VICTORIOUS (A Quantum Novel)(29)

I join Flynn for a quick breakfast of coffee, cereal and fruit.

“You okay?” Flynn asks.

I realize I’ve been staring off into space, thinking about my dream last night. I’ve decided the timing was a coincidence. If I contemplate the possibility that it wasn’t… “I’m fine. Shall we make that call?”

“Let’s do it.”

I scoop up Fluff as I leave the kitchen and follow Flynn into his office, where there’s a big monitor that he plugs into his laptop. He brings a second chair into the room from the kitchen, and I sit next to him.

A minute later, Curt pops up on the big screen before us. He looks the same as I remember, maybe a little grayer around the edges.

“Ah, there you are,” he says. “You look wonderful. And there’s Fluff, too.”

“She’s going strong at fourteen. Curt, this is my husband, Flynn.” I laugh. “And I think that’s the first time I’ve introduced him as my husband.”

“I’m honored to be first,” Curt says, “and it’s a pleasure to meet you, Flynn. I’m a big fan of your work.”

“Thank you, it’s nice to meet you, too. Thanks for being there for Natalie when she needed you.”

“It was always a pleasure to work with her. What can I do for you today?”

We exchange glances, and Flynn nods for me to go ahead. “I know it goes without saying that we’re a little leery after what happened with David Rogers.”

“Which was unfathomable. I knew him a little, and what could’ve driven him to betray you so badly… You have nothing to worry about where I’m concerned. I assure you of my utmost discretion.”

“I told Flynn we could count on you. Thank you for that.” Suddenly nervous, I clear my throat. “Since we spoke last week,” I say haltingly, “I’ve discovered some additional facets of my husband’s personality. Specifically, he’s a sexual dominant.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I kept that from Natalie before we were married because I had myself convinced I could live without that before I could live without her.”

“And how did Natalie find out?” Curt asks.

“Through a series of unfortunate events,” Flynn says. “I take full responsibility for failing to tell Natalie something she should’ve known about me before she bound herself to me for life, and I take full responsibility for her hearing about it from someone other than me.”

“How do you feel about that, Natalie?”

“While I agree that he should’ve told me, I understand why he didn’t. He was thinking of me above himself, and it’s hard to be angry with him when he was willing to sacrifice so much to be what I need.”

“Since all of this came to light, Natalie has expressed a genuine interest in exploring the lifestyle with me. Though we’ve had in-depth conversations about what it would entail and have gone so far as to negotiate a consensual contract, I’m reluctant to move forward before we have some professional advice about what, if any, impact it could have on her ongoing recovery from the assault.”

“I think you’re very wise to ensure that base is covered before you proceed,” Curt says. “Natalie, can you tell me about your interest in the activities Flynn has proposed?”

“I’m curious,” I say, glancing at Flynn, who’s watching me the way he always does. “I’m intrigued.”

“I notice you don’t say you’re frightened.”

“I’m nervous, of course, and a bit anxious about what might happen if I don’t like it or can’t be what he wants—”

“I have to stop you right there, Nat. You are what I want.” For Curt’s sake, he adds, “I’ve told her that in every way I can think of. We’ve already had sex twice today—great sex, the kind of sex people dream about having. The connection between us is nothing less than combustible. The things we’re talking about adding would only complement an already amazing sex life. But if all we ever have is what we already have, that would be enough for me.”

“Then why add this element?” Curt asks.

“Let me,” I say, my hand on Flynn’s arm. “I recently told Flynn that I feel like I’ve been asleep my whole life until he awakened the part of me that’s been asleep. With him, I’ve discovered desire and passion and satisfaction that I never dreamed possible. I’ve gone from thinking I’d never have a normal sexual relationship to having sex multiple times a day and enjoying it more than I ever thought I would.”