Page 25 of The Sadist and the Brat

“I guess you do. One week.”

“For what?” she asked, going to work on the second braid, then froze. “Wait. You want to play in a week?”

“We’re going to play in a week,” he corrected. “Saturday night, my place.”

“Hold on,” she began, and frowned when he flipped a business card out of his pocket and held it out. “What’s this?”

“My email. Send me your limits list—a current one,” he amended when she just stared at him. “By Wednesday.”

“That’s not a week,” she protested weakly.

“I need time to go over it,” he reminded her. “We’ll negotiate in person, too, but the list will give me a starting point.”

She stared at the card, held between his fingers, and struggled to think. A week wasn’t enough time. And at his place? “I don’t play privately with new people.”

He looked pointedly at the pile of toys he’d used on her during the demo. “I’m hardly new.”

“This doesn’t count.”

“No?” He cocked his head, his smile going smug. “Your pussy was awfully wet for something that doesn’t count.”

She bit her tongue to keep from snapping back. If she denied it, she’d just look foolish. “I’m not playing with you alone.”

He nodded, serious now. “All right. Who do you trust to play DM?”

“James.”

“And if he’s not available?”

“Nick,” she decided. “Or Cade. If none of them can do it, you’re shit out of luck. And I’m not coming to your house.”

He shrugged. “I don’t mind coming to yours.”

“Oh, hell no,” she blurted out, panicked at the thought of him in her cozy apartment. “Neutral ground.”

He eyed her for a moment, considering, then nodded. “I’ll handle it.” He bent to pick up her hat, tucking the card he still held under the ribbon circling the brim before setting it on her head. “By Wednesday, Sadie.”

She wanted to sayOr what?But she was afraid she wouldn’t like the answer. She took a step back, unable to help herself, and could only be grateful she didn’t stumble. Her legs still felt wobbly, and the last thing she needed was him having to catch her.

He watched her for a moment, dark eyes assessing. For a moment she thought he’d reach for her and braced herself. But he didn’t. He simply smiled, a full smile that showed teeth and dimples and eye crinkles, then picked up his toy bag. “Thanks for filling in. I know Nikki appreciated it.”

“Nikki is very welcome,” she said, emphasizingNikki.

“I appreciated it, too,” he said, unperturbed. “I’ll show you how much on Saturday.”

And with one last eye-crinkling smile, he turned and walked away.

“Well, shit.”

She stared after him until he’d disappeared into the crowd, then dragged the hat off her head with a huff. The card fell off, fluttering down to land at her feet.

Curious, she bent to scoop it up. The plain white cardstock had his name in simple black print on the front, and nothing else. Frowning, she turned it over. There was a phone number, and an email address.

“Jack at RestingDickFace dot net,” she read aloud, and laughed until she thought she’d pee her pants.

Chapter Four

She put it out of her mind.

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