“I don’t think that’s an accurate assessment, Claud. He’s a whole man. A Dominant man. A big, strong man who could pick you up and toss you around in the best way possible.”
Claudia pushed her hair away from her face and sighed. “I know. But he’s still too young for this to be anything other than getting myself back into kink with someone I feel safe with.”
“And someone you said yourself you’re crushing on,” Reese added.
“Yes. But he’s an ex-football star who could have any woman he wants, and while we’ve already spoken about going to the Dungeon together, I need to be sure we both know it’s not going to be anything more than that.”
Reese let out a squeal. “Claud! Ohmygawd, why didn’t you lead with that?” She paused to take a deep breath. “Okay, okay, I’m calm. Uh… what, now?”
“I cannot let myself like him too much. Nothing can come of this other than what promises to be a very good kink scene or two.”
“And maybe some kissing!” Reese announced with a vigorous nod of her head.
Claudia had to grin. “Well, I hope so.”
“Okay, then. Do you need help setting it up? Because I can ask Arlo to talk to him.”
“What? No, no, of course not. We’ve already started that dialogue. He’s being a bit tentative with me for now, but I think that’s his way of being respectful and protective.”
“Ohh, I love a protective man,” Reese said, a dreamy look on her face.
“You’re swooning over him more than I am,” Claudia said with a laugh.
“No, not him, necessarily. Just the idea of a guy who wants to take care of you, you know? And you totally deserve that, Claud.”
“We’re talking about doing some BDSM play together, not a lifelong relationship. This is never going to be anything like what you and Arlo have.”
“I don’t know. I feel like what’s happening here is the universe sort of making the puzzle pieces fall into place. And you never know what the kinky stuff could lead to.”
“Well, to be honest, I’m hoping it leads to my bed, if all of this loose skin from my thyroid recovery doesn’t scare him off. I’m not expecting anything more.”
Reese grinned. “That’s a great place to start. And I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, that skin you think about way too much? Barely noticeable—and you’ve had me look closely.”
“I know, I know. Dr. Denton has told me it’s more body dysmorphia than anything else, but it’s hard for me to ignore. Maybe this Dungeon date will be good for me. Maybe it’ll help.”
“I hope it does. Sceneing with a smokin’ hot guy who’s practically drooling over you has to help, right? So, when is your first Dungeon date?”
“I don’t know yet. He asked me to take some time to think about it. I really don’t need to think about it, but again, I suppose he’s simply being respectful.”
“Let me know if he needs a li’l push in the right direction. Not that I don’t have all the confidence in the world that you can handle it, but you know, that’s what friends are for.”
“Thanks, Reesie. You’re the sweetest.”
“Tell my Daddy that the next time he’s putting me over his knee?”
Claudia laughed. “I will do no such thing. Besides, you love being put over his knee.”
Reese scrunched her nose up, giggling. “Yep, I sure do! Now we just have to get you over Mr. Brody’s knee.”
“I feel pretty certain we’ll end up there at some point. I just need him tohurry.”
Brody had just finished his meeting and facilities tour with Derek when his cell phone vibrated. He pulled it from the pocket of his jeans and saw he had a text.
Claudia:
Hi, Brody, can we talk? I thought all last night about the conversation we had yesterday, and I feel ready to discuss it, if that’s alright with you?
Hell, it was more than alright. His pulse went hot in his veins and spread throughout his body. What this woman could do to him with just a two-line text was unprecedented. He found an empty couch in the big lobby area so he could sit quietly and compose himself. Claudia had turned him into a fucking teenager, and he didn’t like it one damn bit.
