She snorted in disbelief.
“I went,” Joss hedged.
Kylie’s forehead furrowed. “But you said you didn’t.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t go,” Joss corrected. “I merely said I changed my mind.”
“And?” Chessy asked quietly. “What happened, Joss?”
Joss sighed. “Dash happened.”
Chessy’s mouth rounded into an O about the time realization sparked in her eyes. “Oh shit. Dash was there, wasn’t he? Oh my God, did he freak?”
Kylie looked absolutely confused as she jerked her head back and forth between Joss and Chessy, trying to keep up with what was going on.
Before Joss could answer, Chessy pushed forward.
“I’m so sorry, Joss. I should have warned you, but shit. Dash is hardly in there. I mean I know he’s a member, but it didn’t even occur to me to tell you that, because what were the odds that he’d show up on the night you went?”
Kylie shook her head in bewilderment. “Dash—our Dash—goes to The House? Why?”
Joss’s cheeks warmed and she and Chessy exchanged looks of understanding.
“He’s a Dominant,” Chessy said gently. “Like Tate.”
Kylie went silent, processing the revelation. Tension vibrated from her, and it made Joss uneasy for what she’d have to tell both her friends. But especially Kylie.
Kylie was . . . Well, she was very black-and-white. Her worldview was very narrow and she didn’t often venture outside the parameters she’d set. She had good reason to be as she was, but it didn’t always make things easy. Kylie was rigid, and this would likely throw her for a loop.
“He was there when I walked in with another man,” Joss said in a low voice. “It didn’t go well.”
Chessy winced. “I don’t imagine it did.”
“He hauled me out and took me back to his house intending to lecture me after he scraped an inch of skin off my hide. He didn’t think I had any clue what I was getting into.”
“And did you inform him differently?” Chessy asked.
Joss nodded. “That’s when it got . . . interesting.”
Kylie’s perplexed look deepened and Chessy’s eyes widened. Both of her friends sat forward, picking up on Joss’s tone.
Joss sucked in her breath, knowing her friends would know sooner or later and she’d rather it come from her.
“Dash said . . .”
She struggled with just how to put it. This was much harder than she imagined because she still hadn’t come to terms with it herself!
“What did he say?” Chessy prompted.
“He said that if that was what I wanted—what I needed—then he was going to be the only man who gave those things to me.”
“Whoa,” Chessy breathed.
Kylie’s reaction was a bit more explosive. “What? I don’t understand. He what?”
“He wants me,” Joss said in a low voice. “Has wanted me a long time. I didn’t know. I feel so stupid, but I had no idea!”
“Wow,” Chessy said. “I mean I used to think, a long time ago, the way he looked at you sometimes . . . I thought there was something there. But then you and Carson were so happy and Dash remained friends with you both, and Dash never made a move after Carson died, so I thought I imagined it.”
Kylie’s face flushed with anger. “He had a thing for you when you were married to my brother?”
“It’s not like he ever acted on it,” Chessy gently chided. “You can’t control who you’re attracted to.”
“Carson knew,” Joss murmured. “Dash told me that Carson knew and that it didn’t affect their friendship.”
“I would certainly prefer him to some stranger you pick up at The House,” Kylie said, an edge still to her voice. “But I’m worried about this. You and him. I never imagined Dash to be that kind of person. I worry that he could hurt you physically and emotionally, and I worry about the strain it might put on all our friendships.”
Chessy’s features tightened. “That kind of person? What’s that supposed to mean? Tate’s that kind of person, Kylie, and he’d never hurt me.”
“You know I didn’t mean it like that,” Kylie said wearily. “I’m worried about Joss, okay? It seems like lately she’s making a lot of impulsive decisions, and I don’t want her to get hurt. And I worry about this thing with Dash. I’m not sure how I feel about the fact he was attracted to his best friend’s wife.”
Impatience and frustration warred with Joss. “I’ve considered all of those things,” she snapped out. “I’ve taken into account how it would affect our circle of friends, especially if it didn’t work out.”