“Ah, the fabled and wondrous Lidia. Pleasure,”Gage said, giving a little nod to the phone.“And for your information, Claudia, my thesis was on post-war architectural deconstruction in Berlin, so it’s significantly more important than your sock-based existential crises.”
Sophie snorted at Claudia's exasperated eyeroll. “So, when are you getting here? I can’t believe you didn’t let me see you walk. You’re an ass. I’m proud to call you my smart-ass-brother.” Stubborn determination was as inherited as their striking green eyes.
“It was sudden, also like this, I’m crashing at your place. Just for a bit. Until I figure out my next move.”He paused, his expression turning serious.“If that’s okay?”
“Of course! Stay with us.” Claudia chirped in.
“You're the best, sis. I'll text you. Love you!”
Gage hung up, leaving a sudden, ringing silence in the car. Claudia stared at her. “Your brother. The architectural genius. Is staying. At our apartment. When you are currently engaging in what sounds like a high-level, kinky threesome.”
Sophie’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, the knuckles turning white. “Oh, fuck.”
“Listen, you’re not doing anything wrong with them. There’s no shame in enjoying a little pain.”
“It doesn’t feel like that. Before you start, I know, okay? I know with us there’s never any judgment.”
“Well then, stop judging yourself.”
Sophie inhaled a sharp breath, and the car fell into comfortable silence. Sophie was lost in her thoughts while Claudia played on her phone.
They pulled into Surrender's parking lot and cut the engine.
“I can’t wait to see all the new goodies,” Claudia mused as she got out of the car.
Walking into the club felt like walking into a different world. One where all things were possible. Sophie breathed in the smell of polished wood as they headed toward the shop. Her first night here popped into her head, and she couldn’t help but relive the memories.
“You’re quiet all of a sudden,” Claudia huffed. “I thought we were having girl time. That means we’re having fun.”
“I was just lost in thought. Sorry.”
“That’s fine but now that you’re back to Earth, let’s see what’s new on the dungeon floor.” Claudia grabbed Sophie’s hand and pulled her the rest of the way to the shop. A thrill ran through her at the thought of Aiden and Zack using new things on her.
“Hey, Mel!” Claudia chirped. “This is Sophie.”
Melody smiled. “Hey girls. Here to see the new stock?”
Sophie looked around at all the kinky implements, feeling the leather and shade floggers under her hand.
“Wes just brought this in,” Mel motions to the three-hole stockade in the corner.
“Oh,” Claudia squealed. “Wes is a genius. I want to try this one.” She wiggled her eyebrows and trotted over to observe the furniture.
“We’ll just call you the club’s kink tester then.”
“Zack came down here and had a look himself,” Melody mused.
The mention of Zack’s name hung in the air, shifting the dynamic. He was the storm, she’d thought. The one who pushedand tested. But Aiden was the anchor, the one who held her while she weathered it.
A complex system in place for such a casual situation.
Maybe she was deluding herself. But she saw something in him. Something more.
He opened parts of herself that she didn't know existed. The ache of the unknown kept her tethered.
For the first time in her life, she wasn’t scared of the unknown. She wanted to embrace it.
*
