Page 15 of Doubling Down

Remi met Eric’s eyes. “Impact play. Shibari. The reason I met with Damon is because he’s been studying shibari for over ten years. I want to learn from someone who has experience.”

Eric understood something he’d missed earlier. “You didn’t say anything because you were afraid of how I would react.”

Remi squeezed Eric’s knee. That was response enough.

“I was an asshole to Lincoln and Caden when I first realized what kind of relationship they had. I was wrong.” Eric had apologized!

“That doesn’t mean that you’d support me wanting to explore—”

“No!” Eric blurted. “I mean yes. I will support you. I know there’s a difference between a consensual relationship and the abuse that Brandon suffered.”

“It’s okay to have doubts,” Remi said.

Eric snorted. “I don’t have any doubts about you.” He turned to Dane. “Or you. I don’t think that I’ll ever be able to practice impact play. I have read about alternative punishments though.” And those had been hot as hell. “Jesse practices a softer side of Daddy kink. I think I’ll ask him for some advice.”

“Good idea,” Remi agreed. “You’re going to make such an amazing soft caretaking Daddy. Your boy will have you wrapped around his finger in no time.”

“He already does. Ezra just doesn’t know it yet.”

Dane chuckled.

Eric refused to blush.

“Good.” Remi seemed to relax. “This conversation got off track.”

“It’s good though,” Eric said. He didn’t want any secrets between them. And he’d needed someone to talk to. Thinking about Jesse Lambert might open up another avenue as well. Jesse was well known in the community and his club was both exclusive and inclusive.

“Yes, it is,” Remi agreed.

“Now you just have to go after your boy,” Dane said.

Remi looked at Dane and raised a brow. Eric knew that look. Remi was challenging Dane, but Eric didn’t know why. Did Remi suspect what Eric did about the feelings Dane had for Brandon?

“What?” Eric asked. Maybe he could push a little.

“Nothing,” Dane said quickly. His watch beeped and he jumped.

Eric nearly laughed out loud. Maverick even perked up from beside the couch to peer at Dane.

“I need to go,” Dane said standing. Maverick rose up from where he was resting next to Dane’s legs.

“Wait!” Were they done with this conversation?

Dane grinned. “You want to get some time in the field?”

Oh, fuck yeah. Eric missed field work. He had been undercover for months now. He missed action. Building the case took time. What he was working on was important, but he wanted to feel the adrenaline of a good bust.

He glanced at Remi.

Dane laughed and put his face next to Eric’s.

“Please!” Eric and Dane said in unison.

Remi shook his head.

“Pretty please,” Dane said.

“I need action,” Eric whined.

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