Page 46 of Dragged Home for Christmas

Phil’s breathing hitched. “Oh.Oh. Okay.” He thought about it for maybe a couple of seconds, and a moment later, Miss Dixx recognized the opening notes of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.

She smiled. “Perfect.” She closed her eyes and launched into the lyrics she knew so well. By the time she got to the last line, she’d left behind all trace of nerves.

The final notes rang out, and when they died away, she opened her eyes.

Phil gazed at her with an awed expression. “These shows you’re going to put on for Christmas. Please, consider doing one number. Just one. You’d slay ’em.”

She grinned. “I already do that.”

“At least say you’ll think about it.”

Miss Dixx arched her eyebrows. “You’re not gonna let this go, are ya, sugar?”

It was Phil’s turn to grin. “You know it. I’ll wear you down—sugar.”

She chuckled. “That sounds like fun. You’re welcome to try.” She walked behind him, trailing a hand across his shoulders, feeling the shiver that ran through him.

There are a few things I might try too.

Chapter 15

Thursday, November 21

One Week Until Thanksgiving

Jim couldn’t tear his gaze away from Kris’s apartment. “This place is like an Aladdin’s cave.”

Kris took a puff of his fat cigar. “That makes it sound as though I’ve got a heap of treasure in here.”

Which was exactly what Jim thought.

Varying widths of rope hung from hooks on the wall. High shelves held all manner of implements, from paddles to dildos. Racks suspended from the ceiling contained clothing, most of it leather, but also items in rubber.

Hoo, daddy….

“Do you use all of this stuff?”

“Pretty much. This is the result of decades of work.” Kris sat in the wide armchair next to the fireplace. “I’m curious. Which bits catch your eye?”

Jim grinned. “It would be quicker to ask whatdoesn’t.” He stood by the rack of leather vests, pants, jackets, inhaling their glorious smell.

“I think that first workshop was a success, don’t you?”

Jim nodded. “It was a good turnout. And more people have signed up for the next one, so word obviously got around.” He grinned again. “Not that I’m surprised. You’re damn good at this.”

“When you asked if I’d run these workshops, I was kinda glad.”

He turned to look at Kris. “Why?”

Kris leaned back in his chair. “We met when I used to visit Nick for one of our chats.” His gaze became unfocused and he wore a slight smile. “Man, I loved those visits. Me,Nick, a couple of other guys, sitting on the front porch, smoking, shooting the breeze, putting the world to rights…” He peered at Jim. “Andyou, bringing us beers, coffee, snacks—ashtrays.” Kris chuckled. “When you agreed to let me hogtie you, I was kinda surprised.” His eyes gleamed. “But then I saw how you reacted.”

“I’m sorry for falling asleep.” The others had ribbed him about that for weeks after.

“Hey, don’t apologize. You were clearly very comfortable.Socomfortable, that it got me thinking. But then I never got the chance to discuss it with you. So when you came up with this idea, yeah, I was pleased.” Kris leaned forward, eyes bright, his knees wide, elbows balanced on them, the cigar filling the air with its aroma. “You liked me tying you up, didn’t you?”

Has it just gotten hot in here?

“Yes.” The word came out as a croak.

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