How Cassie Got Her Grind Back (15 page)

“That’s understandable. I’d love to see her. Speaking of
being shunned
, I guess I’ll see you on Thursday. Have fun making your roses and watching your woman-porn.”

Coffee spurted up her nose when she gasped and then had a coughing fit. “You
ass
!”

“Just kidding…Nah—not really. Wish I could be there in case you’re all hot and bothered and need relief—”

“Goodbye, Ivan.”

“—because I wouldn’t want you to be frustrated or anything. It’s hard to go to sleep horny, you know.”

“Goodbye, Ivan.”

“Gives me the shakes. I usually just take a cold shower. But if I was there, I could run a hot shower for you, and we could
hey-hey
—

“Lord have mercy. Now I have to go to church with impure thoughts in my head. I’ll keep Father Rodrigo in confession longer.”

“Wouldn’t you rather confess your impure thoughts to me, sweet Cassie? I can assign your penance—”

“Good-bye, Ivan. I appreciate you calling and making me laugh.”

“—and getting you horny, right? I can totally handle you taking your frustration out on me. Did you know Grace Warner told me I’m a woobie? I didn’t know what a woobie was, but she said I’m Grade-A
Prime
woobie material.”

Cassie giggled. “I agree one hundred percent with Grace. You’re
all
woobie,
all
the time. And I love that about you. Now, you should consider attending church, too, after this sinful conversation,” she added with a giggle.

In a soft voice, he said, “You know what Samson said right before you returned to the table last night?”

She smiled. Maybe he wasn’t ready to let her go either. “What did he say?”

“He’d probably kick my ass for telling you, but I’m gonna anyway. When Joseph asked him point-blank if he’d give up the lifestyle to be with you, he said yes. He could live without the Domination and submission, and sadism, if it meant having you in his life.”

“That’s not fair to him, though.”

“No. At least talk to him about it face to face. And the…
plot…thickens
. Enjoy making your roses. If you change your mind about sexy cuddle time tonight, let us know.”

“I will. Ivan?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m looking forward to my next hug from you…and kiss.”

“It’s a burden, this woobie slash stud thing I have going on, but you’re worth it, beautiful. Go make your roses and enjoy your show.”

By noon, she was back from mass and a stop at the grocery store. The fall air was so crisp and refreshing she took a walk in her neighborhood to get her blood flowing before she started on the roses for Violet’s cake.

Sitting on a stool at her kitchen island, she asked herself what she would’ve done if she hadn’t had that vital task to accomplish. There was no way around it. She’d be too busy during the day at the shop and too tired in the evenings. She could’ve done it under pressure, but it wouldn’t have been her best effort. But if it weren’t for those sugar roses?

I could take a chance.

Inviting an admitted sadist and his affectionate twin into her home would certainly complicate her comfortable life, wouldn’t it? Was that why she’d pushed back? Had the roses just been an excuse, or did she like how settled her life was—with her in control. That might change.

But what if some of the changes are good ones?

She was elbow deep in sugar roses when her phone began ringing. Using a knuckle, she answered the call and put it on speakerphone so she could keep working. “Hello?”

“Cassie, this is Joseph Hazelle. How are you?”

At the sound of his deep voice, Cassie sat up straighter. He didn’t do it intentionally, but his voice and tone always put her on alert. “How are you, Joseph? Listen, I’m sorry I was snippy with you last night.”
I should probably call him Sir.

“There’s nothing to apologize for, Cassie. If anything, I should apologize to you for calling out of the blue like this. The situation last night has been on my mind. Bunny wanted to call you this morning. I stopped her, though, because you said you needed time and because I wanted to talk to you myself.”

“So it wasn’t Samson who asked you to call me?” She’d wondered why he hadn’t called.

“No, not at all. Has he not called yet?”

“No.”

“I’m sure he wanted to, but he’s giving you what you asked for, probably to earn your trust.”

And why should he be the one to call when I’m the one who walked out?
“Would you please let Bunny know she didn’t do anything wrong last night? Joseph, I asked her straight out about how things worked at the club and should’ve stayed to hear her and Samson out, and ask more questions, rather than leaving.”

“She understands that, but I promise to pass on the message. I know the last thing she wants is to be the source of contention between the two of you. Samson was doing me a favor on the night in question.”

“How so?”

“Letting Bunny know she can take me at my word and familiarizing her with the concept of consequences. I was also introducing her to a man of strong character who takes her safety very seriously. They bonded over what you may think of as a minor physical assault.”

“He used a strap.”

“Yes, on her bare bottom.”

Well that answers
that
question
. “But he
enjoys
things like spanking people.”

Joseph chuckled. “He enjoyed the moment, yes, that’s undeniable, but not in the manner you’re probably imagining. I explained club etiquette in clear terms for her, but as you probably know, Bunny has an irrepressible side. Being intuitive, she zeroed in on him that night because he was sitting alone at the bar, talking to no one. She risked her own ass, quite literally, to cheer him up, pestering him until he had no choice.”

“He just
beat
her on the spot?”

“Cassandra, I wish you wouldn’t use that word. It’s unnecessarily harsh for describing a night that is a cherished memory of mine. No. He didn’t
beat
her on the spot because doing so would be a tremendous breach of protocol since she was my guest. He brought her to me and asked for her to be dealt with, which I did—”

“You beat—I mean disciplined her?”

Joseph cleared his throat, a decidedly telling sound at her interruption. “Samson isn’t the only sadist you know, Cassie.”

“Well, hell. Why didn’t I figure that one out? Okay, so…”

“After delivering a light punishment with a leather strap, I sent her to him, along with the strap, for him to administer the final lick. He received nonverbal approval from me before delivering one solid swat. Her reaction,” he said with a chuckle, “was so adorable he had to hug her on the spot. I think that was one of her first steps toward trusting men again, as well as her first lesson in submission. There’ve been many since.”

“You make it all sound so non-scary.”

His chuckle had an evil lilt to it. “Not my intention at all. But I do want you to understand that the play within the walls of Hazelle House is safe, sane, and consensual. I deal harshly with anyone who doesn’t abide by my rules in the club.”

“Okay. And Samson didn’t make you call me to tell me all this?”

“No one makes me do anything, my dear.” With a chuckle he added, “Well, Bunny may be the exception to that rule. She makes me crazy.” His warm laughter set her at ease, and then he said, “She was worried last night, afraid she’s responsible for breaking the three of you up. She said it was bad enough she’d messed things up for…what does she call him?
Grumpy
Grizzly
. But then she said she’d also made collateral damage out of his teddy bear brother or something along those lines.”

“Ivan’s definitely a teddy bear. Please make sure she knows she hasn’t ruined anything.”

“I will. Listen, I have a proposition for you.”

“That sounds scary, coming from a sadistic Dominant. Or would it be a dominant sadist?”

“Either as long as you consider my proposal. I’d like to help you develop a true understanding of what sadism is, and what it isn’t, within a club setting. I know you have questions you want to ask that only Samson can answer, but I can provide you with the background you need. I think he’s worth you taking the time, don’t you?”

“Joseph, you are a master manipulator.”

“Proudly optimizing outcomes since opening Hazelle House several years ago. So you’ll come for a tour?”

“When there’s no one around, right? With all the lights on?”

The deep chuckle sent ripples up her spine. “No. On a BDSM night, with the lights dimmed and the music loud, as my special guest.”

Was she ready to fall down that rabbit hole? “Sir, I’m a small-town Texas girl.”

“You say that as if it’s a bad thing. With my luck, Bunny will be teaching you all of her bad habits within fifteen minutes of arrival.”

That’s not what I’m most afraid of.

Samson scanned the seating area of the coffee shop and beyond, to the food prep area behind the two pastry cases and the service counter.
The industrious sound of pots and pans banging around sounded from behind the partition concealing part of the kitchen from public view.

“Hi! Welcome to Divine Drip,” Cassie’s familiar and lovely voice called as she popped her head around the corner from the drive-thru window. “I’ll be right with—” Recognition dawned in her eyes, and her smile lit the room. “Oh, hi! I’ll be done here in a flash. Just give me a few seconds, okay?”

“Sure, take your time.” The coffee shop was more than half empty since they’d arrived ahead of her usual lunch crowd.

Ivan walked over to get a look at the confections lining the interior of the pastry cases, while also checking out her kitchen.

He heard Cassie call parting words to someone in the drive-thru, and then she hurried around the glass cases with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. The tension in his gut eased as she hugged them both in turn.

She smelled of sweet baking things and a hint of ground coffee, a fragrance he’d never considered sexy before that moment. She was warm and soft in his embrace, and she wrapped her arms around him and gently squeezed before looking up at him. With her plush breasts pressed against him, it was difficult to let her go.

She said, “I’m sorry we kept missing each other’s calls this week.”

“Me too,” he said with a chuckle. Between work, poor cellular service areas, and timing issues, they’d been playing phone tag all week. She’d kept her messages brief, and the most information he’d gotten had come from Joseph, who’d told him she’d agreed to visit the club. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

“We’re making something special for you for lunch. Do you remember Mama’s
carnitas
?”

Ivan’s jaw dropped. “Is your mama back there makin’ us
carnitas
?”

Cassie giggled when he acted as if he was about to run back to the kitchen. “Down, boy. I know you just want to see my kitchen. They’re ready, and Mama is making us fresh corn tortillas to eat with them right now. I’ll bring your drinks.”

“Are you eating with us?”

“Yes, I am, but I have to be quick because it’s nearly time to gear up for the lunch rush. Hey! Look who’s here!” she said over his shoulder to whoever was coming in the door.

Hank, Travis, and Veronica greeted the two of them, and Cassie squealed when a spritely little white-haired woman peeked out from behind Travis and reached for her. “Well, hey there! How are you doing, sweetheart?”

“Grandma Kate! I’m so happy to see you again. You look gorgeous as ever. Are you keeping the men of Lusty in line?”

“You bet I am. I thought I’d come for a little visit and see how everyone is and I thought a little brunch at Divine Drip might be just the thing. It always smells so good in here, Cassie. What’s different today? Whatever it is, it’s making my mouth water something fierce.”

“Well, we have something special cooking in the back for my lunch dates. Grandma Kate, this is Samson and Ivan Cutter. Guys, this is Kate Benedict, known affectionately in these parts as Grandma Kate. She’s a special lady around here and also happens to be related to Veronica.”

Samson noted someone from the kitchen was waving at Cassie, and she said, “They need me in the back for a minute. Grandma Kate, would you and the others like to try my mom’s
carnitas
? She made enough for a whole family to eat. You’d be welcome to join us and try some.”

“Oh, well, but you have a lunch date, didn’t you say?” the little white-haired lady said as she shook hands with a surprisingly firm grip for a woman of her age. “Gentlemen, I wouldn’t dream of interrupting your date?” she stated, adding a hint of a question at the end.

Samson suppressed a chuckle at meeting the subtle little matchmaker. “Yes, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you, and we’d love to have you and the others join us.”