Whipped (Hitched, #2)

Several hours have passed when we get back and drop the kids off. We walk Kevin home and his mother greets us at the door. She smiles widely at Lachlan and then pulls me into a hug after introductions are made. "So nice to meet a friend of Lachlan's. He's such a dear man. Won't you two be staying for dinner? I've made plenty."

A quick look at their humble home was enough to tell me they probably didn't have 'plenty' to spare, but you'd never know it the way she opened her home to us. Again, I wondered at this man I was just getting to know. Who was he underneath all the sexy?

"Thank you, but we have other plans tonight," says Lach. "I promise I'll be by next week for your famous fried chicken, though. Wouldn't miss that." He kisses her cheek and we leave. On the way back from the car he reaches for my hand. "Thank you for coming today. It means a lot to share this with you."

I squeeze his hand, my heart swelling with a flurry of confusing emotions. "Thank you for bringing me."

"There's one more thing I'd like to show you, if that's okay?"

I nod. "Of course. I'm enjoying spending the day with you."

And it's probably good we aren't still at home. Because we'd both want more fucking and my pussy probably needs a brief reprieve to recuperate.

This time he takes me to a very different neighborhood. One of wealth and prestige, with huge houses meant for the rich. He stops in front of one of the nicest ones. "This is going to be my house, once all the paperwork is finalized."

I whistle under my breath. I knew he had money, but I didn't know it was this much. "It's gorgeous."

He nods. "I've wanted a house like this my whole life. I used to dream about it when I was a kid, living in a place like Kevin's. Only my mom didn't cook fried chicken or keep things clean. I had to fend for myself as she left empty bottles of booze and overflowing ashtrays everywhere. I was lucky if I got a hot meal even once a week. This was my dream. To live somewhere that would always be warm, clean, spacious and full of food."

My heart breaks for that little boy he was, and I want to kick his mother in the crotch for being so lousy. Instead, I hold his hand. "You deserve a house like this and a life like that," I say.

We drive home in silence. I haven't told him it's my birthday, and I'm not sure I will. This day has been perfect, and I wouldn't change anything about it.

Until we get to our front door.

When I open it, the dark living room explodes in a group of people jumping up to scream, "Happy birthday, Vi!"

I punch Lachlan in the arm. "A surprise party?"

He grins at me and pulls me closer to him, kissing me on the head. "You'll get used to the surprises, Vi. I promise. Happy birthday, babe."





CHAPTER 14





LACH


Kacie and Tate know how to throw a party. I contacted them to plan something special for Vi, and they turned our apartment into a dance club. The lights are low. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling. Tate has a mini bar set up in the kitchen. Kacie manages a playlist of pop songs in the living room. People dance and drink all over.

I wrap my arms around Vi as we move to the music. "Never knew you had so many friends." I let Kacie and Tate handle most of the invites.

She grins. "I meet a lot of people at the store."

I notice a couple dry humping against a wall. "Really horny people."

"I do sell sex toys."

I twirl her around. "That reminds me. How'd you get into that?"

She shrugs. "I like sex. And I like helping people explore their sexuality. It's what I loved about being a Dominatrix."

"So why change careers?"

"Being a Dom made relationships… difficult. I never had sex with my clients, but they still found my sessions sexual. Intimate. Not a lot of guys could handle that."

I wonder if I could. I'm not sure. "Do you miss being a Dom?"

"Sometimes. I love how it forced me to be creative."

I frown. "Like painting?"

She laughs. "No. With my methods. Clients like variety. Every day, I had to discover new ways to blend pleasure and pain. I still get ideas, but…" she hesitates. "It's harder to try them."

I feel like she means impossible. I wonder if this is a problem. I'm not submissive. I take control. She seems to enjoy it, but she must miss being in charge. Could I enjoy letting go?

Vi kisses my cheek. "I need a drink. Want anything?"

I shake my head. She walks off toward the kitchen. I think our conversation soured her mood. Mental note. Don't bring up points of contention at girlfriend's birthday party.

Tate shuffles through the crowd and clasps my shoulder. "Hey, man. Having fun?"

"Yeah. Thanks for the help. When my buddies decide to tie the knot, and I should let you know it may be another ten years, I'm recommending you guys for the bachelor party."

"Nice." Tate sways his arms. "I… um… I liked your show."

I chuckle. "Vi told me you ended up there. Heard you kinda freaked out. For future reference, it's a great place to pick up women."

"Huh. Never thought about that." He sips a glass of orange liquid. "You must have met a lot of girls there."

"Yeah."

"A new girl each night."

I don't like where this is going. "My contract's almost up."