Page 74 of The Dom with the Clever Tongue

“What?” She yanked her hands out of Scarlet’s grip. “No! How can you even think that?” Reece loved Scarlet more than she cared about social nuances. Shame about being bi wasn’t in her realm of understanding. Even with her dad, it wasn’t shame, it was...guilt. Guilt at putting them in the position of having to accept something like this. Reece didn’t have a problem defending herself and her life choices, but she didn’t want to force them into that situation.

“It’s a valid conclusion. It seems like maybe you’re the one with the problem, not them.”

She shook her head. “It’s not me. Look. I’m sorry. You’re probably right. Max and my dad would probably manage fine meeting you. I’ve just been...lazy about it, I guess. It’s easier not to deal with it, but you’re right. I think it’s time.”

Scarlet beamed. “Good. When’s the party?”

“Next week.” Her stomach tickled with nerves. Crap. That was so soon.

“Okay.” She nodded then took a deep breath and looked at Reece. “Fuck, I’m nervous.”

“Me too.” She laughed.

“Will you help me find something to wear?”

She couldn’t help but smile. So freakin’ cute. “Yes. Though they’d probably like you better if you just wore that.” She gestured toward her dirty work clothes then chuckled. “They’re both very manly men.”

“Then I’ll fit right in.”

***

Getting out of work early wasn’t a blessing today. Reece looked at the kitchen clock as she set her purse on the table. Three hours. Her stomach had been knotted up all afternoon. This was their last play session. It felt so formal – so final. She swallowed hard.

A sticky spot on the kitchen floor caught her attention. Then crumbs on the counter next to her purse. She fought the urge for a cleaning spree but lost. Ten minutes later, she had her ratty clothes on, gloves, and all her cleaning supplies laid out on the table.

As she wiped and scrubbed and sprayed, she tried to keep her mind off of tonight. It helped a little – throwing herself into a project. When the kitchen floor sparkled like a Mr. Clean commercial, she moved onto the living room. Yeah, she was being a little anal. The coffee table didn’t need four scrub downs.

She was going to be exhausted by the time they got to Mal’s shop. Malachi’s sexy grin formed a sweet picture in her mind. Then the way he arched his brow when she said something bratty. His carefree laugh when she amused him. His strong arm wrapped around her waist when she sat on his lap. She’d miss that. After tonight, who knew when she’d see him again?

They’d stay friends, of course, but would it be awkward? Right now he felt like a permanent fixture in their condo. Like a stray dog everyone knew had to go eventually but no one wanted to give up. She almost laughed out loud at the analogy. She was the kitten and Malachi the old dog that protected her.

One option had been nagging at the back of her head for a while. What if they kept Malachi? They could be a triple like Jude and his girls. But did Malachi even want them that way? Sometimes, when they watched movies cuddled up on the couch, he watched them more than whatever was playing. And he touched them so tenderly. She’d even caught him eyeing Scarlet with a look of longing. And not just as a man who wanted to fuck a lesbian to prove he was special – it was different. It was more than lust.

Ugh. She threw down a dirty rag and went to the closet to get the vacuum. She was getting ahead of herself where Malachi was concerned. Scarlet would be devastated if she knew Reece was thinking about him that way. She’d assume something ridiculous, like Reece planned to replace her or something. Which was the opposite of what she wanted to do. Scarlet was her life – her confidante and best friend. Normally, she passed when it came to cake, but in this case, she wanted to have her cake and eat it too.

After yanking the vacuum out of the closet, she plugged it in the nearest wall then began running it in neat rows over the carpet. Why did the sound of the vacuum eating up dirt always make her feel good? Back and forth across the carpet, over and over the same spots. Then it suddenly stopped. But she hadn’t turned it off.

She spun around and saw Scarlet holding the plug away from the wall and staring at her. Reece hadn’t even heard her come in.

“I’ve been yelling for you,” she said, frowning as she took in the room. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Vacuuming. What’s it look like? Plug it back in.” One more pass should do it.

“No.” She dropped the plug then walked into the kitchen. “Fuck, Reece. It looks like the cleaning aisle blew up in here.”

Good. That was exactly what she was going for. Ignoring her, Reece moved to plug the vacuum back in.

“You need to settle down, kitten.” Scarlet yanked on the cord before she could get it into the wall. “You’ve worked yourself into one of your cleaning frenzies.” Her gaze flicked to the clock. “One hour until Mal gets here to pick us up. I think you’ve done enough cleaning. Why don’t you take a shower and relax now.”

She shook her head. The bathroom needed scrubbing first. Before she couldopen her mouth to protest, Scarlet sighed then wrapped her arms around Reece’s waist. Looking her in the eye, she asked, “What’s wrong, beautiful? Is this about tonight? Are you really that nervous?”

The bathroom was calling her, making her feel unsettled. She squirmed in Scarlet’s arms but she only tightened them around her. “You’re not getting out of this until you talk,” she said then kissed her nose.

Reece scowled at her. She wasn’t in the mood for hugs and kisses. “I’m nervous, yes. That’s all. Now let me go so I can finish quick.”

This time her Domme voice came to the fore. “No. We’re gonna take a shower. Both of us. And you’re going to let me wash you.”

It sounded good but...

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