Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“Who the fuck wears leather pants in this heat?” Colt asked quietly.
I scrunched my nose and peered up at him. He just cocked a brow at me.
“Not me.” I grabbed the waistband and showed the stretchy stretch. “They’re leggings.” They were a fucking godsend. They looked like painted-on leather pants, but no, sir.
He furrowed his brow. “Fake pants,” he whispered. “How come they don’t make those for men? I’m sweatin’ my balls off.”
I patted his arm. “Maybe it’s menopause.”
He could also give up the jeans for shorts, but whatever. Besides, it wasn’t that hot in here. The AC was running on high.
“That it, buddy?” Reese chuckled, throwing an arm around Colt’s shoulders. “Do you get the hot flashes?”
I snickered and returned my attention to Sierra.
“Have you noticed anything different with Nathan lately?” I asked for only her to hear. The Nathan-Ash topic wasn’t new for us, so she knew what I meant.
She leaned in to respond just as Nora rushed by with Lane, with Ty moseying along after, and it took me a beat to refocus.
“…been depressed for a damn year, so no, I can’t say there’s been a recent change,” Sierra murmured. “He was dating someone last fall, but it ended within a month or two. Can’t really blame the sub either—Nathan tried too hard. Like, he went all in but couldn’t commit. He made plans but canceled a lot.”
As I’d figured. Those two men needed to get their shit together.
You’re one to talk.
Whatever.
Once the party started, the DMs scattered, and I watched Sierra make a beeline for Nathan’s station. Meanwhile, I saw Nora get in line by the stage, and I couldn’t help myself. I walked closer, all while telling myself I had a responsibility. I couldn’t stare at her all day. My job was to provide assistance, safety, and answer questions.
But this area needed those things too, right? Colt, Reese, and Dean had migrated to the other end of the club, so yeah.
“Ma’am! Mistress Penelope!” Little Ivy maneuvered through the crowd forming, and I smiled as I laid eyes on her growing belly. She didn’t have that long to go now.
“Look at you, sugar.” I gave her a hug and then inched back to cup her cheek. I loved seeing the happiness in her eyes. “Beautiful.”
“Don’t tell me I’m glowing,” she joked. “I’m so ready for this kicker to slide right out of me.”
I laughed and eased away. “Do you honestly think there will be much sliding involved?”
She let out a chuckled whine and stomped her foot.
“Ivy! C’mere, you brat! Your Owners told me you’re mine for the day!” That was Beau.
“Oops.” Ivy grinned sheepishly.
“Where are your Owners?” I had to ask.
“They’re putting together the nursery at home,” she replied, backing away. “We’ll talk later? I miss you!”
“I’ll be around.” I smiled and watched her disappear again.
Everyone was in love, having kids, and getting married…
Ugh, I needed Ash here, so we could bitch to each other again.
As if on cue, I heard Nora’s soft laughter over the cacophony of noise, and I spotted her in the line, chatting up someone I hadn’t seen before.
I cleared my throat and decided to move on. Beau and Ivy had their stage covered, the kinksters watching weren’t being too loud, and it was a station involving very few risks.
I lasted about fifteen minutes.
I helped a sub get over his nerves in order to try nipple clamps, I spoke to two Tops, and I witnessed the line Nora was in get shorter and shorter until she was next.
She beamed as she jumped up to talk to Beau, and Ivy assisted with the instructions for the first two poses.
Seeing Nora on her knees like that, perfect posture, so much grace… Why did I even pretend to have resolve? I couldn’t make my way over there fast enough.
“In the end, your Top decides how these poses will be modified, but this one is a common pose for presentation that some—or most—call the Nadu,” Beau explained. He spoke to her as much as he spoke to those observing. “Sit on your heels and spread your knees.”
I took in my surroundings, making sure I wasn’t needed anywhere else, before I allowed myself a few seconds to let the world disappear. Nora obeyed swiftly and got into position, her gaze fixed forward and her shoulders squared.
“Excellent,” Beau commented. “Then you turn your hands, palms up, and rest them on your thighs.”
Damn near flawless.
Nora wasn’t merely beautiful; she was fucking adorable in tiny cotton shorts and a snug top. She pulled off gracefulness with a side of a crooked smile and eyes glinting with joy. She loved this. She was happy.
When Beau eased the end of a cane up her throat, to lift her chin slightly, I envied a goddamn object.
That should be my fingers making sure her chin was held high.