Page 10 of Going Deep
“Are you interested in Ginger?”
“I’m…” Careful, he warned himself. Be careful. “Intrigued by her.”
“Do you want to fuck her?” Lola asked bluntly.
A glance at Simon told Michael he’d get no help from that quarter, so he focused on Lola. “I’m attracted to her, and I’d have no objection to a physical relationship.”
Lola’s gaze didn’t waver. “So, yes.”
“Yes.”
“All right.” Lola nodded. “Thank you for being honest.”
“You’re welcome.” Michael waited a beat. “Is that all?”
“Well, it’s not really my business, is it?”
Simon’s snort told Michael his friend didn’t buy that any more than he did. “No, but why should that stop you?”
Lola’s smile was sharp. “Ginger’s a big girl, well able to handle herself.”
“As Simon can attest,” Michael said, unable to resist. Simon just shot up a middle finger.
“And you’re not an asshole,” Lola continued, ignoring the byplay.
“Thanks very much,” Michael said drily.
“However, Ginger is my friend, and she’s at a…crossroads in her life at the moment. She’s vulnerable, and if you’re careless with her?—”
“Lola,” Michael began, then snapped his mouth shut when she shot up a hand.
“If you’re careless with her, and she gets hurt, you and I will have a problem.”
More than a little irritated by the threat, and the implication that he was anything but a responsible Dom, Michael drew a calming breath. “I understand your concern for your friend.”
“Good. Then we don’t have a problem.”
He glanced at Simon, who was grinning, then back at Lola. “You know, I have at times regretted that I never had the chance to play with you before you and Simon made your relationship official.” He paused for a moment. “I no longer have that regret.”
Lola smiled, clearly unoffended. “I like you, Michael. I consider you a good friend.”
He waited.
“But if I have to choose, I’m on Team Ginger.” She rose from the sofa, crossed to his chair, and bent to kiss his cheek. “Don’t make me choose.”
He returned the kiss with irritation, and reluctant admiration. “I won’t.”
“Good enough. I’m going to go get the proposal for the needle demo.”
“All right,” Michael agreed.
She walked away, disappearing down the hall, and Simon cleared his throat. “She wasn’t kidding, you know.”
“Yeah, I got that.” Michael huffed out a breath. “Is she always so protective of her friends?”
Simon snorted. “You remember how she was with Grant when he and Anna got together, right?”
“I remember.” Grant had gotten both a lecture and a kick to the balls for his misstep with Anna. “If she goes for my balls, I expect you to head her off.”
