“But Felix isn’t—” Emmy struggled for words. “Felix is mine to play with. Spence isyours. That’s different.”
“Yes and no.” Zander’s gaze was steady. “Spencer is offering himself to you freely. With my blessing and encouragement, but there are no orders from me. It’s his choice, and that makes him yours too, at least for tonight. And if things go as I hope they will, for much longer.”
Emmy’s heart stuttered at the implications, but she pushed forward, needing to address the practical concerns. “I need a way for us to communicate without clueing Spence in, something to tell me I need to back off, check in, or that something’s wrong.”
“What did you have in mind?”
She shrugged. “I guess another form of safeword. So, if either of us says it, the other knows there’s an issue. How about chocolate?”
“Chocolate works.” Zander’s lips twitched. “Simple, clear, unlikely to be confused with anything else.”
The truth was, if she and Zander could telepath, the entire evening would be so much easier. She’d considered talking to Zander about it today, after the morning’s conversation, but she wasn’t quite ready to agree to it, so they’d just have to make the evening work without it.
Opening her mind even a crack was a huge security concern, and she wasn’t prepared to do that just yet.
Maybe later. When this felt more permanent. When she trusted him more.
“You’re thinking quite hard about something,” Zander observed.
Emmy shook her head. “Just running through scenarios in my head. Making sure I’m prepared.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie.
Zander stood and came around the desk, leaning against the front of it so he was closer to her. “Spencer’s scents are easy to read. You’ll know exactly how he’s doing — when he’s enjoying himself, when he’s approaching his limits, when he needs more or less. Trust your instincts. Trust what his body is telling you.”
Emmy felt some of the tension in her shoulders ease. “Okay.”
Zander reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the gesture unexpectedly tender. “He’s been half in love with you for months, and hewantsto serve you. This is a gift he’s giving you, and I know you’ll honor it.”
“Half in love,” Emmy repeated, warmth blooming in her chest. “He said that?”
“He did.” Zander’s smile was soft. “And I suspect the other half isn’t far behind.”
Emmy stood, suddenly needing to move. “I should go. Let you get back to work. I have thesis stuff to work on.”
Zander caught her hand before she could leave. “Tonight is about all of us finding out how we fit together. There’s no pressure to be perfect. Just be present, be honest, and trust that we’ll figure it out as we go.”
She nodded, squeezing his hand. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
Emmy left the office feeling steadier. More prepared. Thechocolatesafeword gave her a safety net. Zander’s reassurance that she could read Spence’s scent reminded her she wasn’t going into this blind.
And tonight, they’d see if three very different people could build something that worked for all of them.
She was terrified and exhilarated in equal measure.
But mostly, she was ready.
Emmy’s heart hammered in her chest as they prepared to start the scene. She had Dead Can Dance playing softly, and she focused on the beat.
Vampire suites come with attachment points all over the place, and a chain hung from the ceiling in the sitting room, waiting for them to attach Spence to it.
Sofas and chairs had been moved to the wall, leaving a big open area for them to work.
“Arms up, boy,” Zander said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through the room. Spence obeyed instantly, lifting his cuffed wrists to the chain. Zander secured them, then squatted to attach the spreader bar, forcing Spence’s legs wide on the wooden box he stood on.
Zander stood, unhooked his wrists from the chain, and reconnected them two links higher, stretching Spence’s body taut, pulling his torso long and lean, muscles standing out in sharp relief under the dim, warm lights.
