by T Gephart
“Well.” She took a pause, taking a breath before continuing. “I called Eve looking to borrow Josh and she said he was on his way to get you. I tried to call him, but he’s not answering his phone.”
I didn’t give a shit if Josh had his phone on silent or he’d been carjacked by a gang of thugs. Okay, maybe that was a lie. I hoped for both our sakes he hadn’t been carjacked because he was my best friend and I’d miss the fuck out of him. But the important thing was, he hadn’t picked up and had given Kitty a reason to talk to me.
“What do you need Josh for?” I asked, curious why she was looking, and why Eve would be willing to lend out her man.
She huffed out a breath, seeming to be annoyed. “Fine, I’ve handcuffed myself to my bedpost and I can’t reach the key.”
That slight tingle I’d felt in my balls earlier was now a full-blown hard-on.
“Oh really?” I asked, watching as Gemma, the friendly waitress, returned with my pie. “That’s a story I want to hear.”
“Yeah, well maybe you will. But right now I’m not telling you anything until you promise to get Josh to come over and bring something to cut them off. Or search my apartment, whichever will get me out of these things faster.”
My eyes flicked to Gemma, the plate lowered in front of me. She lingered, seeing I was on the phone and waiting like she had more to say. Sadly though, my original flirting game with her no longer interested me.
Not when I had Kitty in handcuffs.
“Thanks doll, the pie looks great.” I shot her a wink, trying to do my best to put the sexy eyes on ice while I returned to my call. “Sit tight and the minute Josh gets here we’ll come break you out.”
“Wait, you have pie?” Kitty asked, stopping me from killing the call. “What kind?”
I smiled as my eyes dropped to my plate. “Cherry.”
“Bring me some apple.” She ended the call without a goodbye, the whole exchange making me so hard I had to shift in my seat.
“Your friend in trouble?” Gemma twirled her hair around her finger, the lack of customers meant she had more time to spend with me. And while I usually liked the attention, I had bigger plans brewing.
“Yeah, unfortunately I’m going to have to bail the minute my pickup gets here.” I tried to look disappointed even though I wasn’t feeling it. “Can I grab this and a slice of apple pie to go and the check?”
The look of disappointment I hadn’t shown was plastered all over her face. “Oh. Okay. Sure. Let me go get that for you.” She waved awkwardly and then headed back to the counter.
Poor girl, I was probably the highlight to her shitty night and there I was, pulling the pin early. Not something I liked to do, especially with a woman.
“So who is it this time?” Josh shuffled into the booth, rolling his eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t bang the brunette from this afternoon.”
“Dude, have a little faith,” I shot back indignantly. “I know she’s booked in for another sesh, I’m not an idiot.” While I didn’t necessarily agree with Josh’s hands off the customers policy, I respected it. Figured he was my buddy so I’d throw him a bone. But the minute the work was done, I was in the clear to partake in all the spoils. And partake I did.
He shook his head, checking his watch. “Lucky for you Eve was working late in the Gallery, or you, my friend, would have been shit out of luck.”
He said it like he meant it, but I knew better. No matter how many times he’d told me that he’d leave my sorry ass in whatever trouble I found myself in, we had too much history.
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” I laughed, shuffling out of the booth. “And as much as I know you want to hear about my love life, we have a mercy mission.”
Gemma came back with a box for my pie, another box, which hopefully contained the apple, and the check. “Here you go.” She placed her bounty of goods on the table while sizing up Josh, her eyes going wide at the sight of him.
Typical.
Women took one look at the asshole and lost their freaking minds. And sure, if you liked tall dudes who were built like brick walls, he was pretty impressive. But I’d gained twenty pounds recently—all freaking muscle—and didn’t have his surly disposition. And more importantly, I was available.
“Thanks, Gemma.” I peeled off a bill as I shot her a smile. “You’ve been amazing.”
Josh leveled me with a look, moving slowly out of the booth as Gemma got my pie into the to-go box. “We’re in a hurry?” he asked, not being in the loop on the 9–1-1 we needed to assist.
“Yeah, I’ll tell you all about it in the car.” I grabbed the pies—I mean, no point abandoning dessert, especially when Kitty had asked for it—and moved to the door.
Josh followed close behind cursing under his breath. “Why do I have the feeling I’m going to regret this?”
I didn’t think my grin could get any wider as I tossed over my shoulder, “Come on, man. When have I ever led you astray?”
Kitty
SO, WHEN IT CAME TO CHOICES, I didn’t always make the best ones.
I wasn’t stupid despite what people believed, but I was an excellent example of book smarts not translating into the real world in any practical way.
In my professional life, I was an executive assistant to the CEO of a huge logistics company. I could juggle his calendar, snap up a Power Point display, work circles around an Excel spreadsheet, all while planning a seven-course gala for his fiftieth birthday. There was nothing I couldn’t do or work out when it came to the office. And while my petite feminine looks had me on the receiving end of lot of dumb-blond jokes, my annual salary begged to differ. I mean, I wasn’t pulling six-figures just yet, but mark my words, I was well on the way to becoming the highest paid and most irreplaceable assistant in the company.
But.
When it came to other things—like in general, in life—I was a walking, talking disaster.
I always picked the worst guy in the world. It was like I had an internal compass guiding me to the shittiest, most unreliable guy in the whole universe, and then became totally attracted to him. Cheaters, liars, criminals—I had dated them all, and every single time I was somehow surprised that my gut hadn’t found me Mr. Right.
Ha.
What a joke!
Mr. Right could have taken out a billboard in Times Square and I would have missed it. Too busy falling over myself to get the hot—but questionable—guy who probably had a body stuffed in the trunk of his car.
And as much as I wished my horrible gut intuition was only restricted to my dating life, it wasn’t my terrible taste in men that was to blame for my latest dilemma.
I yanked on the handcuffs as the metal bit into my skin. I knew I should have gotten the ones with the fluffy bits around the wrist, not that my hindsight would do me any good. Oh, and side note, trying them out while I was alone and leaving the key somewhere in the living room was an incredibly bad idea.
At least I wasn’t naked and shackled to my bathroom sink. It was a small concession but one I was happily taking.
“Kitty.”
I heard Josh’s voice outside the front door and breathed a sigh of relief. It was the one time I was glad my apartment was basically a shoebox, able to hear him through the wood even though I was in my room. Square footage wouldn’t have been my friend.
When I’d discovered I was in over my head—literally—and needed help, I decided to call the one guy who wasn’t the biggest douchebag of all mankind. Ironically, we’d never dated which is how I knew he was a good guy. But sadly Josh hadn’t answered his phone which forced me to call his girlfriend and my gal pal, Eve.
And yes, I may have told a tiny little white lie when I asked if she could send Josh over to check a leak under my sink. Sure, a probable leak might have been able to wait until morning, but I knew Eve wouldn’t ask questions. She was too busy with her new art exhibit to even notice how late it was or notice my tiny untruth. Besides, it was either lie or risk her calling the fire department. I figure
d she’d end up forgiving me once she knew the truth and that it was the leak in my brain that was responsible for the emergency rather than my plumbing.
“The spare key is above the door inside the owl,” I yelled hoping that my voice carried enough for him to hear me.
My dad was mortified I kept a spare key above the door of my apartment, but to be fair there was a greater chance of me locking myself outside—something I’d done at least five times—than a burglar finding it and robbing me blind.
I heard the click of my lock disengaging and the sweet, sweet sound of footsteps. Thank God. My body sagged against the headboard. He would find the key, set me free and we would never speak of it again. Except to his girlfriend, of course, because I trusted Eve wouldn’t hold it over my head for leverage.
“You know, when Dallas told me, I thought he was kidding.” Josh’s huge body filled the open doorway to my bedroom. “I really hope you’re leveling with me and some asshole didn’t do this to you and bail?”
Ah Josh, ever the nice guy with a heart of gold. And it didn’t hurt that he was gorgeous too.
“Yeah, playing is fine but leaving before packing up your toys is a big no-no.” Dallas came up beside him looking serious.
While Josh was gorgeous, Dallas was downright hot. Standing a little under six-foot and a body that screamed athletic, he’d been working out recently and added some really, really nice muscles. His edgier side was aided by two full arm sleeves and a torso covered in tattoos, multiple piercings—especially where it counted—and hair that would be more at home on stage in a rock band than in a tattoo shop. Jet-black that hung just below his ears and buzzed down on one side, it was rail straight and glossier than any man’s should be. It served as the perfect backdrop to his stunning, luminescent hazel eyes.
“As much as I’d love to pretend I wasn’t the idiot who did this to myself, there is no one else to blame,” I laughed. “I think the key is somewhere in the living room. Either that or we’re going to need to saw it off.”
“Let’s try to find the key first. I’ll go check the living room,” Josh offered, hiding a grin.
Dallas moved closer, inspecting the cuffs. “Lucky you only restrained one hand.” His fingers trailed along the red line forming on my skin as he leaned in.
I nodded, breathing in his heady scent of shampoo and soap that smelled so good I forgot my hand hurt. “I wanted to give them a dry run.”
He smirked, his eyes blazing with mischief. “Well, when you’re ready for the wet run, make sure you call me.”
Sure he was crude, and flirted like it was his life’s mission, but he one hundred percent had the goods to back it up.
We’d slept together once, and it was by far some of the best sex I’d ever had. Dallas had made me come so hard I almost blacked out with just the right amount of freaky and seductive. He didn’t treat me like a china doll or a whore, exploring my body like I was a gift designed for his unwrapping. And unwrap me he did, over and over again until we were nothing more than a sweaty heap on the floor. But as much as I would have loved the repeat, I decided it was a one-time deal. Not only because we’d been there and done that, but I was relationship napalm. If we dated, there would inevitably be something wrong with him and we’d become decent friends lately. Besides, he thought monogamy was a type of wood, so it was best we kept the fireworks in the past.
“Maybe I will,” I teased back, only half joking.
At least if I slept with Dallas I would be guaranteed orgasms. I’d had to fake it with the last guy I’d slept with. It was either that or he’d keep poking me like I was mound of Play-Doh, and trust me, no woman wants to be tongued for an hour and feel nothing but chafing.
“Dallas,” Josh warned, returning with the tiny silver key between his fingers. “You want to wait until we get Kitty unlocked before you try humping her leg?”
“At least he’s house trained.” I smiled, relieved the key had been found.
Josh moved closer and with a quick twist, the metal unlocked and my wrist was finally free.
I cheered, throwing my arms around Josh and giving him a huge hug. “Yay, you guys are my heroes.”
Josh blushed, giving me a quick squeeze before releasing me. “Just try and be more careful next time.” He put the key on my bedside table.
“What about my hug?” Dallas grinned, edging Josh out of the way as he watched me stand. “I not only aided this operation, but I also brought you dessert.”
“You brought me pie?” I asked, remembering when I’d called him he’d been at a diner.
He nodded, opening his arms and waiting for me to fill the space. “Sure did, babe. Apple, just like you asked. I put it on your kitchen counter on the way to the bedroom.”
I didn’t even think, wrapping my arms around Dallas and nuzzling against his beautiful firm chest. Pie definitely deserved hugs. “You are the greatest.”
“Please don’t, Kitty.” Josh laughed from behind us. “He already has an ego the size of the Grand Canyon, positive reinforcement is not the way to go.”
Dallas pulled me close, taking my body and holding it against his. “Don’t be jealous she’s giving me the better hug, J. You didn’t bring her pie.”
Giving Dallas another squeeze, I allowed my hands to drop and pull away. Hugging him was great, but since he’d mentioned food, I had my mind on other things.
Midnight snacking was one of my favorite things, and I’d been restrained for the better part of two hours before I’d finally admitted defeat.
“I have vanilla ice cream in the freezer,” I called out, walking to my kitchen. “We can reheat them in the microwave.”
Josh and Dallas followed me, with Josh hesitating at the door. “We should probably get going. Eve should be finished working soon and I need to drop Dallas off at his car.”
I whipped around, the tub of ice cream still in my hand. “Oh, well okay. Thanks for helping me out. Oh, and ummmm.” I did some hesitating of my own. “You want me to tell Eve about the handcuffs or do you want to do it? She thinks I needed you to check a leak under my sink.”
Josh laughed shaking his head. “I’ll take care of it. Ready Dallas?” He turned to his sexy sidekick, his keys already in his hand.
“Nah, Dude, I think I’m going to stay for a while.” He waved off Josh, not breaking eye contact with me.
Josh blew out a frustrated breath probably annoyed. “D, it’s late and I’m not coming back.”
“So I’ll take a cab or an Uber.” Dallas shrugged, not interested in Josh’s annoyance as he moved closer. “Besides, I want to hear how Kitty ended up in handcuffs all by herself.”
Josh rolled his eyes, tossing his hands in the air. “Just both of you try and stay out of trouble. I’m going home.” We watched as he walked out of the kitchen and let himself out.
“He’s annoyed I didn’t get him pie.” Dallas grinned. “Now, tell me the story.”
I let out a sigh, figuring it was probably easier just to tell him. After all, if there was one person in the world who wouldn’t judge me, it was the guy standing in front of me. Besides, he’d brought me dessert and we’d already established that I loved midnight snacking. I figured it was the least I could do.
“I was doing this online quiz and read a lot about bondage and how it heightens sexual arousal.” I opened the two pie boxes sitting on my counter.
Dallas nodded, listening intently as I transferred the pie to plates and then put them into the microwave to warm. “I’d have gone with rope, but continue.”
“So . . . I wanted to know what being cuffed felt like before I tried it with someone. I’m all for some excitement in the bedroom, and will try anything once, but handcuffs are a big commitment.”
To be honest, there wasn’t anyone in particular I had in mind when I purchased them off a website. As far as boyfriends went, I was in-between bad decisions so was enjoying some time of self-exploration. And I was a curious person by nature.
“Makes total sense.” Dalla
s watched as I pulled the pies out of the microwave and scooped on the ice cream. “In fact, more women should try stuff out. Then you know exactly what you like and what you don’t like.”
“See, I knew you’d understand.” I smiled, licking the ice cream off my spoon.
While most guys would have questioned the sanity of restraining myself, Dallas just got it. It was one of the things—besides his extremely hot body—that attracted me to him in the first place. It was also why we were still friends even after we’d had sex. There weren’t too many men I kept around after we’d sealed the deal, probably best for everyone involved too considering most ended up being degenerates.
“Of course I do. Got anything else you’re curious about?” He smiled, his eyes dropping down to my boobs.
It didn’t matter that I was wearing a T-shirt, and probably the most boring pair of leggings I had in my wardrobe, Dallas’s eyes were always on a discovery mission.
I shoved him playfully and laughed. “You’re such a perv.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he countered, carrying our pies to my kitchen table.
It wasn’t how I thought I’d be spending my night but as far as backup plans, it was a pretty decent one. And it sure as hell beat being shackled to my headboard; those handcuffs were definitely not my thing.
“Enough about me.” I took a spoonful of pie and brought it closer to my mouth. “What were you doing that required Josh’s assistance?”
Even though it was only a Wednesday night, I could almost guarantee Dallas had been involved in some kind of crazy antic. Because, for all the bad decisions I had made, he had a stack of his own from what I’d heard.
“I was with a woman, things got complicated,” he answered, not even trying to hide the fact he’d been on a date.
I savored the pie, the spice of the apple and creaminess of the vanilla inducing a pleasured moan. “This is soooooo good.” I loaded up my spoon before continuing my questioning. “What got so complicated? It was just sex, right?”
It was probably none of my business, but I was curious. As someone who had slept with Dallas, there wasn’t a lot to be confused about. He had an ego on him sure, but he knew what he was doing when it came to pleasing a woman.