“So you’re a Domme?”
“Does that surprise you?”
Hell yes, it surprised her. But when Lacey really thought about it, the revelation made sense.
Candice was always in control— always. With her job, she was the boss. She decided what stories she would or wouldn’t take, and she didn’t like to be told what to do.
“It’s unexpected but not shocking.” Lacey recalled how knowledgeable Candice was when it came to Michael’s sexual activities. “I suppose I should have seen it before now.”
“I didn’t want you to.” Candice gave a weak smile when she saw Lacey’s hurt expression.
“What I do behind closed doors isn’t anyone’s business, no offense.”
“You could have trusted me. I would have understood.”
“Is that so? Because I’m not all that sure. You understand now because you’re in a relationship with a Dom. Before Mike, I don’t know if you would have approached it in the same way.”
She wanted to argue but didn’t dare. Candice could be right or wrong. Lacey had always considered herself an open-minded person but then again, she’d also run from Michael like he was an incarnation of the devil the minute she learned about his sexual preferences. It had taken time for her to grasp the implications of D/s play, both in and out of the bedroom, and it was something she was still attempting to fully comprehend.
“So…” Lacey couldn’t believe she was about to have this kind of conversation with Candice.
Talk about growing up and expanding your horizons. Once they’d gushed over John Hughes films. It figured their innocent lusts would blossom to Doms, Dommes and all things fetish. “Do you go to clubs?”
“Look at you, blushing and excited,” Candice snickered. “No wonder Mike was a goner.” She reached for her glass. “I go to a club in Atlanta when the mood strikes. That’s why I needed an invitation to Fantasia. I never mix my personal life with pleasure, so it’s necessary to travel to a location where no one knows me or asks questions. Besides, most of the time I’m too busy working to find time to play.”
“That’s all it is for you? Work and play?”
“I don’t want a serious relationship, Lace.” Candice wasn’t smiling anymore. “After college I made the decision to keep all of my romantic involvements strictly sexual. I have a job I enjoy, a home I’m proud of and I don’t feel the need to add anything else to it.”
“Doesn’t that get, you know… lonely?”
“I’m sure it might be to some people. It works just fine for me.”
“So the cop who came to your apartment,” Lacey noticed now it was Candice who appeared uncomfortable, “was he strictly a sexual partner? Because he didn’t look like he was into casual.”
“He was something that never should have happened.”
“Why not?”
Candice planted her glass on the table, causing tea to slosh over the top. “I was on the job. I never should have let anyone or anything distract me. He just happened to rescue me from a needy sub who was drawing unwanted attention, and I took advantage of the situation. In retrospect, it was sloppy and foolish on my part.”
“What are you going to do?”
“About?”
“Tall, dark and handsome officer.”
“He knows I’m not interested.”
“You told him?”
“I did.” Candice rose from the table and collected her plate. “He wasn’t happy about it but he’ll adjust.”
It was probably stupid to ask but it was obvious Candy wasn’t telling her everything. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Will you adjust?”
Candice turned. The sadness in her eyes was almost as heartbreaking as her resolve. “I adjusted a long time ago, Lace. This is who I am.”
Lacey remained seated as her friend walked into the kitchen. It had been years since she’d seen Candy express any interest in a man, much less lose her cool over one, and Candice Bradshaw was definitely not her usual self when it came to Brady Stone.
No matter how much she might deny it.
Chapter Thirteen
Lacey had opened her door to walk Candice outside when she saw the strange car in her driveway. Michael was passed out behind the wheel, his head resting against the seat.
“It seems like I’m leaving just in time.” Candice chuckled and gave her a hug.
Hugging back, she muttered, “He knows he’s in the doghouse.”
“Don’t be too hard on him.” Candice pulled away and looked at the car. “It looks like he’s had a rough night.”
Jealousy reared its ugly head again. She could only imagine how rough his night with Aly had been. “I’m sure he has.”
As Candice walked to her car, Lacey strode over to Michael. When she got closer, and got a decent look at his face, her insecurities and anger faded. It looked like he’d gotten the shit beaten out of him. His nose was swollen and bruised and his lower lip was cracked right down the middle.
“Michael?” She knocked softly on the window and he opened his eyes.
He blinked several times and gazed at her. The moment recognition struck he opened the door. He seemed primed to go another round, gazing in the direction of the unknown vehicle in the driveway until he saw her visitor was Candice. The tension around his eyes softened. He waved at Candice, gazed away from her friend and gave her his undivided attention.
She reached out before she could stop herself and touched his lip. “What happened?”
“I had to break up a fight and managed to get caught in the middle of it.”
She stepped back as he climbed from the car. “You didn’t say anything about fighting. I thought you were going to the club.”
“Brian and Conner had issues to sort through.”
“So they used you as a punching bag?”
His chuckle sent a shiver down her spine. “Not exactly.”
“Are you okay?”
“I am now.”
She gasped as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his chest. He’d recently showered. She could detect the lingering fragrance of Dial soap. Gazing up, she noticed the bristle forming along his jaw. The dark shadow added to the bruises and cuts on his face, giving him the appearance of a street brawler.
“So how’s Aly?” She wanted to cringe at the cattiness in her voice.
“You’d have to ask Brian and Trevor. I was there for moral support, not for Aly.”
“That’s not how it seemed last night.”
Michael’s face hardened. “I’m not going to apologize for helping my friends.” He glanced at Candice’s car as it vanished from the driveway. “Would you say no to yours?”
Her airway became tight. Talk about feeling lower than the low.
She hadn’t really thought about it like that.
“No, I wouldn’t.” She rested her hands on his arms. “It’s just been a rough night.”
“I second that.” He kissed her lightly, brushing his lips over hers. “I should tan your little ass for hanging up on me earlier.”
“Consider it payback for leaving me high and dry.”
“Payback, huh?” He pulled away, and the heat in his eyes made her instantly wet.
“You had it coming.” Was that her voice? Jesus, she sounded like a cigarette-smoking phone sex operator.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I haven’t come all night.” He cupped her face and ran his thumb along her cheek. “Are you ready to learn how I punish a naughty sub who hangs up on her concerned Dom?”
“Yes.” She looked down, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze. He wouldn’t allow it, lifting her chin with his fingers.
“Yes what?”
“Yes Sir.” Her body was already trembling in anticipation. Being angry flew out the window. In the presence of this man, she couldn’t think about anything else.