Addicted to Love

by Deborah Cooke

  “But you did it.”

  “Of course. I had the right motivation.”

  “And you committed to something for the first time, which had to be another motivation. I know how you like the first time for everything.”

  Kyle smiled. “There was that, too. Choose red or white for tonight and I’ll pick up some wine for you.” There went another one of his precious rules, but he didn’t care. He might even have a glass with Lauren, just to celebrate her company.

  He really liked talking to her. Being with her.

  Because he could be himself. She knew who he was and liked him anyway.

  How was that not seductive?

  “There’s still some of that white. I’m good with that. Unless you finished it off after I left.”

  “On a Wednesday? Not a chance.”

  Lauren laughed. “Why do you care about sandwiches so much?” she asked, taking him by surprise. “Those sound like the kind of sandwiches that are packed in kids’ lunches. Is this the residue of some childhood trauma?”

  She was too close for comfort with that guess. Kyle straightened. “Just eaten a lot of them, that’s all. Consumed my lifetime allotment by the time I was twelve.”

  “Then what happened?”

  Kyle smiled at the suspicion in her voice. “I stopped eating them.”

  “You’re not telling me even five percent of this story.”

  “I’m not telling you five percent of any story. It’s a personal policy.”

  “So people don’t get too close and start having emotional connections with you,” Lauren said so easily that he knew it didn’t bother her. “It’s part of your scheme to keep everyone at a distance.”

  Kyle wasn’t surprised that she figured it out, but he was surprised by her reaction. It bothered him a bit that she didn’t care, and that was so novel that he didn’t have a comeback.

  “I get it,” she continued easily. “Message received. All secrets are sacred. Stay away. Keep out. Trespassers will be prosecuted. Whoever believes no man is an island hasn’t met you yet.”

  “Hey, I’m not that bad.”

  “You share physically but not emotionally. You have your barriers and they’re topped with barbed wire and broken glass,” she said easily, startling him a bit with her perceptiveness. “But really, I’m not trying to change anything about you, Kyle. Physical suits me just fine. One repeat of last night is all I want, too.”

  Kyle felt dismissed in a way that didn’t sit well.

  Even though it should.

  He frowned, but kept his voice light. “It’s great that we understand each other. Seven?”

  “Seven,” she agreed. “I’ll be there.”

  Because he wasn’t quite ready for her to hang up, he asked the first question that popped out of his mouth. “Do you like toys?” He was standing in the lobby, after all, confronted by the display of the offerings available at the F5 shop. They’d brought in a lot of branded merchandise when they’d added the introductory BDSM classes and he wondered if Lauren would like any of them.

  He was more than willing to try them out with her.

  “Toys?” she echoed, her confusion clear.

  “Sex toys. Vibrators, plugs, rings, restraints, clamps, you know.”

  There was a pause during which he wondered if he’d shocked her. “I know what sex toys are,” she acknowledged and her voice was chilly. “I have my favorites. What about you?”

  “I think they have a role. They can liven things up a bit. Should I bring a few, just for fun?”

  “No, thank you,” Lauren said very firmly. “See you at seven.” Then she ended the call.

  Kyle looked at his phone. Had he said something wrong? If so, he couldn’t imagine what it was.

  Maybe someone had come into her salon just then. That was it. He put his phone away and headed toward the climbing wall, hooking up the last of his harness. “Who’s going to make it to the top today?” he asked and the members of the class cheered. He raised his voice higher. “Who’s going to beat me to the top?”

  “Me,” Cassie said. “I’ve got your number.”

  Kyle scoffed for the benefit of the class. “I don’t think so. All right, everyone, let’s double-check our gear...”

  * * *

  Liven things up a bit.

  Lauren fumed at the very suggestion. After one night, she was already boring to Kyle. She knew that he didn’t do long-term, but surely he had more imagination than that.

  If she wasn’t interesting enough for another evening of sex, then he could just end it.

  Instead of agreeing that she could come back.

  What happened to honesty?

  Maybe honesty was the reason he’d suggested toys in the first place.

  It was enough to make her snarl. She might be reliable. She might be conservative. She might be the good girl everyone relied upon, but she’d never thought of herself as boring.

  Although with that list of attributes, she wondered why.

  Once upon a time, she’d taken an impulsive trip with a couple of friends, gotten a tattoo, gone hang-gliding, and apparently used up all the impulsiveness allotted to her for her entire lifetime.

  No, she’d been impulsive the night before. Calling Kyle was the beginning of a new future, one filled with following her instincts and her heart, and not being boring at all.

  Time for a fresh start.

  Lauren was checking the appointment book at the salon, tapping her pen without realizing she was doing it, when her cell phone rang again. There was a landline for the salon, so this call had to be personal.

  One glance proved it was Ty.

  “Hello?” Lauren knew she didn’t sound very welcoming, but Ty wasn’t exactly at his charming best, either.

  “Why?” he demanded. “Why did you ever imagine that was a good idea?”

  “Imagine what was a good idea?” Lauren leaned against the counter, reasoning that this would be a bad moment to solicit Ty’s help in keeping Mom from finding her a date. She refused to have any regrets about anything she’d done or said.

  “Telling Mom about Mark.” He audibly ground his teeth. “She’s called twice today, wanting to know why I didn’t tell her about his affair sooner.”

  “I thought it would be refreshing for everyone to know the truth.”

  “Refreshing?” Ty echoed with skepticism.

  “Instead of me being the irrational troublemaker or the emotional woman, I thought he could be the bad guy for a while. Since he was, you know, the bad guy.” She knew her tone was harsh, but she was annoyed. “And the only way that could happen was by Mom hearing the truth.”

  Ty made an exasperated sound. “I understand what you mean, and I know Mom doesn’t let go of ideas easily...”

  “Like the one that I should get back together with Mark.”

  “Just like that one. It’s a perfect example. But this is a lot of truth for her to handle.”

  “I thought honesty was the best policy.”

  “Now you sound like Kyle!” Ty exclaimed and Lauren blinked in surprise. “Sometimes, a modified or abbreviated version of the truth would be better. Especially with Mom.”

  Lauren bit her lip. “I know. But she wouldn’t let it go. I kind of lost patience with it.”

  There was a beat of silence. “You? Lost patience? Did I call someone other than my sister Lauren by mistake?”

  “We all have our limits.”

  “Not you. You’re usually the one who turns everything around and makes it better again. What’s going on?”

  Trust Ty to see right to the heart of things. “Nothing. Why?”

  “Have you been talking to Kyle?”

  Lauren winced and decided to take her brother’s advice and share a little less of the truth. “Why would I talk to Kyle?”

  “I don’t know, but he’s weird this week, too.”

  “Maybe there’s something in the water,” Lauren suggested, trying to sound casual. “Or the phase of the moon.” She kne
w she wasn’t really answering his question and hoped he didn’t realize it.

  Ty sighed. “Maybe. Anyway, I told Mom that I didn’t tell her about Mark because I thought it was something you could share or not because it was so personal.”

  “Sounds reasonable enough.”

  “Except now she wonders why you didn’t trust her with the full story.”

  “Because she’s my mother!”

  “Yeah, I tried to suggest that but she was offended. Just be warned that it’s not over yet.”

  “It’s not going to be over with Mom until I have a date for your wedding.”

  “She mentioned that, too.”

  “Can’t I just attend alone?”

  “Fine by me. I’ll save you a dance.”

  “Can you call off Mom’s matchmaking service?”

  “Not easily. Why don’t you invite Kyle?” Ty suggested and Lauren’s heart leaped. When he continued, though, she knew it was an innocent suggestion. “If you want just a date, with no strings attached, he might be a good choice. He’ll be invited anyway, and you could come together.” He cleared his throat. “Although Kyle might hope for sex, he won’t expect more.”

  Lauren couldn’t think of a thing to say to that. At least her brother didn’t know she was blushing. If they’d been having this conversation in person, he’d have guessed the truth immediately. “Um, I guess.”

  Ty evidently took her response as a sign that he’d said too much. “It was just a thought. I appreciate that you might not want to date yet, and Kyle’s one guy who could handle the truth.”

  “Oh, so that’s why you mentioned him when I said honesty was the best policy,” Lauren replied, as if only just understanding his earlier comment.

  “Exactly,” Ty said. “And he knows the deal with Mark. He could even field curious questions from Aunt Maureen.” He paused. “But be warned: Kyle would definitely want sex then.”

  Lauren laughed. She couldn’t help herself. “For service above and beyond the call of duty?”

  “Something like that.” Ty had a smile in his voice again, much to her relief. “It’s always a negotiation with Kyle.”

  “He wouldn’t be your friend if his heart wasn’t in the right place.”

  “He wouldn’t be my friend if he hadn’t promised to stay away from my sisters,” Ty countered lightly, confirming what Kyle had told her. “I know who he is and how he is.” Lauren chuckled because she thought it was expected. “Are you okay? Do you want to come down to the house for dinner one night? Maybe over the weekend? It’s chaos now with the renovations, but we’d work something out.”

  “Not this weekend,” Lauren said. “I’m going to Grandma Trixie’s on Saturday.”

  “Sunday would be okay, too.”

  “No, I’m going to sort out a bunch of stuff in the apartment and declutter. The landline is going, for example, and who knows what else. It’s time for a fresh start.”

  “Good plan.”

  “That’s what I thought.” She paused. “Sorry about Mom.”

  “It’s okay. Sorry I chewed you out. She just caught me off guard.”

  “So, if I’m going to dish truth again, I should give you fair warning?”

  “Only if you’re dishing it to Mom.” Ty hesitated for a second. “Although I can’t think of anything else that you could tell her that would surprise her so much.”

  Lauren bit back a smile, not wanting to go there, and ended the call.

  A date for the wedding. That idea would shake Kyle’s tree, and that was enough to make her want to suggest it.

  But first, she’d show him that she wasn’t dull. She was going to take that implication as a personal challenge.

  * * *

  Katelyn practically floated into Lauren’s salon, glowing with good health and probably lots of great sex. She looked tanned and relaxed.

  No. Serene and satisfied. That was a better description. Her radiant smile pleased Lauren.

  “I’ll guess the honeymoon was a success,” Lauren said, nodding at a chair. She was just blow-drying the hair of her last appointment of the day. “My baby sister,” she explained to her client, because she hated when hairdressers talked to someone else as if the customer wasn’t there or couldn’t hear them. “She’s come to make me wildly envious of her honeymoon in Bali.”

  “I’d be jealous, too,” Chloe said with a smile.

  “It was amazing. If you ever have the chance to go, take it,” Katelyn said, then took a seat in the waiting area. She knew the drill, too, and let Lauren give her client her full attention. Katelyn flipped through a couple of magazines while Lauren finished up with Chloe and booked her next appointment. Marie was off for the day because it was Thursday. The third stylist, Ingrid, had already finished and left the salon. Lauren locked the door after Chloe and emptied the cash from the till to put it in the safe. She’d balance in the morning, when she had more time.

  “Want some help?” Katelyn asked.

  “Could you sweep up the hair for me? Just push it into the corner and I’ll finish in the morning. Then we can get out of here sooner.”

  “Ooo, you’re in a hurry to tell me all the nitty-gritty details,” Katelyn teased. “That’s promising.”

  “Be serious. I’m in a hurry to hear about your luxury honeymoon.”

  Katelyn smiled as she grabbed the broom. “It was amazing! It was so nice of Jared’s parents to spoil us with that trip. I couldn’t believe how pristine the beaches were...” She froze in the act of sweeping. “Wait a minute. I’m supposed to be talking to you about the state of your personal life.”

  “And I’d rather talk about Bali.” Lauren jingled her keys. “Come on.”

  “Are we going for a drink?”

  Lauren shook her head. “No. I have to go home, shower and change, stop for groceries and be somewhere by seven. We’ll talk on the way.”

  “Somewhere?” Katelyn echoed, her curiosity clear. “Somewhere not-your-place-somewhere?”

  “Somewhere not-my-place-somewhere,” Lauren agreed.

  “Somewhere I know?”

  “Nope.”

  “Someone I know?” Katelyn’s eyes were bright with curiosity.

  “Nope.”

  “This gets better and better. What are you going to do at this somewhere mysterious with someone mysterious?”

  “Cook dinner.”

  Katelyn sighed. “I’d hoped for more fun than that. Why are you cooking there?”

  Lauren paused in the act of locking the salon door and met her sister’s gaze steadily. “Because I’m separated, not dead, and tonight I’m going to prove it.”

  Katelyn seized her shoulder, her features alight. “Yes! You’re having sex!” she whispered. “Awesome!”

  Lauren shook a finger at her. “Do. Not. Tell. Mom.”

  “Of course not.” Katelyn’s eyes were sparkling, though, and Lauren knew the story would come out.

  “Or Ty.”

  “Like I would tell him anything so good.”

  “I’m in enough trouble with Ty as it is. No more truth for Mom, and Ty can be on a truth diet, too.”

  Katelyn nodded. “Okay.” They turned as one and began walking toward Lauren’s apartment. Lauren set a quick pace, and Katelyn linked their arms together. “Tell me everything,” she urged. “Is it love? Did Mark messing around make it possible for you to follow your heart?”

  “No!” Lauren replied. “No and no. It’s sex. Nothing more.”

  “Not so. It’s sex and dinner.”

  “Because men need sustenance.”

  “Ah, lots of sex. Sex and sex and sex.” Katelyn nodded approval. “Even better.”

  “You’re incorrigible!”

  “I’ve just survived three weeks of non-stop sex, and I completely recommend it.” Katelyn waited only a moment. “Is it good sex?”

  “Would I be cooking for bad sex?”

  Katelyn laughed. “Did you do that already?”

  Lauren poked her irreverent sister, who just
laughed again. “Yes, and for too long. Or worse, for no sex.”

  “That’s a rotten deal. So, what are you going to make?”

  “Something that needs to cook for a while.”

  “Start dinner simmering, sex, eat, sex.” Katelyn gave her a look. “Dessert?”

  “Oh yes.”

  “And more sex!” her sister cried, ensuring that three passing pedestrians turned to look at them. “I like it. I might have to go home and cook, too.”

  “Don’t even torment me with a description of the fabulous meal you’d make. I’m not as good of a cook as you.”

  “I could come and cook for you two lovebirds.”

  “You just want to see him, so no, you can’t.” Lauren shook her head and tried to sound stern as she reminded Katelyn of the truth. “It’s not a thing. It’s sex.”

  “How long? How often?”

  “Once this week,” Lauren acknowledged. She was wary of honesty after seeing its power on this day. “Now tonight. Maybe that’s it.”

  “You know, you could get more than just fun out of it.”

  “Do not suggest that I bring him as a date to Ty’s wedding.”

  Katelyn looked horrified. “Dumb idea. Who suggested that?”

  “Mom.” As well as Ty, kind of, but if Lauren admitted that, the truth would be out. She didn’t imagine for a moment that Katelyn and Ty wouldn’t eventually—i.e. soon—end up talking about her and comparing notes. Ty was too good at connecting dots.

  Katelyn shook her head hard. “No, no, no. The wedding is almost two months away. Mr. Boy Toy will be ancient history by then and you’ll end up having an awkward evening. At a wedding. With Aunt Maureen taking notes.” She shuddered violently. “Only Mom could possibly think that idea had any merit at all.” She sighed and shook her head. “Although she means well, I guess. I sometimes think it shakes her world when everyone doesn’t get a happy ending.”

  “It didn’t do much for my world, either,” Lauren muttered.

  “I know. That’s why this is so fabulous.” Katelyn practically bounced beside Lauren. “You! Having wild sex for fun. I think that’s awesome.”

  “Should I be insulted that you sound surprised?”