Chapter Seven
“Wow,” Brent said as Riley unlocked the door to the cabin, having retrieved the spare key from under a plant pot. “When you said nice, you weren’t kidding.”
Riley grinned to himself at Brent’s awe. That was the reaction he’d wanted. Brent deserved a little luxury, and Jacinta’s cabin was definitely luxurious.
Between the dark, polished floorboards, silk-woven area rugs, and enormous fireplace, no expense had been spared in fitting it out and decorating it. Riley had nearly fainted the first time he’d seen the beautiful kitchen, and the huge four-poster bed in the bedroom that would have been big enough for four people to sleep comfortably.
It had to be, considering what she used it for.
The cabin was unquestionably beautiful, and comfortable, and that made it the perfect place for Brent to rest and recover. Riley loved his RV, but he wasn’t unaware of the joy a little luxury could bring to someone’s life.
Especially someone like Brent, who had so often had to forgo even the smallest of luxuries after his parents died.
Riley watched Brent wander through the living room and straight into the bedroom, brushing his fingertips over the plush furnishings.
The plush furnishings that happened to include handcuff anchors, complete with chains, permanently attached to the bedposts.
“Uh.” Brent paused with one of the chains in his hand. “What, uh… what did you say it was that your friend does?”
Riley cleared his throat. “She’s a professional dominatrix.”
“Oh. You… oh.” Brent’s entire face went red, the tips of his ears practically glowing.
“Yeah, uh, if that freaks you out, probably don’t open that closet,” Riley said, nodding to an unassuming door off to the side of the room. He’d only seen the inside of it once, but some of what he’d spotted had been enough to make him wince. Brent would probably pass out. “Otherwise, it’s a nice place.”
“It’s a beautiful place,” Brent said earnestly, looking at Riley with soft eyes. “Thank you. For arranging this. For picking up the pieces for me. For everything.”
“You’ve said thank you like a hundred times now. It’s okay. This is what friends are for.”
“I have a lot of friends,” Brent said. “You’re the only one doing this for me. Don’t think I’ll forget it.”
Now it was Riley’s turn to blush. All he wanted was for Brent to be happy. He deserved a little happiness right now.
“So, umm. Are you into…?”
Riley snorted. “Oh no. No, no, no. I can’t handle getting a leg cramp during sex. I wouldnotwant any of this.” He paused thoughtfully. “Maybe some of the rope work? But more for aesthetics than because I’d get off on being tied up. Or tying someone up.”
Brent visibly breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, good. I was scared for a second that I was seeing a whole new side of you, and I donothave the brainpower to process that right now.”
Riley raised an eyebrow.
“Uh… not that it’s not okay if you’ve got some kind of weird kink? Not that it would be weird. A kink. It’s okay if you’re… kinky.” Brent looked down at his feet. “I’m gonna shut up.”
Riley laughed softly, reaching out to squeeze Brent’s arm. “I don’t know how to quantify weird, but I’m not insulted. I don’t know Jacinta in a client capacity. We actually met at a Habitat for Humanity build. She’s really fast with a nail gun.”
Brent winced. Riley chuckled again, realizing how that sounded.
“I don’tthinkshe uses one on her clients. No guarantees. Anyway, she’s cool.”
“How do you even meet people like this?” Brent asked.
Riley shrugged. “I like people.”
“Yeah, but… it’s always weird people.”
“She’s not weird,” Riley defended. He loved Brent, but he wasn’t about to let him speak ill of his other friends, either.
“Sorry.” Brent put the chain he was still holding down. “I just… you’re more adventurous about the kind of company you keep than I am, I guess.”
