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We might not have known the man, but Freddy’s Masterobviously made him feel safe. Just seeing that had more of my stress fading. Ifhe made Freddy feel safe, then could we really be scared of him?

“How long…how long have you been…seeing each other?” It cameout slightly choppy and awkward, but it was words and a full sentence, so Igave myself props.

Freddy grinned teasingly, making his whole face light up ashe looked up again at his smiling Master. “A few months.”

So right about the time we got serious with Dare and eachother. I had a thousand other questions I wanted to ask, but I had no idea whatwould be appropriate and what would be too nosy. Were there rules for this kindof stuff?

Frozen with indecision, all I could do was nod and give astupid response. “That’s great.”

And Ryan kept saying how smart I was.

Freddy and his Master didn’t seem to find it too stupid,though. They both nodded and gave me a smile, so I knew I hadn’t accidentallyoffended them. But it really didn’t help me figure out what to say next.

Freddy must’ve guessed that because he leaned back againsthis Master and glanced up again. “Can I?”

It wasn’t enough for me to guess what he meant, but hisMaster nodded. “If you want.”

Still nothing.

Freddy looked at us as his Master slowly stroked thesoft-looking leather leash that was attached to the collar around Freddy’s neck.“Can I ask if this is your Master, or would that make you uncomfortable?”

Yes and yes.

“Um.” I glanced at Ryan who just shrugged like it was up to me.I knew Dare would go with whatever we wanted, but I looked back at Freddybecause I didn’t want Dare to step in.

I could do this.

Hopefully.

Maybe?

“Yes, Dare is our Master.” Ha, and I didn’t drop dead from aheart attack either.

Dare was pleased about that part as well because he kissedmy cheek and his hand stroked over my chest again.

With that part out, the rest was easier.

“Ryan and I weren’t dating until Dare came into our life andthen things just changed.” Understatement of the year, but still accurate. “Wehadn’t talked about this kind of stuff until Dare, so yeah, we really were justfriends before.”

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ryan nodding, and helooked relieved, so I stopped worrying about his reaction. I wasn’t sure if hewas glad it was all out in the open or if he was just glad I’d made thedecision about what to say, but I was good no matter what.

I just hadn’t wanted him to be upset.

Freddy smiled, his eyes losing focus for a moment as hisMaster gave the leash a subtle tug. “Um, yeah…” As his brain came back online,the words got clearer. “It was good to see you guys. I know you’re not bigjoiners, but if you want to hang out sometime that would be great.”

Swallowing, I nodded slowly to figure out what I was goingto say. “I think we’d like that? I mean, I think I would and that Ryan would,but this is new and I’m not sure what…I’m not sure what to say.”

Giving up, I looked at Master.

He smiled and nodded before looking back at Freddy and hisMaster. “We’d love to meet up for dinner or drinks sometime. We’re low key andnot big on protocol, though.”

I wasn’t even sure what being big on protocol would’ve meant,so I was glad Dare was taking control.

The Master nodded. “Understood. That’s fine with us.Fredrick was excited to see friends who would understand the lifestyle.”

Dare flashed a grin. “They were surprised.”

The Master laughed. “Oh yes. But hopefully once you guys geta chance to talk over everything, it’ll feel more comfortable.” He looked downat Freddy before bringing his hand up and stroking over Freddy’s collar. “Wewon’t be nosy, will we?”