Page 119 of Riding the Pine

“On speed dial so you’re not scrambling to find a chick.” He strokes his jaw. “Smart. And while I’m not as active in that circle as my brother, I can definitely get you connected. Do you remember a guy who used to play for the Snow Pirates? Austin?”

“Morgan?”

He nods. “He lets his better half play with women. I think he’s an investor in Protocol Cedar Rapids, the new club they’re building across town. He knows people. And my cousin Santiago, he’s a member of Protocol Minnesota, and will be one of the first members in the CR branch when it opens, I bet. I’ve got you.”

He leans toward me, narrowly missing getting powdered sugar and jelly on his shirt. “You’re seriously okay with this? I know we all had a chat around a table in a bar one time. You said you’d be fine with it if it made your girl happy. But…” He leans back, blowing out air. “I dunno man.” He drags his hand through his floppy hair. My dude needs a haircut.

“Sharing your girl.” He shudders. “I can’t imagine letting another human being lay a hand on Edith. I’d break it the fuck off with my bare hands.”

I flap my hand in front of my face. “That’s kind of hot, man. But, I’m sure. I’m happy enough to watch Athena with another woman.”

He scowls. “And if she doesn’t want you to watch?”

I sit back, not having thought about that option. I suppose there’s every chance that whoever is with Bright Eyes won’t want another dude watching. “I’d be fine there, too, as long as I know about it, and it’s not sneaking around behind my back.”

“Fuck.” Apollo’s hand shoots out across the table. “You’re a better man than me, Scott Raine. And as much as we already knew it, Athena’s lucky to have you.” He swallows hard, giving his head a quick shake. “We’re all lucky to have you, and I’m not sure when the last time one of us said that.”

I nod. “I just want her happy, and if that means gifting her the occasional woman.” I shrug. “No brainer.”

He stares at me for a long moment like I’m some kind of wonder, then pulls out his phone. After hitting a few keys, he nods with confidence. “Right, let’s find my sister a date.”

CHAPTER 51

Scott

MAY 12TH

Inever thought I’d be this nervous about talking to new people. I like to think of myself a people-person, easy going, easy to talk to, but waiting for two people to show up, one of which might end up banging your girlfriend, well, that’s a new level of strange for me.

I know it’s normal for a lot of people, healthy even, but there’s a flock of butterflies in my stomach making me lightheaded. Do butterflies even come in flocks? I don’t think so.

What do I even say to this woman? “Hi, my name’s Scott, can you come fuck my girl for me please?”

Ugh. It all just feels so new, so scary, so out there for me that my chest tightens, and I eye the door.

I’m in a bar, it’s kind of dark but not dingy, and it’s early enough that there aren’t a lot of people here. I’m not even in Cedar Rapids, we’re meeting a little further out in case someone should spy me with another woman and think I’m doing something I shouldn’t be.

Am I? Is this a step too far?

Will Athena want to pick and vet someone herself?

It’s just a meeting.

A first conversation.

I’m not asking this chick to marry my girlfriend. We’re just having a conversation, and at the end of the day, if Athena doesn’t want it, that’s it, no further discussion required.

The door opens letting a bright beam of light into the dark bar. A guy walks in, he’s wearing a shirt with the top couple buttons opened, and he’s got a woman by his side.

That’s Slade. Apollo introduced me to him last week. Nice guy, in town to oversee the build for his second BDSM sex club. He runs club Protocol in Minnesota and is expanding. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him.

He’s a stickler for consent, for safe sex practices, and by all accounts he’s the man to help me find a safe person to play with my girlfriend for a while. Maybe even forever. If she wants to, that is.

I’d like to have options available for her.

Slade spots me and comes my way. His friend follows. As he gets near, Slade smiles at me, holding out his hand. “Scott, good to see you again.” He turns, gesturing a hand to the beautiful woman he has brought with him. “Scott, this is Ophelia. Ophelia, this is Scott.”

She gives me a warm smile as she slides into a seat across from me.

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