“Holy shit. That was when you were helping me with Brielle.”
I nod. “Yeah, I know.”
“So, what the fuck happened?”
My gut twists painfully. Dammit. Food was a bad idea. I should have thought this through. I’m about to tell her damn brother that she came in demanding sex. This is not my finest moment.
“She’s just come off a bad breakup, as you know, and she wants . . .” My voice cracks and I cough, clearing my throat.
“She wants what?” Hale’s eyes narrow on mine, etching lines across his forehead.
I force some confidence into my voice, standing my ground. She’s an adult now, I remind myself. “She wants to experience BDSM.”
“The fuck she does.” The vein in his neck throbs as realization crosses his features. “And what, I suppose you’re going to train her?” He barks out a laugh, but there’s no humor in his tone.
I say nothing, but I meet his eyes and tip my head.
Hale tenses, lowering his voice to a dangerous tone. “There’s no fucking way. She’s a good girl, Reece. She—just no. Absolutely no. My answer is no.”
“She wants to learn, Hale. She’s eager.”
“For the fuck of fuck. Don’t tell me how eager my little sister is. You realize I’m three seconds away from punching you in the crotch, yes?”
“What if I showed her . . . without sexual contact?”
“Two seconds.” His fists tighten at his sides, and I stifle the urge to shield my manhood.
Summoning my courage, I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. “Just listen. If I don’t show her, you and I both know she’s determined enough to venture out on her own. This is Macey we’re talking about, the girl who tried to join Boy Scouts because you and I were in it. The girl who in sixth grade built an entire empire of lemonade stands with locations all over the damn city. You know how headstrong she is. Do you really want her at another club, with another Dom who doesn’t know a flogger from a bullwhip working with her?”
He growls out some unintelligible sound.
“I didn’t think so.” Ya fucktard.
Hale may not like it, but I know he trusts me. The Dom training Macey should be me, whether either of us likes it or not.
“No sexual contact.” He pins me with an icy stare.
I raise my hands in mock defense. “Wouldn’t dream of it, brother.” Except for every fucking night. But I can’t help what my brain thinks about when I’m unconscious.
“I fucking mean it, Reece.” He still looks seconds away from punching me, but my small victory lifts my spirits.
“You know . . . ,” I say, my fingers tapping my chin. “Inherently, a Dom/sub relationship is sexual, whether we’re, you know, doing the dirty or not.” I lift one eyebrow.
“I know that. Which is why I hate this entire conversation.”
“I’m just saying, you know Macey, she’s not going to go for some watered-down lesson where nothing’s ventured and nothing’s gained. She’ll leave and find herself a real Dom if I don’t do this right.”
“Christ.” He rubs his hands across his face. “You show her the basics. But no penetration. Do not fuck my sister,” he repeats slowly, his tone dead serious.
“Got it.” I smirk, feeling like I’ve just won the damn state lottery.
“Careful, asshole. You’re walking a very thin line. That’s my goddamn little sister,” he growls.
As if I didn’t know that.
“One more thing. I—uh, might have let it slip that you’re a member of the club.”
“God-fucking-dammit, Reece.”
“Sorry, dude.” I try to look contrite, but I almost want to laugh at the expression on his face. It’s a mix between someone kicked his puppy and he’s going to strangle me.
“Thanks for lunch.” I toss down a couple of twenties and get the fuck out of there before he can change his mind. Plus, I’m eager to get back to the club and see Macey.