Page 19 of Passionate Defense

Lanie sat back and let it all sink in. “I never would have guessed it could be—”

“Therapeutic?” Beth suggested.

“Powerful,” Lanie breathed.

“Me, either. Until that weekend, I thought it was simply kinky play. Maybe it is for most people, but with Steven it’s so much more.”

“Ethan has suggested we use role-play to help me deal with my stress. I suppress things like you did, although my issues aren’t nearly as tragic.”

“I know, honey. That’s why I had Steven suggest it.” Beth reached across the table and squeezed Lanie’s hand. “Sometimes you’re wound as tight as a top, Lanie, and I worry one day, if you don’t learn to let it out, you’ll snap. Trust Ethan and give it a chance. If it worked for me, I’m sure it can for you, too.”

“I don’t think I could do that, Beth. The regression, I mean. Not that I see anything wrong with it. I’m just not sure that’s for me.”

“I’m not suggesting Ethan diaper your ass. You need to do what feels right for you.” She let go of her hand and leaned back. “Baby Beth isn’t my favorite, but she served her purpose. I much prefer somewhere between six and eight years old. Playing the bratty high school girl is a lot of fun, too, and Big Beth likes sexy nighties and getting busy in Daddy’s enormous bed. Maybe age play isn’t for you. I’m just telling you what worked for me. You might find spanking does it for you alone, or maybe a little bondage, flogging, or who knows what else. It’s different strokes for different folks, as they say.”

Beth’s phone vibrated on the table. They both glanced at the display and saw “Daddy calling.” Tipsy on rum and raspberries, they both laughed inanely, as if caught gossiping at school.

“Speak of the devil.” Beth was still giggling as she answered, “Hey, Daddy.”

Thinking she should call Ethan, Lanie fished around in her bag for her phone.

“Yeah,” Beth told Steven, “we’re well past the legal limit and will need a ride.”

Finding her phone, Lanie tried not to listen to the one-sided conversation as she looked at the display. She had two missed calls from Ethan. Uh-oh.

“Okay, I’ll tell her.” Giving Lanie a sad smile of sympathy, she pulled the phone away and said, “Ethan called Steven when you didn’t answer.” Steven must have said something because she turned back to her phone. “We’re at Cheers.” She paused to listen. “Okay. See you in twenty.” Another pause, before she answered, “I love you, too, Daddy.”

“That is so sweet,” Lanie breathed after she’d hung up.

“Yeah,” Beth sighed. She eyed Lanie with a silly grin. “Uh, Lanie? Are you going to use your phone to call Ethan or hold it to your ear all night? Did you even dial?”

Looking at the display, it was still on the main screen. She swiped her thumb and located Ethan’s name.

“He must be worried to have called Steven. Will he be mad, do you think?”

“He knew we were going out.” It rang once before Ethan answered.

“Lanie.” His deep voice, smooth like glass, greeted her. He didn’t sound upset, just relieved. “I was getting concerned when you didn’t answer.”

“Sorry, honey. There’s a lot of noise and I didn’t hear it ring. Forgive me?”

“I only wanted to check in. How many have you had?”

“Four, no, I’m on my fifth, actually. Steven is coming to get us.”

“Good.” He paused. “Are you drunk or just tipsy?”

She giggled. “Somewhere in between.”

“Make that the last one. I want you loose when you get home, not sloppy drunk. I haven’t had halfway-between-tipsy-and-drunk Lanie in a good long while.”

“Ethan.” She whispered his name, getting all tingly and excited inside.

“Yeah, baby. I’m looking forward to it, too. See you soon.”

When she disconnected, she glanced at Beth, who winked and guessed, “Drunk sex, tonight?”

“How did you know?”

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