Page 20 of Ravish

Max glared at him.

“Okay, I’m out of here. I’ll be at Colby’s place.” Damon jumped up and left.

“Damon gets ahead of himself sometimes.” Max shook his head. “I know Colby asked to explain some things to you. The club isn’t as expensive as you think. I have a class starting on Thursday night, so why don’t you come out, and we can get you started.”

“Okay, and yes, Colby mentioned the classes.” Her life was going to get busy, but the kind of busy that made her very happy.

“Good. Seven.” Max stood. “I’m glad you’ll be doing the food, Lara. Everyone raved about it. See you Thursday.”

Raved about it? Lara stood in shock for a moment. The food wasn’t that special. At least she didn’t think so. Those poor people must be in need of heartier food than the club’s sliced fruit offerings. Cooking and feeding people was so second-nature to her that sometimes she forgot some people lived on snacks and convenience foods. She headed for the kitchen still reeling over the changes in her life.

“Hey, Lara, it’s two forty-five,” Megan said.

“Go ahead and leave.” Lara stepped out of the small kitchen and waved at Megan as she left. Max’s words played around in her brain. She hadn’t really expected to cater more of the club’s events, but it was a good thing. She looked forward to working with Max and everyone at the club. She liked everyone she’d met there, and let’s face it, the club called to her like a long-lost home.

At three, Lara locked the door and finished cleaning up. She gathered up the day’s receipts and put them in the safe, grabbed the money, and left by the back door. Climbing into her vehicle, she drove to the bank, which was busy, dropped off the deposit, and by the time she arrived home, it was almost five.

She had to get ready for her date with Colby. A shiver of anticipation flowed over her skin. It would be her first date in over three years. She’d tried to date right after she opened her café, but she hadn’t been ready.

Once home, Lara took a quick shower and then perused her closet. What to wear tonight? Colby hadn’t said where they were going. She walked over and picked up her phone from the dresser.

Lara dialed the number for Durham’s leather shop instead of his cell.

“Good afternoon, this is Colby with Durham’s Leather Shop. How can I help you?”

She couldn’t prevent the tremor that penetrated her skin caused by his husky voice. “Hi, Colby, it’s Lara. Where are we having dinner tonight?”

“Well, hi there, sweetheart. I wasn’t thinking anything fancy. Is the barbecue place okay with you?”

Oh, he called her sweetheart. Wow, they hadn’t even been on a date yet. The endearment warmed her heart and gave her a tingle of excitement. It implied he was serious about her already. Was that even possible? “Perfect. Now I know how to dress.”

A groan came over the line.

“Please tell me you’re not calling me without any clothes on.”

“Well.” Lara glanced down. “I guess you could consider a towel clothing.”

“You’re killing me here.”

Lara let out a giggle. “I don’t mean to. I want you alive for dinner.”

“You know.” His voice dropped to even a lower register. “Bad girls get punished.”

Her heart fluttered with excitement. “And just what will you do to me, Sir?”

Colby’s harsh breathing reached her ears. There was rustling and a muffled conversation on the other end of the line before Colby spoke again. “I think, the first thing I would do is to take you by the hand and lead you over to the bed.”

Her blood heated. “Colby, you’re at work.”

“Technically, yes. I just stepped outside, so, where was I? Oh yes, the bed. I would slowly strip your clothes from you and place you on all fours in the middle of the bed.”

Lara’s breathing hitched as she backed up until her knees hit her mattress, and she flopped on the bed. “And once I’m on the bed?”

“Well, since this is a minor infraction, I would simply give you a nice spanking with my hand.”

“Do you spank me hard?” Her skin tingled with anticipation.

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re starting to push it. I’ll give you just as much as you need.”

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