How Cassie Got Her Grind Back(Divine Creek Ranch 23)(37)

The earnestness in his voice was heart-warming and made her so proud of the respectful and levelheaded man he’d grown into. “And you’re sure you want to waste your degree managing my little homegrown coffee shop?”

“You bet I do. And the idea is to make your job easier, let you do the parts of the business you enjoy most, and with easier hours, because you’ll have me.”

“Mi hijo, you make me so proud. Yes, let’s talk about it when you come for Thanksgiving. And you know…there are plenty of sweet, nice-looking girls in Divine. I could introduce you—”

“Mom, you’re killin’ me.”

Cassie laughed with him as she stirred sugar into her coffee. “I know, I know. But I need grandbabies to cherish if you’re going to put me out of a job.”

They finished sharing other bits of news, and the phone hadn’t even cooled off from ending the call before it rang again.

She didn’t recognize the number but answered anyway. “Hello?”

“Hello, beautiful.” Ivan’s gruff baritone sent a thrill up her spine. “So, we’re a package deal, huh? Does that mean if we hadn’t gotten sidetracked last night, you might be considering us?”

“M-Maybe. I regretted leaving in such a rush, but I needed time to think…and cool off.”

“You’re sexy when you’re fiery. Did you get much thinking done?”

“Yes.” No. Only the subconscious kind that happens during the wedding episode of Outlander. “But I haven’t come to any conclusions. I…didn’t have enough information. I mean I know Samson goes to the club, but what he does there is a big black hole to me. Last night I got hung up on the mental image of Samson enjoying hurting someone I care about.”

“Before you say anything further, you should know I don’t know much about it and never cared to learn more, even after I discovered Samson was into…that. But we talked last night, in private, and he explained some of it to me. I’m more intrigued than repulsed.”

“Does that mean you want to…I mean, you’re twins and all. And you’re both so damned big and strong. I imagine the women, and, to be fair, probably men, line up to be spanked or...or tortured or whatever.”

“If you’re asking if I’m a secret sadist, the answer is no. But I understand better why he gets off on it. And you’re right, although not in the way you imagine it. He said members of the club request time with him, and if that’s so, then it must be because they trust him. He couldn’t go into personal detail, but he told me about a masochist in a high-level, high-pressure position and what Samson does for her is her stress outlet. It’s therapeutic.”

“Did you ask if there was sex between them? Does he have sex there in the club with everyone watching?” Her mental images were going from bad to worse.

“No. I specifically asked him because that would be crossing a line that can’t be uncrossed. Total deal breaker for me.”

Well, that was a relief to hear. “But he beats on her, right? Or what?” A shiver ran up her spine.

“He said she prefers he use a whip.”

“A whip?” That doesn’t sound like a good thing…or romantic…or anything besides painful.

“He marks her back but never cuts her. The pain takes her to a different place. Lots of endorphins. He says she feels better afterward, and she asks for him several times a year.”

“Well, I’m glad she likes her warm fuzzies enough to ask for a repeat.”

“He made it clear they don’t have any kind of romantic relationship, and I believe him. It might not be as bad as I’ve assumed all this time. I mean really, does Samson strike you as anything but a reasonable man, capable of loving someone and being loved?”

“Well, of course he is.”

“Could we give him the benefit of the doubt?” he asked in that velvety, cajoling tone of voice his brother also possessed.

“Yes, but I’m still very cautious. I know he’s a sweetheart—”

Ivan scoffed. “I wouldn’t go that far. Now me? I’m a sweetheart—”

“You hush,” she butted in with a soft giggle. “But if he lays a hand on me, to cause pain so he can get his jollies, I pity the fool.”

Ivan chuckled. “I like it when you take that fierce tone. You’re a hot little Latina badass when you cuss in Spanish. So does this mean we can come over and woo you some more?”

“Woo me?”

“Mmm-hmm, baby. I want to kiss you again. And again.”

Memories of his kiss the night before made her instantly wet, as did his sensual tone. “Unfortunately, no. Violet’s wedding is next weekend, and I’m making her cake. She’s ordered a traditional cake with hundreds of sugar roses. I’m making them today since I’ll be too busy during the week. I prefer to make them all at one sitting.”