Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“She was a model. I am anything but. I don’t measure up.”
“I see. Her loss, then.”
She barked out a humorless laugh. “Maybe if I lost a lot of weight, she’d approve. But I gave up on that a long time ago. She had me on a diet as far back as I could remember. It took me years and years to have a healthy relationship with food. I doubt I will ever have one with her. Even my therapist agrees. She is toxic.”
“I’m sorry.” I reached for her hand. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re beautiful. You have amazing eyes and a wonderful smile.”
“Thanks.” She took a sip of coffee. “And it’s fine. I’ve moved on. Now tell me something fun you did this weekend.”
I hesitated, then blurted it out. “Bane asked me to marry him.”
She choked on her coffee, sputtering into her cup. “Say what now? He did what?”
I nodded. “He asked me to marry him. Well, sort of demanded, then asked. Then demanded again.”
“Well, that sounds like him, but I had no idea…” She let her voice trail off. “You and he have been…?” She lifted her eyebrows in question.
I nodded.
She leaned closer, her eyes dancing. “Oh my God, tell me everything. Since when? The dinner, right? It started after the dinner. I knew he liked you. He was so intense when he asked me what happened. I knew if he could get away with it, he would have pitched those women off the roof to shut them up. He was so angry and protective. I had a feeling about you two even then. He’s incredible in bed, am I right? Demanding and controlling? Of course he is,” she muttered, answering her own question. “Is it amazing? Is he grumpy at home too or all soft and squishy like a marshmallow? Do the partners know? I mean, there are no rules against it, but what do they think? I mean, it’s Bane.” She grabbed my arm, almost squealing. “Did you say yes? Oh, please tell me you said yes.”
I gaped at her rapid-fire questions.
“Um, yes, after the dinner. And he is wonderful. The partners know, and he is pretty intense all the time. But he is so good to me. We, ah, got a cat together and everything.”
“Oh my God,” she repeated. “A pet. Bane with a cat? I need to see this.” She was practically humming, leaning so far over the table, her ample breasts were resting on the top. “And in bed? How is he in bed?”
“Yes, do tell us how I am in bed.” Bane’s voice broke in. “I’d love to hear it.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
BANE
It was shocking how empty the condo felt when Magnolia was gone. I wandered around, then tried to get the harness on Hedgy. He wasn’t a fan and kept walking backward as if to try to get it off. Watching it made me laugh. I clipped the leash on and tried to encourage him, but all he did was lie down on the floor and play dead. I dragged him around a bit, tried setting him on his feet and showing him what to do, but he simply flopped back to the floor. I scratched my head. Maybe Magnolia was right.
Finally, I gave up but left the harness on. He’d get used to it, and we’d try walking again later. I left him to his endeavors and got dressed to meet Sam. He had suggested a new place close to the condo, so I decided to walk. I checked on Hedgy, finding him still attempting to take the harness off and not looking happy. I gave in and took it off him. He shot me a look that said it all, then he ran away, ducking under the bed in the guest room. I held it up, Magnolia’s words coming back to me. I wondered how sexy she would look tied up on my bed.
Then I shook my head and left to meet Sam. I took a table outside and waited for him. I was a little early. I texted Magnolia, who told me she was having coffee with Rylee soon. I asked about her dad, and she informed me he was alert for a brief time, but it hadn’t lasted. I felt her sadness in the short reply and decided I needed to do something to cheer her up. I sipped at my coffee and, for fun, Googled Mr. Grey. My eyes were wide as I read about the books, and I decided I was enough to deal with without adding ropes.
Unless she asked. Then I’d invest in some silk scarves for her.
I moved on to Googling information about getting a cat to enjoy taking walks. Patience seemed to be the key, and the bottom line was, I never was good with that word. Then I stumbled on a backpack you could wear, letting the cat get fresh air and enjoy the walk, while keeping them safe. I had a feeling it would work for my runs too. I wondered how Hedgy would feel. If Magnolia would laugh at my efforts.