“How was your day?” he asked, his gaze sweeping over me once before returning to my eyes. There was no way to miss that he really liked what he saw.
“It was good,” I said, settling into the chair beside him. “Really good, actually. But I’m very happy to be here with you now.”
His thumb stroked once against the fabric at my waist before he let go, and I had to fight the urge to lean into the touch like the touch-starved woman I was.
“I’m glad to hear that,” he murmured. “Because there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
I blinked.
“Oh?”
He shifted slightly against the bar, turning his body just enough that my line of sight moved past him?—
And that’s when I saw him.
Another man sat at the bar behind him, half-shadowed by the low lighting. Broader through the shoulders than Master Troy, a little shorter, with sandy hair brushed neatly back from his forehead. He’d been watching quietly, an unreadable expression on his face.
My stomach dipped. I really did not need to be attracted to yet another man.
“Hope,” Master Troy said smoothly, “this is Master Archibald Ramsey. Archie, if you prefer.”
The man’s mouth curved in an easy smile. “Please. Only my grandmother calls me Archibald.”
I let out a small, nervous laugh, suddenly very aware that I’d walked in assuming this was a date for two.
“Archie is one of my closest friends,” Troy continued. “I ran into him here while I was waiting for you. I hadn’t realized he’d be attending the event this week.”
Master Archie extended his hand across the table. “It’s very nice to meet you, Hope.” He had the faintest English accent, and I had to work hard not to swoon.
I glanced at Master Troy for half a heartbeat before placing my hand in his.
“You too. I have to say, I’m a little surprised I haven’t run into one or two people from back home. The kink community is smaller than we sometimes like to think.” I smiled at Master Archie, trying not to let it show that I was freaking out at his unexpected appearance and my reaction to him.
“You’ve got that right,” he responded with a sweet grin. “I’m sorry for intruding on your date. When I realized Troy was meeting someone, I tried to make my excuses, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”
My eyes flew to Master Troy at this admission. Did he want a buffer on our date? Why had he even asked me out if he didn’t think he could spend time alone with me?
Andwhywas I letting myself spiral like this over one teensy little surprise?
Master Troy placed his hand on my hip again and gave it a soft squeeze. “Only because I thought you two would get along beautifully. I know it’s not something we discussed during our dinner, but Archie and I have been known to share a submissive from time to time.”
Oh?
Oh!
Well, that certainly put a different spin on things.
I felt my cheeks heat at the implication and worried my bottom lip between my teeth before peeking up at Master Troy. “I suppose we can’t let all our secrets out on the first date,” I finally responded.
He beamed at me. “I’m so glad you understand. If that isn’t something you’re open to, I completely understand. We’ll finish our drinks, and I’ll send Archie on his merry way to find himself some other company.”
The man in question scoffed at Master Troy’s words but patted his friend on the back. “I’m glad I’m so easily dismissed, mate.”
Both of them laughed, but then Master Archie looked at me. “But seriously, lovely. If that’s not your cuppa, then I’ll see myself out. No hard feelings.”
I swallowed, heat crawling all the way up my neck.
It wasn’t a total shock. Not really. Rawhide wasn’t exactly shy about the fact that people came here looking for all kinds of connections. And honestly… if I were being very, very truthful with myself, the idea didn’t scare me nearly as much as it probably should have.
