Page 29 of Blinded
“I don’t have any – siblings, I mean.”
That partially explained it. “One of the great things about having brothers or sisters is learning to fight and work through disagreements from a young age.” GT stroked his chin before he continued, “But you’d have fallouts with friends, too. You and Ruby have been friends for a long time, right?”
“Yes, since middle school, when I moved to Kansas City, but we usually agree on things.”
“How about with your parents? Do you always agree with them?” From what she told him about them, he was doubtful.
Sandra grimaced. “Not really.”
“Well?” GT tilted his head to the side as he waited for her response. He didn’t want to miss a word, gesture, or facial expression. Every tell was important.
“Usually, I walk away, or we change the subject.”
“Sandra, that’s not handling conflict, that’s avoiding it. It’s like – well, disagreements are like tumors. You can’t ignore cancer because it will grow and spread, taking over the healthy tissue. Unspoken anger lingers and can become rage or resentment, eventually destroying love and affection.” GT picked up her hand, too late remembering he’d promised not to touch her. He was thankful when she returned his grip and didn’t pull away. “When we don’t see eye to eye about something, I want to hash it out with you, but I can’t do that when you rush off and cut all communication.”
“B-but I don’t want to talk about it.”
Does she know she’s pouting? Will she smack me over the head if I call it adorable?
“I get that, but you should, Sandra. I’m sorry you don’t want to spend Christmas with me, but it would be worse to throw away what we have over a dinner invitation.”
She tried to pull away. GT allowed her hand to slip from his. “Sandra.” His tone was grave, and she looked him in the eyes. “Talk to me!” he implored her.
“I’m not ready for more than casual play, GT,” she confessed. “It’s not fair to you because you obviously want more.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” GT reached out and stroked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “I think it’s my call whether something is unfair to me, not yours.” He seemed unable to keep his hands off her. “I think we fit in more ways than just at the club or in the bedroom, but if you want to keep it to Kinbaku or even club only, I can agree to that. I have one condition.”
Sandra chewed the inside of her cheek and stared down at her lap. GT waited and was rewarded for his patience as she lifted her gaze. “What?”
“You communicate with me. It’s okay to tell me you don’t want to talk about something. I won’t invade your privacy, but I won’t allow you to cut me off like this again.”
Sandra narrowed her eyes. “Won’t allow me?”
GT grinned, he preferred her feisty over meek. “Nope. You’ll get punished for it next time.”
“Next time?”
“Yes, next time. Since we didn’t have a rule about fights, it’s hardly fair to punish you now, right?” He gave her a knowing look, and Sandra shook her head. “You aren’t going to ask what your punishment will be?”
Sandra batted her eyelashes, and GT felt lighter immediately. “Whatever pleases you, Sir?”
“Oh, believe me, it will.” GT licked his lips and smiled. “Let me get us something to drink, and we can discuss how we want to move forward.”
Sandra watched GT without moving a muscle and let the relief sink in. She hadn’t wanted to lose the chance of exploring Kinbaku, and GT was the best Rope Top at the club – even better than Mitch, which was saying something! Despite her misgivings, Sandra had to admit she liked GT – although she worried she might like him too much for comfort. If she could keep it fun and light, there wouldn’t be a reason to stop playing with him.
He returned with two glasses and handed her one. When he sat down, she took a sip of the gin and tonic and lifted her eyes to him in astonishment. “How did you know?”
GT pointed to Bob, who gave a two-fingered salute and grinned. “Our bartending psychologist knows the members better than they do themselves.”
Sandra laughed, but GT was probably right. She took a big gulp, and glanced at GT through her eyelashes. “So, what do we do now?”
He leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees, and formed a steeple with his fingertips. “Now, we talk a bit about what happened, how to avoid it in the future, and how we want to move forward.”
Sandra nodded. “Okay.”
“So, since we’ve eaten together on multiple occasions, I have to assume you have nothing against sharing food with me. What made you freak out over Christmas dinner?”
Sandra closed her eyes. “Put like that, I sound like a crazy bitch. I guess spending the holiday with you comes too close to being in a serious relationship, and I don’t want to go there.”
