Mina's Heart (25 page)

Though she’d been tied to the pleasure tower, she knew that Ever had spent a lot of time preparing food. She wished he’d ordered her to help him. Now that she was here as a submissive, she missed being a larger part of his life. “They are. Let’s get them set out.”

As they moved the massive array of submarine sandwiches, Mina decided to take a chance. It wasn’t something she would normally do, but she was getting a little desperate. She knew this night was another test. If she couldn’t fit in with this group, she had no chance of reviving her relationship with Ever.

“Lydia? Can I ask you a question?”

The taller woman lifted her shoulders in a gesture that invited the query but didn’t encourage it.

“Do the Doms eat first? And do the submissives serve them?” In the past, Ever had always taken care of her, and they’d always dined together.

Lydia considered this, a faint frown marring her forehead. “Sometimes. It depends on who is calling the shots. Ever doesn’t usually care to be waited on, but Sir likes it. It’s your job to know what Ever wants and give it to him.”

That was the problem; Mina didn’t know what Ever wanted. This was another conversation they’d failed to have.

“Unattached Doms can order the unattached subs around.” Jessalyn finished setting out the vegetable subs. “But they usually ask instead of order. We wouldn’t refuse, but that’s more a product of friendship and less a response to their dominance.”

Grateful they’d both taken her question seriously, Mina nodded. “Thank you. I’ll ask Ever what he prefers.”

She wanted to ask Lydia if she always referred to Wilder as “Sir,” but she didn’t feel comfortable digging into the other woman’s business. Yet. One day they would be friends.

Upstairs, the size of the gathering had swelled. She recognized Wilder, Micah, Isla, and Eva. Jude had filled out since she’d last seen him, but his strawberry-blond curls were easy to pick out. She filed into the room after Lydia and Jessalyn. Following Lydia’s cue, she took her place kneeling at Ever’s feet.

He glanced down at her, his brows lifted in an expression of mild surprise and pleasure. Wordlessly he stroked her hair, a reward for behaving appropriately. The conversation continued around them. Mina followed it the best she could, trying to fill in the pieces she’d missed while they’d been setting up the food.

The doorbell rang. Ever shifted to get up, but Wild held up his hand. “I’m closer.”

When he returned, a petite woman trailed him. She wore a black bustier that left her midriff bare and a matching skirt that fell to midthigh. Her long blonde tresses fell down her back and over her shoulders. The cold had reddened her cheeks a little, giving her a healthy, slightly ethereal quality.

“Sara’s here,” Wilder announced.

“Late as always.” Jude’s comment hovered between fond and snide, an unexpected tone given his neutral expression.

“Bite me, O’Connor.” Sara flashed a smile at everyone but Jude. He got daggers. “You were supposed to pick me up.”

“I never said I’d pick you up.” The heat in his icy glare dared her to argue.

Ever rose to his feet, interrupting what was turning into an uncomfortable moment. “We’re glad you made it, Sara. It wouldn’t be the same without you. Let’s go over the rules before we head downstairs.”

“Sounds like a great idea.” Micah sat forward, his hands clasped loosely together and his elbows resting on his thighs. He frowned in Mina’s direction. “I also think you should introduce your new submissive. Not everybody has met her yet.”

Ever motioned for Mina to stand. She took her place by his side, a refuge in this sea of hostile strangers. Starting to his left, he made a circuit of the room, introducing her to everybody. None of them stepped forward to shake her hand or greet her. They merely nodded, most of them curtly, as Ever said their names. Pete was new to her, as were Sydney and Sara. She’d met Lydia and Jessalyn already, and she’d known Eva, Isla, and Micah from before. She’d expected a little more of an acknowledgment from Wilder, but he didn’t do more than appraise her with a cool look.

Afterward, Ever went through the rules quickly, noting that anybody could refuse to redeem any prize. It seemed that even the stated offerings were subject to approval. Mina understood that it would be bad form to offer a prize and not follow through, though nobody vocalized that stipulation.

When he finished, Ever gestured toward the stairs leading to the lower level. “Go on down and start eating.”

She waited for him to follow his guests, but as the room cleared out, he clasped her hand and pulled her closer. Though the air was warm, she welcomed the solid feel of physical contact and the surety of his scent.

He lowered his head to ensure the privacy of their conversation. “I’m sorry to put you in this position. This kind of tension wasn’t meant to be part of your wish. I’ll understand if you want to bow out for the night. We can begin again in the morning.”

“They’re your friends,” she said, trying to keep a lightness to her tone that she didn’t feel. “Of course they’re going to be wary of me. You’re still wary of me.”

“No. I’m not. Not anymore.”

His confession warmed her inside and out. This might be all she got from him, but she would take it for now. She lowered her gaze, submitting to him because she felt it in her soul.

“Mina, you and I need to talk.”

The rawness of his tone sent her heart soaring. “I know.”

“You don’t have to go down there. I’ll never require you to put yourself in such an uncomfortable position.”

She heard so much more than what he was saying. “I want to be by your side, Master. Always.”

He bit his lip as if he was holding back the urge to order her to her room. Finally he nodded. “I’ve got your back, honey. They’re my friends, but I won’t allow them to treat you badly, especially since it’s my fault you left me in the first place. If you want out of the game at any time, just tell me. I’ll take care of you.”

She wasn’t certain how much control he had over his friends, particularly when he wasn’t in the room. Besides, she didn’t want to have to rely on him to fight her battles. She’d broken his heart and left him. That was all they’d see until they knew her better. Only then would they acknowledge Everett’s fault in the matter.

The thought behind his assurance made her feel better. She paused at the top of the stairs. “Did you still want me to copy everybody’s preference cards?”

* * * *

Eleven people squeezed in around the large card table. Ever willed his knee to stop wiggling back and forth before somebody noticed as he waited for Mina to join them in the basement. She wasn’t taking too long, but Lydia had also gone upstairs on an errand for Wilder. After the frosty reception earlier, he didn’t like the idea of her being exposed to his friends without him around. Mina was trying very hard to behave tonight. He wasn’t sure she’d defend herself, not that she should have to do it in the first place. He’d put her in this situation. She needed protecting.

“You think she’s going to take off again?” Wilder’s soft question pulled Ever’s mind away from worrying about Mina.

He scowled at his brother. “No.”

Wild scowled back, mocking him. “It’s not an unreasonable question.”

Ever thought about her apology, how she’d revealed the real reason she’d run from him. He had messed up badly by not being up-front with her. She hadn’t a clue what it meant to date a Dom, and he’d abdicated his responsibility to make sure she made an informed decision.

“It’s my fault she ran the first time. I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

Wilder’s frown turned real. “I told you to be honest with her.
Dad
told you to be honest with her.”

Ever matched his brother's expression. He was all too aware of his mistakes. “It’s a miracle she’s here at all. Be nice to her. I can’t lose her again.”

Conversations around them were dying down as their friends began to sense a problem. Ever wanted to table the discussion, because he needed to talk this out with Mina first.

Wilder didn’t seem to notice. His brother’s eyes clouded over with concern. “You weren’t the only one holding back. Twenty-four hours with her and you’re ready to whip out that ring?”

He’d never returned the engagement ring he’d chosen for her. It sat in a drawer, nestled behind things he rarely touched. “Just trust me on this. I need you on my side.”

A stack of papers appeared in front of him, and Mina took the seat he’d saved for her. She didn’t lean toward him or try to interrupt his exchange with Wilder, and she didn’t attempt to make eye contact with anyone else.

When he’d suggested a play party, he hadn’t counted on the fact that he’d never fallen out of love with her. This was supposed to provide closure for him, prove that she wasn’t meant to be his submissive. Instead, it bothered him that she was the object of hostility. He wanted everyone to see in her what he saw—her kind, vulnerable heart; her sweet, giving nature; and her quick, intelligent mind.

He’d spent so many years setting them against her when he’d committed the graver sin, and now it was going to take a mountain to change their minds. He needed Wilder’s help.

Wilder leaned back in his chair, slinging his arm out to the side so that it rested along the back of Lydia’s chair. He played his fingertips along her shoulder, but he kept his attention on Ever. At last he nodded, a promise of support. It was all Ever needed. Once Micah, Jude, and Isla figured out that Wilder was going to give Mina a chance, they’d follow his lead.

The submissives in the group would be a tougher sell. Because they had all been properly trained, they wouldn’t empathize with Mina’s reasons for abandonment so easily, and they’d likely downplay the significance of Ever’s responsibility in alienating her. Sometimes his friends gave him too much credit.

He reached across the small space separating them and closed his hand over hers. Though he’d made sure the temperature in the room was warm—submissives didn’t wear much clothing in the first place, and the game would entail losing more of it—her skin was icy. Checking the temperature of her skin with an unhurried caress, he found her core warm. Only her hands were cold.

“Sydney, I believe you’re dealing first.” Wilder pushed a fresh deck of cards toward their friend. Like Mina, Sydney wore a blue teddy. Unlike Mina, Sydney also wore a skirt and a loose blouse.

Ever went into the kitchenette and made a mug of tea, which he placed in front of Mina. Even if she didn’t drink it, the warmth of the ceramic would feel good on her hands.

Though she looked surprised, she smiled her thanks and inclined her head toward his cards. “It’s your turn to ante up.”

He had a three and a four, but they were both hearts, so that was something. He threw in the required amount of chips and turned to Mina. “Are you cold?”

She shook her head and curled her hands around the mug. “Just my hands, and you’ve taken care of them nicely.”

“So, Mina, how long are you back in town?” Eva’s smile was a cross between syrup and a poisoned apple.

Ever shot her a warning look, which Eva promptly ignored.

“A few days, maybe longer. Things are up in the air right now.” Mina frowned at her cards, but she increased her bet.

“Really?” Jessalyn’s gaze remained on her plate. She picked at the remnants of her sub and dropped a sliver of red pepper into her mouth. “What happened with that guy we saw you with at Elmhurst a few months ago? Wasn’t he here with you when you got into your car accident?”

Ever remembered that night clearly. Lydia had been Wilder’s submissive, but they had both been madly committed to keeping the romance out of their relationship. Isla had invited Lydia out to Elmhurst for karaoke and to get to know the other members of their group of friends. Mina had been there with her then-boyfriend.

Blood drained from Mina’s face, leaving her looking a little sallow. She shifted uncomfortably, and he knew she wanted to move closer to him, to let him protect her, but she didn’t want to risk his rejection.

Ever didn’t lose his temper easily, and he was dangerously close to exploding. That was a topic he hadn’t broached with Mina, though when he’d done the background check, Jude had found out that Mina had ended her relationship with John Westerberg soon after the accident. Jessalyn had no right to bring that up. It was none of her business.

Wilder put his hand on Ever’s shoulder, bringing him back into the moment. “She’s with Everett now, so it doesn’t matter.”

Jessalyn threw her cards into the pile, folding her hand. Her green eyes darkened. “I think I speak for almost everyone when I say that it does matter.”

Mina exhaled heavily. “Then you’ll agree that it’s none of your business.”

Ever stared at her, shocked and impressed that she’d said anything. She’d even managed to make the set-down sound polite.

“Yes,” Wilder added. “It’s between them. If Ever’s satisfied with her apology and she’s satisfied with his, then that’s the end of it.”

Jessalyn drew her brows together and leaned forward, but Isla put a restraining hand on her arm. It always amazed Ever at how submissives responded to a firm presence, whether or not attraction was present. It was part of what he loved about being a Dom.

“You know what?” Isla tossed her head, sending her long blonde hair back over one shoulder. “I have discovered that you can put pretty much any word in front of ‘waffle’ and it makes for a good curse.”

Everybody stared at her in silence. Ever didn’t know what the hell she was talking about, but he was grateful to her for derailing Jessalyn’s destructive line of questioning.

Finally, Mina broke the quiet. “You mean like if somebody is giving you a hard time, you can call them a douche waffle?”

Jude inclined his head thoughtfully. “Pussy waffle.”

“Dick waffle,” Sara shot back. It appeared she hadn’t forgiven Jude for not picking her up. Ever wasn’t sure whether those two actually hated each other. Sometimes they seemed ten seconds from falling into bed together.

“Jizz waffle,” Sydney added.

“Scrotum waffle,” Eva supplied. Her husband, Pete, leaned back and tried to look at her cards. She pressed them to her breasts where her corset pushed them up. “Shithead waffle.”