“Goodbye, Ivan.”
“Gives me the shakes. I usually just take a cold shower. But if I was there, I could run a hot shower for you, and we could hey-hey—
“Lord have mercy. Now I have to go to church with impure thoughts in my head. I’ll keep Father Rodrigo in confession longer.”
“Wouldn’t you rather confess your impure thoughts to me, sweet Cassie? I can assign your penance—”
“Good-bye, Ivan. I appreciate you calling and making me laugh.”
“—and getting you horny, right? I can totally handle you taking your frustration out on me. Did you know Grace Warner told me I’m a woobie? I didn’t know what a woobie was, but she said I’m Grade-A Prime woobie material.”
Cassie giggled. “I agree one hundred percent with Grace. You’re all woobie, all the time. And I love that about you. Now, you should consider attending church, too, after this sinful conversation,” she added with a giggle.
In a soft voice, he said, “You know what Samson said right before you returned to the table last night?”
She smiled. Maybe he wasn’t ready to let her go either. “What did he say?”
“He’d probably kick my ass for telling you, but I’m gonna anyway. When Joseph asked him point-blank if he’d give up the lifestyle to be with you, he said yes. He could live without the Domination and submission, and sadism, if it meant having you in his life.”
“That’s not fair to him, though.”
“No. At least talk to him about it face to face. And the…plot…thickens. Enjoy making your roses. If you change your mind about sexy cuddle time tonight, let us know.”
“I will. Ivan?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m looking forward to my next hug from you…and kiss.”
“It’s a burden, this woobie slash stud thing I have going on, but you’re worth it, beautiful. Go make your roses and enjoy your show.”
By noon, she was back from mass and a stop at the grocery store. The fall air was so crisp and refreshing she took a walk in her neighborhood to get her blood flowing before she started on the roses for Violet’s cake.
Sitting on a stool at her kitchen island, she asked herself what she would’ve done if she hadn’t had that vital task to accomplish. There was no way around it. She’d be too busy during the day at the shop and too tired in the evenings. She could’ve done it under pressure, but it wouldn’t have been her best effort. But if it weren’t for those sugar roses?
I could take a chance.
Inviting an admitted sadist and his affectionate twin into her home would certainly complicate her comfortable life, wouldn’t it? Was that why she’d pushed back? Had the roses just been an excuse, or did she like how settled her life was—with her in control. That might change.
But what if some of the changes are good ones?
She was elbow deep in sugar roses when her phone began ringing. Using a knuckle, she answered the call and put it on speakerphone so she could keep working. “Hello?”
“Cassie, this is Joseph Hazelle. How are you?”
At the sound of his deep voice, Cassie sat up straighter. He didn’t do it intentionally, but his voice and tone always put her on alert. “How are you, Joseph? Listen, I’m sorry I was snippy with you last night.” I should probably call him Sir.
“There’s nothing to apologize for, Cassie. If anything, I should apologize to you for calling out of the blue like this. The situation last night has been on my mind. Bunny wanted to call you this morning. I stopped her, though, because you said you needed time and because I wanted to talk to you myself.”
“So it wasn’t Samson who asked you to call me?” She’d wondered why he hadn’t called.
“No, not at all. Has he not called yet?”
“No.”
“I’m sure he wanted to, but he’s giving you what you asked for, probably to earn your trust.”
And why should he be the one to call when I’m the one who walked out? “Would you please let Bunny know she didn’t do anything wrong last night? Joseph, I asked her straight out about how things worked at the club and should’ve stayed to hear her and Samson out, and ask more questions, rather than leaving.”
“She understands that, but I promise to pass on the message. I know the last thing she wants is to be the source of contention between the two of you. Samson was doing me a favor on the night in question.”
“How so?”
“Letting Bunny know she can take me at my word and familiarizing her with the concept of consequences. I was also introducing her to a man of strong character who takes her safety very seriously. They bonded over what you may think of as a minor physical assault.”