by Sherri Hayes
“CBT?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I’ve seen it done at the club. It looks extremely painful.”
“It can be.”
“I made a comment to John once saying how I couldn’t understand how a guy could want that done to him. He explained that there was a heightened sense of giving up control associated with it. She quite literally has you by the balls and can do with you what she wants.” He leaned forward and picked up another piece of cheese. Instead of eating it, he rolled it between his thumb and index finger. “I don’t know if I’ll like it, but it’s something I’d like to try. Eventually.”
Beth could take or leave CBT. It had its place, and it was fine once in a while, but it wasn’t something she normally did. “Maybe we can explore that in stages. There are many different types of CBT. We’d have to discuss the specifics and just how far each of us wanted to go with it.”
He took a deep breath and ate the cheese he’d been toying with.
She handed her list to him and picked up several more grapes. “I don’t see any major conflicts. Many of the things you want to try I’ve done before.”
Drew nodded as he looked over her list.
“Do you have any questions?” she asked.
“How do we know where to start?”
Beth grinned. “I’d like for you to leave your list with me. I’ll look over it in more detail tomorrow and come up with a game plan.”
“Okay. That makes sense.”
“Is there anything specific that you’d like to try first?”
“Bondage.” He had the answer out almost before she was able to finish asking the question.
Beth chuckled. “I think that can be arranged. You’re off on Monday, correct?”
“Yes. But I have to work Tuesday. Then I’m off Wednesday through Saturday,” he said.
“Why don’t you come over on Monday? I’ll make us dinner and we can talk some more. You can take my list home and look it over in more detail as well.”
“I like the sound of that,” he said.
“Good. I can have dinner ready by five. That will give us plenty of time after.”
***
Drew was reluctant to leave Beth on Saturday night, but he hadn’t felt comfortable asking if he could stay the night. They weren’t there yet. Besides, he had to work the next morning. With her work schedule, Sundays and Mondays were her only days to sleep in. He didn’t want to take that away from her just to satisfy his own selfish want.
His apartment was dark when he arrived home. He must have forgotten to turn on the outside light in his haste to get out the door. Turning the key in the lock, he pushed open the door, and flipped on the light.
The sight that greeted him was not what he’d expected. His buddy, Shawn, was curled up on his new couch with a blanket draped over him. “Shawn?”
Shawn rolled his large body to face Drew and then sat up slowly. It was only then that Drew noticed several empty beer cans beside the coffee table. “Hey. You’re back.”
Drew shut and locked the door behind him. “What happened?”
“My old lady kicked me out. Said I’m afraid of commitment or some shit.” Shawn ran his hands through his hair, causing it to stick up in all directions. “Do you think I can crash here for a few days? I start my rotation tomorrow, so I won’t be able to look for a new place until Friday.”
“Sure. Whatever you need.”
“Thanks.”
Walking into the kitchen, Drew realized he still had Beth’s list in his hand. He quickly folded and tucked it into his front pocket. The last thing he needed was for Shawn to get curious. Trust was one thing, but he didn’t want to have to lie to his friend. He also wasn’t ready to put his sexual preferences out in the open to be scrutinized.
“Were you out with your girl tonight? The one you were telling me about?” Shawn asked.
Drew took two glasses and filled them with water. He had no idea how much Shawn had had to drink, but if what he could see on the floor was any indication, his friend was going to be feeling it tomorrow.
Handing one of the glasses to Shawn, Drew sat down a few feet away on the recliner. “I was. And before you ask, it went well. She’s making me dinner Monday night.” He couldn’t hide his joy about that, so he didn’t even try.
“I’m happy for you. You deserve it.”
“Thanks.”
They were both quiet for several minutes.
“I hope you don’t mind that I used the spare key you gave me,” Shawn said.
“Of course not. I gave it to you to use if you needed it. You obviously needed it tonight.”
Shawn gulped down half the water in his glass. “Yeah.”
“You want to talk about it?” Drew asked. Shawn had certainly listened to Drew’s women troubles over the years.
“Not much to tell.” Shawn shook his head and downed the rest of his water. “I was over at Mickey’s helping him set up a swing set for his girls for most of the day. Came home around five and Jill had my bags packed and waiting for me at the door. Everything was fine last week. I don’t know what happened.”
“Did you mention she’d been out of town or something?” Drew asked, trying to help his friend make sense of what appeared to be the end of his relationship. Shawn and Jill had been together since Drew had been a firefighter—longer.
“Yeah. Her sister’s been sick, so she was in Denver helping take care of her sister’s kids. She got back late last night. I was hoping we’d get to sit down and enjoy a nice evening together before I went back on rotation.”
Drew didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry, man. I really am.”
Shawn nodded and looked around the apartment. “Are you sure you don’t mind me crashing here for a few nights?”
“Of course not. We’re both on duty tomorrow, then between sleeping and having dinner at Beth’s, I won’t be here much Monday either.”
“I owe you.”
“Pfft. How many times did you save my skin in the last seven years?” Drew asked.
His friend laughed. It was good to hear.
“Exactly. So don’t sweat it. Crash here as long as you need.”
Considering it was going on eleven, Shawn helped Drew clean up some of the clutter and downed a few ibuprofen before climbing back on the couch. After making sure everything was locked up tight and that the lights were out, Drew made his way into his bedroom. Only then, with the door closed, did he fish Beth’s list out of his pocket.
She had very few things marked as ‘want to try’. Then again, she’d been in a BDSM relationship before. Although he knew that, seeing it in black and white was quite different. He felt the jealousy peak inside him and tried his best to push it away. It was completely irrational. She was with him now. Officially. There wasn’t any use getting upset about her being and doing things with another man. Especially a man who ended up being a lying, cheating bastard.
Drew was so caught up in his internal argument that he almost missed something Beth marked on her list as ‘love’. He ran his finger down the page to be sure he wasn’t reading it incorrectly.
He wasn’t.
Beth loved knife play.
Racking his brain, he tried to remember what he’d put for that. Dislike? Hate? He couldn’t remember. During his two months as a member of Serpent’s Kiss, he couldn’t recall ever witnessing knife play.
Before he lost his nerve, he pulled out his cell phone and sent Beth a text.
Knife play?
It took her a few moments to respond.
Yes. -Beth
It sounded crazy to admit it, but he was curious.
Why?
Instead of her sending another text in response, his phone rang. He answered it quickly and held it up to his ear. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.”
“You didn’t have to call. I was a little shocked, that’s all. I wasn’t expecting you to be into that,” he said.
Beth hummed. “I noticed you marked it as dislike
on your list.”
He guessed that answered his question. “I’ve never seen it done, but I’m not sure I’d like something like that.”
“I didn’t think I would either until I saw a demonstration. Once I tried it myself, I was hooked.” She paused. “If you’re not comfortable with knife play we can take it off the table for now. There’s no pressure, Drew. I get that this is new to you.”
While he understood and appreciated that, he felt he needed to be honest. “I’m torn. A part of me is curious since you ranked it so high on your list, but having a blade that close to my skin . . .”
“It isn’t about that. Or at least for me it isn’t. It’s a mind game. I’m not going to cut you, but I could. The possibility is always there.”
“Thanks.”
She laughed. “Just being honest, remember.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I’ll think about it.”
“Fair enough.”
A knock sounded on his bedroom door and it caused him to jump.
“Yes?” he yelled in the direction of the door.
“Do you have an extra toothbrush lying around somewhere?” Shawn asked through the door.
“Yeah. Just give me a minute and I’ll get it for you,” he responded back to Shawn. To Beth he said, “Can you hang on?”
“Sure. But I can let you go if you—”
“No.” He hesitated. The last thing he wanted to do was sound desperate. “I’ll be right back.”
As swiftly as he could, Drew headed out into the hall to the bathroom, dug through his linen closet until he found an unopened toothbrush, and then grabbed the tube of toothpaste from the medicine cabinet. It was one of the few lessons his brother had imparted to him. Always have a spare toothbrush in your closet for overnight guests. The last thing you want is to French kiss a girl goodbye in the morning when she hadn’t yet brushed her teeth.
With Shawn’s issue taken care of, Drew rushed back into his bedroom. He made sure his door was shut firmly behind him, and then went to the bed to resume his phone call with Beth. “I’m back.”
“Everything okay? I didn’t realize you had houseguests.”
“It was a surprise to me, too.” Drew debated how much to tell her. “Shawn was here when I got home. His girlfriend kicked him out.”
“That’s horrible.”
“Yeah. It is. They’ve been together for years,” he said.
Beth grew quiet. “Does that mean you’re going to need to cancel for Monday night?”
“No. Shawn can take care of himself. I’ll be there.”
“I guess I’ll see you then.” He could tell she was smiling, and he wished he were there to see it. “Good night, Drew.”
“Good night, Beth.”
With a spring in his step, Drew plugged his phone into the charger, and then went to get ready for bed. It had been an amazing day, and he couldn’t wait for Monday when he could see Beth again.
Chapter 16
When Drew’s alarm woke him up at six the next morning, he jumped out of bed with an excess of energy. He loved his job, but it had been a while since he’d had such a spring in his step. The renewed energy he felt was an obvious byproduct of his date with Beth. Or Beth herself. Things had gone better than he’d expected, and they were moving forward with a relationship. He couldn’t have asked for more than that.
His mind on other things, Drew opened his door and headed toward the bathroom. It wasn’t until he heard movement in his kitchen that he remembered he had a houseguest.
Seconds later, Shawn turned around and caught Drew standing there buck-naked. Shawn smirked and pointed a piece of toast at him. “I like you, Parker, but not that much.”
Drew held up his middle finger and continued on his way to the bathroom.
Figuring he’d get his shower out of the way, he turned on the water, and stepped into the spray. As he worked the soap down his body, he smiled remembering Beth between his legs. He had no idea what the future held for them, but he knew he’d do just about anything to feel her mouth on his cock again.
Although it was tempting, Drew decided it probably wasn’t a good idea to jack off in the shower with Shawn in the other room. Besides, his friend would most likely want to shower as well before heading into the station, so he probably shouldn’t use all the hot water. Finishing up, he dried off, and wrapped a clean towel around his waist.
Shawn was just finishing his breakfast of toast and orange juice when Drew strolled out of the bathroom. “It’s all yours.”
His friend nodded, and Drew darted into his room to get dressed.
They drove separately to the station. Shawn wasn’t ready for the guys to know that Jill had kicked him out. Drew could relate to that. These guys were family to him, but there were some things you didn’t even want family to know.
It was midmorning before they got their first call. There was a gas leak in an assisted living facility. All seventy apartments had to be evacuated. Since the residents were over the age of sixty-five, many had to be helped out or even carried. Once everyone was safe, it was a matter of securing the area until the leak could be fixed.
When they arrived back, everyone fell into their normal routines making sure the trucks and all the equipment were cleaned and ready for the next call. Drew gathered his crew for a quick debriefing, and out of the corner of his eye he could see Shawn talking to his guys as well. Everything had gone well, all things considered, so there wasn’t much to discuss. When he dismissed his crew, though, he glanced over to where Shawn had been but he was gone.
Drew found his friend in the kitchen. It was lunchtime, but given they’d all been out on a call for the last two hours nothing was ready. He washed his hands and pitched in to help.
“Thanks,” Shawn said.
The two worked together to get lunch on the table as soon as possible. Drew didn’t know about everyone else, but he was starving. He’d learned long ago to make sure he ate well at every meal. A call could come in at any time, so you took advantage of the food put in front of you no matter what it was.
They’d barely taken a few bites of the lunch they prepared when another call came in. It looked as if it was going to be one of those days. He shoved a last bite in his mouth while he listened to the dispatcher rattle off the information they would need. Then they were off—their half-eaten lunch left sitting on the long table.
Three hours later, Drew worked alongside his crew as they finished their daily chores around the station. It was only then that he had time to think on Shawn’s situation. Jill had complained that Shawn was afraid of commitment. The two had never gotten married. They weren’t engaged. Yet they’d been together for over seven years. Drew had always thought that was a mutual decision, but apparently it wasn’t.
Thoughts of Shawn’s relationship inevitably led back to Drew’s newly established one with Beth. He knew she’d been hurt by her last relationship, and that she had trust issues. Would that translate into a fear of commitment? She hadn’t showed any signs of that last night, but things had moved rather quickly. Maybe once she had time to ponder everything she’d change her mind. He really hoped not.
Shawn came up on his left. “You got a minute?”
“Sure.” Drew tossed his rag onto the bench and followed his friend outside.
Shawn kept walking until they were several feet away from the open bays. It wasn’t likely anyone would hear them out there.
“I got a text from Jill while we were out earlier.”
From the look on Shawn’s face, she hadn’t been messaging to ask him back. “What did she say?”
He leaned back against the building and ran a hand over his face in frustration. “She wants me to come get the rest of my stuff tomorrow. Says she wants a clean break so she can move on with her life before it’s too late.”
Drew moved to stand beside Shawn. “I’m sorry.”
For the first time in the seven years Drew had known him, he thought Shawn might break down.
He
didn’t. Instead, he took a deep breath and looked across the street where a couple of kids were playing. “I know you have a date tomorrow night with your new girl, but do you think you can go with me to move my stuff? It shouldn’t take more than a few hours. Most everything in the house is hers anyway.”
“Sure. Did you want to go first thing in the morning, or would you rather get some sleep first?” Drew asked.
“I think I’d rather get it over with, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.”
Shawn nodded. “I’d ask some of the other guys but . . .”
“But you’d rather they not know yet. I get it.”
Shawn snorted. “I suppose you do. How long do you think you’re going to be able to keep your new girlfriend from everyone? Given that cheesy grin I’ve seen on your face a few times today, and your late night phone call . . . I’m thinking a week, tops.” The change in subject had brightened Shawn’s mood considerably.
Drew rolled his eyes. “We’ll see.”
“She must be something if she has you mooning after her already.”
He smiled. “She is.”
“I’m happy for you.” Sadness crept back into Shawn’s features.
“Do you think you and Jill can work it out?” Drew asked.
“I don’t know. She seems pretty determined it’s over.” Shawn bent down, picked up a stick from the sidewalk, and began tearing off the bark. He’d quit smoking about six months ago, and Drew figured he was probably trying to distract himself from wanting a cigarette. “Tell me about Beth. What’s she look like?”
Drew grinned and lowered himself down beside Shawn. “She’s about five six. Long, dark brown hair. It’s almost black it’s so dark. Her curves are what dreams are made of, and her legs . . .” Drew sighed as he remembered having his hands on her hips as he licked her pussy and watched as she shuddered around him.
Shawn whistled. “You’ve got it bad. Maybe a week’s too long.”