Kitty arched one blond brow. “A real man? Or a real Dom?”
“All of it. I think he’s being sincere with me, which sort of blows my mind, because after my history, I wasn’t certain I could ever trust anyone again. In fact, I’ve been pretty damn opposed to the idea, but here I am, trusting him, giving myself over to him, and it feels right. Is that crazy? Please tell me if I’m crazy—if I’m losing my mind here.”
“Well, to be honest, you are kinda losing it, hon. But only because you obviously are falling for him. And yes, it can happen in only a week. Sometimes things just fit. And honestly? Hearing you talk like this? Things are fitting all over the place between you two. I know that’s bad English, but it makes sense in my head.” Kitty grinned at her.
“No, I get it. It makes sense to me, too. But goddamn it, Kitty, if he’s not being real with me, I’ll kill him. I really will.”
“And I’ll be right behind you with a shovel to bury the body.”
Layla reached for her, pulling her in for a brief, tight hug. “You’re a true friend.”
“Always. Ah—there’s the door. Food is here. Let’s stuff ourselves and get a little drunk and you can tell me about the fireworks in detail.”
? ? ?
SATURDAY MORNING LAYLA woke to her cell phone chiming with a text message. She glanced at the time before looking at her phone—it was after ten, much later than she normally woke. But she’d been up late the last few nights giving her toy box a workout. She needed to go buy more lube. And batteries. Lots of batteries.
She rubbed her eyes and looked at her phone—and smiled when she saw the text was from Duff.
Morning, lovely. Hope you’ve had your beauty sleep. I plan to work you over well and good at my place tonight. Be ready for me at six. Don’t worry. I plan to feed you first.
She groaned, her body lighting up in all the right places, and her heart fluttering. She’d almost gotten used to it over the course of the week. Her talk with Kitty the other night had helped. And it had helped—and not helped, as far as the constant state of arousal her body had been in—that Duff had kept in touch with her all week, despite some big problems with the shop buildout that had come up, keeping him there late every evening. He’d texted several times a day, every day, and called to say good night. But those good-night calls only led to her need for lube and batteries. He had the sexiest damn voice she’d ever heard in her life.
He hadn’t done much of the D/s stuff over the phone her exes had all been prone to—nothing more than a few suggestive, teasing remarks—and she appreciated that he wasn’t trying to conduct mind-fuck via text. She’d had enough experience as a Domme herself at this point to understand how dangerous that could be to someone’s headspace. And to know how that made her long line of exes—especially Jimmy, who had claimed to be an experienced, knowledgeable Dominant—a bunch of “romper-doms.” None of them had really known what the hell they were doing. Sure, they could throw a flogger or a whip, but beyond that? Not one of them had gotten the psychology behind kink, or knew what a healthy power exchange was. Or had even really cared.
Her cell phone chimed once more and she saw Duff’s name with a sense of relief and aching anticipation. Enough about her exes—he was giving her better things to think about.
Be sure to pack your toothbrush and an extra pair of panties. I don’t plan to let you go until at least Monday morning. Scratch that. Forget the panties. You won’t need them.
He didn’t plan to let her go. That made her smile more than she wanted to. Giving herself a firm shake, she sat up and, throwing the covers back, got out of bed and stretched. She needed to try to be productive, rather than lazing around in a swoony state all day. She’d get into her studio for a few hours, then spend time on her bath, preparing herself for Duff.
She’d always loved the ritual of preparation, even as a Domme, but making herself ready for Duff, the man who was making her feel what it truly was to submit to someone for the first time, was a sort of revelation. She was looking forward to a long soak in the tub. To rubbing scented lotion into her skin. Dressing for him. Presenting herself to him. All of which scared the hell out of her, if she let herself linger too long on the idea. So she wouldn’t linger. She’d simply do it, and enjoy it. That was the deal she’d made with herself after talking with Kitty.
Padding on bare feet, she grabbed her phone, carried it into the kitchen and got her coffee started. She was just pulling a mug out of the cupboard when her cell phone rang. Her heart gave a hard thump before she glanced at the screen and saw it was Kitty.
“Hey.”
“Hey, yourself, honey. Did I wake you up?”
Layla yawned. “Hmm? No, but I just got out of bed. I’m having a lazy morning, apparently. What’s up?”
“Just calling to make sure you were still planning to keep your part of the deal from the other night . . . ?”
“I’m trying really damn hard. I’m seeing him tonight. In fact, I’ll probably be there the rest of the weekend, in case you want to reach me, because . . . well, I probably won’t be available.”
“Good.”
“Good? Do you really think so?”
“I’m all for you finding some happiness, Layla. It’d be about time. But just so you know, I still have my shovel ready.”
She laughed. “Thanks.”
“I wonder if I can start a 401(k) for bail money,” Kitty mused.
“Let’s hope we won’t need it. So far, so good. What are you up to tonight?”
“I have a hot date.” Kitty sighed. “Which probably won’t be nearly as hot as I’d like it to be. I sure would love to end this slump one of these days. Got a hot Dom you can fix me up with?”
“You’re going to have to let me know if you’re serious about that.”
There was an unusually long pause on the other end. “I . . . might be.”