputation. “Thank you. It…well, it reassures me. Now I know deep down that Pete was not a Dom, and a full scale out and out arsehole, but then I didn’t. And it scares me how gullible I was. Not that logically I think you’d let anyone like him within a ten mile radius of the club or me, but logic sort of flies out of the window when I’m scared, excited and…” Her tummy rumbled. “Well, okay…and starving.”
    “Then move your butt, and let’s feed you.”
    David took hold of her hand and began to walk again. Jess considered the simple gesture was a perfect way to give her his strength and support and show their solidarity. For all she tried to be confident inside, she was a mass of nerves. Every creepy crawly known to man—or woman—had tried, and as far as Jess was concerned, succeeded, in taking up residence in her tummy. Not all of them were scary either. The butterflies were definitely of the ‘go on just have a go’ type. Now if only I knew just what I wanted to have a go at, that might help.
    She bumped into David, who had paused in front of a door.
    “Oh, sorry, I was wool-gathering. Is this it?”
    “Is it what?” Even his voice had changed. It was all Jess could do not to kneel and ask him to take her and show her everything.
    “The way into”— Shit, I almost said paradise. What is wrong with me?— “the club.”
    “Your club.” David reminded her with a smile. “Are you sure I can’t persuade you to change your clothes? Or at least ditch the jeans, I rather like my shirt on you. I don’t want you to feel out of place.”
    “No, I’m fine.” Jess leaned into him, pleased when he held onto her hand and circled her with his other arm.