I knew because I’d had just a bit offirsthand experience with that.
Dakota snorted. “Not sex, his to-do listsand organizational abilities.”
Because those were so much more personalthan sex?
“You’re right. That is important.” I’d learnedlong ago not to question sincere insanity. It made sense in his head, and thatwas what mattered. “But it’s only for today. Then he’s all yours again.”
Dakota smiled, clearly relieved at that.“That will be nice. I actually had to stop working on my own today and rememberto get ready.”
Laughing was probably not the rightresponse, but I did it anyway.
He snorted. “I set three alarms and somehowmanaged to turn off the first two without realizing it. Luckily, I set thatterrible screeching kitchen timer so I had to go out there and turn it off. ButI’d just finished the chapter when that started screaming at me, so it wasperfect timing.”
Shaking my head, I moved us out the doorand locked up. As we wandered toward the stairs, Dakota glanced down at thebag. “You’ve got your outfit, right?”
How could I forget it?
“Yes, I double-checked.” I thought I was doinga great job of looking relaxed, but he stopped us in the hallway.
“You haven’t changed your mind, right?” Hewas looking surprisingly focused, so I knew he wasn’t going to drop theconversation.
“No, I want to do it. I’m just nervous.”
“Because of everyone watching?” It was agood question, but I shrugged.
“I don’t know, honestly.” I thought aboutit for a minute. “Matthew and I had a few people we were comfortable around,but we never did anything like this, and I just can’t help but wish he was hereto experience it too.”
Dakota reached out and gave me a hug. “Ifanyone were to come back as a ghost just to watch their partner get floggedwhile strangers jerk off, it would be Matthew. I’m sure he’s going to becheering you on.”
He was utterly sincere and wonderfully deluded.
“I love you. But your logic frightens mesometimes.” I smiled when he shrugged.
“Blame it on Austin. He’s contagious.” Andagain, he seemed very sincere.
“You’re right. We’ll blame all this onAustin, and Matthew will love it.” We’d never been very religious, buthopefully, wherever he’d ended up he wouldn’t get tossed out for getting turnedon watching me.
“It’s going to be great.” Dakota grabbed myhand and started dragging me toward the stairs. “And you’re going to lookfabulous getting flogged.”
I snorted. “You’re only saying that becausewe’re going to be wearing matching outfits.”
The plan was for both of us to be on stagewith Tristan alternating between flogging us. Somehow my smart mouth hadbasically sounded off that I’d do something at the club if they’d starteddating, and now they were basically living together, so I had to pay up.
Well, that was my excuse, anyway.
I’d been nervous about doing it alone,though, so Tristan had volunteered Dakota to do it with me.
He grinned. “We’re going to look fabulousand have the best asses of anyone there.”
“Don’t let Austin hear you say that. Thoseare fighting words for the man with the panties.” We both giggled as we headeddown the stairs.
The old building had been a factory at somepoint but had been made into fun apartments about twenty years ago and thensold off as condos. By the time Matthew and I had moved in we’d needed to dosome renovations, but I’d loved it from day one.
The homey layout reminded me of anold-fashioned cottage, but there were always neighbors around which had turnedinto a blessing when Matthew passed. But cute and unique meant the layouts werea bit odd sometimes and the only elevator was at the opposite side of thebuilding, so I usually took the stairs.
By the time we got to the parking lot,Dakota was complaining about having to exercise before a big performance andwas sounding a bit like Austin. I knew it was probably just his nerves, but Iwas having a hard time keeping a straight face.
Unfortunately, the drive over to the clubwhere we were meeting everyone didn’t go any more smoothly. We were bothnervous and trying to hide it and doing badly. Why Tristan had thought lettingus do this part on our own was a good idea, I’d never know.