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  “No, seriously, it’s okay. I like eating there. I’d rather he be comfortable. I kind of got the feeling this was a big deal, the way he’s reacting to me.”

  “It is. You have no idea how big a deal. Thank you for being so understanding.”

  “Honestly, it’s fine. He’s got a great sense of humor.”

  “Are you like an alien or something?”

  She giggled. “No, why?”

  “I mean, you just seemed to get him right off the bat. That’s really rare. You have no idea how rare. It usually takes people a while to get to know him because it takes him a while to get comfortable with a person. It’s unprecedented.”

  “I don’t mind.” He heard a phone ring in the background. “Sorry, that’s my office line.”

  “It’s okay. Thanks for the chat, and see you Wednesday night.”

  “Seven sharp,” she said.

  Then she was gone.

  He stared at his phone and smiled. “Seven sharp,” he said.

  * * * *

  Not only did Kirby and Mel, as she’d insisted he call her, start texting back and forth, Davis had also texted with her a few times. By the time Wednesday night rolled around, Kirby felt more nervous than he had in…ever.

  Finally, on the drive over, Kirby had to ask.

  “Why are you acting like this with her? And no, I’m not mad, just curious.”

  “I told you, I feel comfortable around her. If she’s going to be a part of our lives, then I should take every opportunity like this to spend time with you and her.”

  “Oh. Our lives?”

  “You’re my brother and we live together. I’m guessing if things go well, I’ll likely be seeing a lot of her at our home if she spends the night there with you.”

  “Oh. You really wouldn’t mind?”

  “No. Not unless she does something that runs completely contrary to her personality than we’ve seen so far. I’ve never seen you respond to a woman like you are with her.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  Dinner not only went well, it went better than Kirby could have hoped. They’d ended up seated in a booth, and Davis opted to sit opposite him and Mel. He kept a close eye on Davis all through the meal, but didn’t spot any of the tell-tale stress signs Davis might display.

  Dinner lasted nearly three hours and only ended because Mel started yawning and then laughed. “Sorry. Morning comes really early.”

  She’d asked for a separate check for herself, but when the server brought it, Davis took both checks and handed the waitress his credit card.

  “Davis,” Mel gently said, “you didn’t have to do that. Thank you.”

  Davis glanced at Kirby before his gaze dropped again. “I appreciate you being patient with me. I wanted to do something nice for you.”

  Under the table, Mel grabbed Kirby’s hand and squeezed. “That was very sweet of you,” she said. “I appreciate it.”

  They walked her to her car and once she’d driven off, Kirby grinned and turned to Davis, holding his hand up.

  “What?” Davis asked.

  Kirby reached down, grabbed his brother’s hand, and lifted it so he could give him a high five. “Dude, I love you.”

  “I love you, too, but why did you do that?”

  “It’s a celebration. I can’t believe you picked up her check.”

  “Are you upset about that?”

  “No! She’s right. It was sweet.”

  Davis headed for the passenger door. “She’s very nice. I wanted to do something nice for her.”

  Kirby couldn’t stop grinning as he got into his car and waited for Davis to buckle his seat belt.

  * * * *

  Over the next three weeks, they had dinner with Mel several times, every time at a restaurant of Davis’ choosing.

  To Davis’ credit, he didn’t pick Sigalo’s every time. He admitted to Kirby that the reason he’d picked Sigalo’s for their first dinner wasn’t merely because he was comfortable eating there, but because he knew Mel had seemed to like it. Once he’d found out what kind of food she liked, he expanded their choices accordingly to other restaurants he liked.

  They’d also met at the club two more times, each time Mel chaperoned by Kim, Mason, and Cole. While there, she’d playfully started calling Kirby Sir, and he didn’t mind in the least.

  Davis tagged along each time, and Kirby didn’t even mind because of the way Mel’s face lit up every time he told a joke or did something that showed her he liked her.

  One Thursday afternoon, Kirby was able to get away from his office for lunch and met Mel at a sandwich shop in downtown Sarasota.

  He gave her a long, strong hug, noting that she was in no hurry to let go of him. “Hey, you.”

  She rose up on her toes and kissed him. “Hey, you, right back. Where’s Davis?”

  “At work.”

  “Does he know you’re here?”

  “Yeah, but it’d take him the better part of an hour to get here.” He opened the door for her and held it as she walked into the restaurant. Once they’d received their orders and settled in at a small corner table, he leaned in. “Again, thank you for how cool you’ve been.”

  “It’s not a problem. I really like Davis. He’s a sweetheart.” She grinned. “If he was making a serious pass at me, though, you might have competition.”

  Kirby hadn’t talked about the experience he and Davis had in college with Jennifer. Admittedly, it’d been ego-boosting to have a woman moaning and orgasming between the two of them. She’d been insatiable and they’d spent countless afternoons over those two months blowing her mind even as she’d blown them.

  For right now, it was such a comfort to have someone he could relax around who wasn’t Davis.

  Even better, someone who got Davis.

  He took a leap of faith. “No pressure, but would you like to come over to our place tomorrow night for dinner? I’ll cook for us.”

  “Will Davis be there?”

  “Probably.”

  “Okay.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  She studied her hands for a moment. “I’ve told you I haven’t had good luck in relationships. I’ve been doing my damnedest to take things slow and not screw up. Kim, Cole, and Mason said they haven’t seen any warning signs. But maybe it’s better Davis is there.”

  “Okay. Do you have a preference what I make?”

  “Nope. Surprise me. Can I bring anything?”

  “Just yourself.”

  “Can I come help you cook? I’d really like that.”

  “Sure.”

  Her green gaze pierced through him. “Can we practice the rope harness? We haven’t done that since the class that day. I had fun with that, Sir.” The last sentence she delivered in a whisper.

  Crooking a finger at her, he leaned in and kissed her. “We can practice whatever you want, sweetheart.”

  “Will Davis be okay with that?”

  “Yeah.”

  “We keep talking like this and I’m going to ask if I can spend the whole night.”

  He hoped his pulse was racing because of sexual tension and not because he was about to have a coronary or something. “I will leave that completely up to you. I don’t have any reason to believe I have anything, but I need to go get a test if we’re going to do this right. So if you want to wait, or use condoms, or however you want to do it, I’m good with that.”

  “I read some of those books Davis talks about,” she whispered. “There are some things in there I really liked.”

  He reached across the table and took her hand. “Such as?”

  “Like collars and wrist cuffs and stuff. Being made to kneel and give blowjobs. Maybe some bare-handed spanking. The forced-orgasm play.”

  Fuuuuck.

  Good thing they’d just started eating, because he was sporting a tentpole.

  He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it, watching her eyes as he did. “I’m really new at this, but that all sounds good to me. I guess I’m goin
g to need to read those books.” He leaned in and kissed her again. “Maybe I’ll have to have you read some of your favorite passages to me.”

  “If we go slow, there might be a lot of stuff I like. I don’t know yet.”

  “We’ll go slow.”

  “I’d like to do more of the shibari. Take more classes with you.”

  “I’d like that, too.”

  “Can you be patient while we figure out what I like?”

  He laughed. “Sweetheart, you’ve gone above and beyond in patience when it comes to dealing with Davis. I think I can be patient with you considering Davis has set the bar pretty dang high when it comes to needing patience.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  He kissed her hand again, unwilling to let her go yet. “Would you like to maybe have a ritual or two?”

  “Like what?”

  “Texting me good-morning and good-night every day.”

  She smiled. “I’d like that.”

  Unable to help it, he leaned in to kiss her again. “Then let’s start stumbling our way through this together.” He feathered his lips over her palm before releasing her hand. “And we’ll see where it leads.”

  * * * *

  Mel was halfway tempted to drag him out back to the bathrooms and hump him right there, except…logic and reasons.

  But now that she knew they were on the same page, she could force herself to wait. No relationship she’d ever had before had felt like this.

  It felt good.

  Right.

  She spent too long at lunch with him, reluctant to leave. At her car, he pulled her in for a hug and a kiss she knew had as much of an effect on him as it did her, because she could feel his erection pressing against the front of his slacks. In fact, before stepping away, he reached between them while she was sort of shielding his body and adjusted himself.

  “Sorry.” He wore a smile.

  “Not a problem.” She grinned. “Glad to know I’m not the only one wearing out batteries.”

  He laughed. “I don’t need batteries, but I’m glad I’m not blind yet.”

  One last, quick kiss, and she forced herself into the car and back to work.

  When she returned to her office, she grabbed her cell and texted Kirby.

  I’m back at work, Sir.

  A moment later, Davis texted her.

  I’m glad you’re at work, but you don’t have to call me Sir.

  Mortified, she choked back her embarrassed scream. Her fingers shook as she responded to Davis.

  OH MY GOD I’m so sorry. That was for Kirby.

  :) How was lunch?

  Still shaking, she stared at the text. Lately, Davis had started including more emoticons, something he hadn’t done at first.

  Well, the good news was at least she and Kirby wouldn’t have to hide that aspect of their relationship from Davis. He knew about it already.

  Good. Sorry you couldn’t join us.

  Too far to drive. That’s okay. Talk to you later.

  She tried again, making sure this time she had the text thread with Kirby pulled up.

  I’m back at work, Sir, and glad Davis knows about us.

  ??

  She told him what happened, and he replied with the crying laughter emoji.

  It’s not funny.

  It’s hysterical, sweetheart.

  Now that I’ve managed to embarrass myself at your expense I’ll get back to work. :P

  :) Don’t forget to text me goodnight.

  Yes, Sir.

  Finally, she set her phone aside and got back to work.

  Except now she couldn’t stop thinking about kneeling in front of him and nuzzling her face against the front of his slacks and the yet unseen erection there.

  * * * *

  Kirby stopped by the store on his way home Friday night. He’d decided to make one of Davis’ favorite meals, chicken and yellow rice, hoping it’d help things go more smoothly. It was also easy to make and he could spend more time talking with Mel.

  When she arrived, she did so with a small tote bag slung over her shoulder. He greeted her with a kiss and they were soon laughing together in the kitchen. Davis had already been home and in his room when Kirby arrived home, but upon hearing Mel arrive, he emerged and joined them in the kitchen.

  Kirby didn’t even mind. It was just so good to have her there and not have to be worried about how Davis would handle it, or how she’d handle Davis.

  After dinner, Davis once again disappeared to his room, leaving them the rest of the house.

  “So what did you want to do?” she asked after she helped him clean up the kitchen.

  He smiled. “I think someone mentioned practicing rope bondage.”

  “That sounds great.”

  “Is the living room okay? We can spread out.”

  “That’s fine.”

  He grabbed the duffel bag he’d repurposed for his rope bag and brought it out to the living room. Then he put a soft rock music station on the cable box for them to listen to as they settled onto the floor, where he’d moved the coffee table out of the way.

  She pulled off her shirt, revealing nothing underneath. Now topless and dressed only in her shorts, she dropped her shirt off to the side and smiled at him.

  “Ready when you are, Sir.”

  He had to beat back his erection. “You’re tempting me, woman.”

  “I hope so, Sir.”

  He leaned in and kissed her. “I’ve got an appointment next week for my doctor.”

  “So do I, but I brought condoms and I’m on the pill.”

  He suppressed the soft moan. “Good,” he whispered. “Because either we’re going to do something, or you’ll get to see what I look like masturbating, and I don’t care which.”

  This time, she leaned in and kissed him. “Maybe we have time for both between now and tomorrow.” Her green gaze bored into his. Tonight she’d worn her red hair down. It fell just past her shoulders, but as he started uncoiling rope she pulled a hairband from her pocket and put it up in a ponytail.

  And that’s when he realized he could barely remember a damn thing from class. Especially not with all the blood in his body pooling in his cock. It didn’t help that she was half naked, because he was trying to be a gentleman and not grope her despite her doing her best to teasingly bump her breasts into his hands as he worked.

  After twenty minutes, Kirby silently swore as he stared at the partial rope harness he’d tied around Mel’s torso, including gauntlets around her wrists that kept her arms tied to her chest, crossed in front of her.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “I can’t remember how he said to secure it.” He tried one thing, that didn’t look right. “Sorry. Want me to untie you?”

  She cast a smile over her shoulder. “Not really. I’m okay.”

  “Don’t let your hands fall to sleep, please. Tell me.”

  “I will.”

  He continued fussing with it for nearly another twenty minutes, his frustration growing. Davis emerged from his bedroom, presumably on his way to the kitchen. He cut through the shortest route, between them and the TV, and stopped, staring at them.

  “What are you doing?” Davis asked.

  Kirby stared up at him, mentally willing him to go.

  The fuck.

  Away.

  “We’re playing Yahtzee. Dude, what does it look like we’re trying to do? We’re trying to replicate the chest harness from class.”

  Davis actually rolled his eyes. “That’s not how he said to do it.”

  Before Kirby could react, Davis walked over, took over, immediately undid about half of what he’d done, and in literally less than three minutes total had correctly finished tying the harness.

  Then he straightened and continued his trek to the kitchen.

  Kirby, wide-eyed, exchanged a shocked glance with Mel.

  Together, they both said, “Wait!”

  Davis turned. “What?”

  “How’d you do that?”
Kirby asked, amazed.

  Leave it to Davis to show him up yet again, without even meaning or trying to.

  Which was usually how Davis showed him up. It was never deliberate, it just…happened.

  “I did it like Scrye taught in class.”

  Davis started to turn toward the kitchen again, when Kirby once again stopped him. “But…how? You weren’t even paying attention. You were reading.”

  “I watched.” Davis cocked his head. “You don’t remember his instructions?”

  “Apparently not. Can you start over from the beginning and show me again? You did it so fast just now I couldn’t tell what you did.”

  Davis started to walk over, then hesitated. “I’m sorry, Mel. I should have asked you both if it was okay before I did that. My apologies. I hope I didn’t upset you.”

  “It’s okay,” Mel assured him. “I didn’t mind. Really. Please? I’m having fun. I trust you guys. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

  Kirby breathed a silent sigh of relief that she wasn’t upset.

  Davis still hesitated. “You’re topless. You don’t mind if I touch your breasts?”

  “You can touch more than that.” She went pink in the face and turned to Kirby. “Sorry. I just…I’m so comfortable around both of you, it just kind of popped out.”

  “That’s all right,” Davis said. “We’ve shared a woman before.”

  “Dude!” Kirby screamed.

  “What?” she asked.

  Kirby closed his eyes and silently groaned.

  There it was. He’d let himself grow complacent, and Davis had managed to nuke this before he’d even slept with her.

  Fuck.

  Worse, he now had a killer set of blue balls.

  Well, he’d had a set of blue balls. With that revelation, everything had shrunk and his balls were proactively trying to crawl back up inside him for protection from the ass-kicking Mel was probably about to administer to him.

  He wouldn’t blame her, either.

  Kirby opened his eyes to see Davis staring at him, brow furrowed. “You didn’t tell her that?”

  “Tell me what?” she asked.

  “Not yet I hadn’t,” Kirby said.

  “Oh. I’m sorry.”

  “Tell me what!”