Page 40 of Harmless Scandals

They both shook their heads.

“Amazing.” She smiled. “Truly amazing, but it doesn’t shock me. Remember, I brought that box over and it was from a very well-known supplier of BDSM toys. I had a feeling, although it was hard for me to think that either of you would be the sub.”

Mick snorted.

“No. We aren’t subs, although we tend to have one lead when it comes to the play.”

“So, when you’re with a woman you like to do that, but you didn’t try last night. Not that I’m complaining, but why?”

“Why?”

“Yeah, you didn’t try. With me.”

Feeling more at ease now, he grabbed his coffee and sat on the stool next to hers.

“We would never spring that on you like that. If you have been in the life, then we wouldn’t have a problem with it.”

“So, responsible deviants? Oh, don’t look like that, Mick. I’m joking. Remember, I grew up in Hollywood. I was one step away from being sold on the street.”

“What?”

“What I mean is that my mother lived off me from the time I was five. It isn’t that much different than selling your soul, only that you have a choice. And, as a child, I saw a lot of things I shouldn’t have seen. No child should. Hell, most adults shouldn’t. I am your typical hippy California chick. Live and let live. But, I don’t know that much about BDSM or the rules. There are rules, right?”

“Yeah, but we,” he said motioning among the three of them, “make up the rules.”

She slanted him a look and her mouth curved. “I don’t particularly like rules.”

“Oh, I have a feeling she’s challenging us,” Mick said, excitement filling his voice.

“Hold on. I don’t know enough about it, and I want to learn. So, are there good websites for me to look at?”

“How about a trip to Rough ‘n Ready?” Adam asked.

“That’s brilliant,” Mick said.

“Uh, what’s Rough ‘n Ready?”

“A BDSM club in Honolulu,” Adam said.

“And they have a satellite on the North Shore, but I prefer the original,” Mick said. “I’m sure we can get a guest pass from Ross.”

“Ross?” She rolled her eyes. “Geez, I sound like a parrot.”

Adam smiled. “You have to learn Mick speak. When he gets excited, he jumps from topic to topic.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

“We can go tonight,” Mick said. The moment he did, there was a flash of panic in her expression before she quickly hid it. Adam forgot that before becoming a photographer, she’d made a living at acting.

“Hey, slow down. We just sprung it on her. I think we need a little time to get used to this.”

She gave him a grateful look. “It’s intriguing but let me think about it. I’m still getting used to the idea that you two want to keep me around past last night.”

He knew from the tone of her voice that she wasn’t kidding. Adam rose from the stool, then spun her around to face him. Caging her in by placing his hands on the counter behind her, he leaned in and brushed his mouth over hers. Neither of them closed their eyes.

“Fuck,” Mick said. “That’s fucking sexy.”

When Adam pulled back, he leaned over to Mick and kissed him.

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