Initiative (Suncoast Society #31)(45)

Okay, sure, there were things she saw that she wouldn’t mind trying. Some of the rope bondage, and even a few variations on forced orgasm play.

When they finally said their good-byes and got out the door around midnight, Darryl stopped her before she got into the backseat of Grant’s car.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“I…” She let out a sad sigh. “Shayla was right,” she quietly said. “You guys were right. That was…” She didn’t even know if she had the words to describe it. “Not scary.”

“That’s good, right?” Grant asked.

“Yeah.”

“Then what’s wrong?” Darryl asked.

“So many people knew John. People I didn’t even know. I feel horrible that because of my fear, he basically cut himself off from them. They could have been my friends all this time.”

“Don’t think like that,” Grant said. “Did you order him to stop being friends with them?”

“Thhppt. Hell, no. Not that I could have done that anyway, but I wouldn’t have done that.”

“Did you even know he was friends with them?”

“Not really. When we met he mentioned he sometimes got together with other kinky people, and I said I was scared of anyone finding out we were doing that, and he never mentioned it again.”

“Okay, then. He is the one who made the call. Not you.”

“But he did it because of me.”

“Because he loved you,” Darryl said. “Not because you forced him to. He loved you that much, he wanted your peace of mind to be put first.”

“Thank you for pushing me to do this,” she said. “I promise I’ll try to be more open-minded about stuff in the future.”

“Good,” Grant said. “Because in four weeks, we’re going to formally collar you. That’ll be long enough for any of us to change our minds.”

“I’m not changing my mind,” she said.

“Good. I hope not. But in four weeks, we’re going to collar you, and I’m going to put my marks on your ass in front of everyone.” He kissed her. “Got it?”

The good kind of fear ran through her. “Yes, Sir.”

He smiled. “That’s my good girl.”





Chapter Fifteen


In the four weeks that followed, Susie got better at the new version of D and D, grew closer to Kyle, smiled a lot more than she had in what felt like a lifetime, and made dozens of new friends. Not just new friends, but good friends, friends who’d quickly become as close—even closer, in her case—than family.

And she realized she truly had found the loves of her life.

It was a rare night she didn’t spend the night with one or both men. Except for a three-day training seminar Grant had to attend in Las Vegas, the three saw each other every day, even if only to have dinner together.

It scared her in the good way how quickly this new routine had taken root in her soul.

Ed called her at work the day before the collaring.

“Hope and I will be there tomorrow night,” he said. “How you doing?”

She’d had her office door closed because she’d been working on some spreadsheets and didn’t want to be disturbed. She leaned back in her chair, able to speak freely, without worrying about anyone overhearing her.

“If you’d told me two months ago that I’d be here, doing this, and feeling this damn good, I probably would have fired you as my attorney because I’d be worried about your mental health.”

Ed laughed. “That great, huh?”

“When does Grant get the letter?”

“Next week. I’ll consider the collaring as good as a wedding, because I know John would have.”

“Do you think he’d be okay with this? With me being with them?”

“Are you happy?”

“I thought I just said that.”

“Then yes, I know he’d be okay with this. He wouldn’t have shared you with anyone, ever. But this isn’t a situation he would have foreseen.”

“I know I sure didn’t.”

“Life’s too short not to be happy. Enjoy what you have. Appreciate it.”

“I do, believe me.”

No one knew that better than her, how short life could be.





Later that afternoon, she was working with her door open when three familiar faces appeared.

“Knock-knock,” Tilly said. “Someone said we might be able to buy a new ride here?”

Susie had to remember she had a persona to keep up and not just go squeeing into Tilly’s arms for a hug. Even Susie’s personality had changed, and she was the first to admit it. When with her Suncoast Society friends, she was no longer reserved, wondering who was watching them.

She didn’t care.

She handed over all worries and all concerns to Grant and Darryl and was finally able to just…be.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“I’ve been playing Aunt Tilly a lot lately for Leigh, as well as for Leo and Eva and everyone. One SUV in our household is not cutting it. Time to trade the big shot’s car in for a duller ride.” She poked Landry in the chest.

Susie had seen the vicious sadist beat the crap out of Cris in a scene, but today he was the dutiful husband. “Yes, dear,” he joked, winking at Susie. “She only loves me for my credit card. Except this will be a cash purchase today. Well, so to speak.”