“What else did he say?” Sutton asked.
“Oh nothing much, that you were interesting, gorgeous… the usual.”
Sutton couldn’t coral the giggle that escaped as she cut the sandwich into halves, placed it on a plate, and set it in front of Leigh with a bottle of water. It felt good to be wanted. Sidney was older, well-traveled, and established. He was as different from ex, Jackson, as night and day.
“Did he really say that?” she asked. She paused to tilt her head to the side before she cleaned up the counter, washed off the knife and set in the dish washer.
“He did. Does your mad-hatter grin mean we’re done pretending you aren’t interested in Sid?”
“You know what… it does.”
“Good! I was thinking we could all get together again and let you guys get to know each other a bit better.”
“Sounds good, Leigh.”
“I can’t believe how easy going you’re being about this,” Leigh said around bites of her sandwich.
“Sidney is different from all the other guys you wanted to set me up with,” Sutton said.
“You have no idea how true that statement is.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that he’s not like anyone you’ve ever dated before.”
“Good. I could use a change of pace.”
“Honey, you aren’t even in first gear.”
“Shut up, not everyone meets their Mr. Right and lives in blissful co-existence early on,” Sutton said.
“I know, hon, but not all guys are like your old fiancé.”
“This hasn’t really been about him, more about me needing to get to where I was comfortable before I could relax enough to think about a relationship. You know my Father died when I was twelve, but I never really talk about what happened after that. My mom and dad married right out of high school before he headed off to boot camp. She spent the majority of her life at home with us. This was fine, great even, until he had a heart attack, and she was forced to try to provide for the five of us on her own. It was hell watching her work two jobs to scrape together to make ends meet while I took care of everything at home. I promised myself I would do everything in my power to avoid ending up in that position.”
“Wow, Sutton, I’m sorry.”
“I did what had to be done, and I’m okay with that. Most people don’t understand why I’m so driven, now you know.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being focused. I just don’t want you to miss out on everything else going on around you.”
“I know, Leigh, and that’s why I love you.”#p#分页标题#e#
“And I love you, too. I have to admit I had an ulterior motive in mind when I stopped by.”
“Why does that make me nervous?”
“I don’t know?” Leigh said, as she laughed. “I want to get some new toys and an outfit to surprise James with when he gets back in town. There’s a new BDSM store I’ve been hearing good things about called Tie Me in Knots.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Awesome! It’s always more fun to go to shops with someone else.”
“You know I’ve never been to a sex shop.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No.” Sutton said. She ducked her head, embarrassed.
“I thought you had a fiancé?”
“I did, but he was a doctor, and I was a nursing student. Between classes, and hospital rotations we missed out on a lot of things most couples get to do together.”
A shudder went through her as she remembered the things she’d let the man get away with. She was young, inexperienced, and unable to recognize the manipulation and abusive tactics Jackson had used on a daily basis. Thank God they’d never married or procreated, or she’d be in hell right now.
“Well, I’m glad I get to be the one to pop your cherry,” Leigh said.
“You are such a filthy girl.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.”
Leigh wagged her eyebrows, and they both burst into giggles.
Chapter Three
Sutton felt her eyes grow wide as they entered Tie Me in Knots. Vinyl suits of all shapes, sizes, and colors assaulted her eyes. The slick material was draped over mannequins that were positioned in tantalizing poses. Some had their hands tied behind their back; others had their hands tied in front of them, with their heads down. Intrigued, she moved to examine the French maid outfit. She ran her fingers over the cool material.
“You into the French maid thing, Sutton?” Leigh asked. Her voice broke the trance Sutton had fallen into, and she glanced up and shook her head.