“I’ll get the door,” Julia said. “And if it’s him, I’ll send him on his way.”
Maggie nodded and took the champagne to the kitchen. She pulled flutes from the depths of the cupboard and washed them before opening the bottle.
She heard Julia answer the door and the low sounds of a masculine voice. She felt bad about getting Julia to send Connor away, but she couldn’t face him right now. Deep in her heart, she knew she had to call off theirfriends with benefitsdeal. Everything had become too complicated. And it wasn’t as if they communicated that well. She couldn’t even find the guts to tell him what she wanted sexually. Why did she have to pick a man who’d suffered through a topsy-turvy childhood and abuse? It can’t have been much fun watching his father beating his mother. Maggie understood his reluctance to spank anyone. It would bring back bad memories.
“Was Connor okay with us having a girl’s night?” she asked, guilt nipping at her heels. She shoved it away with an ease that made her blink when she realized what she’d done. During the last month, she’d changed, lying without a qualm to suit herself.
“It wasn’t Connor.” Julia handed over a white box bearing courier labels. “Besides, I think he’s seeing someone. I haven’t seen as much of him recently. I think it’s serious, because he hasn’t mentioned her.”
“Connor serious,” Christina said with a roll of her eyes. “As much as I like Connor he treats women like a buffet, taking whatever appeals to him.”
“Christina, that’s not very nice,” Maggie said, indignant on Connor’s behalf. She placed the box on the countertop. “He has a real gift for ending romantic relationships and remaining friends.” And that was the problem. Her crush had deepened into more. If it weren’t for the spanking thing and Connor’s lack of enthusiasm, she’d never want to say goodbye. He was fun in bed and a giving lover who made sure she enjoyed herself. If only she were blonde.
“You’re right,” Christina said. “I’m tired and cranky after working hard on the special assignment today. And jealous. My sex life is non-existent.”
“What’s in the box?” Susan asked.
“I’ve no idea.” Maggie poured the champagne and handed each of her friends a flute of the bubbly wine.
She grabbed a plate of bread and two of the dips, heading for her small lounge area. After plunking them on the coffee table, she returned for the cheese and a third dip. The women took seats and eased off shoes while she made a final trip to the kitchen to grab the package and her champagne.
In the lounge, she dropped into an empty chair, took a sip of champagne before attacking the tape on the package. “I’m not expecting anything,” she said. “Any guesses?”
“Nope,” Susan said. “I vote for something boring.”
Maggie seconded the guess for something mundane. “It’s from my stepmother. She’s learned how to knit this year. Last time I talked to her, she mentioned scarves.” She ripped off the tape and opened the box.
“It’s not a scarf,” Christina said.
“Oh,” said Maggie. “It’s beautiful.” She lifted the black satin and lace confection from the delicate gold tissue paper.
“A corset,” Julia said. “And matching panties.”
Susan leaned closer. “Is there a card?”
It was gorgeous. Beautiful. And her size, she saw when she checked the swing tag. She rifled inside the box and found a small white envelope. A sealed envelope. She glanced up at her friends and saw them watching her with avid curiosity. Swallowing, she looked down at her trembling hands. “I’ll read the card later,” she said, replacing both the corset and the card back into the box. Instinct told her either Connor or Kevin had sent her this gift. Her instincts leaned toward Connor, which meant she couldn’t read the card now. She’d have to wait until later when she was alone.
“You can’t do that,” Susan said in a sharp voice.
“I’ll put this in my bedroom,” she said.
“I agree with Susan,” Christina said. “You can’t leave us hanging like this.”
“It’s…um…private.” Maggie jumped to her feet and hurried from the room, her heart pounding in alarm. Although she was certain her friends wouldn’t stoop to search her room, she removed the card from the box and slipped it into her bra. The cool surface of the envelope sent prickles across her skin, and a flush of shame seeped from her cheeks down her neck.
Maybe it wasn’t from Connor.
She sighed and walked back to join her friends, bracing herself for questions.
“Are you seeing a married man?” Susan asked. “I’ve been meaning to ask about the lover you mention in your blog. Is he married?”
“No! No, of course not,” Maggie said, the color in her cheeks intensifying. How could they think that?
“Oh, God, Maggie. You should see your face,” Julia said.
“Susan’s right. You’ve talked about a lover in at least two of your posts.” Christina peered at her. “Who is it?”
“I’m not seeing anyone apart from Kevin. We’ve had dinner once. That’s all.”
