“There’s not that many years between us that he should still be calling me boy,” Miles mumbled before snatching up a crisp piece of bacon. “I’ll walk you home when you’re done.”
Hope resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Truth was, she wouldn’t mind spending a few more minutes with him. She hadn’t slept with a man since Craig, and she credited her sheer contentment this morning from both the sex and lying spooned in front of Miles all night, cradled by his large, hard body. She hadn’t felt so… wanted in a long time, if ever. Certainly being with her fiancé had never brought about this feeling.
“I’ll always be older, and the man who whipped you into shape,” Ed returned with a note of fondness in his tone before turning to Hope. “Kid broke in here, intending to rob me. He was smart enough to listen to me then, but not so much anymore. In fact—”
“Ed.” Miles’ low voice rang with a warning that didn’t seem to faze the older man except to have him dropping whatever he was about to say.
“I still think it’s a good idea. I’ll go open up while you walk your girl back.” He carried his plate to the sink then returned to give her shoulder a friendly squeeze. “See you later, Hope.”
“Bye, Ed.” Hope finished her breakfast, not wanting to push her luck with Miles the way Ed seemed to like to do. “I’m ready,” she stated after rinsing her plate. “But, honestly, Miles, I can walk two blocks without needing an escort.”
Taking her elbow, he led her to the door. “Of course you can, but I wanted to talk to you about the engagement party Sunday.”
“Sandie and Krista mentioned something about wanting one.” She hadn’t heard any more about it until now, and a burst of excitement tickled her senses when she thought of returning to the yacht with him.
The morning sun nearly blinded her as they stepped onto the sidewalk and started up the street before he continued. “All seven of us guys can make it Sunday afternoon, but a few want to do an overnight cruise. Can you get someone to cover for you Monday morning?”
“Traci will be there, and I’ll let the night manager know I’ll be late.” Hope paused outside the shelter and looked up at him. “Thank you for inviting me, and for last night.”
He stared down at her with an intent expression she couldn’t read for a few seconds then just nodded in that abrupt way of his. “I’ll see you Sunday.”
Shaking her head, she stood there a moment, holding the door open and watching him stride away. Would she ever figure the man out? Entering the shelter, she ignored Traci’s knowing grin and asked, “Anything I need to address this morning?”
“Yeah, my curiosity. All night?” the younger girl wanted to know.
“Anything about work, Traci,” she returned, refusing to give her any more reason to pry.
Traci heaved a disappointed sigh. “No, oh, some young guy stopped in first thing and asked for you by name. He refused to leave a message, or even his name, but said he’d check back.”
“I wasn’t expecting anyone. No clue as to what he wanted?”
“No. He was a bit rough looking, I guess, but seemed friendly.”
“Okay, thanks.” Hope went to her office, wondering who it could have been. She didn’t know any young men, except those who used the shelter. Her mind switched gears and she pulled out her phone before her insecurities rose up and stopped her. The way she succumbed to Miles’ dictates last night, and loved doing so, and the satisfaction she experienced waking up in his bed and arms, proved this temporary affair had turned into much more for her. If she had a hope of not only continuing to explore the limits of her submissive nature, but a relationship with the only man to draw and keep her attention in over six years, she needed to quit hiding from her past.
“Hey, Sandie,” she said when her friend answered. “You have a swanky bar in that palace you live in, don’t you?”
“Sure do. Why?”
Ignoring the sudden rapid beat of her pulse, Hope forged ahead. “I need to talk to you about something, in person, but don’t have much time. Can you join me this afternoon, around two, if I come there?”
“Sure. Hope, is everything okay? You sound a little off.”
“No, I mean, yes, everything is fine. I just need to get something off my chest and get your advice. Thanks, Sandie.”
“Hey, no thanks necessary. You were a rock, and a friend, when I really needed one. I’m glad I can finally pay you back. See you in a few hours.”
Between the never-ending paperwork and stocking up on supplies for the weekend, the morning passed quickly and left Hope little time or energy to fret over her decision to tell Sandie about Craig. But now, as she entered the posh, downtown high rise and spotted Sandie coming out of the elevator with a broad smile and wave, she could feel her anxiety ratcheting up. She didn’t know what she would do if her friends turned on her the way Jani, Sue and Deb had. She balled her trembling hands into fists and strode forward, determined, one way or another, to quit being such a wimp.
“Hey, thanks for taking time to meet with me,” she greeted Sandie.
“No problem. I don’t have anything going this afternoon. Come on, let’s get a glass of wine.”
Sandie led her into a small, darkened private bar that was quiet and empty except for the bartender. After he handed them their drinks, they sat at a round table in low, padded chairs and Sandie didn’t give her time to stall.
“Okay, give. Did you and Miles have a fight?”
“No
, we’re still… good. But, look, you’ve never pried into my past, which I’ve appreciated, but I’ve been keeping something from you, all of you, that has to come out, something I’m not proud of.”
“Is it the reason you moved here from Atlanta?” Sandie asked, sipping her wine but keeping her eyes on Hope.
“Yes.”
“Why do you feel like you have to tell me, or anyone?” She shrugged. “It’s your business, not mine. I don’t need your life story to be friends with you.”
“I know, and I appreciate that, but Miles has seen and asked about a scar I have. He’ll insist on every detail about how I got it if we… continue with our relationship.”
A gleam of satisfaction entered Sandie’s green eyes. “And you want to—continue your relationship, that is.”
“More than anything,” she admitted in all honesty. Without sparing any details, Hope launched into a recounting of that fateful night, refusing to look away from her friend as she confessed submitting to a spanking scene with a strange man when she was engaged to Craig and ending on a choked back sob when she told her of his death at her hand.
“Hey!” Reaching across the table, Sandie gripped her hand. “It was either him or you, you have to know that.”
“I do know that, but when my parents, and then my closest friends, the same ones who arranged for our guest passes to that club and encouraged me with a dare to accept that Dom’s offer, blamed me, guilt took over and has been eating me up inside ever since. Some of the blame does fall on me for crossing a line while committed to Craig, a commitment I never should have made since I didn’t love him.” May as well spill all the ugly beans, she thought.
Sandie sat back, shook her head then her finger at her. “They weren’t true friends who cared about you if they could do that. It’s not like you fucked the guy, Hope. He spanked your butt, that’s it. Zach would tell you it was his fault for not seeing to your needs himself. Did you really think I, or any of the other girls, would blame you?”