“I tell you what, Nana. If I decide that Tristan needs to be taken out, I’ll let you know, and you can have him knockedoff.”
“All you have to do is give me the word and consider itdone.”
* * *
I walkinto our favorite restaurant and search for Avery’s loose blonde curls; they always stand out in a crowd. Her hand flies up when our eyes make contact, and I wave to let her know that I seeher.
It’s only been ten days since I saw her, but it feels like an eternity. Even on the days when we don’t see one another, we still text andtalk.
“Bitch! Where the fuck have youbeen?”
I look around to see if anyone is giving us dirty looks. “Could you yell that a little louder? I don’t think the family with the three young children over there heardyou.”
“I’m serious, Em. I’ve been worried sick. What is going on withyou?”
I’ve been untruthful with Avery about where I’ve been and why. I didn’t feel like my relationship with Tristan was something I could explain to her over the phone. I felt it was necessary for her to see me in person and know that I’m okay before I attempt to weave this tale. “I’m staying in New Orleans withsomeone.”
“You met a man and didn’t tell me?” I hear the hurt in her voice and see it on herface.
“No, no. It didn’t happen the way you’rethinking.”
Avery knows how I make a living. I don’t have to hide anything about Tristan catching me cheating. And I also don’t have to lie about the deal we have or our Dom-sub relationship. “I got caught cheating by the owner of one of thecasinos.”
Her eyes widen. “Ohshit.”
“Oh shit doesn’t even begin to cover it, Ave. I was escorted to his private suite in the casino hotel ten nights ago, and he confronted me about the cheating. Long story short, the hundred grand that I not so squarely won at his casino must be paid back. But not with money. My debt can only be repaid with mybody.”
Avery’s hand comes down on the table, making a loud slapping sound. “What. The. Actual.Fuck?”
“I’m pretty sure that I said something quite similar when he made theproposal.”
“You have to fuck this guy to pay back the money youwon?”
Oh, if it were only that simple. “He wants so much more thansex.”
“Likewhat?”
“Ave…” I lean across the table and so does Avery when she sees that I’m about to spill something juicy. “Tristan is aDom.”
“A Dom?” sheyells.
I look around to see if there’s anyone in the restaurant who didn’t hear her. “Shh.”
“A Dom,” she whispers. “A realone?”
“I shit you not. He’s the realthing.”
Avery looks appalled. “Have you been doing kinky stuff with thisman?”
“A little bit. I wasn’t very keen about it, so he’s been introducing the lifestyleslowly.”
“What kind of things have you done with him?” sheasks.
“He’s spanked me a few times. The first time wasn’t so bad, but the other times he blistered my assgood.”
“Ho…ly…shit.”
“He’s very alpha and possessive and demanding. I call him Tristan in front of people, but he insists that I call him Sir when it’s just the two of us, and he makes me call him Master when we’re in the bedroom. Unless he gives me permission to be at ease.” I give her a moment to absorb those things. “He also must give me permission toorgasm.”
