Page 90 of Dr. Bad Boy

She smiles back, proud of herself. As she should be. It takes a lot of courage to say something like that, especially after an exhausting scene and I tell her as much.

She just shrugs, because she doesn’t take praise well. I ignore that for now because she’s got more she wants to say. “I’m not going to rush into announcing anything at work until we discuss it, but…I want more. Eventually. And I don’t know if that’s…”

I nod. “I want more, too. Starting with introducing you as mine at the Christmas party.”

30

Violet

The next Saturday, Max is so ready for his party he’s almost bouncing off the walls. He'd told me his friend, Corinne, came in a few days ago and decorated the play room with a touch of Christmas kinky—and he wasn't kidding.

The walls are lined with garlands made of red and green handcuffs wrapped in white twinkly lights.

After piecing together a few different things he said, I realized Corinne must have been the woman I saw him with at the farmer's market. I make myself get over the irrational stab of jealousy. He's also told me she came with Lachlan to assemble furniture, and she's bringing someone tonight.

There's a buffet table along the wall on the far side of the room where platters of finger foods are laid out along with an assortment of festive non-alcoholic beverages. We brought the catered food downstairs ourselves. No way to explain the dungeon to casual wait staff.

“Are you ready?” Max asks me as it nears time for guests to start arriving.

Not even a little bit. My gut is roiling and I’ve changed my mind so many times in the last half hour alone.

He tips my chin up. “Upstairs is off-limits to everyone, so if at any point it gets to be too much for you, just say the word and I’ll spirit you away. People will too be busy doing their own thing to notice, anyway.”

Knowing I have an out makes me feel a bit better. I trust Max to keep me safe.

I nod and he gives me one of those soul-melting kisses of his. The ones that make my toes curl and my lower belly quiver.

Our kiss is interrupted by a knock. Max takes my hand and leads me through the basement to the exterior entrance where his guests will come in. There's a foyer and everything. He's really done a great job of turning this space into his very own sex club, without having to bring people in through his private home.

He swings the door open to reveal his first guest, a serious-looking mountain of a man, tall and built, with a few days of stubble. His near-beard is almost as sexy as Max’s.

Max greets him warmly. “Lachlan, I’d like you to meet Violet.”

With a lopsided grin and twinkling grey-blue eyes, Lachlan gives me a quick up and down as he holds out his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Violet.”

“You too,” I say while shaking his warm hand with my cold clammy one. Even though Max has prepped me on who everyone is, I’m not sure I can handle this. Deep in my heart, I’m positive this man knows every little secret about my life. And now he’s going to see me vulnerable.

Max kisses my temple and whispers, “No pressure, kitten. We can go upstairs right now if that’s what you need.”

I am so tempted, but this is Max’s Christmas party—his first party in his new house—and I’m determined to not put a damper on it.

“Anything I need to be aware of?” Lachlan asks, turning his attention back to Max.

“No, last count had us at twelve and I don’t anticipate any heavy play…wait, maybe Oliver might. Depends on whether he’s topping or bottoming. Regardless, you should be able to find some time to play yourself.”

Lachlan raises an eyebrow, but there’s another knock, and Max leads me with him to greet his guests before Lachlan gets a chance to respond.

Next is Oliver and his plus one. I’m feeling off-balance and I don’t quite catch his name. Maybe Max will take me to play soon and I can fly off to that place where Max is the only name I need to know.

Sasha and Beth arrive shortly afterwards. “Glad you both could come,” Max says with a mischievous grin for Beth. Even if I hadn’t been given a heads-up by Ellie, I’d have known just from his expression and what he’d said to Lachlan that he’s busy meddling. “Violet, have you met Beth?”

I shake my head and smile at the women. “No, it's lovely to finally meet you.” I beam at Sasha, relieved to see a friendly face. "And it's great to see you, Sasha. I'm glad you could come with Beth."

She shrugs out of her coat and leans in with a conspiratorial look. "I'm really just here to case the joint." She gives Max an innocent look. "Oops. You must be Max."

He just laughs. "I've heard a lot about you, Sasha. I'm glad you don't disappoint."

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