A thrill raced through Josie at the thought.She knew Ella Ridell, the wife of Zee who owned Club Bandit and thought of her friend Ivy, whom she was sure was a member when she lived in Vancouver but she’d never been brave enough to ask them for an invitation to the private club.
“I don’t have anyone to go with.I haven’t dated since Ethan.”Josie couldn’t imagine going to a play party by herself.
“Yeah, that’s not a loss,” Maisy said.
Josie’s face heated.She knew she should have broken it off with Ethan before she did but she wanted to keep giving him a chance.He was her first serious boyfriend and a part of her thought they’d do the whole marriage and kids thing.
But then he said that she wouldn’t be as successful as he would be and he was looking for someone to match his level of work.
“Besides, reading about it is one thing.I don’t know if I’d actually like pain.”She bit the inside of her cheek, wondering if she wanted to continue this conversation.But it’s true she thought about kink.About being tied up by a strong but kind and teasing Dominant.Did one exist?She didn’t know.The Doms she read about weren’t always kind.
“Kink is not all about pain,” Cecilia said.She gave Henriks another scratch.“You can have a whole D/s relationship, a power exchange where one person is in charge and the other person submits without breaking skin.Though I like having my skin broken.”Cecilia grinned.
“Too much information!”Maisy said.
“But there is wax play, sensation play, ordering someone to their knees, orgasm control—all of that is without pain.Rope.You’ve said you want to try rope bondage.”
Her mouth went dry at the thought, she squeezed her trembling hands.Could sheactuallydo it?Wanting to try something and actually doing it were two different things.She could stay in the world of wondering of fantasy or she could step outside her comfort zone.She’d never really been good at that.Once she found where she was comfortable, she didn’t change.
“Text me if you want to go Josie and I’ll buy tickets while I’m there.”
“I don’t think it’s for me, but thanks.”
“A hundred percent not for me,” Maisy said.
She thought of how Ares held her as they danced at Erik and Kayleigh’s wedding.She could never ask Ares to a holiday sex party.They were friends.And you didn’t get naked with your friends.At least she never had.Ares was older.They came from different worlds, it would never work.
And she was furious with him right now.
Cecilia’s phone buzzed.“Layla’s waiting downstairs, got to dash.”
Josie gave Henricks to Maisy, then swung her feet on the floor and followed Cecilia out to the living room.
“You guys know you can crash here and I’ll be back in the morning.Layla has a brunch shift and I have dinner service.”
“Have fun, mom,” Josie teased.
Cecilia shoved her feet into impossibly high heels and clucked Josie under the chin.“Nope, I’m not into the mommy thing.Bye.”Her friend gave her a wave, laughing as she closed the door.
“She’s too much,” Maisy said.
“But we love her.”Josie stumbled and grabbed for the wall.
“And I love how stocked her fridge is!Let’s get something to eat.”Maisy grinned.
Josie followed her into the kitchen with the quartz countertops, sleek appliances, and cool lighting.Laughing, they put together plates of snacks and after checking on Henricks—who was sleeping on the bed—they brought their bounty to the living room.Josie curled on the over plush couch, her feet under her.
“I can’t imagine having a kitten and working the hours she does,” Maisy said.
“But she’s always wanted one and can hire a pet sitting service during the day,” Josie said.
“When are you going to date again?”Maisy asked, grabbing a slice of melon and dipping into a yoghurt sauce.
“Never.”
Maisy tilted her head, her dark eyes glowing.“I think it’s kind of sweet that Ares recommended you.That’s how our industry works, you know that.Word of mouth is everything.”
Heat flamed across Josie’s face, because she thought they were done with this conversation.“I do know that.But if he had sent people to my catering business…that’s different.He’s sent me new customers over the years and that’s always been fine.It’s the fact that he recommended me for a job.”
