Their Independent Bride [The Men of Space Station One #6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Marla Monroe Page A

but in return, he made sure they wanted for nothing while they were with him.
    He’d had no control over his life as a child. His parents moved constantly when he was growing up. Whichever way the wind blew had them on the road again. His father wandered from job to job and his mother made ends meet the best she could. Sometimes they had plenty to eat and sometimes they scrounged for a meal. They moved so much that he could never keep a friend and struggled with school.
    After so many years of having no control over where he lived or when he went to school, Greg required strict control in his life now. He found what he needed in a D/s relationship. Only now, he was without a submissive. He had an independent bride with a mouth on her. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do. This was for life. He couldn’t uncollar her and look for another one.
    “She’s trying to accommodate us, Greg. Remember this is all new to her, too.”
    “I know. How in the hell did they screw up so badly?”
    “I don’t know, but we can’t let her feel like we don’t want her. She’s a good woman.”
    “I’m not saying she isn’t, but she’s not the type of woman we are used to. You have always been more flexible than I am. I’m sure you’re having trouble, too, but…”
    “But I can handle a little compromise where you have to work at it. I know, Greg. Just try.”
    They worked in companionable silence until all the seeds had been sown and the garden tools cleaned and put away. Then they watered the garden and rolled the hose back up.
    “That’s it. We need to get inside and check on Janet. Knowing her, she’s gotten up and gotten something when she was supposed to stay on the couch.” Greg brushed the dirt off his hands and walked toward the house.
    After washing up, he walked into the living room to find Janet sound asleep on the couch. Her ankle was still propped up with a bag of water lying on the floor. He guessed he was lucky it hadn’t opened up and spilled.
    Steven walked up next to him. The other man shook his head and pointed at her swollen ankle. It had turned a purplish color. She was going to be in pain for a while. The next couple of days would be tough on her. He didn’t want her up on her foot at all. He was sure she would balk over that directive.
    As they stared down at her, she opened her eyes and jumped.
    “Easy, love. It’s just us.” Steven sat on the edge of the couch and patted her hand.
    “What are you two doing standing there staring at me while I’m asleep?”
    “We had just walked up when you woke up,” Greg told her.
    “Did you finish the garden? What about watering it?”
    “Everything is done,” he assured her.
    “I’m going to go start something for supper.” Steven stood up and headed toward the kitchen, leaving them alone.
    “Your ankle is in bad shape, baby. You’re not going to be able to walk on it for a couple of days.”
    “I have to take care of the house, Greg. It will be okay in the morning. You’ll see.”
    He sighed and chose his words carefully. “If it’s still swollen, you’re not getting on it tomorrow.”
    “We have Carmen and her husbands coming tomorrow night. I have to be able to get up and see to them.”
    “We’ll see how you are tomorrow afternoon. If you behave and stay off your ankle from now on, maybe you can get up while they are here.”
    She started to say something then closed her mouth and nodded.
    “Good girl. Steven and I will take care of everything. You just have to get well. They aren’t coming for dinner, so all there will be a need to worry about is coffee and maybe something sweet to eat.”
    “If I promise to stay off my foot, will you promise to let me get up while they are here?”
    Greg drew in a deep breath and counted to ten. She was struggling like he was. He needed to remember that.
    “If it is not as swollen and you can walk on it with only a slight limp. If you can’t put pressure on it without a lot of pain, then no, I