Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Trick had loved his new assignment a little too much. He’d been hanging around and keeping an eye on Jen ever since, but Brady was willing to bet he no longer reported his actions to Stephen.
“Whip, eh?”
Trick winked at him, then shrugged. “It was a thought, but I’m more of a traditionalist. There’s nothing this baby can do that a strong, willing hand can’t do better.”
Ken moved closer and Brady frowned when he barely acknowledged his presence. “I’d disagree, but the way you hold my whip makes me nervous.”
“Yeah, Trick. I think the last thing you want to do is hurt someone.” If he’d been thinking about using that on his cousin, there might be a problem. “Speaking of mistakes, taking any classes at the college this semester, old man?”
Trick nodded, grinning at the threat beneath the question. “Auditing a few. And education is never a mistake, Marine. In fact, I’m learning a lot about dysfunctional family dynamics this go-round, so I’m here if you ever need to talk about your childhood. The middle son who kept growing so he would be seen, etcetera.”
Brady’s fists clenched and Ken patted Trick on the shoulder in a way that was clearly meant to end the conversation. “I appreciate your help, Trick. And you can take the whip if you want, but don’t use it until you can come back here and give me a demonstration of your skill.”
Trick laughed, handing it back to Ken instead. “You lifestylers have so many rules, you never have time for fun.” He nodded to Brady. “He knows I’m right, don’t you, big guy? He’s been here a week or so, right? Big boy doesn’t look like he’s had any fun at all. Have you let Tanaka do his Shibari voodoo on you yet? I hear it’s relaxing.”
“Brady’s not into kink, Trick. Which you know.” Now Ken’s voice held the warning.
Trick was oblivious. “Neither am I, in the strictest sense. You’ll never see me in leather and latex begging for my turn on the pain machine. The things I enjoy are meant for private parties and take a lot longer than a few hours every Thursday night. In my opinion, dirty is good, but kinky is complicated. Club kink, at any rate.”
He looked between Brady and Ken and shook his head, his knowing smile begging to be knocked off. “I can feel a lot of sexual tension in this room. Unfortunately it’s not directed at me so I think it’s time for me to leave. We’ll talk later. Try not to have any fun until you can give me a demonstration. I do like to watch, and fair is fair.”
Brady watched him disappear, feeling the tic pulsing at his temple. He’d already been in a bad mood, but Trick had managed to make it worse. He didn’t want to think about Jen getting mixed up with someone like him. She was back on track, back in school and taking a break from the experimenting that had led to her brush with the law. Trick wasn’t a criminal, but he wasn’t someone to take lightly. And he wasn’t good enough for Little Finn. But then, most of the family was in agreement that no one was.
Ken stepped in front of him and laid a hand on his arm. “You know he’s all talk. He likes yanking your chain, that’s all.”
The touch of his fingers sent a pulse of current up Brady’s spine. He took a step away to break the contact. “Everyone seems to enjoy that lately. Why was he here?”
Ken hesitated, then grabbed a water bottle and took a long drink, which was when Brady noticed the sheen that still covered his chest. He’d been working out. Trick must have interrupted him.
Brady wanted to lick the salt off his skin.
“Just a favor,” Ken said with a shrug. “He owes me more than one. Anyway, it’s not important. I have news. This morning I made sure that I’ll be doing a rope demo for the get-together. Once Cal told you where he was taking you, I made some quiet inquiries. The place is highly secure and private and prefers their own Doms as a rule. In fact, the only name I recognized is more hardcore than most, which made it harder to get in than it should have been. I had to make a few promises and twist a few arms to be put on the list, but we’re good to go. You won’t be alone, which is a good thing. I don’t trust places I can’t vet thoroughly.”
What had he done for Trick to get those favors? And who had he made promises to? Brady shook his head. He was seriously fucked up.
Marine heal thyself. What had he said in that video about acting like a jealous fishwife? What did he care?