Risky Proposal

by Marie Tuhart

  How would they feel against her skin? On her breasts? Heat flowed over her skin. Her tongue darted out and wet her lips. How would he taste? Without thinking, she went up on her toes and brushed a kiss over his lips. A loud yell from the bar area made her jump.

  Josh chuckled. “They’re watching baseball.”

  “Oh.” Her cheeks warmed, but it was more from the thought of others seeing them than from kissing him. She liked kissing him. His lips were soft yet firm. It was hard to believe she’d only known Josh for two days; it seemed longer. Well, they did have that one date. And they’d hit it off then, too.

  “Come on. I’ll walk you back to the inn.” He slipped his arm around her waist.

  Claire allowed herself to lean into Josh. It was nice to have a man who thought of her first instead of himself. Until now, she hadn’t realized how selfish the men she’d dated had been. Josh was opening her eyes in more ways than one.

  The night air was crisp as they walked. “Where do we go from here?” she asked.

  “Depends on you.”

  He drew her to a stop at the end of the street to let a car drive past. The streetlight gleamed, flashing off the metal. Josh’s face was bathed in light, showing her the slight stubble on his jaw. Her fingers itched to touch him.

  He said, “I’ve taken the rest of the week off from work.”

  They crossed the street and then up the brick walkway to the inn.

  “So sure of me?” In a way, that made her happy. She hid a smile. The men she’d dated would never take time off to be with her. Showed her how different Josh was and how much she liked it.

  “No. I figured if you didn’t want to explore with me, then I would work on my club, and we’d spend some sexy nights together. It isn’t all about kink.”

  “But now?”

  “Now.” He drew her against him. “We can play. If you’re comfortable with it. I’ll pick you up tomorrow, and we’ll start.”

  She studied his face. There were lines on his forehead. It was important to him to drive her around. She could get quite spoiled by Josh. She reached up and smoothed them with her fingers. “I’d love that.”

  “Good.” He turned so they could finish their walk up to the inn.

  At the front door, she turned to him. “Are jeans okay for tomorrow?”

  “Whatever you’re comfortable in.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “Neither one of us is going to have much on.”

  Before she could say a word, his lips closed over hers.

  Claire leaned into the kiss, enjoying the feel of his mouth against hers, the way his tongue maneuvered past her lips into her mouth. Tasting, touching and exploring. Her arms went around his neck, her fingers sinking into his hair.

  “Oh, Claire.” When they broke apart, his hot breath caressed her skin.

  Her heart pounded.

  “Until tomorrow.” He brushed another kiss over her lips before releasing her, opening the inn door and watching her go inside.

  The door closed, and Claire hugged herself. She was going to do this. She was going to seize the moment and be bold. Josh hadn’t shut her down or judged her for her wants, her desires. It was freeing. Tomorrow was a new day for her.

  Chapter Five

  Claire woke the next morning with a smile on her lips. Josh’s kiss from last night lingered in her mind. She glanced at the clock. Eight-fifteen. She’d better get a move on if she wanted breakfast. The inn stopped serving at nine.

  She dressed quickly and made her way downstairs, choosing a place on the back porch in the cool morning air with a couple of Nate’s biscuits and his homemade jam, plus coffee. Josh hadn’t told her what time he was going to pick her up. She pulled out her phone and sent him a quick text.

  Her phone pinged. He’d be there in fifteen minutes, and he had a proposition for her. That piqued her curiosity and sparked an excitement in her she hadn’t felt for a long time, if ever. She’d agreed to the week with him, and she was going to see where it led. Finishing off her breakfast, she ran back up to her room to freshen up, then grabbed her purse and went downstairs.

  Josh stepped through the door as she reached the lobby.

  “Good morning,” she said.

  “It is now.” He crossed to her, drew her into his arms, and kissed her.

  “I’d say get a room, but you have one,” Jared commented from behind the reception desk.

  “Don’t be jealous.” Josh anchored her to his side, and they left.

  She let out a giggle as they walked to his truck. “Poor Jared,” she said.

  “That kid? Naw. He lives vicariously through all of us.” He opened the truck door for her and helped her up into his vehicle. Once he was behind the wheel, he turned to her. “I have to run into Burlington to pick up a delivery. I was hoping you would keep me company.”

  “I’d love it.” She’d done a bit of research and had planned to drive into Burlington one day to visit one of the adult stores, but now, she was spending her time with Josh. Maybe they could visit one together.

  “Perfect.” He backed the truck out, and they were on their way.

  For the next hour, they talked about everything and anything. Josh was well educated. He’d managed to get a degree in business while he had worked at the Red Club, and he was a master carpenter.

  “How did you know about fixing the sink that night?” she asked.

  “My dad used to do odd jobs for people. While owning the hardware store, he learned about plumbing, some electrical work, stuff like that. He would take me out with him on jobs when I was a teenager. I did pick up a few things.” He grinned at her, and she couldn’t help but smile back.

  They drove through town and out onto another road, then Josh pulled into a parking lot. A sign stood near the street—Indulge.

  “Interesting name,” she commented when Josh opened her door and helped her out.

  “Yes. I think you might be surprised.” He opened the door and gestured for her to precede him. To her left was a display case with a cash register sitting on it, and to her right, a cash machine, blocking a set of stairs.

  “Welcome to Indulge,” a female voice called out. A young woman with spiked red, blue, and green streaked hair came through the doorway. “Josh.” She practically squealed his name before giving him a hug.

  “Hey, Robin.” He smiled at the woman. “This is my friend, Claire. Claire—Robin. She and her husband own Indulge.”

  “Hi,” Claire said.

  Robin looked her over from head to toe. “Interesting,” she muttered.

  “Bill called and said my shipment had arrived,” Josh said with a pointed look.

  “Yeah. Bill will be back in thirty minutes. Why don’t you take your friend and look around?”

  “That was my plan.” Josh snagged Claire around the waist and guided her though the doorway.

  Claire stopped the second they cleared the doorway. Oh my goodness. Indulge is an adult store. He brought her to an adult store, just as she wanted but hadn’t voiced.

  “Claire?” Josh was looking down at her. “Did I make a mistake?”

  His green eyes held worry, and Claire grinned as she regained her mental balance. It was like Josh had read her mind. Indulge hadn’t come up on her search, but she was glad he’d brought her here. “It’s fine. I’ve never been in an adult store.”

  “Never?”

  “Nope.”

  “Then go look around and see if you find anything interesting.” He gave her a nudge.

  “Vibrators in rows six and seven; dildos in four and five. DVD collections are on the right. Everything you can think of, we have,” Robin said.

  “Thank you,” Claire said, and then, wandered down a row.

  ****

  “Behave, Robin,” Josh kept his glaze on Claire until she disappeared around a corner deeper into the store. She didn’t seem upset that he’d brought her there.

  “You’ve never brought a woman in here before. Who is she?”

  Josh turned his atte
ntion to Robin. “I see you changed your hair color again?” The last time he’d seen her, her hair was blue and purple. Robin’s husband had been one of the first people who supported him in building the club. They’d become fast friends when he discovered them after the move back to Willow Springs.

  “I did. Don’t avoid the question. You’ve never brought a woman here.” Robin put her hands on her hips.

  “I dated her in Boston a year ago. She’s on vacation in Willow Springs, and we hit it off.” He ran his hand through his hair. Robin and Bill were good friends; they were already recommending people to join his club, which was great.

  “I see. I like her.”

  “You just met her.”

  “She didn’t get all fussy when I hugged you. And when you brought her in here, she didn’t run the other way. Instead, she’s gone off to explore.”

  “Yeah.” Robin was right. Claire had taken this in stride.

  “Hey, Josh.” Bill’s booming voice vibrated behind him. “Come to pick up your order?”

  Josh turned to see Bill. He was built like a linebacker. A big guy with a quick smile and a personality that reminded him of a big teddy bear.

  “Yeah.”

  “Pull your truck around back, and we’ll get it loaded.”

  Josh glanced at Claire. She was browsing the store with a relaxed smile.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her,” Robin said.

  “That’s probably what he’s afraid of,” Bill commented.

  Josh laughed. “Just behave.” Josh kissed Robin’s cheek before following Bill outside.

  ****

  Claire stood in the middle of the isle. A multitude of vibrators greeted her. She’d never seen so many vibrators in her life. She had to admit, the adult store was nothing like she’d thought. It was neat and clean, no unsightly smells, and from what she could see no dark back room with booths.

  She walked up and down the rows, some more quickly than others. She made a full circle of the store before going back to the items that intrigued her the most. She picked up a feather tickler.

  “How are you doing?” Robin came up to her.

  “Fine.” Robin was bubbly, and Claire wondered how she knew Josh.

  Robin looked at the toy in Claire’s hand. “Let me get you a basket.” She dashed off and then was back with a basket.

  “I’m not sure I need one,” Claire said. She only had the tickler in her hand.

  “Just in case. Do you have questions?”

  “Like you wouldn’t believe.” Claire burst out laughing, and so did Robin. “That didn’t come out right.” She dropped the tickler into the basket.

  “No problem. Tell me what you’re interested in.”

  “A pair of restraints.” If she was going to do this, she was going to do it her way.

  “Nice. Let’s see.” Robin looked over the boxes on the display. “These.” She plucked a box and handed it to Claire.

  Nylon Velcro restraints. Claire read the description and dropped it into her basket. “How long before your husband and Josh are done with his order?” Claire asked.

  “It will take them at least another thirty minutes.”

  “Okay, let’s go through my list of what I’d like to buy.” Thank goodness she’d made a list in her head after she researched toys and other BDSM playthings on her tablet. “I don’t want Josh to know what I’m getting.” She wanted to surprise him with her purchases.

  “I like you. Let’s do this.” Robin hooked her arm through Claire’s.

  Twenty-five minutes later, Claire handed over her credit card to Robin. Darn, this stuff was expensive. How was Josh supplying his club with toys and supplies?

  “Everything is in the bag,” Robin said, handing Claire her credit card. “Just don’t let Josh look in it.”

  “Oh, I won’t.” She put her credit card away as the men walked back into the shop.

  Robin handed her the bag, and Claire peeked inside, then smiled at Robin. Robin had placed white tissue paper on top of her purchases so Josh wouldn’t see.

  “All done,” Claire said.

  “Yup.” Josh looked at her, then the bag and then back to her again. “Did you do some shopping?”

  “Why yes, I did.” She grinned.

  “Do I get to see?”

  “Later.”

  “Trust me, you’ll love it,” Robin said.

  Josh stared at her.

  All she did was smile.

  Josh’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Fine. Thanks for everything, Bill.” Josh shook Bill’s hand. “Robin, always a pleasure.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “If we don’t see you before you open your club, we’ll be there opening night,” Bill said.

  “That’s great.”

  Josh slipped his arm around Claire’s back and guided her out the door to his truck. He opened the door for her to get in. “Do you want me to put your bag in back with the other stuff?”

  She looked at the boxes stacked in the back of his truck. “No, I’ll keep it with me.” She set the bag on the floor of the truck and then climbed in.

  “Are you going to tell me what you bought?” Josh asked as he pulled out onto the road.

  “Nope.”

  “Claire.”

  “Don’t use that tone with me.” She kept her tone light.

  “And what tone is that?”

  “That ‘I’m lord and master’ tone. You’ll find out soon enough what I bought.” She made sure the bag was tucked under her legs. “What’s in all the boxes?”

  “Stuff for the club.”

  She let out a little laugh. “Going to play that game, are you?”

  He flashed her a sexy smile. “Actually, no. I’m not sure if you’re ready for—” He cocked his head toward the truck bed. “—all this.”

  “I disagree. I think I’m ready.” Her fingers tingled with the thought of him using the toys she bought on her. She was so ready to play with him. “So the boxes?”

  He was silent for a few minutes as he maneuvered the vehicle onto the freeway. “It’s boxes of toys, lubes, and condoms.”

  “Seriously?” She’d counted at least twelve boxes.

  “I told you I believe in ‘safe, sane, and consensual.’”

  “And having these things makes it SSC?” She remembered to use the acronym.

  “Well, part of the safe for me is for club members being able to purchase items they may want but not have with them.”

  “Like the lubes and condoms?” This was interesting.

  “They are for play time. Those will be provided to everyone in the club.”

  “And the toys?”

  A grin crept over his lips. “While most Dom’s have their own bags, they do get forgotten on occasion. This way, I will have some items available for purchase if someone needs them.”

  “This is interesting. Tell me more; I want to understand.”

  “I’ll show you the club if you want.”

  “That would be great.” She reached over and placed her hand on his arm. “I do really want to know more. I went to one BDSM club, and it was so dark, I walked back out.”

  “Good for you.” He took her hand and placed it on his thigh. “While the lights will be low in the club, you’ll be able to see everything that goes on.”

  “Why keep them low at all?”

  “Ambiance. It helps people free a part of themselves. In low light, they feel a bit freer. Music helps as well.”

  “All right.”

  “The club will have rules.”

  “What kind of rules?” She never thought about all the planning that went into having a BDSM club.

  “No alcohol, drugs, or smoking allowed. Those are all safety issues. As I mentioned before, SSC—safe, sane, consensual. Safewords. Respect for all. Strict confidentiality.”

  “What do you mean by strict confidentiality?”

  “Let’s say you and I didn’t know each other, but we saw each other in the club. Then the n
ext day, we happened to see each other in town. We might smile and wave, but that would be it. You wouldn’t walk up to me and say something like ‘how did you enjoy being flogged last night?’”

  “Ah, that makes sense.” She shifted in her seat, the bag crinkling against her legs. “Will you have, what are they called, monitors or something like that.”

  “Dungeon monitors. Yes. That’s another safety issue for me.”

  “So you’ll be hiring people.” That’s why Jessie thought she was calling about a job.

  “Yes. My plan is to open the club, like an open house, for two days. Then see who starts to inquire about becoming a member. The best monitors are those who are also members and have been in the lifestyle. They know what to look out for.”

  “I hadn’t thought about this.” She let out a yawn. “How long before we get back?”

  “At least another forty-five minutes. Traffic is a bit heavy. Tired?”

  “Mmm. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to close my eyes and rest.”

  “Go for it.”

  Claire wiggled down in her seat and laid her head back. She closed her eyes.

  “Claire.”

  The soft male voice made her lips tilt up. Lord, she loved his voice. “Hmm?” She didn’t want to open her eyes.

  “Sweetheart, we’re almost home.”

  Home. Boston? She woke, disoriented. She was in Josh’s truck, and they were on their way back to Willow Springs after they visited the adult store. And he had called her “sweetheart.” Her heart warmed with delight.

  “Hey, you okay?”

  “Yeah.” She rubbed her eyes. “I was disoriented for a second. You said we’re almost to Willow Springs.” She glanced at the clock on the dash. “It’s almost five.”

  “There was a big accident; it took almost two hours to get clear of it.”

  “I slept through it. I’m sorry.”

  “For what? Taking a nap when you obviously needed one?”

  “I know how boring it is to be alone in a traffic jam.” She’d been in enough of them.