Page 64 of The Sadist and the Brat

“I don’t think it was pity, or boredom,” James put in, rising to cross to the bar. He popped the top on a fresh beer and poured it into the pilsner he held. “It wasn’t even the bet, because nobody would hold her to that.”

“That’s true,” Cade mused, looking thoughtful. “I have to admit, I’m at a loss.”

“Did it ever occur to either of you chuckle fucks that she did it because she wanted to?”

“Oh, she definitely wanted to.” James returned to his seat with his fresh beer. “I haven’t seen her that excited in months.”

“That was probably the role-play,” Nick offered, eyeing the only ball left on the table besides the cue ball. “Or the catsuit. You let her keep it, right?”

“Right.”

“Definitely the catsuit, then. Eight ball, that corner.”

“You’ll never make that shot,” Cade warned him.

“Fuck off.” Nick drew back his cue. The string of curses he let out when the cue ball went sailing past the eight without touching it made Jack smile.

Cade shook his head. “Told ya.”

“You can’t do it.”

Cade rose smoothly to his feet and took the proffered cue. “Hold my Coke.”

Nick took the can and collapsed into Cade’s vacated seat. “Where was I?”

“It was the catsuit,” Jack prompted.

“Nah, it couldn’t have been that,” Cade said from the other side of the pool table, cue ball in hand. “I mean, sure, they’re expensive, and I bet she’s happy to have it, but if Sadie really didn’t want to play with you, you could offer her a gold-plated catsuit with a diamond-studded zipper and she’d tell you to shove it up your ass.”

“This is true.” Nick frowned. “Shit. She really must have wanted to play with you.”

“Thank you,” Jack said drily.

“I gotta admit, this is blowing my mind.”

“Yeah? Well, brace yourself. I want her.”

“Well, that’s not news,” Nick said.

“No, I mean Iwanther. As my submissive.”

Nick stared, uncomprehending for a moment, then his eyes went wide. “Youwanther?”

“As yoursubmissive?”Cade echoed and shot the cue ball clean off the table.

“Dammit, Cade.” James got to his feet. “If you’ve torn the felt…”

“The felt is fine,” Cade said, laying his cue down without even looking at it, his eyes locked on Jack. “I’ll pay for the felt. You want her as yoursubmissive?”

“Is that so strange?” Jack wondered.

“Yes,” they chorused in unison.

“I don’t think it’s so strange.” James shrugged when both Cade and Nick turned to gape at him.

“Thank you, James,” Jack said.

“You’re welcome, Jack.”

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