Tied with Me (With Me in Seattle, #6)(14)

“It was dead out there, so I closed up while the other cop—Asher—chatted with me. He placed an order for a dozen strawberry shortcake cupcakes for Saturday. It’s his daughter’s birthday.”

“That’s sweet,” I respond as I close up the kitchen for the night.

Tess waves and takes off, leaving Bailey and I.

“Talk,” she commands.

“I need wine first.” I sigh as I grab my wallet.

I lock the door behind us, and we walk down the block to Vintage.

“Your usuals?” our waiter, Dan, asks after he seats us.

“Yes, please,” Bailey responds and then giggles after the handsome college student leaves to fill our order. “I think we come here too often.”

“No, it’s just right,” I disagree. “We’d have to train someone else if we went to a different place. Besides, they have happy hour all day on Sunday, and that’s hard to find, too.”

“Good point.” She nods.

“One glass of pinot noir and one glass of merlot and a basket of fresh bread.” Dan winks at me then rubs his hands together. “What would you like to eat?”

“We’ll take the spinach dip with chips and calamari,” Bailey responds.

“Oh, and the cheese and cracker platter, too, please,” I add enthusiastically. I’m starved, and that’s not a good thing.

“You got it, ladies.”

We both watch Dan’s firm, young ass as he walks away and then sigh as we take sips of our wine.

“So, who’s the cop you’re going out with, and why am I just now hearing about it?” Bailey asks.

I feel my cheeks heat as I swirl the wine in my glass. Bailey is the only person I told about my night with the handsome man. “I ran into Matt yesterday at the wedding I did the cake for.”

“Matt, as in the guy who tied you up and rocked your world, Matt?”

“The same,” I reply with a nod.

“Small world.”

I snort. “Right.”

“He seems nice.”

“He’s kinky,” I respond without thinking, then bite my lip and shake my head.

“He’s into bondage, so what?”

“Do you know him?” I ask, hoping she says yes so I can drill her for information.

“Not really. I’ve seen him around before, but I’ve never spoken to him.” Bailey cocks her head, takes a sip of her wine and watches me closely. “What’s your hang-up?”

“I’m not submissive, Bailey.”

“Okay.”

“Trust me when I say, he’s pretty dominant in the bedroom.”

“Okay.”

I growl and glare at my best friend. “Stop saying okay.”

“Look, you’re overthinking this, Nic.” She squirms a bit across from me, getting comfortable. “You two had a good time together. Did he scare you?”

“No.”

“Did he hurt you?” She’s watching me very carefully, reading my body as well as my words.

“No,” I reply immediately.

“Then what makes you hesitate to see him again?” she asks, confused.

“Well, at first I thought he was married with kids,” I remind her and glare when she bursts out laughing. “But I found out yesterday that it was a family emergency, and he’s single.”

“Dramatic much?” she asks, still laughing. “I told you it probably wasn’t that.”

“Look, he lives a lifestyle that I know nothing about, and I can’t lose control of my life, Bailey. You know that better than anyone.”

“Who says he wants to control your life?” Bailey asks, her expression clearly confused.

“Please, he’s a Dominant, right?”

She grows quiet, frowns and fidgets with her glass for a moment before pinning me in her gaze. She looks…hurt.

“I never figured you as a snob, Nic.”

“What?!”

“Every person is different, no matter their circumstances. You’re a baker, but I bet another baker doesn’t make cupcakes the exact same way you do. Matt likes bondage and, yes, he’s dominant in the bedroom, but you haven’t even given him a chance to talk to you. He may not be looking for a full-time sub. Maybe he just wants to tie you up and boss you around in the bedroom. He’s obviously into you.”

I don’t know what to say. I’m still stuck on “snob.”

“He didn’t hurt you, and he had a valid reason for leaving that night. Give him a chance. See where it leads. Maybe it won’t be for you, but you won’t know until you try.”

“How can you be a part of this community and not be a little afraid of it?” I ask honestly. “I know you. You’re not weird or some kind of whack job.”

“Um, thanks. I think.” She wrinkles her nose and then giggles. “Most people who enjoy sex on the kinky side aren’t whack jobs. We’re just a little different. I’m not sure where I fit in yet. I’m not submissive. There isn’t one particular fetish that I enjoy more than others. I guess I’m still figuring it out.”


“Since when are you so smart?” I ask.

“I just don’t want you to throw away something that could be good just because you have preconceived notions about a lifestyle you know nothing about. This isn’t fiction, Nic. He’s just a guy. If it turns out that you don’t like it, you can end it and move on.”