Page 21 of Bride By Initiation

The server sets our flutes down. "Do you ladies know what you want?"

"Same as usual?" Fiona asks me.

"Definitely," I concur.

She orders several rolls and a sashimi platter, and the server disappears. I hold up my glass and tap into my French roots, chirping, "Santé!"

"Sláinte," Fiona replies, giving me her customary Irish cheers.

I add my Italian roots, singing, "Salute!"

We clink glasses, take a sip, and set our wine glasses down.

"So don't leave me hanging. What's up with you and Marcus?"

"Not much. Same ol', same ol'," Fiona answers, rolling her eyes and taking a big mouthful of wine.

"That exciting, huh?" I offer.

She sighs. "You know, on paper, Marcus is everything."

"Is he?" I question, wrinkling my nose.

"What? You don't like him?" Fiona asks.

"Didn't say that."

"Then why the face?"

I shrug. "He's a partner at his dad's firm and head of the auditing department. You've got a good catch. What's not to love?" I tease, but deep down, I couldn't date him. Marcus is so vanilla. But Fiona's always gone for the "good on paper" guys.

She groans. "Maybe that's part of the problem."

"Since when don't you like CEO-type guys?" I question.

"I do, but…ugh."

"I thought you and Marcus were going strong. Besides, you know I'm just teasing about his job. It's good he's smart and successful, and I know you love that about him. So what's the problem?" I ask and take a sip of wine.

Fiona glances behind us and then leans closer. "Can't a girl be choked during sex or get a spanking once in a while?"

I practically spit out my wine and start coughing.

She rubs my back. "Sorry."

I take a sip of water, wait for my cough to settle, then lock eyes with her. "Is he that boring?"

"Eh…" She winces, then downs several mouthfuls of prosecco.

"So you need to spice it up, and it'll all be good?" I suggest.

Mischief fills her eyes. "I'm serious, Zara. If he doesn't choke or spank me soon, I swear to God I'm going to have to just cut off his cock and leave him to bleed to death."

"Jesus. That's pretty graphic," I say, but I can't help but smile. Fiona always cracks me up.

She adds, "I mean, you know how it is. You can't tell me you don't want a big palm on your ass."

"Your brother's into spankings," I blurt out before I can think about it.

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