Dare Me
Chapter Ten

Rafe watched his brothers tear into a plate of nachos and wash them down with a pair of matching Coors Lite. His stomach twisted with tension, but he'd made his decision. He needed to tell his brothers the truth-then get Summer Preston back into his life and in his bed.

Thirty days of pure hell. That's how long it had taken him to realize he'd made the biggest mistake of his life by walking away. She'd been right all along. He'd tried to compartmentalize and make them a normal couple. Whatever the hell normal was. Rafe figured with enough time, they'd get over their kink and he'd finally be able to bring their relationship into the light.

So stupid. So selfish. The whole time, she'd been open and honest about what she wanted. Instead, he'd been the one to lie, to both of them, and now he paid the price. Because his world without Summer was empty. Lackluster. Like going from a black and white to Technicolor, he couldn't lie to himself and anybody else anymore.

Something shattered within him that day. He'd pushed past the pain and got back into his old life, but everything changed. Dealing cards, sharing a meal with his brothers, and dating a bunch of pretty, nameless women left him cold. His soul gaped open with an empty wound and nothing seemed to fill it. When he'd looked up private BDSM clubs on the internet and wondered if she had a new sub, the sick anger nearly tore him apart. Fierce emotion coursed through him at the image of her sweet face hiding a tigress's soul. He belonged to her, and she to him. Their weeks together proved he loved submitting to her. He was happier on his knees and showing his devotion than he'd ever been trying to dominate or control a woman in the bedroom. He missed the peace he found in the simple act of obeying, the falling away of barriers and thoughts and memories that usually haunted him. He was truly himself, raw and vulnerable, and she made him feel more cherished and adored than any woman could.

Rafe decided his biggest barriers sat beside him in the cracked leather booth, chowing down on appetizers in ignorant bliss. His first step was key to getting Summer to forgive him. Rafe tipped back his beer bottle for one last swig and faced his brothers. "I need to tell you guys something. Something that's been bothering me for a long time."

They shared a look. Rick dropped the chip he held in his hand and leaned in. Rome nodded with encouragement. "Go ahead, bro. We're listening."

Their rock solid support surrounded him. He took a deep breath. "I'm a submissive."

Rick raised one blond brow. "Get out."

His stomach turned but he kept his chin high and met his brother's stare head on. "Nope. I've known this for a while now, but I turned chicken shit and refused to admit it. Remember when I told you about my night FANTA-C arranged?" Rome looked puzzled. "Yeah. You said she was a pretty sub you tied to your bed, but you weren't going to see her again."

Rafe winced. "I lied. I was hooked up with a Dominatrix. Her name is Summer, and I fell hard. I didn't want to admit that I could be a real sub, so I've been dating her and refusing to tell anyone. I think I was hoping we'd either break up, or become a normal couple."

Rick rolled his eyes. "Define normal. That's asinine. Everyone has some kink and there's nothing wrong with it."

Rome shook his head. "Sloane would kick your ass if she heard you saying shit like that, bro. So, what happened between you two?"

"We fell in love. She asked to meet you guys and maybe go to a BDSM club to be introduced to others in the BDSM community. I told her no way. I was still embarrassed of what people would think if anyone found out. Imagine me on my knees? I couldn't deal."

"Yeah, Sloane would definitely kick your ass. Just because you like to submit to a Dom who cares about you, doesn't make you weak."

"Yeah, I know that now. It took me a while, but I don't want to deny who I am anymore. I need to do anything to get Summer back. And I will." He pointed a finger at Rick. "I don't need to take any of your shit about this." Then he glared at Rome. "From either of you. Got it?"

Rome studied him in a thoughtful silence and he inwardly squirmed. His brother wiped his mouth with a napkin, and then leaned back in the booth with a big ass grin. "Holy shit, I never even suspected. That's some secret, bro. No wonder you've been torn up for the past few years. Denying who you are sucks the soul out of you."

He blinked. "You understand?"

"I'm surprised, but of course I understand. Did you really think otherwise?" Rome cursed when he saw the truth on his face. "You actually thought I'd have a problem with you being a sub. When the love of my life is one? And Rick's?" Rafe rubbed his face to hide the sudden heat of embarrassment. "Figured it'd be different when you heard a man was a sub. Kind of odd, don't you think?"

Rick shook his head, his voice tinged with anger. "No, I don't. I see it all the time. I may not swing that way, but I respect the hell out of a man who knows who he is and goes after it. Tara and Sloane are some of the strongest, kickass women we know. Just because they're subs in the bedroom doesn't mean they're weak. It's quite the opposite. That's basic 101 in BDSM. Figured you'd know that already."

Relief poured true and clear from the core of his body. He couldn't help the silly grin spreading across his face as he looked at the two men he loved and respected the most in the world. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate the support." "How are you going to get Summer back?" Rick asked.

"I've been checking out Chains because she mentioned that club to me. Seems she just joined as a member. I have a plan, but I may need your help. Do you know anyone over there?"

Rick nodded. "Yeah, my friend Dan is a member. Let me get the details and I'll get you in. You'll need to complete an orientation though and fill out a bunch of forms."

"I'll do it. I'm tired of hiding who I am and pretending. And I want you to meet her."

His brothers shared a grin. "FANTA-C strikes again, huh? I think it's time to get Remington's ass down to Vegas. The last time I talked to him, he sounded like crap. I think he broke off another relationship."

Their youngest brother had never really gotten over his childhood sweetheart, and seemed unable to replace someone to love. He was still working in Atlantic City, but once Rafe moved, his brother seemed a bit more interested in making a big change.

Rick clapped him on the shoulder. "We can't wait to meet her, Rafe. Sloane and Tara will be thrilled to add another friend to their group."

"Let's just hope the odds are still in my favor. I have a lot of begging to do." Rafe stood from the booth.

Rome winced. "Bet you'll have a sore ass by the time she's done punishing you for letting her walk in the first place. Glad I'm not you, bro. Let me start making calls."

As his brother flipped out his cell phone, Rafe prepared to win the biggest dare of his life.