“We’ve had sex,” I told Brook.
“Chelsea is a total slut!” Delaney added with glee. “She let him take her home the first night they went out, and she didn’t even know it was a date.”
“Good for you!” Wanda chimed in. “People will tell you all that malarkey about the man not buying the cow, but why would he want the cow if he doesn’t know how sweet the milk is? My milk was plenty sweet when I met my Thomas, and that’s part of the reason he was so quick to slip a ring on my finger. Sadly, my milk has soured some over the years.”
Her husband reached out and patted her hand lovingly. “Your milk is even sweeter today,” he assured her. “Now, stop talking to the bar trollops.”
“Oh, mercy!” Wanda exclaimed. “I forgot to turn down his blasted hearing aid. Sorry, girls.”
I waved off her apology and tried to ignore Wanda scolding her husband as she adjusted his hearing aid so he wouldn’t hear any more of our conversation.
“Don’t talk about anything good until I get back from the ladies room,” she told us after getting her husband’s hearing aid set up.
“She is my idol. I want to be just like her,” Delaney said on a sigh as we watched her walk off.
“Then I suggest you start having sex,” Brook told her. “You know what they say. If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
“I’ll have you know, it gets plenty of use,” Delaney insisted.
“With someone other than Justin?” I asked. Delaney’s favorite vibrator was named Justin Case because she kept him around just in case she was horny.
“Justin takes care of business,” Delaney argued. “No one could ever take care of things the way Justin does. He’s truly all I need.”
“But he can’t give you that spanking you’re craving,” I reminded her with a sweet smile.
“Yes!” Brook added. “That is why you need a man. You need him to spank you so you can write that story instead of asking me if Ty will spank me all the time. In case you’re getting ready to ask, no I will not get Ty to spank me while you watch.”
“I’m done with you,” Delaney told her. “Now, I’m just waiting for Chelsea to be a good girl so Luke will spank her. He already promised he’d do it if she’s good.”
“Is it just me, or is Delaney’s obsession with spanking getting out of hand?” I asked Brook.
“You are definitely right about it getting out of hand,” Brook agreed. “What we need is to put up a personal ad that says hot redhead in desperate need of a spanking.”
“Fuck me.” Those words were muttered by a guy who was probably barely old enough to drink, and he was eying Delaney like she was his dream come true. “Sorry,” he said, his cheeks turning pink. “I was just heading to the bar to order a drink since my waitress disappeared, and I heard you talking about spanking. It was a pretty hot image.”
“Would you respond to her ad asking for a spanking?” Brook asked, despite Delaney’s warning glare.
“We could just let you do this now,” I added. It wasn’t often we got to make Delaney uncomfortable since she was more than willing to talk about anything in public—almost anything it seemed.
“I should go get my drink. My friends are waiting for me,” he sputtered before hurrying away.
“I wonder if he’ll tell his friends all about the hot redhead who offered to let him spank her,” I mused.
“I didn’t offer to let him spank me,” Delaney argued. “You offered to let him spank me.”
“Technically, we just asked if he’d respond to your personal ad asking for a spanking,” Brook pointed out. “There’s a huge difference. Although, I suppose we insinuated he could spank you here.”
“How did we get from Luke spanking you to me being spanked by strange men at a bar?” Delaney asked.
“What did I miss?” Wanda asked, probably having just returned from the ladies room.
I figured I had two choices. Either I could continue to embarrass Delaney, or let her embarrass me. While I knew she’d get me for it later, I decided it would be worth it.
“Delaney wants the cute guy by the bar to spank her,” I explained.
“In front of everyone at the bar,” Brook added.
Our senior spitfire was shaking her head. “That sort of thing never appealed to me, but I guess if it floats your boat, then that’s okay. If I had any fanny left to swat, I might be tempted to try it.”
“I’m not really into that sort of thing either,” Delaney assured her. “I just want to write a story with a spanking scene, and my friends are really into it. The least they could do is help me with research.”
“You are such a liar,” Brook told Delaney.
“Football’s on soon,” Thomas shouted, which he always did when his hearing aid was turned down.
“There’s no football on Wednesday,” she argued, but he was already standing and heading out after dropping money on the table. “At least, I got to watch part of the show,” she grumbled as she followed her husband out.
“Now, I really need to hear how things are going with Luke,” Brook began.
“You can give me the naked details later,” Delaney added.
I shook my head at Delaney’s persistence. “I’m not sure there are many details to give. I still can’t believe you told Luke to check out my profile on the dating site.”
Brook flashed a sheepish smile.
“That’s why you refused to consider the dating site I suggested,” Delaney said. “You are a sneaky bitch, Brook.”
“I’m curious as to why you thought it would be a good idea to suggest Luke pursue me.”
Brook shrugged. “It was obvious he had a crush on you when you were younger. I just figured if he still liked you, he should give it a shot.”
“He stole my panties,” I reminded her. “In fact, I think he may have stolen my panties again.”
“That seems highly unlikely,” Delaney argued. “It would make for an interesting story, but I just don’t see a middle school science teacher stealing panties.”
“I’m with Delaney on this,” Brook added.
“Maybe I am crazy for thinking he stole my panties that first night,” I admitted.
“Wait just a minute,” Delaney began. “Are you telling me you did the walk of shame with no panties on? You’re an even bigger slut than I originally thought.”
“You lost your panties at Luke’s house?” Brook asked.
“I thought you didn’t want details,” I reminded her.
“I don’t, but this is one of those things I simply have to hear about. Not the naked details, but the part about you going home with no panties. Luke really has your panties at his house and he hasn’t returned them yet?” Brook asked.
“They might be lost,” I admitted.
Brook said nothing.
“You think he took them,” Delaney deduced.
“It’s just that Luke became somewhat of a neat freak when he was away at college,” Brook explained. “I’m having a hard time believing he hasn’t found them.”
“They’re small,” I told her. “It’s possible they got tucked in some little crevice.”
“I suppose,” Brook agreed.
“Now, I’m even more suspicious. Do you think I should count my panties after he sleeps over?” I asked.
Both Delaney and Brook started laughing.
“What’s so funny?” I demanded.
“He might have taken that one pair as some kind of trophy,” Delaney explained. “Still, why would he steal a bunch of your panties? That seems a little bizarre.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “I have no clue why I thought that.”
“Because you are a crazy lady when it comes to panties?” Brook suggested.
I opened my mouth to argue before realizing how futile that would be with Brook and Delaney. Each had seen my collection and shopped with me. They knew I had a problem.
“So, things are going well with Luke?” Brook asked.
“They are,” I admitted
. “At least, they are when I’m with him.”
“What about when you’re not with him?” Brook pushed.
“Then I start to think of all the reasons I don’t want to date anyone,” I admitted. “I also think about the fact that I don’t want to lose control of my life again. There’s also Luke’s age that comes up more when I’m away from him. When I’m with him, everything seems fine, and I don’t even think about his age or worry about being hurt. Being together seems natural.”
Delaney shrugged. “It’s a new relationship, and you’re used to thinking of Luke in a much different way. This will take some getting used to.”
“You’re also afraid to trust anyone after what happened with Jason,” Brook added.
“You’re both right,” I agreed. “Can I admit something to you?”
“Anything,” Brook assured me, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder.
“I’m afraid I’ll never be able to trust Luke completely after what happened with Jason, and if I can’t trust someone I’ve known as long as Luke, how can I ever expect to trust anyone.”
“That’s it! You need some retail therapy,” Delaney stated.
“Can we shop for panties?” I asked, not caring if it just reinforced the fact that I had a problem.
“Of course we can, sweetie,” Brook agreed.
I let out a sigh, not at all surprised when my thoughts immediately went to which panties would drive Luke out of his mind.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Luke
I’d been looking forward to my evening with Chelsea all day. It would technically be our first date. I packed an overnight bag, hoping I’d get an invitation to stay at her place. I wasn’t going to push for it, but I definitely wouldn’t turn it down. Considering we’d spent the night together twice already, I had good reason to be hopeful. My only concern came from Chelsea’s behavior. She’d been acting funny when we’d talked. I couldn’t figure out what it was that was bothering me. It’s not that she was acting standoffish, just that she seemed less comfortable with me.
I rang the bell and waited for Chelsea to answer the door, excited to see her. I’d definitely missed her the last couple of days, and I wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
When Chelsea answered the door, my eyes nearly bugged out of my head. I was used to seeing Chelsea in jeans and t-shirts, which was sexy as hell. That night, Chelsea wore a black dress that clung to her ample breasts before flowing out around her shapely hips.
“You look incredible,” I told her. If my voice was a little hoarse, I couldn’t help it. I’d been more than a little turned on before she’d opened the door. Seeing her in that dress had me wanting to push her into the house and fuck her on the nearest surface. Any surface would do at the moment.
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile that told me she’d known what that dress would do to me when she’d decided to wear it.
“Are you trying to seduce me, Chels?” I asked.
“Do I really need to try?” she cooed, turning to lock the door, which gave me a great view of her perfect ass.
“Then I have to assume you’re trying to tease me,” I guessed, and when she faced me, her none too innocent smile was answer enough. “Are you going to let me repay the favor later?”
“We’ll see,” she teased with a siren’s smile. “That will all depend on how well you behave.”
I definitely liked the challenge in her voice. “We’ll see how cocky you’re feeling when I’ve got you tied to your bed later. I may have to bring you to the edge with my tongue and stop a few times.”
I caught her as she nearly tripped over her own feet.
“You don’t have your handy bondage box with you,” she reminded me.
“Don’t worry,” I assured her. “I can definitely find something to tie you up with.”
“How do you do this?” she asked, as I opened the car door for her.
“Do what?” I asked.
“Make everything seem okay,” she replied.
“I’m not sure I understand your question,” I confessed.
“Since Monday, I’ve been wondering if what we’re doing is a huge mistake,” she explained. “You’re six years younger than me and my brother’s best friend. Not only that, you’re my best friend’s stepson. All that is enough to make this awkward.”
“Don’t forget your trust issues,” I reminded her, not really upset with what she was saying since she clearly wasn’t uncomfortable with me.
“Let’s not leave out your problem with communicating your feelings,” she added.
“We can’t forget that issue,” I agreed. “There’s only one solution to your problem.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“You need to spend all your spare time with me,” I replied.
“I do?” She definitely sounded skeptical of my brilliant plan.
“Absolutely,” I told her. “When you’re around me, you don’t feel weird about any of this. It makes sense that you need to spend more time with me to alleviate stress.”
Chelsea shook her head and slid into the car. “The fact that I think you’re making perfect sense says a lot about my sanity.”
I chuckled and squatted beside the car to grin at Chelsea. “Have I told you how adorable you are when you’re agreeing with me?”
Rolling her eyes, she groaned before responding. “Stop calling me adorable, Luke.”
“It’s even more adorable when you’re telling me what to do.”
Before she could complain, I leaned in to give her brief kiss on the mouth. “Let’s eat, so I can take you home and get you naked.”
Walking around to my side of the car, I decided I was right about Chelsea needing to spend more time with me. The distance I’d sensed over the last couple days clearly had to do with Chelsea worrying too much when I wasn’t around. I just needed to make sure she didn’t have time to worry about all the reasons she thought we shouldn’t be together.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chelsea
I was glad I’d decided to wear a dress for my date. Normally, I was a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of girl unless I was working a nicer event, but for some reason, I’d wanted to dress nice for Luke. He definitely seemed to appreciate my efforts, and I caught him checking me out several times throughout our meal. The restaurant we decided on was known for its great takeout, and people rarely actually ate there. They even had a window, so people could grab their orders without actually going into the restaurant. For that reason, we were the only diners, and the staff was busy in the kitchen, giving it a more intimate feel.
So far, our conversation had been casual, and there’d been no more talk of Luke tying me up when we got back to my place. Still, I suspected it was on his mind. I knew Luke would be spending the night, even though we hadn’t discussed it. When we’d been texting about our work schedules, he’d mentioned there being no school on Friday.
“What kind of panties do you have under that dress,” Luke murmured close to my ear as he walked me out to the car after dinner.
I laughed at his question because it was completely inappropriate, but it didn’t surprise me at all. “What makes you think I’m wearing panties?”
Luke groaned. “Don’t tease me, Chels, or I’ll be tempted to slide my hand under your dress to find out if you have anything under there.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I insisted, certain he couldn’t be serious since we were in a public place. Luke had already told me he wasn’t into exhibitionism.
“Not normally,” he admitted. “With you, I’m not sure I can wait to get you alone to find out. That’s quite a picture you just painted in my mind. As nice as it is, something tells me a woman with your obsession with panties isn’t likely to go out to dinner without spending as much time selecting her panties as she spent on her dress.”
“I’m not that bad,” I argued. Actually, I was worse. In general, I spent more time worrying about the panties I was going to wear than I did about the rest of my clothi
ng. Naturally, I wanted them to match my bra, or more accurately, I wanted to pick a bra that matched my panties.
“Let’s play a game,” he suggested.
“What kind of game?” I asked curiously, hoping it had something to do with sex because I really liked the games Luke had come up with so far.
“If I can guess what type of panties you have under that dress, I get to play with your body for an hour before we spend time with Tasha when we get back to your place,” he suggested.
“But she’ll be lonely,” I argued, wondering when I’d become more concerned with that pussy in my life.
“Thirty minutes,” he countered.
I considered what he’d said for a moment. Tasha had been with me most of the day, and she’d gone off to enjoy alone time before I’d left. It was possible she wouldn’t be begging for attention when I got home, but I wasn’t sure I could focus on sex with Luke if she was begging outside my door. “But what if she’s crying?”
Luke’s face softened, and he regarded me with a fond expression. “You are going to make a fantastic mother.”
“Oh, no!” I shook my head wildly. “Don’t even start talking about that. Much to my mother’s dismay, I can’t even imagine having children.”
“That surprises me,” Luke stated. “You have great parents. I figured you’d want a family of your own.”
I shrugged. “I married Jason with the idea of starting a family. It didn’t take long to realize he’d make a horrible father. He’s far too selfish. Once I started thinking about life without kids, I liked the idea. Not all women want to be mommies. Maybe I’ll change my mind someday, but for now, I like the idea of just being a fun auntie when Tyler has kids.”
Luke nodded. “It’s fine with me if you don’t want kids. We can stick to furry children.”
I worked hard not to respond to Luke’s statement because I wasn’t ready to think about a future where I had pets with him. That was the reason I was still pretending I hadn’t heard him say he loved me. While Luke seemed comfortable with where things were going with us, I wasn’t sure about any of it yet.
Sensing my unease, Luke pushed forward with our conversation before I could comment on what he’d said.
Naughty at 30 (Love Without Batteries #2) Page 11
