Page 10 of Her Devious Daddies

I realized my answer hadn’t clarified anything. “Oh! Yes, I would. Not tonight but another time. In the future. Way far into the future because I don’t know if I’ll be able to… it’s not usually… I’m not usually…”

“Did the atmosphere freak you out, Karsyn?”

“No.”

“Did a specific scene bother you?”

I stood and disposed of the cigarette. “Yes. The St. Andrew’s cross bothered me. I know it’s just a piece of furniture, but the sight of it ... like a person strapped to it… it was overwhelming.”

“It is just a piece of furniture, but you don’t have to dismiss your reaction,” he validated. “Sometimes our body experiences something traumatic and we may not realize it. The St. Andrews cross may be triggering for you. For others, it can be incredibly freeing.”

“How can you feel free if you’re restrained?” I bit my lip while pulling out a new cigarette.

“Drink some water before you smoke the next one.” Logan pushed the bottle across the table.

I rolled my eyes but took a few good sips. Logan tapped a line on the bottle. I knew what he wanted, but there was a part of me that wanted to not listen, just because I could. I didn’t have to listen to his request. There was nothing he could do if I didn’t comply, but it wouldn’t help me feel any better.

We sat there for a moment staring at each other.

Finally, I drank more water. I hated how easily I caved and loved it at the same time. Something about his tone and calm demeanor made me want to please him.

Logan leaned against the back of the couch, looking chuffed. “To answer your question, it can be extremely freeing to be restrained. Ropes, silk ties, handcuffs… hands.”

“Restraints freak me out if I’m being honest. I don’t think I’d enjoy them.”

“You might. With the right person,” he added. “You can explain your concerns and establish a safe word.”

I lifted the cigarette to my lips and Logan tapped the side of the bottle again.

“I don’t have to drink any water if I don’t want to.”

“You’re right, but then we’ll just have to sit here until those two bottles are empty.”

Something must have flickered across my face because Logan immediately groaned.

“Hang on, I see where my wording could be misinterpreted, darling. To clarify, I’m willing to sit here all night if that’s how long it takes you to drink the water.”

Interesting. Logan seemed to understand what I had been poised to do, open each bottle and pour them out right there, the bottles would be emptied. “Loopholes are my favorite.”

“I’m beginning to see that.” Logan rubbed his chin. “Scenes and negotiations aside, I’d like to get to know you better, Karsyn.”

“In a friendly way?” My heart raced as I waited for him to reply, unsure what I wanted the answer to be. I didn’t know much about him but could not deny the attraction there.

“It depends on what you’re looking for.”

“Well, you and August seem to have some sort of connection. I wouldn’t want to wedge myself in the middle.” I had a mental image of me literally being sandwiched in between the two of them while they claimed me in every way possible.

“Maybe we want you there,” Logan offered offhandedly. “I can’t speak for August, but I’ve wanted to be in a three-person relationship for a very long time. What are your thoughts on it?”

I lit the cigarette and took a long drag. “It’s not even my birthday and I feel like this would be an incredible gift. But I have a lot of baggage. I haven’t been in a healthy dynamic ever. And I didn’t even talk about my want for a daddy. Not that I need a daddy, not that I don’t.” Shit. Stop talking.

“One thing at a time,” Logan said with a low chuckle. “And for the record, I’m not in a relationship with August, but he and I do have some sort of connection. I plan on finding out what it is.”

“I’ve seen him at the hospital when he’s on duty. I never struck up the nerve to talk to him other than a polite greeting, but it certainly felt like a spark tonight. At least after I felt better. That aside, what if he doesn’t feel the same way about you? Or me?”

“I can be rather convincing when I want something, or in this case someone.”

“Do you, um, want me, Logan? I mean… do you want to get to know me?” Time seemed to stand still as he leaned forward until his lips brushed the shell of my ear.

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