“Come on, Rachel. We never had a chance to talk at your parents’ house because your mom was always bustling about. I’ll bet you’re dying to ask me all kinds of questions.”
“But—”
“It’s not all off limits, only certain aspects. Adam’s heart is so tender, and I’m reluctant to reveal much about our relationship, but I think there are plenty of other questions that I could answer for you without betraying his confidence.”
Rachel’s cheeks grew warm. “I’ve read my share of ménage romances, but what’s it really like?”
Grace laughed softly and explained how it worked for the four of them, and Rachel got an inkling of the magic in their relationship. What others found sordid or forbidden based on hearsay, gossip, and tacky Internet porn was a sacred and beautiful thing for the four of them, shared in mutual love.
Rachel didn’t mind when Grace would pause, become introspective, and then skim over some details. She did tell Rachel that Adam was the first of them to be intimate with her, although they were all there with her at the time.
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Heather Rainier
Grace blushed hard, and her eyes took on a far away, shiny quality.
They laughed over the story about the boudoir portraits and how they’d managed to keep it a secret from each other.
“Can I see them someday?”
“Some of them, yes. I have three beautiful black and whites hanging on my bedroom wall. I’d love for you to see those. When you get engaged to Eli, we are going to see my photographer friend and have her do the same thing for you. That was a life-altering experience for me, posing for them like that. I felt different afterward. More confident and sexy. Comfortable in my own skin.”
“He hasn’t asked me yet, Grace. It’s a little early to—”
“Nonsense. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you. He’s going to, and you’d be crazy if you didn’t say yes. He’s hardworking, loyal, financially stable, fun, absolutely gorgeous, and freaking huge!” She giggled. “He’ll always watch over you, provide for you, and protect you.
Did I mention he’s gorgeous and freakin’ huge?”
“I love all those things about him,” Rachel said softly, remembering his self-restraint earlier as he made love to her.
“So you’d say yes?”
“Grace, you know I would. How could I turn away such love and sweet devotion? I just hope I’m worthy.”
“Worthy? You’re perfect for him, and he’s no fool. I’ll bet you’re married by Christmas.”
“I dunno. I don’t want to say anything and jinx it,” Rachel replied nervously.
Rachel shared with Grace about the outrageously hot spanking Eli had delivered to her the day of the accident. Grace clapped and snickered.
“I told you, didn’t I? By the right hand, there is nothing hotter than a good spanking.”
“It was incredible and… fun.”
“Good. Ethan told me Eli had asked him about it, and I was hoping you would share.”
“Grace, I’m curious. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by dealing with the needs of three different men?”
“They don’t allow it. They work out all that stuff on their own.”
“You mean prioritizing?”
Her Gentle Giant, Part 1: No Regrets
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“Yeah. They have good instincts for my energy level and desires.
Sometimes I ask for more because they don’t want to push me too hard. It’s all about balance.”
Rachel giggled. “So you aren’t swinging from the chandeliers on any given night?”
Grace laughed in reply. “Nope, chandeliers are swinging only on the second Tuesday of every month.”
“So,” Rachel concluded, “spankings for naughty little girls are every first Monday night?”
“Yep! But with Ethan only.”
“Jack and Adam aren’t into that?”
“No, they don’t have an interest in it the way Ethan and I do. That’s a part of my relationship with Ethan,” Grace said in all seriousness. That surprised Rachel. “There are parts of our relationships with each other that are completely private, that are only between me and the individual man in question. Ethan is a more open man about certain parts of our relationship, and I operate within those parameters. Adam is different and more private, which is why you’ll have to use your imagination. Same with Jack,” Grace added softly. “Like I once told you, they’re worth it.” Her hand shook a little as she wiped a little tear away carefully with the back of her hand.
“Thanks, Grace. I’ll always be careful to not violate your trust.” Rachel reached over and gently patted her arm. For a while, they quietly watched the movie in companionable silence, each lost in her own thoughts. Rachel switched the DVDs when one movie ended and the next began.