Page 44 of The Sadist and the Brat

“Not yet,” Jack allowed and smiled. “That’s what tonight is for.”

“Well.” James lifted his glass in a toast. “I wish you luck.”

“I feel like there’s an unsaid ‘but’ there.”

“But you’ve got your work cut out for you,” James said. “There are some deep issues under all that sass.”

“I noticed that.” Jack eyed his friend. “She doesn’t trust a lot of people, does she?”

“Her friends, yes. Men?” James shook his head.

“She trusts you,” Jack pointed out.

“I’m not a threat,” James reminded him. “I’m married, and she’s not sexually attracted to me. That makes me safe.”

“I guess I should take the fact that she doesn’t trust me as a good sign, then. Thanks for agreeing to DM, by the way.”

“I’m glad to help. Speaking of, what’s your plan?”

“For the scene?”

James nodded. “You mentioned role-play?”

“She’s familiar with role-play, and I want her to be comfortable,” Jack explained, and smiled. “To a point.”

“Oh, I’m very glad I’m going to get to see this,” James said with a grin, and leaned forward. “Tell me what you have in mind.”

* * * *

Sadie stepped up onto James and Amanda’s front porch and rang the bell at precisely eight-thirty. She had on her snow boots for warmth, and her most comfortable pair of yoga pants that didn’t have holes in them. Her big puffy coat—also for warmth and not armor at all—hid a faded sweatshirt she’d had since college. She had packed a bag, just in case she decided to stay the night, and she’d brought along her aftercare kit, as ordered.

She was on time, bathed and buffed and ready to play. And nervous. Very, very nervous.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered, staring at her feet. Her boots were starting to look a little ragged, she noticed. She would probably need new ones before the winter was over. “It’s just a scene. He’s just a Dom. It’s no big deal.”

“Hi,” Amanda said, and Sadie nearly fell into the rose bushes.

“Jesus, Amanda.” She scowled. “Scare me half to death, why don’t you?”

“Sorry.” Amanda leaned in for a hug. “I assumed since you rang the doorbell, you’d be expecting someone to answer it.”

“Ha.” Sadie returned the hug and stepped over the threshold. “Hey, great hair.”

“You think?” Amanda raised a hand to her hair. The sleek dark bob she usually wore had been transformed with a shaggy cut with a hint of curl. “It’s not too young for me?”

Sadie shook her head. “It makes your grays look amazing.”

“Amazing grays are not a thing.” Amanda said with a smile. “But thanks. I just did it today, and I’m not sure it works.”

“It looks great,” Sadie assured her, and dropped her bags to shrug out of her coat.

“Here, I’ll get that.” Amanda took the coat and crossed the foyer to the closet, then came back for the boots Sadie had slipped off. “I’m supposed to let you use the bathroom if you need to, then take you right downstairs.”

“Right.” Sadie wasn’t sure if the feeling in her belly was anticipation or nausea. “Any idea what’s in store for me down there?”

“Please, like they’d tell me.” Amanda gave her a nudge toward the powder room. “Go on.”

“Fine,” Sadie muttered and went to pee.

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