So much for stealth.
“What kind of BDSM are you into exactly?” I ask Oliver.
My heart isn’t racing from nerves of what my date may be into. It’s because Decker’s eyes are locked on me, and now my brain’s supplying shower-related flashbacks.
“Excuse me?” Oliver asks, blinking at me.
“Well, BDSM covers a range. I’m not sure where you fall on the… spectrum.”
I’m fine with light bondage with the right person, but I have zero interest in whips, floggers, or anything that sounds likemedieval punishment. Not that I’m going home with this guy to find out, but I am curious to know what he likes.
Oliver still looks confused. “I don’t follow.” He waves a hand around. “I’m into this.”
I glance around, suddenly wondering if we’ve stumbled into a hidden sex club. But aside from bathroom girl’s earlier proposition to Decker, it’s just a normal hookup-friendly bar.
Then it hits me. “Oliver… what do you think BDSM stands for?”
He gives me a look that says he thinksI’mthe crazy one. “Booze, dancing, and salsa music.”
I choke on a laugh. “I’m sorry—what?”
“That’s what my mom always told me. Said I couldn’t read or watch anything about it until I was old enough to drink.”
I press my hand over my mouth, my shoulders shaking. “Oliver… I think she was trying to keep you from getting on the internet and searching it. It doesn’t stand for that. You should probably look it up. At home. Alone. And maybe take yourself out of this category until you know what itreallymeans.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s going to be a shock. And trust me, you don’t want to discover the truth in public.”
He stands abruptly. “Right. Okay. Thanks.” Then he bolts.
I walk over to Mona and Decker, and I can’t contain my laughter. My arm braces myself on Mona’s chair as I hunch over, my sides aching. Of all the mistake dates I’ve had, this one is the best.
“What happened?” Mona asks. “How did you scare off a masochist?”
Shaking my head, I hold my stomach. “I didn’t. He didn’t know what category he signed up for.”
“How didn’t he know?” Decker asks.
“He thought it stood for…”
I can’t get the words out because I’m laughing too hard. Decker starts laughing with me, even though he has no idea how funny this really is.
“He thought it stood for… booze, dancing, and salsa music.”
“You’re lying,” Mona gasps.
I have to wipe my eyes, hoping I don’t smear my makeup because I’m laughing to the point of crying. “Nope. Hand to God.”
“Good thing he met you now,” Decker says and chuckles.
Mona’s phone buzzes, and she tilts the screen away when I try to take a look. “My hookup just texted. Gotta go.”
Hookup? She hasn’t mentioned hooking up with anyone. “Who?”
She shakes her head, avoiding my eyes. “No one.”
Decker and I watch her leave. “Weird,” I say. “She usually tells me everything. She even told me what she wanted to do to you when she first met you.”
