VICTORIOUS (A Quantum Novel)(31)

“Okay.”

“What’s the proper way to address me in this context?”

“Yes… Sir.”

“Better. Now kiss me and let me get to work.”

I expect a quick peck, but I should know better by now. He kisses me senseless and then leaves me reeling when he pulls back. I put Fluff down, get up from the chair, which I take with me when I leave the room on trembling legs. Eight o’clock is more than ten hours from now. How will I stand the insistent throb of desire between my legs for that long?





Chapter 7





I’m hard as concrete as I watch her walk away. Her reaction to my instructions makes me want to forget all about the power of anticipation and begin playtime right now. But I’ve promised Hayden I’ll work for part of every day, so I start by diving into the email that has accumulated during the time I’ve spent with Natalie.

I participate in a conference call with the production team on the film that has defied naming, and dismiss a lengthy list of ideas our marketing team presents to us at the end of the two-hour meeting.

Hayden reminds me we’re long overdue with making decisions on our next project and forwards me an email containing his short list of suggestions.

“I’ll take a look and get back to you with my thoughts.”

“Great, thank you. Nice to have you back, even part time.”

“Good to be back.”

The call ends, and I immediately call Hayden on my cell.

“Didn’t I just talk to you?”

“I wanted to speak to you privately, and I didn’t trust everyone to hang up if I asked to do it during the call.”

“Good thinking.”

“Especially in light of what I want to talk about. So Natalie knows.”

“What does she know?”

“Everything.” I let that one word do the talking for me.

“How?”

“Our old friend Valerie decided she needed to know.”

“You’re shitting me, right?”

“I wish I was.”

“Wow, she’s got some brass balls. You gotta give her that.”

“Perhaps so, but when I get back to town, we need to do something about her. It wouldn’t take much to ruin her career, for one thing. Hardly anyone wants to work with her anyway.”

“I can’t believe she’d have the nerve to f*ck with you this way. So, how did Natalie take it?”

“We had a rough couple of days, but we’re better now. A lot better. She wants to come to the club.”

“So she’s interested?”

“Intrigued and curious were the words she used.”

“A lot better than depraved and disgusting.”

“I much prefer Natalie’s words.”

“Wow, Flynn… Congrats. You hit the jackpot. You found a woman who genuinely loves you and is willing to be part of the lifestyle, too. You’re a lucky bastard.”

I can hear the yearning in his tone. Perhaps someone who doesn’t know him as well as I do would’ve missed it, but I don’t. “You never know what’s possible unless you try.”

“Not gonna happen.”

“How do you know—”

“I gotta go. Another call coming in. See you when you get back.”

The line goes dead, and I shake my head in amusement and frustration at my best friend’s dismissal of my suggestion. He and Addie would be great together, but Hayden’s too afraid of what might happen if she found out about his involvement in the lifestyle. More than anything, I think he fears losing her friendship, not that he’s ever come right out and said that. Hell, he’s barely admitted his interest in her to me, let alone anything else.

I hope he can get out of his own way and decide to take a chance. I, for one, would tell him the rewards far outweigh the risks, but then again, I wasn’t risking a longtime friendship with Natalie. It’s a tough situation, especially because I believe Addie would welcome being more than friends with Hayden—again, not that she and I have actually talked about it.

Natalie appears in the doorway, and every other thought leaves my head except for those that involve her. “Sorry to interrupt.”

“You’re not. What’s up?”

“I talked to Aileen, and she doesn’t sound too good. She had chemo on Friday, and the kids are home today because of the snow. I was thinking I might go over there and entertain the kids so she can rest. Would that be okay with you?”