Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Triple fuck!
A breath gusted out of me as my mind began racing. I couldn’t tell him everything; Noa had shared stuff with me because he could confide in me, because we were together. At the same time, I understood Reese’s point of view, and he had a friend and a community to protect.
“They belong together!” I blurted out.
Fucking swell. Excellent job. I groaned and scrubbed my hands down my face. I wasn’t a damn blurter-outer! I usually kept my shit together. But maybe all this was wearing on me, okay? I was tired.
I cursed and let my hands fall again.
Reese looked at me with patience in his eyes, but he definitely wanted me to elaborate.
“I know KC somewhat,” I said. “I know he’s very considerate and careful. He’s a sweet guy—when he isn’t scaring the bejeesus out of someone in an interrogation room.”
Reese’s mouth twitched with humor.
“It’s how I know he’ll find a way to avoid Noa too,” I went on. “He’ll give up this community if that’s what it takes. But those two need to talk, and they… I think they belong together. Somehow. So I wanna make it so they’re paired up for the event.”
Reese nodded slowly, suddenly too unreadable for my liking. “Cameron, what’s our number one rule for safe play here at Mclean?”
I wanted to scream.
Seriously. Motherfucker! Anger built up rapidly, causing my breathing to speed up, and embarrassment followed soon after.
“RACK,” I muttered with a wince.
“Exactly. RACK. Risk-Aware…”
Yeah, yeah, point taken. Fuck my life, I was an idiot.
“The event will feature various degrees of sadism, impact play, and edge play,” Reese told me. “How aware of the risks can KC—and Noa, for that matter—be if they’re shoved together without protocol?”
I pinched my lips together and started bouncing my knee restlessly.
“I’m sure you can think of something else,” he said. “I’m not saying your prediction of how KC would react is wrong—I’m just saying you can’t play matchmaker with an event like this one. It wouldn’t be safe.”
I glanced up to gauge his mood. “Am I gonna be punished?”
“For what? Lying? Trying to deceive? You bet.” He smiled. Lovely. “But I’ll make sure to factor in the mitigating circumstances.” He rested his forearms on the desk and tilted his head. “If you bring Noa and KC together, where does that leave you? Are you casual with Noa?”
I shook my head. “We’re a package deal. But someone once pointed out that relationships can look a hundred different ways.”
He inclined his head. “I hope you’ll find your way, Cam. I really do. And that includes Lucian.”
I rolled my eyes instinctively—bad fucking call with a Sadist—but I couldn’t help it. Did everyone know I’d been hung up on Lucian?
Reese smirked faintly. “In fact, I might have an idea. Why let you have all the fun?”
Oh shit.
“Care to elaborate?”
That made him laugh.
I was screwed.
How the hell did that happen? I’d walked into Reese’s office, having no clue what he wanted but fully believing my plan was good. Now I had no plan at all, and he had hijacked my mission!
I shook my head, dazed and, honestly, a little queasy, and returned outside to get Noa.
“What’s wrong?” he asked right away.
I didn’t know what to say. “I…” I let out a breathy laugh and shook my head. “I don’t know. I don’t fucking know. I don’t think anything is wrong, but a Sadist just played me.” Jesus Christ.
Noa quirked a brow and smiled uncertainly. “You sure you’re okay? You wanna go upstairs and unpack?”
I shook my head. “The meeting starts soon. I’m fine. I promise.” I kissed him quickly and grabbed his hand. “It’s gonna be a good weekend.”
I just had no idea how it would play out.
“If you say so.” Noa swallowed and eyed the area past the lobby, and it reminded me that my “issues” were a joke in comparison. He was seconds away from seeing his stepdad for the first time in ages.
“I’ll be here with you the whole time.” I squeezed his hand.
He let out a breath. “Okay.”
We crossed the lobby and went straight into the club area, where there wasn’t a whole lot to see at the moment. Black and red were the chosen colors for the interior of the house, with just some black-and-white photos here and there. The kink furniture was disassembled to make room, the platform where public demos were hosted was empty, and the bar in the corner was closed.
A big chandelier hung from the ceiling, but I’d only seen it lit a single time.
Right now, the light pouring in came solely from the open patio doors, and each step toward them seemed to be a struggle for Noa.
“Remember that I love you,” I murmured. “You’re not alone.”
He nodded jerkily and pushed some hair away from his forehead. He needed a haircut. “Maybe he’s not here?”