Slave To Love by Bridget Midway Page A

times your father tried opening his own insurance agency. It took him years to be successful because he maintained a spotless reputation. Do you think you can get clients after they see you on a show like this? No one will want to work with you.”
    Taren exhaled. “I can always work at a convenience store. And I have your looks and Dad’s charm. I’m sure I’ll find someone besides the two of you to love me. If cousin Clee and Aunt Renee don’t want to talk to me again, that’s fine. Clee used to bite me when we were little, so I haven’t gotten over that. And Renee used to pinch my cheeks so hard, I think she broke blood vessels in there.” Taren meant that as a joke, but Connie’s eyes widened.
    “Is that why you want to do this show? Did they hurt you and you liked it?” Connie reached in her dress pocket to get her cell phone when Taren stopped her.
    “No, Mom. I wanted to do this because this is something I’ve wanted to try. That’s what life is all about, trying new things. Isn’t that what’s in the Declaration of Independence ? Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? I’m on my pursuit.”
    “But what if it doesn’t make you happy?” Connie held Taren’s hand.
    “Then I’ll do something else.”
    The back door slammed a third time. Like before, Del stomped into the dining room. He glared at Connie. “Did you tell her we love her?”
    Connie nodded. “Of course.”
    “Did you tell her that she doesn’t have to do this damn show to prove anything to anyone?” Del put his hands to his hips.
    “Yes, I did.” Connie managed to hold one of Del’s hands. “We raised a good person.” She looked at Taren. “She’ll do the right thing.”
    Del huffed. “We taught you never let a man put his hands on you.”
    Taren stood. “You taught me to never let a man put his hands on me in anger . I promise, he won’t. I’ll be fine. I’ll be protected. This is a new experience to try in my life. That’s all. I’m still your baby girl.”
    Del regarded her for a moment before he shook his head. “No, you’re not. You’re a young woman. This is hard for me and your mother.” He let his hand go from Connie to fully embrace Taren. “I hope you know what you’re doing. If not, you call me and I’ll come get you. I don’t care where you are or what you’re doing. I will always protect you.”
    If she could find that kind of understanding quality in a man, she would be set. Until then, she would have to kiss a lot of frogs, or rather get spanked by a bunch of toads.
     
    ****
     
    It had been a week away from home. Jace had never thought he would be the homesick type, but he wanted the comfort of his own bed. As he sat in another waiting room for a meeting with another real estate developer, his mind wandered to that picture of the submissive for Ananda’s new show.
    He didn’t even get her name, but her eyes and those lips remained in his thoughts. Each night he went back to his hotel room and, as soon as he closed his eyes to go to sleep, he thought about her. Knowing that the beauty would be in his home drove him crazy.
    Jace had to get his mind right. He had to focus on business. Work had been stable, but he wanted more. Stability couldn’t last forever. The housing market needed to bounce back sooner than later so that his portfolio could look more attractive to potential partners. No way would he be behind Titus.
    “Mr. Morton,” the male receptionist said from his desk by a set of glass doors. “Mr. LaMarca will see you now.”
    Jace stood, straightened out his tie, and headed into the office. Mr. LaMarca sat a desk large enough to qualify as a false representation of his manhood. Jace kept his expression pleasant as he headed toward the mature man with graying dark hair and overly tanned skin.
    He stood from his desk once Jace got closer.
    “Thanks for meeting with me, Mr. LaMarca.” Jace shook his hand.
    “Please, call me Rich.” He smirked after saying the