Glancing up and toward Peter Rose saw that his gaze was on her. He didn’t turn away from her either. Her arms were wrapped around the baby on her lap.
Smiling, she pulled her attention away from him to focus on Daisy, who said, “I’ve been hoping for him to find a woman for some time. It’s nice to know that it’s you.”
“You’re all good friends?” Rose asked.
Daisy shook her head. “We’re more of a family. Peter’s been a little withdrawn of late. I think realising he’s not in love with Laura has been a huge help to him. He always had some excuse when we were all together. Dean loves to barbeque, as do the Steer brothers. He’s not been present for any of them.”
Rose listened, watching her man out of the corner of her eye.
“Well, I’m not going anywhere. In fact I’m supposed to be working here sometime soon.”
“That’s awesome,” Daisy said. “William, Rose can start tonight, can’t she?”
The other woman pulled the men out of their conversation.
“That’s earned you ten, Daisy. Yes, she can start tonight,” William said.
Frowning, Rose turned back to Daisy. “Punishment.” She mouthed the word to her.
Still not understanding, Rose put the word aside and figured she’d ask Peter later.
When William was finished talking with Peter, he escorted her back to his office for her to fill out her application form. Peter stayed behind with Daisy.
“Usually, I have a period of time to see if I can trust you. Peter has vouched for you, so I’m going to trust him,” William said.
She glanced up from her form. “I’ll do everything I can to make him proud.”
“Do you have any idea what goes on at this club?” He sat back thoughtful.
Rose stopped writing. She was putting Peter down as her emergency contact and his address as her new home.
“Not really.”
“But you trust Peter?” William asked.
Putting the pen down, she stared at one of his friends. “When it comes to Peter I trust him completely. He would never steer me wrong.”
“You trust him.”
She nodded.
“This is a BDSM club. In the private rooms there are subs being punished and pleasured.”
Rose swallowed past the lump. “Peter’s my everything. You’re not going to scare me away. I can handle what this club can do. I’m only a waitress, and I’ll train hard.”
“Okay then, finish filling out the form.”
Nibbling her lip, she hesitated.
“What?” he asked.
“What did you mean earlier to Daisy? She said something about punishment. I don’t understand.”
“My wife is my business. She needs discipline and punishment. By shouting and interrupting she earned ten spanks on the ass. I haven’t decided if I’ll use the cane or my hand.”
Heat filled Rose’s cheeks. Her question was answered, and she went back to filling in her form.
Once she was finished, William took her around the bar, showing her where the beer and everything else was stored.
She saw Edward had arrived during her absence.
“We’ve got a new waitress?” he asked, coming closer. Peter took a seat at the bar as Daisy took her children out of the club and to her home.
William kissed her on the way past. Rose saw the love shining between the couple, even with the punishment hanging over their heads.
“Yeah, we have. Where have you been?” William asked, standing in front of Edward.
“I’ve been in Cape Falls. I went to the diner and got my first pancake breakfast without attitude. Did you know a sweet young woman by the name of Isabel served me?” There was a dreamy look on Edward’s face.
“Isabel Benson finished high school six years ago. She couldn’t afford to go to college as she supports her younger sister. Her parents abandoned them once Isabel was of age to support them. She’s a nice woman,” Rose said, remembering the woman she was talking about.
“Hum, she’s the submissive sort,” Edward said, popping a grape into his mouth.
Rose tuned out listening to William talk to her about the alcohol and the beverages available. By the time they were finished it was dark and she was ready to get home.
“I expect you here tomorrow night. Peter will bring you,” William said.
Peter wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her outside to the waiting car.
“Do you think Edward has a thing for Isabel?” Rose asked, getting into the passenger side of the car.
“I’d say. She’s the first person he’s talked about since coming here three years ago. I’ve always wondered why he stayed.” Peter settled behind the wheel.