Liability (Suncoast Society #33)(23)

Of course, it was in college when he really got it. And the Internet helped him out there.

As he sorted out his sexuality, he dipped a toe into the gay leather culture. He realized that wasn’t exactly for him, but definitely on the right track as his train of thought.

That all led to…here. Forty-four, single, kinky, and already crushing on a straight guy he barely knew whose girlfriend might eventually, one day, possibly end up being his play partner.

Sigh.

He stared into the carton of noodles.

They held no answers other than a pitifully obvious metaphor to how mixed up his life felt right then in some ways.

He had a…type. He didn’t want to date outside his type, because, duh, Freddie happened.

Cole was definitely his type.

And Cole was straight with a girlfriend. And not apparently submissive.

Rethinking Landry’s proposition to loan him Cris was looking better every day.

He had a toybag full of items that hadn’t seen the light of day in too damn long, other than to occasionally unpack and repack it so his floggers and other things didn’t get warped or folded.

Ooh, need to take that Saturday.

Show and tell. There was that, at least. He could have vicarious fun watching Kim and Cole learn and explore. He wouldn’t begrudge them that spark of exploration. He remembered it well. It was fun to help ignite and fan that spark in others.

Just like Kaden used to do.

If nothing else, helping newbies out helped Mason keep Kaden’s spirit alive, in some small way. That was a more than good enough reason for him to do it.

Once Mason was full he put his leftovers in the fridge and walked to the bedroom.

One more text from Freddie.

He opted to ignore it.

Freddie would have to take a hint.

Mason headed for bed, thoughts of Cole’s blue eyes dancing in his head.





Chapter Ten


Kim could barely contain her excitement as Saturday dawned. She and Cole had another long talk the night before. She’d slept at his house Friday night so they could spend the day together and then take his car that evening.

She lay there in his bed and stared at the ceiling, not wanting to get up and wake him yet.

This is happening!

The more questions Cole asked of her, the more he talked with her, the more she loved him and the more her heart soared. He’d once again helped crush the memories of what she’d been through with Craige, proved that her trust in Cole had not been misplaced.

At that point, she didn’t care if he could be a “perfect” Dom for her. He had become the perfect guy for her. He was loving and willing to try. Or if he couldn’t do something, to let her do it with someone else, as long as she always came home to him.

She thought he was still underestimating himself and his abilities, but that was okay.

Today she’d be able to see, in person, stuff she’d only read about so far. It made her nervous to take this step, but she was reasonably sure that the class today would be a safe starting point. It wasn’t very likely that several people would recommend taking a beginner’s class if it wasn’t safe.

The more time they spent talking to Mason, the more comfortable she felt with him. After what she’d been through with Craige, she didn’t trust easily.

At all.

It was odd that she did feel she could trust Mason. But unless she saw any red flags crop up, she’d trust her gut. It didn’t hurt that Cole appeared completely at ease with the man.

He rolled over and hooked an arm around her waist from behind. His breath tickled the back of her neck.

“Awake?” he mumbled.

“Uh-huh.” He rolled her over to face him.

His blue eyes still looked full of sleep. “At any time this evening, if you feel uncomfortable—”

“I know. I promise I’ll speak up.”

“And if at any time I feel uncomfortable, I’ll say so, too.”

She nodded, hoping he wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

He stretched, offering her what still looked like a sleepy smile. “Let’s get a shower and go get some breakfast.”

“I can cook for you,” she offered, hoping he’d accept.

“I was thinking more of taking you out to breakfast.”

“Oh.”

Now he frowned. “What’s that look for?”

Dammit. He really could read her well. “Nothing. Breakfast out sounds fine.” She’d already worked out a fantasy in her mind of cooking him breakfast, naked, and serving it to him.

“Kim.”

He didn’t say it harshly. There was a determined, quiet force to it. Like a velvet-covered crowbar. He’d eventually get it out of her, now that he’d determined there was more behind her answer.

She knew it’d do no good to deny it, so she admitted her fantasy to him.

He sat up. “Normally I’d say that’s a damn wonderful idea.” He captured her hand and pulled it up to his lips. “But we’re going to have a whole evening immersed in kinky stuff. Mason said we need to go at the slower partner’s speed. That’s me.”

He held her hand pressed against his chest and she could feel his heart beating. “I love you, but I want to make sure I don’t go too fast, either of us, and get burned out. Okay?”

She nodded. “Okay.”