Page 148 of If Our Hearts Collide

“Mine might be heavier than someone else’s though,” I say, mostly as a whisper.

“Hey. Whatever you are dealing with, this is a wonderful place to work through it. But can I give you a bit of advice?”

“Sure. Go on.”

“Just be honest with the men. I think a lot of people here welcome the luxury of a temporary connection. However, some are here to find a partner outside of Limit-X. The last thing you need is to want one thing and find someone who wants something different. Then it gets…”

“Complicated.”

Daphne nods. “Yup. And that’s where my problems start. I just can’t choose one man. I love the species entirely too much. If only I had more holes in my body to offer up.”

I laugh, although she has given me so much to think about in such a short time frame. From across the dance floor, I see Michael making his way toward Daphne. I assume he knows she had another man’s dick in her mouth within the past sixty minutes, but it isn’t my place to ask those types of details.

Right now, I need no-strings-attached. I’m not good girlfriend material anyway. I need to work through my own kinks in my plan.

Maybe flooding my system with the thing that scares me is a strategy for desensitizing myself. I just need time and the space to process the fact that not all men are Mark Tanner.

And perhaps I can explore that type of healing process right here.

When Michael gets to us, he nods in greeting and opens his arm to welcome me inside. “How have you done so far, little one? Hope nothing scared you.”

I watch in awe as he wraps one arm around me and with his other one attaches the strap of the leash back onto Daphne’s collar with the flick of his wrist. I need to ask her more about the meaning of all of this. Yet, I don’t want to be too intrusive. I mean, really, how does one go about asking why the guy she seems to be dating is leading her around on a dog leash?

“I asked you a question, little dove.”

My eyes snap up to his and for a second they get lost. Blinking, I mentally try to form words together to make a sentence. “I’m trying to get used to everything.”

Michael nods. “I imagine your senses are a bit overwhelmed. You are very brave.”

“Everyone seems really nice, though. And there was only one altercation.”

His gentle eyes turn to ones of concern. “What happened?”

When I don’t answer, Daphne puts me out of my misery. “Someone got grabby. He was thrown out.”

“Good,” he says, releasing his hold on me. “I hope you weren’t too shaken up.”

“I’m fine. Really.”

He studies me, analyzing me for whatever unknown truths my body wants to broadcast. “Will you be alright for a bit? I need to take my pet on a little excursion upstairs.”

I feel the rush of blood make its way to my cheeks. Daphne gives me a look, letting me know she most definitely is excited about going to some place upstairs that I have yet to explore.

“I’ll be fine. I think I’m going to go grab a drink at the bar.”

“Okay,” Michael says. “Just make sure you stay hydrated—with something other than alcohol.”

“Will do,” I mutter.

I walk over to the lava lamp bar, finding a man there enjoying what looks to be scotch or whiskey.

“Hi,” he greets, causing yet another rush of warmth to race through my body.

At this point, I know I’m just horny. It is obnoxious. And I bet everyone who looks at me knows it too.

“Sit.” He clears his throat. “Please.”

I hop up on a bar stool, sucking my bottom lip into my mouth.

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