Love and History(20)
“Good morning,” she said.
“I’m sorry that I’ve been neglecting you.”
She shook her head. “No, I had to grade papers all weekend. I’d let some things slide because of my paper. It’s not like we’re dating.”
The gloves were off!
“I was going to invite you out to dinner tonight.”
“With no notice? Sorry, I have plans with friends.”
She was just being difficult. “It wasn’t in your schedule.”
“You get the BSDM fetish group notices. It’s the monthly pizza meet up. I have friends there, and I’m not going to stand them up. You don’t dictate my life outside of bed.”
“I understand that. We’ve never discussed things beyond the kink. I didn’t realize you went every month. Why don’t you come by after the pizza dinner, and we’ll talk?” he suggested.
“I doubt we’d be talking at ten at night. Why don’t we have dinner at your place tomorrow night and talk it out?” Her blue eyes seemed icy today.
He couldn’t leave their discussion until tomorrow. “If this isn’t working for you, tell me now.”
She folded her arms and leaned back, rocking in her office chair. “The sex works. But I’ve shared stuff about myself, and you never tell me anything. There’s a little talk about history or your work but not a word about you, your family or your past.”
“Does it matter?” he asked.
“If you don’t want a girlfriend, tell me now so I can consider whether or not this is right for me,” she replied.
It was his chance. The out option he’d secretly hoped to have if things didn’t work. He could tell her this would only be a sexual relationship and a friendship. Still, he’d loved watching TV with her and had actually finished that damned book. The movie had annoyed him, but he’d made it through that, too.
“I think we both need to think about what we want and need from this then talk tomorrow.” He nodded. “Six work for you?”
“Fine. See you then.” She opened her laptop and dismissed him with her eyes.
* * * *
Bridget hadn’t lied to Scott, but when the time came, she couldn’t face her BSDM fetish group friends tonight. She emailed them and claimed tenure issues. Really, she just couldn’t go. Before, she’d been hoping to share the news that she’d found the right Dom. Maybe even drag him along.
She always got too eager, and when things went south, it frustrated her. This time it hurt worse, and nothing was decided yet. Before Scott, she’d been so down and negative about finding a Dom. Now, this felt real. She hadn’t expected it, and he shocked her. At the moment, she wanted to pretend it never happened and go back.
That wasn’t really true. She wanted Scott to love her. To be a boyfriend and a Dom. That just didn’t seem to be the direction he was headed.
In need of a reality check, she’d called her best friend of dinner. No BSDM fetish talk tonight, but last week, she’d admitted to Colleen that Bridget was sort of dating Scott.
Colleen sat across the table at their favorite Mexican restaurant. “What’s wrong? I thought you and Dr. Dull were having a good time?”
“I wish I’d never told you anything.” Bridget sipped a frozen margarita.
“Come on. I’m your best friend. He’s attractive. Good potential. What happened?” she asked.
Stabbing the slush in her drink, Bridget tried to boil it down without sharing the kinky secrets. “I’m not sure he’s looking for a serious relationship.”
“Him, a player? I don’t think so. He’s nothing but serious. So he asked you out and started seeing you for sex only? Oh Bridget, dump him.”
“It’s more complicated. We get along. I’ve shared stuff about my family and growing up, but he doesn’t say a peep. Like he was hatched from a pod or something. I’ve been to his apartment. I didn’t see pictures of anyone. Parents, siblings, nieces or nephews. Nothing.”
Their food arrived and both ladies kept quiet. Once the server was gone, Colleen shook her head. “Don’t sweat the pictures. He’s a single man. They’re not good at pictures unless someone gives it to them in a frame already. I’m sorry to tell you this, sweetie, but he sounds like a normal man so far—which is what you want. At least, you didn’t find out he’s gay, and you’re just some cover story. Men usually love to hear themselves talk but only about what they want to share. You’ve got to drag that other stuff out of them.”
“I’m not pushy that way.” Bridget took out her frustration on her food.