“That’s fine. You can hit Hobbiton the next time. Can you bring me home a koala?” I ask.
“Do I hear you trying to convince my fiancée to traffic an exotic animal?” a deep voice says.
Cat grins when she sees Nate standing behind us. “You’re here early!”
He shoots me an apologetic look. “I planned to come later, but I overestimated the traffic. I don’t want to interrupt girls’ night.”
“No, go ahead, take a seat,” I say, pointing to the seat next to Cat.
It’s a bit of a relief that he’s here. I’ve spent the whole day going back and forth about whether or not I should tell Cat what’s happening with me and Ryan. Now that Nate’s here, I have an excuse to chicken out about it.
Cat’s always been supportive, but she’s not afraid to call me out on my bad decisions. I’m just not sure how she’d take it. Hell, I don’t even know howI’mtaking it, myself.
All I know is that after Ryan left my room last night, I was wetter than I’ve ever been in my whole life. The second he closed the door, my hand was down my shorts, putting out the fire Ryan started between my thighs. The picture he drew with his words was just too much. It stuck in my head the whole time I wrote that stupidDom Etiquette for the Kink-Curiousarticle. I was wet the whole time I edited it, too. It’s a new low of professionalism for me, but I can’t bring myself to regret it.
I shake my head, trying to dispel the memories.
“So, you’re leaving for Australia, huh?” I ask Nate.
“Yes. We’ll have to leave for the airport in about twenty minutes.”
“I’m sorry I have to leave early,” Cat says. “This was the only flight that would get us to Sydney in time for our meetings.”
I turn to Nate. “You couldn’t convince her to fly private, huh?”
He sighs. “Apparently, flying commercial is better for the environment. And we care more about climate change than we do about convenience, comfort, or luxury.”
“Hey, if your private jet gets lonely, I’m always prepared to keep it company.”
“You could, you know,” he says seriously. “If you ever want to take a trip somewhere, I’d be happy to set it up for you.”
Warmth spreads through my chest. Nate really would do anything to make Cat happy. I bet he’d even fly me out to France and rent Versailles for me if Cat really wanted him to. She deserves someone who’s that devoted to her.
“I’m good for now, but if I get the sudden urge to change time zones, I’ll let you know,” I tell him.
“Can I get you anything, Nate?” Brinley, the manager of the Copper Cup and my friend, approaches our table without her usual smile. She’s Luke’s sister, and the two of them have never exactly gotten along. Her rancor for him apparently extends to all of his friends, Nate included.
“No, thanks,” Nate says. “We’re leaving soon.”
“Oh! But I actually have a message for you from your brother,” I say, remembering. After everything that happened with Ryan last night, I completely forgot my earlier conversation with the guys.
Brinley scowls. “Let me guess, this has something to do with all the texts he keeps sending?”
Wow. I knew Brinley and Luke weren’t pals, but she’s usually not so venomous. “Yeah, but it’s nothing bad. He wants to invite you to a White Elephant party with the guys.”
“I’ll pass,” she says, walking away immediately.
“What was that all about?” I ask Nate, who shrugs.
“No idea.”
We spend a few more minutes catching up, but time goes by fast, and soon enough I’m standing to say goodbye to Cat and Nate. She squeezes me tight. “Be safe,” she whispers in my ear. “I love you.”
My eyes sting with tears. “I love you, too.” And I miss having you all to myself, no matter how unfair that is.
Once Cat and Nate leave, I nurse my glass of wine and stare into space. Normally, I’d spend the time browsing the bookstore or catching up on emails, but I think I need a little time to clear my head. Why did Ryan tell me all that, about being a Dom? Was he messing with me, trying to show how uncomfortable he could make me? Or was he bragging, trying to show off his prowess?
Worst of all, what if he wanted it just as much as I did?
