She shook her head, shutting down my question as only Andy could.
I was tempted to stretch again, if for no other reason than seeing her reaction. I knew it was a terrible idea. Completely fucked up and begging for disaster. But the temptation was too powerful, and I craved her minute reactions. Even after a week spent in close quarters with Andy, I had no more insight into her thoughts than I did when I first met her.
If systemically stripping got a reaction, it would be worth it. I’d live to regret it, but I’d do it anyway. Those reactions, however small, were worth every consequence.
Staring at Andy, I bent my arm behind my head and pulled my elbow, and I felt cool air against my exposed waist. I waited for her eyes to dip from my face, the seconds ticking by in my head.
After holding my gaze for approximately five years, she blinked and dropped her attention to my skin. Her eyes barely widened before she resumed her study of the plans on the table—but they widened.
Chapter Seven
PATRICK
“And then hesays, ‘I’ve read all of John Lennon’s work! I find it really interesting. Researching the political uprising and October Revolution put the sixties into a whole new perspective for me!’” Matt wrapped his arm around Lauren’s shoulders, laughing.
“Riley, you are dumber than a sack of sand. What’d she say?” Sam asked.
Riley stared at his plate, an indignant smirk on his face. “I’m glad you find this so funny.”
“Listen. I like pastrami as much as the next guy, but when it comes with a side of hot blonde doctoral student, there is no detail too minor. What did she say to your little synopsis?” Sam repeated.
Riley pursed his lips and continued gazing at his plate. “I hate you all. You’re assholes. Every single one of you, except for you.” He smiled at Lauren. “You know you like me better than this old man. Just look at him. He’ll be bald in a month and I know about the erectile dysfunction.”
“Don’t even start,” she chided. “You are too young for me.”
I scratched my chin and estimated Andy’s age. She couldn’t be more than twenty-five yet she existed with confidence and maturity far beyond that. Andy wasn’t preoccupied with figuring herself out or learning how to be an adult; she was already there.
“Tell us! When did she tell you about her…preferences?” Shannon banged her hands on the table.
Sighing, Riley rolled his eyes. “She said something about an honest mix-up of John Lennon and Vladimir Lenin, and the Bolsheviks and the Beatles, and she’d fuck me if she could tie me up and gag me.”
“And naturally, they’ve been hanging out for three weeks,” Matt laughed.
“This all went down in front of you?” I asked Matt.
“Yeah, they started talking while we were eating. I stepped away to take a call, and I came back to Sgt. Pepper and the Soviet Socialists with a side of bondage and submission.”
“For your sake, I hope you have a safe word,” I said. Riley shook his head, flipping me off.
“Amazing,” Shannon breathed, brushing tears away from her eyes. “I had no idea you could find a dominatrix—one busy getting her doctorate in Russian history—at a deli. I just assumed it was more complex than ordering the same sandwich. Like a secret portal on eHarmony.”
“Let me ask you something,” Sam said, his laughter barely restrained. “In that kind of relationship, does she provide the strap-on, or do you have to get it yourself? And are you responsible for cleaning it, too?”
“Fucking asshat,” Riley murmured while the table erupted into another round of laughter.
“I’m fascinated. Truly. I’m not ragging on you. Does she have her own ball gags, or does she just cram your boxers in your mouth?” Sam asked.
“You all think you’re so fucking funny,” Riley seethed.
“You’re precious, RISD,” Shannon said. “I can’t wait to meet this chick.”
“You can bet your balls that isn’t happening, Shannon,” he said.
“Think of it this way, Riley,” Sam said. “They used to do this to me.”
“And the difference between you and me,” Riley retorted, waving his hands between him and Sam. “Is that you deserve it.”
“All right…” Shannon pulled an envelope from her bag. “With that delightful story on the books, it’s time to open these bad boys.”
