She brushed blush over her cheeks. “What about consent?”
“Carly, relax. I have had sex before. Granted, it’s been a few months, but I think I’ll remember how to do it. I talk to them. I make sure they’re sober, they’re in agreement, and they’re having fun.”
“Right. Of course. I’ll settle down once I get there.”
“We don’t have to do this.”
She steeled her spine. “Yes, yes we do. You need this. Plus, I like trying new places. There is one more thing.”
“Hit me.”
“We go in together. We leave together.”
“I’m not leaving with anyone else. And I would never leave you there with some stranger.”
Her sweet smile made his heart pound faster. “Do you know about aftercare?”
“After what?”
“Spend a few minutes snuggling or touching her in a non-sexual way. Check in. See what worked, what didn’t. You know, talk to her a little.”
He arched a brow. “Do I have to propose to her, too?”
She laughed. “Only if you fall madly in love and can’t imagine your life without her.”
Staring at her reflection, the strangest feeling came over him. He couldn’t imagine his life without her.
“I’m sure muscle memory will kick in.” She pulled a condom from her toiletry bag, sashayed past him, and dropped it into her black clutch. “All right, my friend, this might be the wildest thing we’ve ever done together.”
She took the words right out of his mouth.
1 1
U NL E A S H I NG T H E B E A S T
A fter a lifetime of being friends, Maverick wasn’t convinced they’d be able to maneuver through this and come out unscathed. How could he get it on with some random woman while Carly played nearby with a stranger? Sex changed things, even if the intimacy wasn’t theirs to share.
Both sofas in the club’s greeting room were filled. Members gathered in small groups or in pairs. Maverick hadn’t expected the kink club would be so crowded. He threaded his hand around her waist, heat shooting up his arm. “Thank you for going above and beyond.”
Her sweet expression slayed him. She knew exactly what those words meant to him. Going above and beyond was his mantra; how he lived his life. He kissed her cheek, savoring her soft skin and inhaling her beautiful scent. Then, he clasped her hand and headed to the bar.
While waiting for a spot at the rail, a woman sidled up beside him. “Hey, handsome.”
Maverick shot the gal a smile. “How ya doin’?”
Carly let go of him and his chest tightened. He didn’t want to flirt with this woman.
“Wanna chat over a drink?”
“Darlin’, I’m taken, but I appreciate you stopping by.”
After regarding Carly, the stranger said, “Lucky lady,” and sauntered into the crowd.
Maverick slipped his hand around Carly and pulled her so close her hair tickled his lips. “Trying to get rid of me?”
“I don’t want to be in the way.”
Pain speared his chest. “Don’t say that. Don’t even think that.”