On Becoming Her Sir Read Free Page A

could never be afraid you. Never.” Jessie’s voice was quiet but filled with consternation.
    Bristling, Luke tried to regain his composure. She wasn’t supposed to see him this way, not fragile and unable to control the situation as well as her and… Control. Dear God all he could think about was controlling Jessie? Was he out of his fucking mind? “Jessie, go back to bed. I have some things to do.”
    “No, I won’t.”
    “No?” Luke heard the slight edge in his voice. She was never just blatantly defiant. “I said, go back to bed. I have some things I need to accomplish.”
    “What you read has nothing to do with you. I’m so sorry you think that the words meant anything…”
    “Jessie,” he interrupted. “Just go back to…”
    “You listen to me!”
    Luke growled and shot his head up. Even in the reflection he could still see her radiant beauty and the look of determination on her face. This was the old Jezebel, the one he’d fallen in love with. He kept his silence, exhaling slowly.
    “What you read has nothing to do with you. I have no idea why you would think that. I’m sorry.” Jessie took two steps forward.
    He studied her face, the way she was clucking her jaw, her brow furrowed. The slip of a robe, vibrant red in color, was her favorite, one he’d purchased on an out of town trip. As tall and vivacious as the woman was in every day life, the one everyone else knew, right now he saw the terrified woman he’d longed to protect. “You have every right to be afraid of me. I’m failing as your Dom. As anyone’s concept of a Master.”
    Jessie shook her head and took two more “No.” Holding out her hand, she flexed her fingers and sighed before touching his shoulder.
    Sagging, Luke sucked in his breath and watched her every move.
    Her eyes never leaving his, she slowly took a step back and untied the belt on her robe. “What you don’t seem to understand is…” She hesitated until the sash was completely untied. “The person I’m afraid of….” Shimmying her shoulders, the silk slipped off, gravity taking the slinky material to the floor. “Me. Of the woman I was and maybe the woman I’m sure I can…become…” As Jessie’s voice cracked, she opened her arms briefly, allowing him to see every inch of her naked body in the dim illumination of the moonlight.
    Luke remained frozen. The way she was opening herself up, showing such a vulnerable side touched him beyond belief. Because of his ridiculous hesitation she folded her arms across her chest and eased into the shadows, moving so her back was toward him. He caught the glimpse of her disappointment and that was the strength he needed. What a freaking fool he was being. Turning swiftly, his voice boomed. “Jezebel.”
    The single word stopped her retreat. She remained still, her breathing labored as if she was crying.
    Within two second he had her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her and dragging her to her tiptoes. For a few seconds she struggled in his hold. “Jessie, ssshhh…”
    “Let me go. Please just let me go.”
    “No. I love you and there is nothing about you that you should be afraid you. You are an amazing woman, beautiful and so very strong. Your willingness to succumb to me is the greatest gift any man could ever ask for. You honor me every day of your life. You inspire me.”
    “Then why are you doing this to yourself?” Jessie wiggled again, one hand slapping down on his arm.
    He jerked her even more tightly against his body. She deserved an honest answer. Kissing the top of her head, he hummed a favorite tune, one he hadn’t in several years. The realization gave him a smile. Jezebel was a healing force. “Because I fear you could honestly never love a man like me, not the real me.” The words hung in the air and almost instantly she sagged in his arms.
    “You are the love of my life and there is nothing you can ever say to me that will make me love you any less. Nothing. You just have to