“So,” Lara said, hesitantly. “What do you think? Are you still interested in doing the interview?
Interested? I was fucking ecstatic.
"I am," I said, keeping my voice calm. "I actually like her."
"Oh, oh." Lara smiled at me over her espresso. "By her reaction, she likes you as well."
It was then I realized that she did like me, despite her response. If she didn't, she would have laughed or shrugged it off. "This could get complicated."
"Only as complicated as you let it get. You're the one in control."
I looked to the street where Kate had caught the cab. I wanted to follow her, talk to her. Make this right between us. Traffic was pretty heavy, and given the recent rain, it was even slower, but she was long gone.
"Poor Kate,” Lara said. “To find out you're the Dominant I was going to introduce her to. How embarrassing for you both."
"She's probably upset that I know she's interested in BDSM. It's quite the change from famine in West Africa."
"It is," Lara said, smiling. "She's fascinated with the lifestyle but doesn't want to admit it to herself. She'll be a tough nut to crack."
"They always have the sweetest meat." I smiled at Lara. She knew exactly what I meant. Submission, when a strong-willed person finally gave in, was even better than one who succumbed too easily.
Their eventual submission was total, their sexual response unrestrained.
"I should call her and try to calm her down," I said, reaching into my scrubs pocket to retrieve my cell. I held it in my hand, indecision filling me. "Do you have her number?"
“She'll never answer your call. Let me see if I can salvage this,” Lara said and took out her own phone. She entered Katherine’s number but she didn’t answer.
"You take it," Lara said, handing me her cell. "Try again. She's seriously freaked out. She wants it – and maybe you – bad."
I took Lara's cell and couldn’t help but smile. "I'll try again."
I redialed and this time, Katherine answered. Before I could say anything, she spoke, her voice breathless, almost panicked.
"Before you say anything, I want you to remind Dr. Morgan that this was purely academic. This was research – nothing more. No matter what you think, Lara, I'm not interested. This was nothing personal—"
"Kate, Kate, shhh," I said, keeping my voice soft. "Don't worry. I know. You’re a serious student. This is just research. If anything, it's me who should be embarrassed."
She hung up.
I pulled the cell away from my ear and looked at Lara, who raised her eyebrows.
"Boy, does she want you," Lara said and finished her espresso. "Real bad. I think if you push a bit, she'll be signing a submission contract for real."
"I won't give up, then." I checked my cell for the time. "I better go. I've got a lot of paperwork to go over. I may pay a visit to Kate's apartment later this evening. Give me her number."
"Should I give it to you, Drake?" she said and eyed me from under a frown. "You sure about this? Is this manageable?"
"Never been more sure," I said, waving my hand in dismissal. "We already have a history. That will mean the walls are already crumbling. I know how to manage someone like her."
"I don't mean her."
I checked Lara’s face to see if she was kidding.
"Lara…" I cracked a grin. "You know me better than anyone. Me not control myself around a sweet little girl like Katherine? I'll bend her to my will easily. I'll have her eating out of my hand in no time…"
"If you say so."
"I say so," I replied, and then I leaned down to peck her on the cheek. She rose and put on her jacket, then walked with me out of the café into the cool Manhattan afternoon.
We stood facing each other on the sidewalk and she had this strange expression on her face – part disbelief, part amusement.
She gave me a look. “I thought rule number one was to keep your life completely secret, apart from anyone in your personal life. Don’t tell me you’re going to go through with this…”
I smiled and walked backwards for a few steps, filled with elation.
“Try and stop me.”