The only problem she was dealing with wasn’t visible to the naked eye. Dominant, sexually aggressive Stephen was bringing out emotions she didn’t necessarily want him to. Need. Weakness. A desire to please him that wasn’t supposed to leave the safety of a scene. She wasn’t supposed to feel like this in the light of day.
She thanked whoever was listening that Stephen didn’t really understand the dynamics of D/s play yet, and that he wouldn’t be able to see her struggle. If he could he’d realize that, though he’d barely mastered the basics, she was one step away from kneeling at his feet.
The sex was confusing the issue. To be fair, it was great sex. But if she was organized in any way, it was in her ability to compartmentalize emotionally. To keep certain things separate. Her threesomes with Jeremy never interfered with her friendship with Jeremy. Her loyalty for the Finn family as a whole didn’t stop her from keeping information about Jennifer’s activities from them and protecting her right to explore her sexuality. Her love for her grandmother was in no way diminished because of her more complicated feelings for her mother. And until yesterday, her enjoyment and affinity for the BDSM lifestyle never touched her passion for Stephen Finn.
Now those two worlds were merging. Stephen and kink. It was an accidental recipe, ingredients she never would have put together that made the end result that much more delicious and addicting. It would be an exciting combination as long as she didn’t think about next week, or tomorrow. As long as she kept reminding herself it was all for show.
But it felt real.
One problem at a time, Natasha.
She took another shower, needing the hot water to soothe her and get her in the right headspace. In her towel, she walked to the guest bedroom and right to the closet, grabbing the dress she’d hung up especially for her introduction as Stephen’s hidden mistress. She’d laid it across the bed and was rifling through her luggage for her makeup bag when her phone chimed with a text message.
It was Jennifer. Need your advice.
Why was she texting this early on a Sunday morning?
Tasha chuckled, adjusting her towel. Knowing Jen, she probably hadn’t gone to sleep yet.
She sat on the bed and started to type. What’s up?
She didn’t have to wait more than minute for the reply.
Can’t be on the phone. Has to be in person. Can I come over?
“You can, but I’m not there,” Tasha muttered to the phone while typing her response. “I’m discovering your brother is the kinky bastard of my dirty dreams.”
Am away at the moment. Won’t be back until the end of the week. Can it wait until then?
Jen did not like that answer.
This can’t wait.
Tasha frowned.
Are you hurt? Is someone bothering you? What’s wrong?
The reply took so long that Tasha sent a frowning emoticon to express her impatience.
Not hurt. Just needed to talk to someone not named Finn.
“Oh honey, I am so feeling your pain,” she said smiling.
Talk to Jeremy. He’s not a Finn and he loves you. Will call the second I get home. Until then, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
Jen sent her a thumbs-up and the conversation was over. Tasha worried her lip, wondering if she should call her. It could be anything from wanting to show off her piercing to needing advice about getting out of her situation with that aggressive couple.
Tasha sent a message to the owner of the fetish club instead, asking her to keep an eye on Owen’s little sister this week, and another to Jeremy.
Which meant “Little Finn is at DEFCON 4.” Jennifer wasn’t in need of emergency help, but someone needed to keep an eye on her. It was the code they’d agreed on when Jen first started to explore the BDSM lifestyle and began to go out with a few of the club’s more colorful members.
When that was taken care of, she forced herself to stop worrying and focused on getting ready.
An hour later she gave one last approving glance at the mirror before she left the hallway bathroom and started down the stairs.
She stopped when she heard the argument.
“Things come up,” Stephen insisted. “Plans change. It happens all the time.”
“This is the wrong call, man.” Brady sounded frustrated. “I didn’t agree with bringing her on board in the first place, but now that she is, I think she’s perfect for this. I honestly don’t see a downside.”
“You don’t see a— Are you serious, Brady?”
“She’ll know people there, she’ll understand the lingo and whatever kinky-ass secret handshake these people have. And from what I saw this morning, no one would suspect you’re not a couple. Isn’t that what you said? That she was the right woman for the job?”
“I’ve changed my mind, okay? I’ll tell Burke we fought and she refused to join us. I can do this without her.”