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Darci picked up her drink. “I didn’t mean to turn tonight into a serious discussion about our relationships. It just seemed like the door was open to lay all the cards on the table, so I took it. We can drop it and go back to something else.”

Carrie shook her head and picked at a fried pickle. “No. This has been good, don’t feel bad. Even if you are both talking about me like I’m not here.” She stuck her tongue out at both of them.

Peter cocked his head at Carrie. “Tell me more about your kinks.”

He smirked when she blushed and tried to hide her face behind her drink.

Finally she said, “You already know I like impact play and that I’m a masochist. Rough play is my favorite.”

“And what about you, Darci?”

She sat up straighter, a twinkle in her eyes. “I’m enjoying exploring right now. I’ve been around for a lot of years, but I’m always discovering something new to try.” She paused and dropped her head.

“But there’s something you haven’t tried?”

She bit her lip and nodded. “I can’t seem to click with anyone enough to try genuine D/s play. I want to experience a collar and rules and protocols and serving a Dom.”

Carrie snorted. “Careful, you’re going to have him jumping out of my bed and into yours. I get the feeling that’s more the kind of partner Peter is used to.”

She wasn’t wrong. Before Carrie, Peter would have jumped at the opportunity to give Darci that experience. But Carrie was under his skin. Why had he ever agreed to no strings with her? He definitely wanted strings.

Darci laughed. “Nonsense. I can see it in his eyes. He wants you however he can get you.”

Peter leaned forward. “It’s true. But if we’re leaving collars and attachments off the table, there’s no reason the three of us can’t have fun sometime.”

Darci’s eyes went wide. “Really? I was only teasing about the threesome earlier.”

Carrie was quiet. Had he upset her?

“Only if Carrie agrees. And I’m not even suggesting we all jump into bed together. But there is some fun that could be had. Say… at a party together. I feel certain we could combine our interests and desires into some sort of fun.”

Carrie finished her scotch. “Fun with two people who know how to get me off? I’m in.”

Peter blew out a breath. Thank God he hadn’t fucked up.

14

PETER stood back as Carrie said goodnight to Darci. He was still pissed at her for leaving work without him, but the conversation had been worth it. He wasn’t ready to move her in full time or get married, and they’d still only agreed to no strings, but he intended to change that. Even if she didn’t think their desires were aligned. Maybe she was right. But they could sure as hell have some fun finding out. When they left the bar, Peter watched her for signs that he had overwhelmed her or scared her off. So far, he saw none. Now they sat at a red light, and he reached over and picked up her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as he drew it closer to him.

“I’m sorry that I worried you by going to the bar with Darci. But you have to admit it was fun.”

He chuckled and glanced in his rear-view mirror. He hadn’t been expecting an apology after her stubborn defiance. “Doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, sweetheart. Pull another stunt like that again and I’m not kidding about the security.”

She looked out the window and back at him. “I hear you. Thanks for not giving Darci too much shit.”

“Can we talk about her?”

Carrie quirked one eyebrow up. “What about her?”

“How serious are things between you? I know we talked a little at the bar, but I want to talk just the two of us.”

She pulled her hand from his and twisted them in her lap. “We’re the best of friends, and we’re occasionally lovers. A couple of years ago we tried exclusive dating, but neither of us are tops, so that was never going to work.”

He flicked his eyes between the side mirrors and turned his signal on, changing lanes. “And what happens if you get serious with someone who wants you to be exclusive?”

Carrie laughed. “Are you asking me out?”

Peter shrugged. “Maybe. Like I said, I’ve never shared someone before, and I don’t know how I feel about it.”

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