Inside the Lines: Without a Trace series, a contemporary erotic romance novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

grasp. “Nope. Just gotta get through it. Tell me about the small one.”
    Her face lights up. “Which part? About how adorable and delicious she is? Or how exhausted she makes me?” She feigns sleep. “I feel like I could sleep for a month. Oh, but let me show you…” She digs out her phone and pulls up her photo album. “Look at Mia’s face this morning. Oh my gosh, her dimples are killer. Just like her daddy’s.”
    She shows me at least fifteen photos of the baby. She’s adorable, but that’s hardly surprising given her parents. I make the appropriate ohs and ahs over her pictures while I fight the envy that comes from seeing my friend’s joy; in many ways, it’s another reminder of how far away I am from having anything like that.
    “You okay?”
    I must’ve been silent for too long. “Of course. I’m just blown away by your beauteous child.” I offer a small smile in the hopes that she’ll forgive me.
    One amazing thing about Ella—she always does. As the pedicurist returns to pretty-up our feet, she leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “I’m here for you, you know.”
    I nod, once again overcome with emotions I don’t have anywhere to go with.

    Charles requested a standing appointment with me. While I’m never one to turn down a regular, I’m surprised he made a decision that quickly. Most of my regular clients took a few weeks to warm up to having a regular meeting with a Mistress. Of course, he seems to be a man who understands his preferences and needs, based on our first meeting.
    After our second session, I slip back into my trench coat and situate myself on the sofa in the suite’s living room. That is another surprise with Charles—he has no desire to meet at my dungeon. Instead, he pays for an extravagant room at one of the most expensive hotels in the city. Hey, I’m not going to argue with him. Less clean up and room rental for me.
    He dries his hands on a towel as he rejoins me in the living area. “Thank you, Mistress Hathaway. Once again, you astound me with your skill.”
    I bow my head slightly. “Thank you, Charles. You were very well-behaved today. More so than the first session.”
    His handsome face turns slightly embarrassed. “Yes, I admit, your punishment takes a bit to get used to. You have a firm hand with the whip.” When I don’t smile, he rushes to finish, “Which I greatly appreciate.”
    I bestow a small grin, then stand. “It’s been my pleasure, Charles.”
    “Would you mind having a cup of coffee with me? And I’m not propositioning you, Mistress Hathaway. I was wondering if you’d mind, when we meet, enjoying a few moments of conversation afterwards? You may charge me whatever you wish for your time.”
    His request surprises me, but I don’t sense any flirtation from him. He seems to want nothing more than a cup of coffee. It’s an odd question, and I’d normally turn such a request down. But I hear myself say, “For a few minutes.”
    Room service comes within moments. Coffee dispensed, I sit back on the sofa and eye him where he reclines in a chair. “So what did you wish to talk about?”
    For the first time, he’s a bit self-conscious, and he slides a hand through his wavy hair. “I was hoping you’d tell me more about your work. I was… in a relationship with a Dominatrix years ago, but she… I’m not sure of a polite way to say it, so I’ll just be blunt. She wasn’t a healthy person. She took it too far, often, to the point that she had a breakdown. I’ve always wondered how you balance what you do against your relationships? How do you embrace who you are in a world that is less than welcoming?”
    His question hits me in an uncomfortable place. I wouldn’t call myself the poster child for balancing your proclivities. He’s right: some people lose themselves in the BDSM world in an effort to avoid dealing with life. “I’m not sure I have the answer you are looking for, Charles. I’ve been involved in the BDSM world