...Sean had rescued her from that dark, but strangely comfortable, place and knew part of her longed to go back to it. He felt a part of himself wanting her there, too. He couldn’t let that part win.

He had indeed broken that training, made her back into his beloved Caitlin instead of the automaton called Girl. Now, he had the responsibility to deal with that change, no matter what his darker tastes craved. He knew the change was best for the both of them. Sean went to his knees and wrapped her in his arms.

With one hand, he tipped her face up and kissed her. “I love you. I’m sorry.”

She smiled and he knew he was forgiven for the display of temper. He knew he had done the right thing when she wrapped her arms around his neck, freely and willingly, a wife’s embrace, not the trained response of a slave pleased to avoid a beating. She met his eyes, something she had never done as a slave. “Your training got the better of you, too.”

He nodded. “Yeah. The only thing is, I trained myself so I don’t have any excuse.”

She kissed him in return. “We all train ourselves. I like you dominant, but there is a difference between dominance and abuse. David…”

“He abuses. He hurts anyone who can’t keep him on a leash.” Sean had figured out the Gemini dynamic in his long days of observation. He had seen Ariel order his brother around. He had seen Zara’s subtle control of her husband. Sean’s silence made them all forget he was there as he tended Caitlin’s body while her mind roamed the Net.

Caitlin nodded. “Ariel made love to me the other day in the Net. He was dull.”

“Dull?” Sean shook his head. “I can’t believe it. A man who looks like that, and he’s been keeping Niall very happy.” He bumped his nose against hers. “I trust you gave him a better time than he gave you?”

“Of course I did.” She sighed, thinking about Ariel. “He can be passionate. He doesn’t love Niall. He can’t take control with someone he loves.”

Sean kissed her and stroked her back. “And you still can’t initiate. We’ll work on that.” With a grin, he got to his feet, pulling her along with him. “What say I take you to bed and get the taste of him out of your mouth?”

Caitlin threw her arms around his neck and kissed him enthusiastically. He plunged in, tasting her lips and the slickness of her cheeks. She met him eagerly. There was only the flavor of Caitlin. After a moment, she kissed him back, her tongue hesitant but sweet in his mouth.

Afterward, they lay quietly together, Caitlin pillowed on his shoulder and taking the occasional nibble of his neck as he stroked the curve of her waist. He understood more now. Caitlin was his and always would be, no matter who Irishgirl had sex with in the Net.

“It’s all right, baby. You do what you need to do in the Net. I won’t take it out on you here.” He made a big X on his chest in promise. She giggled and kissed him under the chin.

“When we are there you could control David’s sessions. He may abuse anyone who doesn’t top him, but he will let anyone top him.” She glanced up. “I would like you to. You need not touch him sexually. Violence will be enough. Get the revenge you want on him.”

“Consider it done, sweet lady.” Sean knew that laying one hand on David would get him killed, probably by Ariel. But he would monitor and control the sessions without any touching. He pressed a kiss to her hair. “But any help here would be hot. I have no idea what to do with him.” He did have ideas, but somehow he suspected that beating Gemini senseless with his bare hands was not what Caitlin had in mind.

“Treat him as you treat me, as if you own him and can demand anything of him. He will do anything you ask. I have seen him tied spread-eagle, blindfolded and made into a buffet table, then required to service the ladies who attended the party.”