Page 4 of Below the Surface

“I told you. If I have a relationship again, it will be based on wanting more—long term, Kelsey.”

“Like what? Like kids and a house?”

“Maybe.”

“And?”

There isn’t enough liquor in my cabinet to get me through this conversation.

“You can’t change who you are,” Kelsey says. “You aren’t Miss Vanilla 2023.”

I laugh. “That’s an interesting description.”

“You aren’t. You’re always going to want to lead, Piper.”

“Your idea of what that means and mine have never been the same. And I don’t see what this has to do with Cameron.”

“Look, I’ve said a lot already. I’ve never told Cam about you—I mean, she knows you used to belong to the club, but she doesn’t know?—”

“That I dominated people?” I take a long sip from my martini, wishing I’d doused it with more vodka.

“Yes. Cam is—well, I think she craves that, Piper.”

I choke on my martini and cough violently again.

Kelsey giggles. “Some Domme you are.”

I can’t imagine Cameron Kendall submitting to an order to bend over for a spanking. Nor can I imagine Cameron would want to be, much less allow anyone to tie her down. A rush of images flashes through my mind and settles in my core.

Kelsey laughs. “I won’t ask where your thoughts went just now.”

I clear my throat. “Kelsey.”

“Hey. I’m only making a suggestion. What could it hurt to get to know her differently?”

It could hurt a lot. I shake my head.

“Just take her out to dinner or something.”

“Or something?” I ask.

“Come on, Piper. Cam is awesome. She deserves to find someone who is just as awesome.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“Maybe nothing will develop between you. Maybe it will. Just think about it.”

I lift my glass and force myself to smile. Thanks to Kelsey, I doubt I’ll have much choice. Looks like I’ll be buying more vodka.

Dear. God. Heaven. Hell. Jesus. Holy. Fuck. Cameron Kendall is gorgeous. It’s not like I haven’t always recognized how attractive she is, but I feel something shift dramatically as I watch her make her way to me.

Cameron reaches the bar and smiles. “Hi.”

“Hi, Cam.”

“I’m glad you called.”

“Are you?” I ask.

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