Initiative (Suncoast Society #31)(46)

“That’s not true, you big softy, and you know it,” Tilly said. “I love you for more than your money. I love your…other assets, too,” Tilly said, censoring herself.

Kristin stuck her head in. “Do you want me to grab one of the sales guys for you?” she asked.

“Nope, but thanks. I’ll handle this one myself. They get the real friends and family discount.”

She knew that might confuse Kristin a little, since Kristin had never met Tilly and her men before, but no way in hell would Susie let her friends pay more than true cost.

“That’s kind of you,” Landry said, “but we weren’t looking for a discount.”

“I know,” Susie said. “That’s exactly why you’re getting one. I’m sort of the boss around here. I can make those kinds of deals.” She grinned. “Besides, I can’t let Aunt Tilly drive around in a substandard ride when she’s got little ones to transport.”

“You got a big, yellow bus?” Cris teased.

Tilly swatted him. “Goober.”

He cupped his hand around the back of her neck. “What was that?” he quietly asked.

Hell, Susie’s panties grew a little damp.

Tilly swallowed. “Dammit, I hate it when you two gang up on me.”

Landry laughed. “Why do you think we enjoy doing it so, darling?”





Darryl knew Grant’s order to Susie to wear the same little black dress for their collaring as she’d worn at the reunion and to her first night at the club might confuse her, but that Grant had his reasons.

Because both of them instantly hardened when they saw her in it. They couldn’t help it. Their minds immediately recalled that weekend when they reunited.

Operant conditioning, thou art a heartless bitch.

That, and she looked beautiful in it because it was so simple. She was the only decoration it needed, her gorgeous body and her beautiful, long hair.

Grant had also ordered her not to wear makeup tonight.

Darryl knew that was a practical matter. She would be getting caned tonight, and neither man was a fan of the “raccoon eyes” look when mascara and eye makeup ran.

She’d actually played twice at the club with them already, on Friday nights with both of them topping her.

Grant assured Darryl it didn’t make him a shitty father for his own happiness finally becoming a real and tangible thing, but Darryl still waited for the other shoe to drop.

Not with her, because he knew with every ounce of his heart that Susie was there to stay.

Somehow, something had to give. He wasn’t sure if it’d be with Chelsey starting shit, or Kyle getting wind of what was going on and getting upset, or his job catching on, but in the back of Darryl’s mind hovered a certainty that it couldn’t last.

Well, they could last, but what shitstorms they’d have to weather in the process remained to be seen. He knew with the two of them by his side that he could survive anything, but he’d already seen his share of heartache. He didn’t want to go through anything else. The divorce and having his ass and dignity handed to him by Chelsey had been bad enough.

I just want us to have peace.

He desperately wanted it for Susie, too. She no longer resembled the sad, careworn woman they’d first seen at the reunion. Even Kristin, who apparently wasn’t quite sure what was going on but who wasn’t going to question it, remarked to the men how much happier Susie seemed now.

He wanted to keep making her that happy, would do anything for her. Sharing her with Grant was a no-brainer. Or was that sharing Grant with her? It wasn’t just about the sex, either. Not even the kinky play. They could head for bed and realize three hours later that they were still talking.

It felt so damn good.

He loved Grant for letting him help pick the charms for her bracelet, her new day collar, one she could wear anywhere.

Although three times now she’d accidentally gone to work wearing her other day collar and had completely forgotten to take it off until the middle of the day, when she didn’t even have a spare hex key with her.

They’d found a twenty-sided dice charm, a book charm, a charm that was a heart-shaped lock with an attached key, a charm each with birth stones for him, Grant, Kyle, and John, and a seashell, which reflected the “seaside paradise” theme at their senior prom.

For her formal collar, Grant had scoured the Internet until he found the exact company who made her day collar. He ordered her a matching collar in the same niobium material, as well as a matching bracelet. They wouldn’t be an exact match, but close enough.

She’d have a matching set of cuffs then, but still incorporating John’s into the set. Grant still allowed—insisted—she wear her locket John had given her as her other day collar. The men were on the same page there, too, wanting to keep John a part of their lives for her as much as they could. They knew they could never take the man’s place, or make her forget the years she had with him, and they didn’t want to, either.

Dinner at Sigalo’s happened first, with their friends. As time crawled, the closer it got to their collaring, which would be a quick ceremony before the regular play session opened, Darryl grew more and more nervous.

Grant had gone over things with him, although they were keeping Susie in the dark. He wanted Darryl to put the other cuff on her first. Then Grant would put the collar on her, and her new day collar. She wouldn’t keep them all on all night, but for the ceremony, Grant wanted Darryl to be part of it.