by J. M. Witt
Chortling, “Both.” I sent Gregor a quick email and Todd a text reassuring them I was safe.
“That’s it?”
“Yup. I’m on vacation. What’s the plan?”
“Jared wants to know if we want to go out for dinner or if we want him to cook.”
“If we’re going out I need to change.”
“I think we should hang here tonight. We can make a plan for tomorrow over dinner.”
“Fine with me.”
Heading downstairs, I followed Tami to the kitchen where we found Jared. He was leaning on the granite counters and typing away on his laptop. Tami gave me a quick tour of the house. He had a poker table in the dining room in lieu of a dinner table. Now that made more sense considering he was a bachelor.
“So, what’s the plan ladies?” He had a big smile on his face and rubbed his hands together devilishly.
“You’re cooking cuz.”
Nodding, “Ok.” Looking to me, he asked, “Any allergies I need to know about?” I shook my head. “I’m going to call a friend. Maybe we can get a Euchre game going.” He laughed at the surprised expression on my face. “May be a NOLA boy now, but I was born and raised in the north. And I haven’t played in forever.”
Laughing, “Sounds like a plan to me.”
Later that night, after dinner, we stood around the kitchen counter when the doorbell rang. He’d mentioned he invited his friend Sam over and that he would arrive after we ate. When this was mentioned, Tami had openly groaned at Jared. After a brief discussion, Tami agreed. I wasn’t sure if Tami just didn’t like this Sam person or if there was more to it.
Jared and I had exchanged pleasantries over dinner and I found him exceptionally easy to talk to. Though, he made me slightly nervous, too. There was something about him, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
As Jared walked away and to the door, I asked Tami, “You know this Sam guy?”
She groaned. “Yes, we’ve met.”
Guessing from her tone, she wasn’t a fan, or she was trying to cover. “And?”
“Don’t ask.” I pressed my lips together and nodded, because time didn’t allow for it.
I heard their voices as they moved through the house and back to us. He was taller than Jared and dreamy in a different sort of way. He wore all black, was more slender, and darker, but definitely in great shape. His eyes landed on Tami’s and instantly you could feel the tension between the two of them. Then he smiled and it transformed his face. I liked him already.
His eyes moved from Tami’s direction and over to mine. He offered his hand, “Sam.”
“Meredith.” I took his hand as I watched him and Jared exchange a peculiar look. What was that about?
Grinning, he added, “But you can call me Vice.”
“Vice?” Tami groaned, I glanced at her and could tell she was visibly annoyed.
“Don’t ask.” Then he winked.
I didn’t have time to think about it. “Alright. Who’s ready for a drink and some cards?”
An hour later Jared and I were killing them at Euchre. I had decided to go alone with a hand full of hearts. “BOOM!” I took all five tricks and couldn’t resist bragging.
“You whore!”
I took a dramatic bow and said, “You know it!”
“I need a cigarette.” Tami pushed her chair from the table and headed out the patio door and Sam followed.
When they were gone, I inquired with Jared, “Do you know something I don’t?” I motioned my head in their direction.
Smiling, he deflected. “They both smoke.”
Rolling my eyes, I headed to the fridge for another wine cooler. When I turned around, he took the bottle from me and opened it before handing it back. I nodded and he started washing the dishes from dinner. I thought it only appropriate that I help.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“You cooked. I can help clean up.” He smiled at me as his hands placed dishes in the sink full of water and added soap. “And you paid for us to come here, so.”
“It was nothing. I have plenty of air miles to spare.”
“Well, it was still very generous.”
When the dishes were cleaned, dried and put away, we headed outside to find Tami and Sam deep in conversation. I stopped in my tracks, knowing I was intruding upon something I knew nothing about.
With his hand on the small of my back, Jared guided me to the other side of his back yard. We sat down on some beach loungers and he started talking, distracting me from Tami and Sam. He and Sam had joked about handcuffs while we were playing cards and I caught on right away. We’d all exchanged subtle remarks and I wondered if anything would be brought up again.
“So?” He just smiled at me, waiting for me to open dialogue.
“Ok. I’m just going to ask. Are you really into leather, spankings, et cetera?” His gaze became intense as he stared at me. Growing nervous, my eyes dropped to my lap as he chuckled. “If you’re not, just forget I said anything.”
“I am. Floggers, cuffs, blindfolds...you name it.”
“Wooden paddles?” My eyes looked up to his curiously as I wrung my hands together in my lap.
Now that took him a little aback. Laughing, he admitted, “I haven’t really explored with wood...yet.”
“Oh.” I tried to leave any hint of disappointment from my voice.
“You?” Pressing my lips together, I looked to the sky and felt myself blushing. I looked back to him and took him in. Could I trust him? How much did I tell him? “I’m going to assume you know plenty about wooden paddles.”
Sighing, I said, “Truth. They don’t mark the same way floggers to.” Then I waited.
Leaning back, I could see the wheels turning in his head. “Care to divulge?”
“I don’t know. Does this conversation stay here, between us?”
“Of course.”
Something about him spoke to me, made me comfortable. I knew I could trust him. “So, clearly you’re somewhat familiar with BDSM?” He nodded. “Would you like to take any guesses as to what I am?” I knew that if he was being honest, I didn’t need to explain my question any further.
Scanning my body and then my face once more, he guessed wrong. “Domme.”
Smiling wickedly, I shook my head. “Though I may have a touch of switch in me.”
“Sub?” I nodded. “Nice.”
“I’m presuming you’re more Dom or Top.”
“You’d be correct.” I just shook my head. “What gave it away?”
“Just something you said when we played cards and the leather bracelet caught my attention.”
He nodded and asked another question. “So, you and your husband?” I shook my head. “Ahh. Now I understand.”
I let out an exaggerated breath. “Yeah.”
“So, I’m listening. Who is he?”
I don’t know what it was, but I felt completely at ease. I spilled everything. And he just sat and listened intently, for hours. A soft chuckle or comment from him came every now and then, but he’d insist I continue. When I was finally done, I looked around the yard to find Tami and Sam nowhere in sight.
“They went upstairs a while ago.”
“Together?” He just laughed. “Ok. I didn’t see that one coming.” Lifting my hands, I started rubbing on my neck and moving it from side to side.
“Need a massage?” I froze and looked at him. That was a dumb question. Of course I needed one. “I’m good at it.”
Smiling, I agreed. “Ok.” He spread his legs and motioned me to sit down in front of him. “Oh, Jesus.”
His hands dug in and I was almost immediately limp. His chuckle drifted over me as he started telling me his story. “Our stories are very parallel.”
“How so?”
Then he spilled his story. He’d been divorced a few months, his sub was in the process of a divorce, and they’d been ‘together’ for several years. I could imagine his turmoil, and hers, since I myself knew I was standing at a
crossroads of my own.
“You love her.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. We’re way beyond what you and Gregor are.”
I nodded. “Yes, clearly.”
“Have you thought about telling him? He might be waiting on you.”
I just shook my head. “No. I mean, I’ve thought about it, but—no.” I paused and then added, “We agreed to no love.”
“Well. Things change, people change, and he clearly cares about you.”
Playing with my phone I put on Not Strong Enough by Shinedown. “I’m not sure I could handle either response from him if I told him.” I knew he was listening to the lyrics of the song, digesting them like I was.
When the song was over he comforted me. “I get it. I’ve been there, walked the same path.”
“I know he cares. I do.” I said it more to myself, trying to rationalize his feelings.
“Well, I get it. This is really therapeutic having someone to talk to about all of this.”
“I completely agree.” His fingers moved into my hair, massaging my scalp. “You’re going to put me to sleep.”
He pulled me back a little closer. “So, go to sleep.”
He eased me back, massaging my arms, shoulders and neck some more. And I dozed off. I was bolted awake when Gregor’s special tone went off. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I realized I was still leaning on Jared. Dropping my phone, while trying to move away from him quietly, he started chuckling.
“Gregor?”
Picking up my phone and looking to him, I smiled. “How’d you know?”
“I know that look.”
“It’s pitch black out here. You can’t see my look.”
“I don’t need light to see you, Meredith.” Insert THUD. I hypothetically fell to the ground at his remark. “So, is it him?”
“Yes.” I confessed. “I gave him homework.”
“Did you?”
Laughing, I nodded. “Yup. He gave me homework, too.”
“That’s pretty funny. Looks like both of our subs have been given homework.” I met his eyes in the moonlight and gawked at him. “She’s away on business and we both gave each other tasks. Maybe I can help you out with yours.”
“This is insane. Though, I’m not sure you’re what Gregor had in mind.”
“So ask him. I’ll ask Heather.”
I ran my hands through my hair. “This is, just, yeah. I have to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.” Then I played with the match I was holding. “Do you want a massage in return?”
“Yes. I’d love that. Let me know what Gregor says.”
I opened my mouth and shut it right back. There was no point in denying what I was about to do. I was going to go use the bathroom and email Gregor.
Quickly, I emailed him back. He was talking about the weather and hoped I was having a good time. I just threw it out there in the email telling him about Jared and that he was a Dom and had homework of his own to complete. I left it at that, waiting to see what he said. His response was almost immediate.
TO: [email protected]
11:56 PM
Subject: Re: Homework
It could be a nice start to misbehaving... :)
I sighed. Vague, yet not. What did that mean?! Closing my email, I put my phone back in my pocket and headed back outside. Jared was still on the lounger, playing with his own phone. When he saw me coming, he put the phone away and smiled at me.
“She’s intrigued.”
I stopped short, before sitting and he laughed as I confessed. “Gregor told me it could be a nice start to misbehaving.”
We both laughed as we took each other in. Moving forward, I took his cue and sat down behind him and got to work. Holy cow he was built. Gregor was built too, but not like this. Jared instantly relaxed as a few sighs left his mouth.
“Jesus. You’re good.”
“Mmm. Gregor has the same reaction. I can feel the tension leave him every time.”
“He a good masseuse, too?”
“Hmph. That I wouldn’t know. I have yet to get one from him.”
“What? He doesn’t rub you down before or after?”
“Not like this. We’re usually fighting the clock when we see each other.”
“But you rub him down.”
Laughing, “Yes. Would you like his number? You can tell him that he’s slacking in his duties.”
“I may have to.”
An hour later, I was getting another massage when he pulled my arm back. I instantly had a visual of getting handcuffed when he whispered in my ear.
“If I had my handcuffs with me this would be more fun.”
Giggling, I turned my head back and said, “My safe word is ‘keep going’.”
His reaction was priceless. Eyes bulged for a split second and then he belly laughed. We laughed about it for quite a few minutes before we were interrupted by a commotion coming from inside. I heard Tami yelling, but couldn’t make out what she was saying. But she was clearly pissed.
“Oh, shit.”
“You can say that again. I know my cousin and I know Sam. We should go intervene.”
Getting up, we rushed inside to find Sam and Tami practically nose to nose arguing with one another. Holy shit there was definitely some kind of history there. Jared stepped between the two of them and walked out the front door with Sam.
Once they were gone, I moved to stand in front of Tami. Placing my hands on her shoulders to get her attention, I asked, “Tami, what’s going on?”
She snapped at me. “Nothing. I fucking hate him.”
I highly doubted that. “Ok. What happened?” I spotted a hickey on her neck, but chose to ignore it.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Marching to the fridge, she pulled out another drink. “Fucking asshole!” She pulled out a beer and chugged half of it down then looked at me. “I’m surprised you’re still up.”
The mere mention of her words had me yawning. “We were outside talking.”
“And?”
I caught her snippy tone and knew it wasn’t in regards to Jared and me talking for hours, but it still hurt a little. “And nothing. We talked. But I am exhausted.”
Jared walked over—alone—and said, “You should both get some rest. It’s late.”
Tami glared at him and demanded. “You and I need to talk.”
Completely calm, he agreed. “That’s fine.”
“Ok then. I’m going to bed. I’ll see you two in the morning.” I headed for the stairs and as I started to climb them, I felt his hand on my wrist. Looking to my wrist and then his eyes, I froze, wondering what he wanted.
“We should talk again tomorrow. And I may want another massage.”
Narrowing my eyes, I nodded. “Only if I get one, too.”
“Deal. Get some rest.”
“You too.” Releasing my wrist, I finished climbing the stairs, the warmth of his hand still lingering on my skin.
TO: [email protected]
2:33 AM
Subject: Re: Homework
We just talked for another two hours. He wants to talk more tomorrow.
Just climbed into bed...alone. Thinking of you. :)
I didn’t hear back from Gregor. Surprisingly, I slept quite well for being in a bed that wasn’t my own. Waking several hours later, the sun was filtering through the curtains as I stretched out in bed. Checking my phone, still no email. I put some music on and recounted my conversation with Jared from the night before.
After a while I decided to get up and shower. Taking my belongings to the bathroom, I saw Tami still asleep and quietly closed the door as to not disturb her. After, when I was in my room getting dressed, I heard her in the bathroom. Already dressed, I headed out of my room. Passing by an open door, I heard heavy breathing and when I glanced inside I saw a shirtless Jared lifting weights.
I stopped briefly and as I was about to scuttle away, he caught my gaze.
“Hey. Did you sleep well?”
&nbs
p; “I did. Thank you.”
He continued lifting and said between reps, “Help yourself to anything you can find in the kitchen. I’ll be down shortly.”
Nodding, I did just that. Finding some oatmeal and juice, I sat down at the island and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
“Morning whore.”
Smirking, I turned to Tami who looked worse for wear. “I could say the same to you.”
She simply grunted and started rifling through the fridge and cabinets. “Seriously!”
“What?” She was agitated and I couldn’t figure out what she was looking for. “What are you looking for?”
“I know my cousin. He has cereal here somewhere. He’s just hiding it.” She kept digging and then gasped, “Jackpot!”
She poured herself a bowl of the sugary cereal and sat down across from me. Tami was still in her pajamas and her hair was a wreck. We sat in silence, both eating, and then she headed outside for a smoke. I followed her.
“So. Sam.” She glanced at me and I could see it all over her. “Spill it!”
“He’s an ass.”
Rolling my eyes, “So, tell me why.”
“Ugh. We have a history. He was a friend of Jared’s before Jared moved down here. Sam followed—business thing—and, well. Sam left me in Michigan.”
“Wait. What? Left you how?” Tami and I were close, but I didn’t know everything, clearly. “How long ago was this?”
“Long enough.”
Then it dawned on me. “He’s the guy.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “It’s all clear now. He’s the one that got away.”
She scoffed and took another puff of her cigarette. “More like I’m the one that got away. Thank fuck.”
“Sure. Keep telling yourself that.” She ignored me. “So, what happened last night? Clearly there’s still an attraction.”
Shrugging her shoulders, “We never could deny that. It’s everything else that’s a mess. Always has. Always will.”
“Morning ladies.”
Turning, we both acknowledged Jared, though Tami’s greeting wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic as mine was.
Rubbing his hands together, he smiled, “What’s on the docket for today?”
Homework! I didn’t say it, but it’s the first thing that came to mind. I was going to hell. Hopefully Jared or Gregor—hell, they could both come—would be there to welcome me!