by Megan Slayer
She followed Mary into the store and kept her back to the doors leading to the corridor separating the building.
“Look at this one.” Mary held up a glass dildo. “It’s pretty.”
“Yeah.” She selected a different dildo. “Good choice. I like the red one better.”
“You would.” Mary shrugged.
Andi wandered the aisles. Now that she was at the store, she decided to hunt for a new vibrator. She’d need something now that she was single. She spotted a television with a scene playing. She chuckled. At least the store was enticing shoppers with the visual. Why not buy the toys featured in the show? She watched for a few moments and wished she were the one bent over the bondage table. A good paddling might do her good. When the Dom rounded the table, her heart lodged in her throat. Sir.
“Did you find something cool?” Mary stood beside her. “Oh.” She stepped between Andi and the television. “I’m sorry.”
She’d known he’d replace her. He had to. Why should he be alone? He probably needed someone to play with. Still, seeing him with someone new jarred her.
“Maybe it’s someone who looks like him,” Mary said. “A doppelganger. Has to be.”
“No.” She knew him. The stars on his lower back, the geometric design between his shoulder blades … he was the one in the leather pants.
“Why don’t we go?” Mary took the dildo and vibrator Andi had forgotten she’d picked up, then tugged Andi to the counter. “It’ll be okay.” She paid for the items, then nudged Andi toward the parking lot.
“Mary.” She took the bag from her. “I should’ve paid for my things. You didn’t have to.”
“I know.” She ushered Andi to the car. “Get in. You can pay me back later.”
Andi settled on the seat and clutched the bag. Both men in her life had moved on. Sir had a new playmate, and Trey had Jenn. Trey hadn’t really wanted her, and Sir wasn’t able to commit. They’d shattered her—more Sir than Trey. Tears slipped down her cheeks.
“You know, that’s the first time you’ve cried.” Mary drove away from the store. “Either you’re finally broken up about Trey or seeing your Sir bothered you more than you ever thought.”
She wanted to blame the tears on Trey, but she knew better. “What if you’re right?”
“That you’re more broken up over Sir than the jerk? I wouldn’t be shocked if you said you were relieved. Trey was … yuck. I don’t know Sir, but I’ve seen him. Talk about rawr-worthy.” Mary grinned. “I’d be upset over him, too.”
“I screwed up.” She knew that now. Even if she’d never gotten him to say he loved her, at least Sir was good to her. He seemed to care. Trey hadn’t. She’d chosen the wrong guy.
“Yeah, but we all do.” Mary parked in Andi’s driveway, then turned the car off. She hugged Andi. “Come on. If he’s got half a brain, Sir will give you a second chance.”
“I doubt it.” She’d destroyed her chances when she’d walked out on him.
“Why?” She followed Andi into the house. “You weren’t collared. There’s a chance he’ll let you play again.”
“I broke his trust.” She shook her head. “He won’t let me play with him again.”
“Does he know you went all this time without a scene?” Mary asked.
“No.” He wasn’t a mind-reader.
“Then tell him. Be honest. Open yourself up to him and spill your guts.”
“He’s not going to take me.” Christ, where had her confidence gone?
“You have a backbone. Use it,” Mary said. “Don’t let the jerk take your confidence. You never deserved him. As for Sir, you showed up at the club and knew what you needed. Harness that confidence and explain what happened. You’ll be surprised. I’ll bet he listens.”
“I hate it when you’re right.” She sighed. “But not today. He’s probably gone already and so are we. I’m not heading back right now.”
“Next time?”
“Sure.” She shrugged. She should’ve sounded more confident. Fuck. Did she really want him back? Yeah. Then Mary was right.
“Wow. I almost believed you,” Mary said, her tone sarcastic.
“I will go to the club this weekend and talk to him. I want him.” She almost believed herself. Admitting she wanted to be with him relaxed her a little.
“Good. Now, I believe you.”
Andi collapsed onto the couch and blew out a long breath. She couldn’t deny her feelings for Sir hadn’t died. She hadn’t buried them well, either. Her desire was right under the surface and most of the reason why she’d wanted out of the relationship with Trey. Catching her former fiancé in bed with Jenn had only confirmed her feelings. She’d always loved Sir, and Mary was right—she needed to stand up and take what she wanted. It was time to get her man and prove she was worth a second chance.
Chapter Three
Wednesday afternoon, Dean strode down the pasta aisle of the grocery store and debated what type of noodle he wanted for meals that week. Noodles always struck him as odd things—so many shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. None of them really stuck out as what he wanted.
Then again, nothing right now seemed to be what he wanted. He’d thought he was a lone wolf until Andi came along. He worked at the club and on city council. Being at the club relaxed him, while council ended up being tense. Then there was Andi. She’d resonated within him. She brought back his desire to create art and loosen up. Part of him wanted to share his life with her and tell her about the different facets of his being.
But she’d left. Just like Lucy. They’d been doomed from the start, but he hadn’t wanted to admit defeat. She’d wanted more, and he couldn’t be her everything. Except a tiny bit of him still wanted Lucy. He wanted Andi, too. Andi walking away hadn’t stopped his desire or kept him from thinking about her. Separation had made his heart grow fonder.
He glanced down the aisle at the woman with the shopping basket. Andi? In his store? Well, the place wasn’t his—rather where he chose to buy his groceries, but who cared? He hadn’t seen her since the night she’d left him. Abandoned was more like it.
She had her hair pulled back and wore no makeup. The purple streaks in her blonde tresses were visible. He mentally applauded her for keeping her originality. The t-shirt clung to her upper body and accentuated her breasts. The denim shorts covered everything important but seemed a tad loose. He tried to look at her left hand, but he didn’t see her ring. The chances she’d just left the jewelry at home were high, but he couldn’t help hoping she wasn’t engaged any longer. He hadn’t seen a wedding announcement, and the girls in the front office at the Underground loved to gossip about who was doing what or whom. They would’ve told him Andi had gotten married.
Andi tucked an errant lock of purple hair behind her ear, then switched the basket from her right to her left hand. No ring.
He held his breath for a moment. Should he approach her? Say congratulations? She’d said she never wanted to see him again because he didn’t love her. But he did.
“Andi.”
He tensed but exhaled. He hadn’t said her name. When he glanced over his shoulder, he noticed Trey Donaldson. Jesus. Trey had been a dick before. Was he still a dick?
“Andi.” Trey brushed past Dean and stomped up to Andi. “You’re here.”
She froze, and her eyes widened. “I can’t shop for groceries?”
“I figured you’d be hiding,” Trey said. “Aren’t you feeling a little disgraced?”
Dean kept one eye on the pair and the other on the pasta. He didn’t want to look too conspicuous, but he refused to leave in case she needed him. The way Trey spoke to Andi bothered him. Was he her fiancé? He hoped not, especially after talked about being disgraced.
“I needed food. This is the closest store, and it’s cheaper than the big box one.” Andi sidestepped him. “Why are you bothering me? What happened to Jenn? Since we’re through, I heard you proposed to her. You were screwing her when I caught you. Or doesn’t she want to be tangled
up with a piece of crap, either?”
Dean’s ears perked. Trey was the fiancé? And he’d cheated? What a bastard. But it sounded like Andi had dumped Trey, so good for her. Still, he wondered why she hadn’t come back to the club.
“Did you get the papers?” Trey blocked Dean’s view of Andi. “You’d better cough up that money or we’ll go through with the lawsuit.”
“You’re crazy,” Andi said. “You have no basis to sue me.”
“You broke the engagement,” Trey replied. “Broken contract means lawsuit city.”
Thank God for the small miracle of her truly dumping Trey. She deserved better than him. Dean picked up a box of linguini. He shouldn’t be listening in, but he didn’t trust Trey. He angled himself to get a better view of her.
“You cheated,” Andi said. Her voice cracked. “That’s why I broke the engagement. I happen to believe that when two people love each other, they don’t want to screw anyone else.”
“You ruined my chances for election this year. I can’t even run now that this scandal has broken.” Trey stepped closer to Andi. “I will be mayor, and you will be broke. Do you understand?”
Dean swallowed a groan. Trey Donaldson running for mayor … Jesus fuck. The bastard would try to run the town. That might work in other towns, but not Cridersville. The city council and mayor were expected to be in step with each other. Trey wouldn’t like that plan. Dean wasn’t a fan of Trey’s or of dealing with him in a professional capacity. He turned his attention back to Andi and Trey.
“I comprehend what you’re saying, but I regretfully decline. Try to sue me. I gave back the ring and didn’t sign any papers—despite your begging. You can’t prove I owe you anything.” Andi strode away, leaving Trey behind.
Good for her. Dean sighed with relief. He was glad she’d found her gumption.
Trey marched toward Dean. He wasn’t watching where he went and plowed right into Dean. “Get out of my way,” Trey snapped.
“For a guy seeking election, your attitude is the last thing you should be displaying in such a public place,” Dean said. “The voters have ears and eyes. They’re watching your every move.”
“Shut up.” Trey turned on his heel and faced Dean. “Voters? Dean Meyer, I didn’t think you could spell that word. Hell, I didn’t think you could talk. God knows you shouldn’t have been listening in. That was a private conversation.”
“Held in the middle of a public place.” Dean stood tall. He’d hated Trey in school and wasn’t any fonder of him now. “Just because I didn’t talk much in school doesn’t mean I’m not intelligent. I had nothing to say to you.” He paused. “You might want to consider what the voters will think before you speak. You’re planning on running for mayor, right? Voters don’t want someone in that office who will insult them. You also should consider kissing the collective ass of anyone on city council. You’ve got to work with them if you’re going to be the mayor, and they don’t like belligerent jerks. You’ve got to be willing to bend.”
“Yeah, like you’d know,” Trey said. “Fuck you,” he muttered, then walked away.
Yes, he did know. “Jackass.” Dean wandered the store in search of Andi. Part of him wanted to run interference in case Trey tracked her down. The rest of him feared what she’d say when she ran into her former Dom. She probably didn’t want to see him, but he needed to be sure she was okay. He spotted her in the frozen food section. “Hi.”
Andi looked up from the open door, and then her jaw slackened. “Si—hello.”
“Dean.” He smiled. “Are you okay?”
“Me?” She shut the door and held onto the handle. “Yeah, I’m dealing.”
“With Trey?” He shouldn’t have been so bold, but he didn’t care.
“Oh.” She shrugged. “He’s harmless.”
“I disagree.” He steered her away from the chilly freezers to the end of the aisle. “You’re shivering. Would you like to grab coffee?”
“Me?”
“You keep asking me that.” He chuckled. “Yes, you. I’d like to buy you a cup of coffee. How about we go over to the coffee bar?”
“Uh … sure?” She nodded. “Let me pay for my stuff first.”
“I’ll follow.” He strode alongside her. “How’ve you been?”
“Okay, I guess.” She queued up at the self-checkouts. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“I’m not allowed to shop?” He nodded to the open machine. “We’ll resume this conversation when we’re done.”
She stared at him for a moment, then stepped over to the register. While she scanned her items, she kept glancing back at him. Was she afraid he’d disappear? Did she want him to? He took his place at the next available register, scanned, then paid for his items. When he finished bagging the last item, he gathered the bags and waited for her.
“Sorry.” She tucked her arm through the handles. “I’m slow.”
“No need to apologize.” He offered his free arm. “To answer your question about me being here, I do eat. Hell, I love food.”
She blushed. “I guess you’re permitted.” She slipped her hand around his forearm. “Thanks.”
He escorted her over to the coffee bar. “I guess they knew we were coming. Hardly anyone’s here.” He strode over to an empty booth. “What would you like? My treat.”
She fumbled as she put the bags on the bench. “Uh … chi tea. Thank you.”
He kept an eye on the table as he placed the order and paid. Andi massaged her temples but didn’t leave. Good. He hadn’t wanted her to go. The barista gave him a number for the table and said the order would be up shortly.
He returned to Andi. She toyed with her napkin.
“They’ll deliver when the drinks are ready.” He sat opposite her. “You look tense. I know it’s a little warm today for coffee, but the ice cream stand doesn’t open until four.”
“Oh.” She half-smiled. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Right. Want to talk to me? I’ll listen.” He folded his hands on the tabletop. “I’m told I’m a good listener.”
“This is strange.” She stared at him. “I don’t know.”
“What’s odd?”
“Us. Here.”
“I’m allowed to leave the club.” He chuckled again. He’d thought he’d be on-edge with her so close, but instead, she relaxed him. He had her in his sights and didn’t have to worry about Trey for a little while. “Some days, I don’t want to be at the club. I like my freedom.”
“Ah.” She nodded. “I understand.”
The barista arrived with the cups. Once she left, he focused on Andi. “Ah?” he asked. He had to level with her. “I don’t know what you mean by ‘ah’, but my wanting freedom has nothing to do with what you asked me the night you left.”
“No?”
“Not a bit.”
“I see.”
“Somehow, I don’t think you do.” He paused. “I heard Trey talking to you. He had no right to speak to you that way.”
“He thinks he owns this town.” She stared at him. “I never introduced you two. Did you recognize him from the paper?”
“No, I went to school with him.” He wrapped his hands around his coffee cup. “He bought his way through high school.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow.”
“Yeah. The only reason anyone liked him was because of his money. Most of us were afraid he’d do something stupid like hack the computer system or get someone fired out of spite. He could’ve been a cool guy, but he thought since his father is in politics, we should all love him.” Dean sipped the coffee. Not his usual tart brew, but it would work for now.
“Interesting. That explains a lot.” She fiddled with the tea bag. “But I meant, wow, my … and my ex-fiancé. I never would’ve put the two of you together.”
Ex? Good. He liked hearing proof Trey was out of her life. But he wasn’t sure what to think of her statement. “Wait. Should I be insulted or flattered by that?”
She sagged in her chair. �
��Sorry. Not insulted. He seemed so snooty.”
“Public school all the way. We graduated from the high school here in town.” He sipped more of the coffee. “His father did that so they could claim they’re all small-town people.”
She picked at the string. “I didn’t know that.”
He stilled her hands. “Andi, what happened, and why is he so upset with you? Because the relationship ended? They do. It sucks, but some people aren’t meant to be together.”
“You’d know,” she snapped. “Are you asking because you care? Because you want gossip? Or do you want the scoop before everyone else?”
“Andi. You know me better than that. I’m worried about you.” He grasped her hand. “I care about you and want to be sure you’re okay. What happened? No gossip or getting the scoop involved. I just care about you.”
She hesitated, but didn’t pull away.
“Do I need to treat this like a scene?” he whispered. “I will.”
She met his gaze. “Sir,” she murmured. “In public?”
He wasn’t interested in a woman following behind him or bowing to his needs in front of everyone else. He’d rather have a submissive in the bedroom and play area, but he’d be firm with her if it helped her to relax. “Talk to me. I’m here. I’d hate to have to punish you.”
Fires flickered in her eyes. The desire was there, but she seemed to want to fight it. “You’re not worried about what people will think?”
He didn’t give a rat’s ass what others cared about his life or choices. He’d been honest during his campaign about his owning and working at the Underground. He worked hard and thought he’d made a difference in Cridersville. Now he wanted to make a difference for her. “I’m more than my job, the club, or what I do in the bedroom,” he said. “I don’t advertise my job, but I won’t deny it, either.”
