by Cara Dee
"Trouble, pipsqueak?" I cram into the spot next to her, ignoring the scoff from someone behind me. "Maybe your Sprite can wait until Nicholas has taken off the gag."
She mumbles something, only to roll her eyes since I obviously can't hear what she's saying.
"Where's Brayden?"
More mumbling and some gesturing for the exit. I'm guessing Brayden's gone home already. Then she huffs and hops off her stool before she grabs my hand and begins dragging me in that direction.
"Kayla!" the bartender yells. "You're not allowed to leave my sight!"
She points upward, so I assume we're going up the stairs. Nicholas's office is there, I remember. It's where I said a quick see-ya-later to a half-asleep Kayla last week.
Speaking of her…
She tries to talk again, and she gestures wildly in order to make sense.
She doesn’t.
"Ugh! Weh-weh-wahh." At last, she gives up.
I snicker. "Was that supposed to be 'never mind,' Kayla?"
She nods sullenly as we reach the landing and wipes her mouth. Next, she places a finger over it, indicating…well, that we're probably about to eavesdrop.
I narrow my eyes at her. "Who're we listening in on?"
She blinks innocently, which is total bullshit. A part of me is already annoyed 'cause I know she wouldn’t be this urgent unless it was about Rio.
I hiss. "Is Nicholas in there with Rio?"
Leaving her coyness—and patience, I guess—behind, she snarls and pushes me toward the door.
Part annoyed…part fucking intrigued…it doesn’t take much for me to glue half my face to the door, and Kayla follows with glee sparking up her light blues.
"…would've told you sooner," Nicholas is saying, chuckling, "had you only been answering your phone."
Kayla shoots me a superior look, as if to say I'm not the only one immature enough to dodge calls.
"I still can't believe it." Rio sounds…tired. Tired and aggravated. "It's fucking with my head." To hear him speak again is indescribable. There's no forgetting that accent. Mostly American, the nondescript kind we get on TV, but with a hint of Australian and Irish. "Nick, I…I don’t want her here."
I recoil as if I've been slapped and take a couple steps back.
It feels like I've been slapped.
I'm not arrogant, but I'm not stupid, either. Of course he's talking about me.
Kayla appears irritated, hopefully on my behalf, but then she widens her eyes and quickly waves me forward again. She points to the door.
So I sigh and listen again, even though I'd rather go home and eat ice cream until I pass out.
"She’s the reason you left the scene, isn't she?"
What? Why would—
"No," Rio growls.
"Easy, tiger," I mutter.
Nicholas laughs. "I'm sorry, my friend, but this is hilarious. And sad. We both are. You know, I went through this exact same thing with Amand—"
"She's not the bloody reason," Rio replies angrily. "I don’t know what the fuck happened back then, but…" He lets out another growl, and a thump follows.
"No need to take out your anger on my furniture," Nicholas says mildly. "I won't leave Liam watching over Kayla much longer, so unless there's something else…?"
I arch a brow at Kayla. You're in trouble, girl.
She just shrugs, although there's a little wince, too.
"So she's staying," Rio states flatly. "She lives here now."
Sorry to disappoint, asshole.
"Yes. Chelsea is staying. And you better respect her, Rio." The warning in Nicholas's voice makes me a little misty-eyed. He's looking out for me. The fondness in Kayla's eyes tells me she loves that about her fiancé. "You're one of my closest friends, but if you refuse to tell me why her being here is so upsetting, I can't help you."
It's clear that Rio won't talk, so I nudge Kayla back and nod at the stairs.
Time to go home.
*
I wake up the next morning to four texts from Kayla.
Liam ratted me out. My butt hurts, Chelsea. It hurts so much! ~Kayla
I smirk, knowing very well that she would've confessed to her eavesdropping sooner or later. She's a brat, but she would never go behind her Daddy's back without owning up to it and taking the consequences.
Btw, I found out that Rio is hosting a play party next weekend. That means you can come to the club with me in case you don’t want to see him, 'cause Nicholas and I won't be at the party. ~Kayla
"Oh, fuck me," I groan, falling back against the pillows again.
When Dante had said a "friend of his in the community" was hosting the party, I hadn't thought it might be Rio.
I gotta get out of that one, and I sincerely doubt he knows Dante plans on bringing me as a plus-two.
My butt still hurts. I hate the belt! ~Kayla
"That’s what you get, hon." I sigh and scroll down to the latest one.
Don't forget the munch on Wednesday! ~Kayla
Good thing the munch is being held like two minutes away from me. I don’t have a car, and I've yet to figure out the public transportation crap. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to live in the Castro—the gay district. It's close to everything I need, and I don't mind living cramped. It's the only way to live in New York anyway—unless you roll in major dough—so I'm used to it.
Putting my phone aside, I stare up at the ceiling, hearing my roommates rummaging around outside. Three roommates, all guys, all gay, all too fucking cheery in the morning.
Jase is a thirty-year-old sous chef, and I doubt he ever sleeps. He works, works, works. Robby develops video games and is the only one younger than me. I can always find him on the couch yelling stuff at whatever game he's playing. And Tristan is…odd. He's quiet, shy—twenty-six like me—and works at a library. But he brings home booty every damn night, and it's always a different man.
As for Jase and Robby…I'm pretty sure they're together, but they're subtle about it. Perhaps it's new—I don’t know. It's cute to watch them slide each other sly smiles, though.
Dragging my ass outta bed, I survey my small room with a tired smile. I've always lived light, so I only had four boxes to unpack. And aside from food and other necessities, the only thing I've purchased was a full-length mirror. A bed, a cushy chair, and a dresser in place of a nightstand came with the room.
I grab a ratty T-shirt from the hardwood floor and inspect the faint marks on my body from last night in the mirror before I pull the top over my head. Then I sneak out of the room and freshen up in the bathroom between Jase's room and mine.
One of the first things I noticed when I moved in with these guys was that they're very casual and down-to-earth. Tristan is the only one who always walks around fully clothed, but Jase and Robby showed me that breakfast is devoured in underwear or PJs. Lounging in front of the TV also happens with fewer clothes on.
So it's not the first time I'm joining them in the kitchen in only a T-shirt and panties and they see redness streaking my thighs.
"Mornin', rope girl." Jase eyes my legs then winks and returns to the stove. "Did you do it yourself or was it someone else this time?"
He's referring to the couple occasions I've occupied my time with self-bondage.
"Nah, she was at the club last night," Robby says, blowing steam away from his coffee mug. "Didn’t you see the dress she was wearing when she left?"
I grin and steal a piece of toast from his plate. "You should join me next time."
He shudders and pretends to look horrified.
Tristan adjusts his glasses. "I had a boyfriend once who was into BDSM. It's certainly an interesting lifestyle."
"I'm all for a nice spanking every now and then, but…" Robby makes a face.
"Good to know," Jase mutters under his breath, grinning at the eggs he's making.
They're so doing it.
"Anyway…" Being new in the group, I wanna make a good impression, so I change the topic to weekly tasks. "I'm off tonight.
Want me to take care of the grocery shopping this week?" Everyone has wish lists on the fridge, and we leave money for our food to cover what we want. Then when someone has time, he—or she!—grabs the money and the lists and goes to the store.
"I can go with you. I'm off, too," Tristan offers. "But I thought you started that other job tonight. You said February first, didn’t you?"
I nod. "I was supposed to, but the owner asked me to come on Wednesday instead." Which I'm a little bummed about. It's a small gig, singing in a bar two nights a week, but Wednesdays and Thursdays mean fewer people than Saturdays and Sundays.
Then again, it leaves my weekends free for more Switch.
"Where are you singing, again?" Jase asks.
"André's place," Robby says with a pointed look. At my confused expression, he goes on. "Babe, if you're worried about the crowd, don’t be."
Jase nods and smirks. "Wednesday is Lovers' Night." He snickers a little. "If you sing Adele songs like you mentioned, you'll be golden. The place is always packed on Wednesdays."
Huh. Well, then! Guess I won't mope anymore about that.
Chapter 3
However, Wednesday arrives too quickly, and I wish I could be mopey. Mopey is easy. Instead, I'm nervous as fuck and not good at hiding it as I meet up with Kayla, Evangeline, Brayden, and a few others for this week's subbie munch.
I'm introduced to Gabriella and Dylan—two Littles I met too briefly last week—and Gretchen arrives with three friends shortly after I've sat down with my cappuccino.
"I can't wait to see you tonight!" Kayla exclaims, grabbing my arm to give it a shake in excitement. I'm used to it though, so I made sure I wasn’t holding my coffee. "Can you come, too?" She faces Evangeline and Brayden. "Chelsea is so good."
"Shut it." I grin and let out a nervous breath.
"She sings like Adele," Kayla goes on, and I pinch her hand.
"I sing her songs," I correct her. "And songs by artists in that genre."
Kayla shakes her head. "Don’t listen to her." It's like I'm not even here.
"I'm game if we can drag Mark out," Evangeline says with a smile. Brayden opens his mouth to say something, but she cuts him off. "Don’t start, mon ange. You're a guy, so you wouldn’t possibly understand."
"Understand what?" Kayla and Gabriella ask at the same time.
"When boys get sick." Evangeline rolls her eyes. "Mark came down with whatever bug I had. And let it be known that I had an ear infection too, whereas he only had a fever and couldn’t hold anything in." I chuckle, having a feeling I know where this is going. "But it's been two days since the fever broke, and he's eating just fine, yet he acts as if he's dying."
Kayla holds up a hand. "Say no more, sweetie. When Nicholas is sick, I have to remind myself that I'm the Little. Because it's definitely not clear."
I nod, remembering that from my last Dom. "A paper cut turns them into babies, but a chopped-off arm is something they'll 'get over.'"
"Exactly!" Evangeline cries out. "It would take nothing short of a heart attack for both Brayden and Mark to go to the hospital. But when a man-cold strikes? Jeesh."
"I'm sitting right here," Brayden says.
Evangeline pouts and pats his cheek. "I know."
Kayla giggles.
"I'm on your side, buddy," Dylan offers solemnly.
Brayden bumps his fist.
"Well, you're a guy," Gabriella tells Dylan.
Dylan widens his eyes. "Thank you for noticin', darlin'. I've been wondering." He smirks and rests an arm along the back of her chair. "Hopefully our Daddies will let us play together again soon."
I tilt my head, curious about Gabriella's blush. I know barely anything about her, but the engagement ring on her finger says a thing or two. And I know flirting when I see it. Dylan's definitely flirting.
I'm guessing they're poly.
"I didn’t know you and Cade play with others, as well," Kayla notes curiously.
Something dims in Dylan's eyes. "Neither did I, but he's made that very clear." Oh. He wants more, but this Cade guy doesn’t? "It's all good, though." He fakes cheeriness. "Not being exclusive means I get invited to parties like the one Master Kelly is hosting this weekend."
Oh, fuck my life. I still haven't gathered the courage to call Dante and say I don't want to be there.
Maybe because you actually do wanna go?
No, I don’t. I'm not that masochistic…
Out of the corner of my eye, I see that the new topic has caught Gretchen's attention.
"What!" Kayla drops her jaw. "You're going? Nicholas and I were invited too, but we declined. We don’t share, and apparently Rio is all about that."
Ouch. Nothing like crushing on a man you're not compatible with.
Dylan shrugs, playing it off as easy peasy. "Cade and I share. So…"
"I'm going, too," I admit, which should be a lie. "Dante invited me."
"It's gonna be so fun," Gretchen gushes.
"Good Lord, I need a drink. Information overload." Kayla rubs her temples before huffing a breath and facing Dylan. "Cade is working at Switch both Friday and Saturday, so who are you going with?"
"Mistress Judy and her sub." Dylan shifts in his seat, not entirely comfortable.
Kayla picks up on that and narrows her eyes. "Does Cade know?"
"I'm gonna tell him," he replies defensively. "He'll have no issue with it."
"Mmhmm." Kayla looks smug. "I'm sure." Then, outta nowhere, she turns and whacks my arm. "You. Why didn’t you tell me you're going?"
Okay, that’s it. I love my nosy little friend, but I have limits. "I think I'll have to talk to Nicholas about your fuckin' attitude." I arch a brow. "You do know I'm allowed to choose when I tell you things, right?"
She flushes and ducks her head. "Crap, you're right. I'm sorry. I'll back down."
"It's all right, hon." I hug her to me and kiss the side of her head. "I know you get excited and want everybody to settle down and have a bunch of babies."
Almost everyone cracks up at that, so I assume they've heard about Kayla's matchmaking ways, too. Even when she was single, her focus was on finding the perfect match for her friends.
*
I'll back down, Kayla told me earlier.
I nearly snort.
If backing down meant inviting Rio—who's here with a fucking date!—to my gig, I fear finding out what full speed ahead would entail.
As I wrap up another love song—a beautiful Duffy tune—I kick off my heels and attach the mic to the stand. The spotlight keeps me from seeing the faces of the people in the crowd, although I was able to spot Kayla, Nicholas, Brayden, Evangeline, and Mark earlier.
Rio, too. And the woman he's here with.
Though, unlike Kayla and the others who are occupying one of the round tables in front of the low stage, Rio and Whatsherface are standing at the end of the bar.
Feel free to leave.
After the munch earlier today, I went home and ended up bitching to Jase and Robby about Rio. They didn’t deserve my ranting, but I couldn’t help it. I'm frustrated, confused, hurt, and pissed. Dangerous combination for any woman.
Once I was done, Jase told me I better put on my big-girl panties and confront Rio. It's the only way to get answers as to why he treats me like I stomped on his sandcastle. So my big-girl panties are on, and I'm ready to ask what his problem with me is, but I can't say seeing him here with a date makes me wanna approach him all sweet and polite.
In fact, defiance surges forward to the point where I decide to change the last song. The house band behind me already has the sheet music because I'm supposed to sing it for Ladies' Night tomorrow, but with the lyrics in mind, I want it now. Right fucking now.
I thank my little audience and announce the final song for the evening. What with it being Lovers' Night and all, I figure some explainin' is necessary. "How about we dedicate the last song to the frogs we kissed before meeting our princes and princesses." I grin into the hot spotlight, chuckles from
the people giving me a boost of confidence, and wipe sweat off the back of my neck. Turning around, I murmur the song to the drummer, guitarist, and bass player, and they nod in understanding.
As the first notes of Nina Nesbitt's "Mr. C" fill the bar, I swear I can hear Kayla and Evangeline laughing. Maybe they’ve heard the song before and know where my mind is at.
The song is upbeat and fun, and it completely annihilates the poor attempts of a guy who flirts by being pompous and dry.
"I'll take the drink, but if you think you're…coming home with me." I bring the mic over to the rockabilly-hot guitarist. "Who you tryin'a kid?"
He grins and sings the next words with me. "You're so vain, I can't believe it." Then he winks, and I blow him a kiss before returning to the front of the stage.
And my reason for picking the damn song tonight… "I've come to the conclusion you're quite fit." I make sure to face the bar, and I fire off a playful pistol shot in Rio's direction. "But I'm under no illusion…you're a dick."
Take that, almighty Master.
*
I'm in the tiny room backstage struggling to get out of my even tinier black dress when Kayla and Evangeline barge in.
"You were awesome!" Kayla hugs me tightly, and she realizes very quickly I'm in need of a shower. "Oh…" She grimaces and smiles at the same time and breaks the hug. "Gets hot with those lights on stage, huh?"
"Little bit," I chuckle. "Glad you enjoyed the gig, though."
"Girl, your voice is out of this world," Evangeline says.
I'm no good with compliments regarding my singing, so I grin and wave it off. Then I refocus on getting outta my dress, and Kayla grabs my white tank top from a chair.
"I can't wait to go home and jump into the shower." I put on the top, then get crackin' with my skinny jeans. "And I'm starving."
"You're not going to have a drink with us first?" Kayla gives me the puppy-dog look she pulls on Nicholas.
I snort and slip my feet into my sneakers. "Not after someone invited Rio here tonight." Who. Brought. A. Damn. Date. "Seriously, Kayla. How could you?"
I may or may not be jealous of his date, which is totally irrational.
"Pay up." Kayla makes a gimme motion at Evangeline. "Did I not tell you she was gonna blame me for Rio being here?" I frown in confusion as Kayla faces me with a smug look. "For your information, nobody invited him. Nicholas told him where we were going. That’s it."