Cassie rolled her eyes. “Nothing. And by nothing, I mean everything.” And just like that, her lighthearted demeanor changed. “Oh my god, this time next month, I’ll not only be married, but back from my honeymoon. Gah! I’ve got so much stuff to do. Not only with the wedding, but getting my name changed, dealing with bank accounts…” she trailed off, shaking her head.
“There’s my stressed out little friend.” Sasha dropped the file folder she’d been holding and hugged Cassie. “Sasha’s here now. I’ll make it all better, and if I can’t, I’ll keep you liquored up until you say, ‘I do.’”
“But after—I haven’t even been planning.”
“Shhh. Everything will be fine.”
Pulling away, Cassie said, “Okay. Okay. I’m good. I’m so glad you’re finally here, though. I know we took care of a lot of details over the phone and by email while your house was being sold, but it’s not the same as you being here to talk me off these spontaneous ledges.”
“You’re acting normal. Not even going bridezilla yet. But I’m glad you’re happy I’m here, because until I find a place, there’ll be no getting away from me. I’ll totally be cramping your newlywed style.” Sasha had looked for some places online, but real estate in California was so much more expensive. Her salary increase would cover the cost of living difference, but every time she tried to narrow down even what type of property she wanted, she’d get all flustered. Not that she had much time to devote to searching anyway. Thankfully, Cassie had insisted she stay with her and Ian, and Sasha was in no position to refuse the offer.
“I told you there was no rush. You can stay with us as long as you need to.”
Sasha waived a dismissive hand. “Like I want to stick around all that wedded bliss? Um, yeah, no thanks. I love you guys, but the sooner I find a place, the better off we’ll all be. Ian had me spank your ass so he could watch, and that was when he couldn’t be there. Just image what that freak will want me to do while I’m staying with you. All of us together in the same house? I’ll be scandalized if I stay too long.” Sasha would be lying if she said that night with the two of them hadn’t been hot, but that was a one-time deal. Under normal circumstances, the extent of her freakiness consisted of doing it doggy style on a bed with the lights dimmed. Nothing too kinky. And even that was before Dwight.
Cassie lightly punched her shoulder. “Shut up. You will not.”
“Oh, so Ian’s not a freak then?”
Her timid friend nibbled her lip. “I didn’t say that.”
“Mmmm… I want all the deets over some alcohol. We can get drunk and have a good ol’ gab fest.”
Cassie shook her head, a look of panic crossing her face. “I don’t have time to go out for drinks. I have too— ”
“Stop right there.” Sasha grabbed her shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “What kind of bridesmaid would I be if I didn’t plan a little bachelorette party for you?”
Cassie gasped. “No. No. I can’t. I mean, Ian is having a makeshift one. His brother and some friends are going to a local bar for drinks this weekend, but nothing salacious.”
“Oh, there’ll be much salaciousness going on at yours. I’ve already planned it.” When the bride-to-be started to protest, Sasha cut her off. “I’m not telling you a thing. Except that your West Coast Hottie knows. I needed to know the best time to schedule it and didn’t want it to be on the same night as anything he had planned. You know … just in case he needs to come bail you out of jail.” Sasha winked and turned away.
“You wouldn’t,” Cassie said timidly.
Looking over her shoulder, Sasha said, “You know better. Besides, I live vicariously though you. Don’t ruin my fun.”
Cassie put her hand on her hip. “If I have my way, your life will soon be too exciting to have to do that anymore.”
Sasha didn’t want to spoil the mood with more talk about her nonexistent love life or the man behind her self-imposed celibacy. Instead she said, “Who knows what this change of scenery will bring?”
But she knew. A whole lotta nothin’.
Chapter 2
Aaron nursed his beer in the party room of his favorite hangout as he stared at the cards in his hand. Two pair. Not bad. The bet was to him, so he raised, tossing out a couple of chips, and eyed the guys at the table.
“Damn, too rich for me,” his brother, Ian, said and threw his cards on the table.
“C’mon, baby bro. The guest of honor can’t fold every hand.”
“Fuck you, man. You’re seven minutes older than me. That hardly qualifies as enough seniority to provide wisdom. Besides, you know how much this wedding costs? It’s not responsible of me to throw money away on a hand I know I can’t win.”
Aaron hid his smile and gave a quick shake of his head when he saw Rick begin to protest. Tonight was all about Ian. It was his bachelor party. His brother refused to allow any strippers, so Aaron had booked this room for a night of drinks and cards—with a little secret entertainment to come later—but the twelve guys here tonight had all bought into the poker game at one-hundred dollars each, with the understanding that the game was just for fun and all the money would go to Ian as his party gift. He’d put in one hundred of his own money, but he was leaving here eleven hundred richer no matter what.
Aaron had no intention of letting his brother know this, though. So technically that was two secrets. Ian didn’t know about the dancers coming later either. He’d said no strippers. He hadn’t said anything about other forms of female entertainment.
“It’s only a hundred, dude. Reattach your balls and play your fucking hand,” Mark said, pushing Ian’s cards back to him.
“I already folded.” He shook his head and looked around the table. True, in a normal card game, Ian would get his ass jumped for picking his cards back up, but this wasn’t a normal game.
“It’s a mulligan,” Joe said, nodding his head toward Ian’s cards still lying on the table. “Can we get another round of shots?” he called out when the waitress started to pass the room without coming in. She popped her head through the doorway and nodded.
“Anything else?” she asked.
“Yeah, bring Ian here some whiskey.”
“I’m drinking beer.” He held it up to show his protest, but Aaron shook his head.
“You need to loosen up, bro.”
“Got it,” she said and left as Ian tried protesting again.
“Now pick up your hand and play,” Aaron said, raising his eyebrow at him.
Ian muttered something, but he picked up his cards and tossed in some chips. Everybody else did the same. Then cards were shown.
“What the hell, you had a pair and you tried to fold?” Aaron asked, playfully shoving his brother. “You do need your balls reattached.”
“Joe has kings, I have threes.”
“And I have two pair, so I beat you both,” Aaron said, chuckling.
“Read ‘em and weep, fellas. Full house.”
Aaron groaned and banged the table. “I thought I had that one, Dave.”
“Not this time.” Dave scooped up the chips and dealer duties switched to the next guy. By the time the cards were dealt, the shots had arrived. Aaron passed his over to Ian like he’d done the other two times.
“I’m going to be so hung over tomorrow,” Ian said with the shot glass against his lip before tossing it back. He picked up Aaron’s and held it to him. “You sure you don’t want one?”
“Nope. Two beers is my limit for the night. Somebody’s gotta make sure you get home safe and sound.”
Groaning, he put the other one to his mouth. He downed it and winced. “God, that burns.”
“Means it’s working. Now bet’s to you, and don’t you dare puss out again.”
Ian took a deep breath and fumbled for his cards. Good, the guy was already feeling the effects. Maybe now he’d be able to relax and enjoy the night.
Two hands later, Ian finally won, but by the glazed look in his eyes, Aaron knew his brother had fin
ally crossed over that barrier that was holding him in check. He wouldn’t let his brother do anything stupid, but he did want the guy to loosen up and have a little fun. He was getting married for Christ sakes. The occasion called for much celebration of the liquored-up kind.
If Aaron was being honest with himself, he was envious of his brother. Ian had found his soulmate. There was no doubt in Aaron’s mind that Cassie was the one for his twin. She knew how to go toe-to-toe with him, and Ian was clearly taken with her.
Within an hour, some of the guys started losing their money and began playing pool at one of the tables in the room. Surprisingly, Ian was still in the game. He hadn’t protested any more shots—though Aaron waved off the last few rounds for Ian, too. He wanted his brother relaxed and having fun, not puking his guts out before the night was over.
When Aaron’s cell phone chimed, he glanced at it and smiled at the text he’d asked to receive when the dancers got there. He didn’t want to spring them on Ian without any heads up. “Time for the entertainment, guys.” Ian’s head rolled to the side, and he looked at him questioningly.
“What entertainment, bro?” His tone held a bit of anger.
Ah, so he wasn’t too drunk to completely lose his inhibitions. That was a good thing; it meant he would be able to celebrate a few hours longer at least. “Don’t worry. No strippers. No touching. We only watch.” Aaron nodded to Dave, who punched something for the sound system to come alive. Immediately, Middle Eastern dance music filled the air.
Right one cue, the belly dancers came sashaying in, clicking their little finger cymbals. Some of the guys hooped and hollered as a team of ladies made their way in, twirling around and rolling their hips. Aaron leaned back and clapped his brother on the shoulder.
“Totally innocent.” And still half-naked.
Ian shook his head, but was obviously fighting a smile. “Yeah, you got me on a technicality.” He cocked one eyebrow. “Any of these ladies patrons at your other favorite hangout?”
Ian knew all about Aaron’s dominate sexual side. He also knew his brother harbored some of those same desires, albeit not to the extent that Aaron did. If Sheehan’s was his go-to place to unwind with a beer after getting off work, Boundaries was his favorite spot to don his Dom cap. If he wasn’t home or out working, he could usually be found at one of those two places.
Although, he’d sought the comfort of beer at Sheehan’s more than kinky games at the other, lately.
“Tiffany. The blonde over there,” he said, rather than getting into a long conversation about his recent pattern. This was his brother’s party, not an average night out. No need to get into any deep shit. “She’s a switch, so be careful. One minute she’s a sweet little sub, then the next she’s a brutal Domme.”
Ian paled and sipped his whiskey. Aaron bit back a laugh. Tiffany was a switch, but she saved it all for the club or the privacy of her own home. Like many of them, she did not broadcast her sexual preferences. But when she danced her way to Aaron and Ian, his brother stiffened, and Aaron couldn’t hold in his chuckle any longer.
“Relax,” he murmured. “No touching, remember?”
Ian gave him a weary look, but eventually eased back and enjoyed the show.
After the girls danced for several songs, the guys continued their poker game. The ladies danced off and on throughout the rest of the night, and by the time Ian could barely go take a piss on his own, Aaron was ready to call it a night. He chatted with the guys as he collected the money and put it in an envelope for Ian. They were going to present it to Ian when he got back from the restroom, but his brother was gone so long that he’d feared the guy had passed out in the stall. When he stood up to go check, the waitress came stumbling in with Ian hanging on her.
“Lose something?” she asked, passing Ian over to Aaron. “He was sitting in a chair closest to the bathroom. Not sure if he actually made it there and couldn’t make it back, or if he never got to relieve himself.”
“Oh, hell. Time to go.” He shoved the envelope of cash into his back pocket and hoisted Ian closer to get a better grip. He’d give it to Cassie when he got to their place.
“I’ll help you, man,” Rick said. The other guys said their goodbyes to Ian, but his brother was too far gone to do anything more than give some silly I love you’s to them.
Rick wrapped his arm around the other side of Ian. With them both clutching Ian around the waist, they practically dragged him into the parking lot. So much for Ian not getting shit faced, but the possibility was why Aaron had scheduled the party the weekend before the wedding. No way did he want his brother hung over during the ceremony.
Once they got him situated into the passenger seat of Aaron’s SUV and buckled in, Aaron shook Rick’s hand and gave him a quick pat on the back before getting in and driving off.
“Thanks, bro, for doing this for me,” Ian said, slurring a little. “It was so fun. Oh, you know, we shoulda played darts!” His head whipped around to stare at him, and Aaron barely kept from wincing at how bloodshot Ian’s eyes were already.
“Yeah, I didn’t think it was a good idea to give sharp objects to a bunch of drunk men.”
Ian pursed his lips like he was contemplating that and finally shook his head slowly. “Good thinking.” Then he gasped. “Did you pay the dancers? They were still there when I went to take a piss.” He frowned, shaking his head. “Tiffany and Jolene didn’t even say goodbye.”
“They said their goodbyes.” Repeatedly in fact, but they found the show of drunkards too comical to leave right away. Rick and Dave had arranged for some designated drivers for the group, so they could all get stupid drunk. Thankfully, Rick had eased back a couple of hours ago and had been coherent enough to help Aaron keep the guys reigned in.
Ian gasped. “I meant to tip them. They left without getting any tips.” He looked seriously pained, and Aaron smirked.
“It’s all right, man. They were entertainers, not strippers. They were paid before they got there, and I even gave Tiffany enough to pay the girls something extra. No worries.”
“Good, good,” he mumbled, his head lolling to the side as he looked out the passenger side window. Conversation continued, but Ian wasn’t making much sense. Aaron just kept him talking so he wouldn’t pass out and have to be carried into the house.
“We’re here,” Aaron said when he parked in front of the row house.
Ian blinked a few times and fumbled around with his seatbelt. Luckily, he didn’t make any progress before Aaron got to his side of the vehicle and opened the door.
“Out you go.” Ian grumbled and slipped out. Aaron figured he had about three minutes to get him inside and in bed before his brother would be down for the count. He quickly—and haphazardly—got him to the front door. “Keys?”
Ian slapped at his pockets as if they’d appear in his hand, but Aaron couldn’t let go of him to help. Instead, he rang the doorbell and held onto his brother.
The door creaked open with the chain still on and a light green eye greeted him. It was not Cassie’s.
“I’m delivering the groom.” He nodded to the side where he held Ian, and the mystery person opened the door wider to peer out.
“Oh, crap.” She slammed the door shut, and Aaron heard her rustling with the chain. When the door opened, she stepped back, giving him a wide berth. “Cassie’s in the shower.”
Aaron froze, staring at the woman. Goddamn, but she was sexy. He felt the internal stirrings of interest he had not experienced in a long time. Just from looking at her.
And he was not a man drawn to a woman solely on looks.
“Sasha,” Ian said, dragging out the other woman’s name while smiling. “You might want to use earplugs tonight.” Then his head whipped to the side and he said loudly, “Because I plan on fucking my future wife all night long.”
She snorted. “As long as you don’t have me chain her up and spank her while you watch. Again.”
“Again?” Aaron asked, his gaze darting between th
e two. Damn. He had to fight back images of this woman doing anything of a sexual nature. But thinking of her involved in anything kinky flooded his mind and had him stirring in other ways now. She was gorgeous, thin, short dark hair. She had on boxers and a thin sleep shirt, nothing overtly sexy on its own, but on her body, it screamed of sensuality.
She blushed. “Um, long story.”
Ian chuckled. “And I don’t kiss and tell.”
Had he kissed this woman, too? Aaron didn’t like the idea of sharing women with any man, but if his brother had been with this Sasha woman, Aaron might have to make an exception. That reality almost took his breath away. He didn’t just find the woman beautiful; he was attracted to her on some primal level.
“Oh shut up.” She shook her head at Ian and looked at Aaron. “It was a webcam thing. Ian couldn’t be there, so I stepped in.” She glared at Ian. “Briefly.”
“So you two never…?” Aaron didn’t finish the question, but the meaning was blatantly clear.
“What?” she squeaked. “No, no.” She lightly punched Ian, making him stumble. “I told Cassie people would think I was your third if I stayed here.”
Aaron stopped Ian from face-planting as his brother replied, “No one would know if you didn’t bring it up.” He helped right himself and pulled away from Aaron. He didn’t let his brother get too far from him in case he lost his balance again. “Your virtue is safe with Aaron. I’m sure my brother here has done sexual things you haven’t even dreamed of. It’s hard to shock a Dom. And I promise he won’t think any less of you.”
Her gaze flew to Aaron’s. He watched her patiently, trying to gage what she was thinking. Was that fear in her eyes? Yes, he was Dom, but his sexual identity didn’t define who he was. He tried to soften his gaze, but her returning smile was shaky, and she took a step back. Her reaction to him both perplexed and pissed him off. Not at her, but at her reasoning. It had been fear she was expressing. But why? What did she know of the lifestyle? Did she assume he’d just throw her over his shoulder and tie her to his bed? Though the idea was more than pleasing to him, he wasn’t stupid enough to actually do something so insane.
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