Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
It hit her forcibly. Somehow she’d known it in an intellectual way, but she hadn’t fully grasped what it all meant. Kash’s life had changed that day fifteen years before. He’d gone from coddled spare son with all the choices of his life open to him to a man whose path was laid out before him with no exit ramps.
She was now trapped with him and Kori was right. She had to be realistic. There were many ways she could help the people of her country, but she couldn’t do anything at all if she was so controversial a figure that no one would listen. She wasn’t a pop star who could say whatever was on her mind and still expect to collect a paycheck at the end of the day. She wasn’t even a politician. She represented the people of Loa Mali.
Kash had been submissive for fifteen years. Submissive to his crown, to his people. His sexuality was one way he could have some form of control. Still, even he couldn’t walk into a BDSM club without causing a scandal. They had to keep that part of their lives private.
It wasn’t going to work. Sadness replaced her anger with him. Anger would solve nothing. She’d been naïve to think she could show him how good it would be to submit to her, that he needed to submit.
“He isn’t capable of giving himself what he needs,” she said softly. “He won’t ever give in. Not fully. That’s why he was going to travel after our honeymoon. He needed distance.”
“If it helps at all, I think you’re right. I believe he would find great joy in having a place to submit to a strong top. It would help him realize he doesn’t always have to be the king, but I fear he’s spent too long with a crown on his head to be able to change his mindset. It’s one thing for him to be known as a manwhore, something different for him to be seen as sexually submissive.”
He wouldn’t be able to do it. She could see that now. He’d indulged himself, but even right before their wedding, she’d felt him pulling away. He’d always intended to pull away. He’d been trying to stave off that moment when he would have to tell her he could never be that way again.
Had he dreaded it? Had Tasha showing up that night actually been some form of a relief for him?
“I should let it be.” Talking to him wouldn’t change a thing.
Kori frowned. “Oh, I didn’t say that.”
“You were right. Arguing isn’t going to get us anywhere. I understand his position. I was wrong to try to be sneaky. I should have been upfront with him. It would have saved us both a lot of time and heartache and potential lawyers’ fees. No, I’m going to give him the space he needs. I’ll try to talk to him about what we need to do, let him know I won’t fight him. I think that’s what he’s afraid of. He’s afraid I’ll cause trouble, but that’s not my intention at all. I want to make this easy on him, and definitely easy on the queen mother.”
She wasn’t sure what made her sadder, the idea of losing Kash or that for a moment it had felt like she’d had a family again. For a few weeks, she’d felt like she belonged.
“I agree you should go easy on his mom, but you should totally give him hell. It’s the only way they ever learn. Look, you’re the Mistress. I get that, and you all have rules and shit, but sometimes a bit of bratty behavior goes a long way.” The smile that lit up Kori’s face let her know she played the brat a lot. All the more fun for her Master. “Sometimes you’ve got to change the game on a man to get him to see things in a different light.”
That sub was probably so much trouble, but then again, she also seemed smart as hell. Day wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but maybe it was time to change the game. After all, the rules had been stacked against Kash since the day he’d been born.
“What are you thinking?”
“You know what they say, Mistress. What’s good for the goose…”
Was good for the gander. Ah, she understood. Perhaps it was time to start over, but with no secrets between them. He would likely still reject her, but if there was any chance at all, she would take it.
“I’m going to need some help.”
Kash stepped into the lounge with an uneasy sense of guilt. He’d told Day that he was going down to the conference room to play some video games. He’d then changed as quickly as he could and left via the back door of their suite, praying she wouldn’t see him. He was dressed in the leathers the group had been kind enough to supply. He wore leather pants and boots, a thin leather vest, and a mask. With his hair pulled back in a tight queue and the mask covering half his face, he was certain no one who didn’t know he was here would recognize him.