“Okay, their sales pitch may leave something to be desired. I’ll grant you that. But they want you because you’re not Addie. That’s pretty clear.”
I pause a moment. Then, “Addie was there. At Susanne Corporate.”
“When?”
“This morning. She was leaving as I got there.”
“So?”
“So…she knew about the butt plug, Braden.” I squirm.
He wrinkles his forehead. Only slightly, but I notice.
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“She texted me.” I quickly show him the texts. “She knew about the nipple clamps at the gala as well. How does she know all this? Did you use the same things on her?”
“What I did with her isn’t up for discussion.”
“But—”
“Damn it, Skye.” He throws the prospectus down onto the table. “We’ve been through this. You have to let it go.”
“It’d be a lot easier to let it go if she didn’t know I was wearing a butt plug today.”
“How could she have possibly known?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.”
He rakes his fingers through his hair. “Do you think I told her?”
“No. Of course not. I just don’t—”
“I’ve already told you I won’t discuss her with you. Why do you keep bringing it up? Is this what you want? To fight?”
“I don’t want to fight. I just want to know how—”
“I don’t know how she knows, Skye. Jesus Christ! Why do you even care? Block her fucking number on your phone, for God’s sake!”
Huh. Good idea, and I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it. Still—
“I see your mind working. Give this up. It doesn’t matter. She doesn’t matter.”
I pull my phone out of my purse and let my finger hover over Addie’s number, poised to block it. I should. No more snide texts from her. She could still email me. Still comment on my posts. So really, what would this accomplish, other than feeling like I did something, no matter how small?
“I’m thinking,” Braden says, “that this trip isn’t the best time to introduce you to the other facets of my lifestyle.”
My heart drops to my stomach. “Why not?”
“I’m not certain I have your complete trust, Skye, and trust is paramount for what I’ll be introducing you to.”
“You mean the bondage stuff? Like in the book?”
“That…and other things.”
My body heats. I’ve been apprehensive, yes, but I want to know all of Braden. “Please. Don’t keep this part of your life from me.”
“I fear you’re not ready. The fact that you haven’t yet gotten over my involvement with Addison—”
No. No, no, no. Addie will not ruin this for me. I put my phone away without blocking her number. “I am ready.”
He meets my gaze, his own blazing. “It’s not all pretty.”
“That’s okay.”
And it is. In fact, not pretty appeals to me at this moment.
He regards me sternly and completely, studying me as though he’s trying to read something secret in my mind.
Except I have no secrets from Braden. He knows all of me. I wish I could say the same.
“Please,” I say again, softly.
“Are you going to sign this contract?” he asks.
I nod. “If you think it’s a good idea.”
“I see nothing wrong with it. You come out fine even if the products tank.”
I grab the contract and scribble my signature.
“I’ll have a courier deliver this to Eugenie in the morning,” he says.
“And…?” I ask.
“And what?”
“And…what about tonight? About…”
“All right, Skye. I’ll show you.”
But his demeanor is dark and indecisive, as if he’s afraid he’s making a mistake.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Braden’s and my celebratory dinner is put on hold when Eugenie texts me, inviting us both to join her and her team at one of Braden’s favorite restaurants. We arrive, and the maître d’ leads us to their table, where they’re already seated.
“Mr. Black,” Eugenie says, standing, “Eugenie Blake. So nice to finally meet you.”
“And you. Please call me Braden.”
“Of course, Braden.” She introduces Shaylie, Brian, and Louisa. “We’re so excited to bring Skye on board.”
“Nice to see all of you again,” I say. “I’ve been reviewing the contract.”
“Oh, no business tonight,” she says. “This is a dinner for all of us to get to know one another better.”
I smile. Sounds good to me. I’ve already signed anyway, but she doesn’t need to know that yet. Let her try to woo me, if that’s indeed what she’s trying to do. I’m not sure of anything at the moment.
Eugenie fires question after question at Braden, which irks me a little but doesn’t surprise me. We all know why I’m here.
Because of Braden.
You’re a fraud.
Stop it!
I peruse the menu and settle on grilled tilapia. Braden explained earlier that I need to be comfortable and not overly full for this evening.
Eugenie and Braden dominate the conversation while I sip water and nibble on a salad.
They dominate the conversation while I pick at my fish, leaving more than half.
They dominate the conversation during after-dinner coffee and cognac as well.
I’ve become invisible.
…
Back at the penthouse, Braden hands me a garment bag. “Put these on.”