Page 67 of Nocere

"Does Sami make you uncomfortable?" asked Caroline.

"No. She makes me better."

Caroline's provocative nature quelled after I said that, and her smile settled to a gentle one as she hugged Nora closer to her. Nora pulled her feet up on to the chair, and leaned her head on Caroline's.

"Rosie, Caroline taught me all about BDSM and helped me when I needed it. It was after…" Sam glanced to Caroline, then back to me. "They know what happened to me. Them and Marita."

"I understand." I reached up to stroke her cheek and she flinched a little. "Maybe we shouldn't talk about it here."

"Maybe not."

"We could always sneak off to my place and play a little," suggested Caroline. "Nora's due for a spanking from her favorite co-Dommes." She ran her finger down Nora's cheek and a visible quiver raced through her. "We only came here because Billie bullied me into it."

"Rosie isn't ready for that," Sam answered for me. "We've been together only a few weeks."

"A few weeks." Caroline perked up. "You must be special to her, Rosie. Sami doesn't keep her girls."

"I don't think I understand what she's saying." I spoke quietly to Sam as my nerves began to twist.

"It's okay. Come here." Sam held her arms to me and I moved into them, hugging her tightly.

"Turn on vanilla, Car," I heard Nora say quietly. "You're freaking her out."

"She is," I affirmed to Sam when she kissed my cheek.

"It's all right. I'll explain it to you when we go home. Right now, everyone is going to back off. Okay?" Sam stroked my cheeks and I nodded.

"Sorry, Rosie. I got overexcited," said Caroline. "We haven't seen Sam in a few months."

"Maybe longer," added Nora.

I nodded and Sam tucked my hair behind my ears. "Ainsley and Jordan started the fire pit outside. Would you like to go sit out there with me?"

"Yes." I nodded hard, smiling at the thought of breaking away from the uncomfortable situation. "I would."

"Okay. Let's go." Sam urged me to stand with her. "We'll talk to you both later on. All right?"

"You got it," said Caroline, her vow to back off assured almost immediately. "Good to meet you, Rosie."

"You, too." I waved to Nora and she smiled.

Once outside, Jordan and Ainsley sat with Stella, Alice, Vee, and Scarlett around the fire while the rowdier crew lingered inside. The couples, each tangled in various ways with their partners, greeted us with smiles and kind words. Samirah led us to one of the free Adirondack chairs, then sat first before guiding me into her lap. The warmth of the fire swelled around us and its gentle crackles filled the chilly night air.

"Two parties and no rain. We're lucky ducks," said Ainsley.

"When the basement is finished, we won't have to worry as much," added Jordan.

Samirah patted my knee and I turned so that my rear fell beside her on the seat and my legs bent over hers. She smiled and pulled me into a hug. "Much better."

"I agree." I kissed her cheek and let my head fall to her shoulder.

"Glad you came," said Stella, who sat beside us and caught Samirah's eye. Alice leaned her head on Stella's shoulder while they lounged on the swinging bench seat.

"We're in the business of trying new things," said Sam, and the two of them shared a knowing smile.

"Like living in the same place for more than six months and dating?" Ainsley blurted out and Samirah laughed.

"Ainsley, you shouldn't toss things out like that so close to a fire. I have a short fuse," retorted Sam and everyone laughed.

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