Trace & Tori [The ShadowDance Club 4] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Avery Gale Read Free Book Online

enough to blush. “I love touching you, pet, and just knowing you are open for that touch pleases me more than I can tell you.”
    Tori’s mind was reeling, she didn’t understand why everything that was happening was turning her on when a part of her mind kept reminding her that she should be protesting it. Why would an independent, intelligent woman become soaking wet from handing over so much power to a man? It was baffling, and she was sure the reptilian part of her brain must be the only section working.
    Trace watched Tori closely, knowing she was struggling with all the issues that typically plagued submissives in the early stages of their introduction to the lifestyle. In this day and age it was always so difficult for women in particular to understand that even though they submitted sexually, they really did hold all the cards.
    They enjoyed a companionable quiet as they ate, and Tori was struck by how easy Trace was to be with. Even though he was a large man, he seemed at ease with his size and didn’t use it to intimidate her. Tori finally spoke. “Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.” She had picked up their plates and headed to the sink before she continued. “You cooked so I’ll clean up.” It didn’t take her any time at all to set the kitchen back to rights, and she noticed he just watched her, interest and something else she couldn’t quite identify sparkling in his intelligent eyes.
     
    * * * *
     
    They spent the entire day checking cattle, making sure water supplies were open and that each pasture they visited had plenty of hay set in the feeders. They’d laughed at the antics of the calves as they ran in groups that reminded her of ministampedes, but Trace has said it was more likely they should be compared to gangs of unruly teens getting in to mischief. Tori had been surprised at how loud the little hellions had been as they’d run from one end of the pasture to the other, and she’d giggled when they’d kicked up their heels, obviously relishing the crisp late-fall air. She had enjoyed seeing the land her uncle had left her and was relieved to know Trace was the rancher she’d been told was currently leasing the pastures. She didn’t have any intention of buying or managing cattle and hadn’t really given much thought to what she would do with the land. Sensing his tension, she asked, “What do you think I should do with the land? I don’t know anything about ranching, and since there isn’t a place to live out here…” She let her words trail off as she got lost in the thoughts racing through her mind. When she was finally able to continue, she simply said, “I’d thought I could stay here for a while, that I’d be safe here.” Suddenly she realized Trace had stopped the truck and was turned facing her, watching her intently, his concern clearly reflected in his soft expression. She hadn’t even realized she was crying until he reached over and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.
    “Talk to me, Tori…what are you running from?” When he saw her muscles visibly tense, he pulled her into a hug and just held her for long minutes giving her a chance to center her thoughts before setting her back again so he could look in to her eyes.
    Tori didn’t even realize she’d started talking for a few seconds, and then the words seemed to tumble out faster and faster until she’d told him all about moving to Houston, the fire department’s visit to her condo, and how the officer she’d met that night had taken an interest in her and asked her out to dinner. She told him how she’d known early on during that first date that Officer Gary George wasn’t someone she would be interested in seeing again, and when he’d sensed her withdrawal, he had started pressuring her right away about returning to her place for drinks and telling her where they’d be going the next night.
    Thinking back on all the things Gary George had done to her during the