Page 120 of Blush

Mandy with her warm brown hair and eyes like the night moon. Mandy, with a curvier hourglass figure compared to Serena’s tall and athletic form.

Mandy…who I never thought of that way.

Who I neverletmyself think of that way.

That’s the key.

I’ve been so focused on protecting my friendship with Mandy that I never allowed my feelings to go anywhere else.

And then… When she wrote that damned Lustr profile, and I was frightened for her, wanted—no,needed—to protect her. Because that’s what we do. We take care of each other.

I thought I could scare her off Lustr. Scare her off—

Fuck. Who the hell am I kidding?

I would do anything to protect Mandy.

Even fromme.

Chapter Forty-Three

Amanda

“Would you like something to drink?” Zorro asks.

“Sure.”

“I don’t recommend having alcohol, but if you need one drink to relax a little, that’s fine.”

“I think I can figure out whether I want to drink on my own.”

“That’s why I asked, Elena. But perhaps I should give you your first lesson. You don’t speak to your Dominant in that tone.”

Funny, his reprimand irks me, which is interesting because I didn’t feel that way when Jackson did it.

Maybe submission isn’t for me after all.

“I’m sorry.”

“The correct response is, ‘I’m sorry, sir.’”

Well, I asked for a teacher.

“I’m sorry, sir.”

The words feel all wrong in my mouth. Jackson is sir. I don’t want to call this stranger sir.

“May I ask a question, sir?”

“You may.”

“Would it be okay if I call you Zorro instead of sir?”

“Of course, Elena. Zorro is fine.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,Zorro.”