Without thinking, he headed over to it. He picked it up off the shelf and realized he’d been wrong. There was a name on it.
Ours.
He smoothed his fingers over the fine leather. It was supple, well made and it wouldn’t damage her skin. The letters were stamped into the leather. He could imagine the way it would look around her throat.
“Nice,” Ross said. “I remember when that came in a couple days ago. Everyone was in a tither over it.”
Rory fought the urge to immediately put it back like he’d been caught doing something wrong. He forced a smile and glanced at Ross. “I’ve never bought a collar before.”
Ross crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve never been into it, and I have feeling that Dee would scalp me if I tried. She likes play, but collars…no. I’m pretty sure that’s not her thing. But, the right woman...she would like it.”
Was he hinting Maura would like it? Zee had told him that Ross hadn’t trained Maura, but what did Ross know about Maura’s desires? He didn’t like that the man apparently speculated on the subject enough to think she would want a collar. And just what the hell did Maura think she was doing telling people about her likes and dislikes?
Apparently the club owner read his thoughts. “Whoa, son. I didn’t train her, but she did have a lot of questions. I’m off the market in the training department as is Evan. We’re old married men now.”
Bloody hell. He drew in a deep breath and pulled his temper back. He was losing it and not in a good way. A woman’s past had never really been all that important to him. All of his lovers had a past, just as he had. He always found it hypocritical of men he knew who judged their lovers’ past behavior. But, with Maura he was dealing with feelings he had for no one other than Zee.
“Old my ass,” Evan said as he walked up. He looked at the collar in Rory’s hands. “Nice.”
Zee frowned down at it. “Not sure if she would go for that.”
He nodded knowing Zee was probably right. He didn’t even know if she wanted to be with them past this week and it had only been three days. People didn’t get serious that quickly…and he really didn’t know if he wanted to.
“Probably not. But the workmanship is first class.” He set it back on the shelf. “Let me check out.”
He sensed Ross watching him as he walked away. He heard him say, “Let me show you the new security system we want to do.”
That was all Zee had to hear. “I’ll be up in the office.”
Rory nodded as they walked away.
“The stairs are on the left side of the club. Just come on up when you’re done.” Ross glanced at the collar then at Rory. His lips twitched and he followed his friend and Zee out of the shop.
Rory looked at the collar from the corner of his eye as he moved up in line. He set the crop, along with a box of condoms on the counter. At the last minute he said, “Wait.”
Before he could change his mind, he rushed over and grabbed the collar. He gave it to the female clerk who smiled at him.
He didn’t have to give it to Maura, but just in case… he could keep it around. None of them knew what would happen after this week. He knew Zee loved her and Rory was man enough that he could admit he was starting to have more than just sexual feelings for her.
Shit. He walked out of the store and decided to take the bag out to the jeep and lock it up. He would decide what to do with the collar later. Hell, he probably wouldn’t give it to her but he could always sell it. The workmanship would bring in a pretty penny.
After locking it up, he headed back into the club. He couldn’t think about that, about next week, about anything beyond tonight. He was already being seduced by the idea of keeping her with them. Always.
He learned a long time ago, wishing for things like that would lead to heartache.
Chapter Thirteen
Maura took a sip of water and smiled as she watched the best friends banter back and forth. It wasn’t enough of a distraction from the feeling someone was watching them. Or her. She hadn’t felt it since that night out with the guys, but now, she felt it. As before, it was going to be hard to pinpoint because there was such a huge crowd.
“So, Maura, tell us about living with two men,” May said. It wasn’t a question. May just said it as if she were asking how she liked her blonde hair.
Dee choked on her drink. “God, May, will you ever learn how to have normal conversations?”
“No. Normal conversations are boring. I’m not boring. I never understood the reason for small talk. People I don’t know, sure I’ll talk boring shit with them all day long. Friends, I don’t see the reason to do it.” She smiled at Maura. “So, spill.”