What? How could he tell that? She risked a glance over at the man. He smiled at her then winked, the creases around his eyes deepening. He was handsome. A bit weathered, with a husky voice that sounded like he had a two-pack-a-day habit. His brown eyes danced with enjoyment.
By now, Javier was speaking to the younger Dom and helping him loosen the bindings from around the redhead. Javier walked over to them a few minutes later. The redhead was now free, and the blond Dom was handing her a bottle of water and talking to her quietly.
“Don’t suppose you want to do a demonstration?” Javier asked Gray.
Shoot. She was going to have to be the better person and let him go. Maybe while he was busy with the attractive redhead, she could slip away. It was for the best, anyway. This had been a terrible idea. She didn’t belong here.
“I’m looking after Lacey tonight.”
Javier stared down at her, his dark eyes watching her closely. “I’ll happily look after Lacey.”
She shivered slightly. He was a good-looking man. Charismatic. But way too intense for her. She got the feeling he’d eat her up and still feel hungry after.
Gray tightened his hold on her shoulders. “Thanks for the offer, but she’s mine.”
The two of them looked at each other then Javier nodded. “Of course. Congratulations.”
What was he congratulating him for? Was this some guy thing she didn’t understand? She hadn’t had much to do with the opposite sex, and what experience she did have, wasn’t that great.
Her shiver this time had nothing to do with arousal.
“You okay? Cold?” Gray asked, pulling her around to face him.
“I’m fine.”
Behind her, Javier snorted. “You’re going to have to work on that.”
Gray narrowed his gaze at her. “I know. But not tonight. Tonight, I promised to keep things vanilla. But tomorrow is a different day.”
She frowned up at him. “What do you mean?”
“He means that when your Dom asks you a question, he expects an honest answer. I’ll give you a clue, ‘I’m fine’ is not an acceptable answer,” Javier replied.
“Gray isn’t my Dom.” She turned to Javier.
“Really? That’s not my take on the situation.” He turned his gaze to Gray. “If you’re sure you won’t help I’ll go find someone else to do a demonstration. There are a few newer members here tonight who would benefit.”
“I’m sure.” He turned her towards him once more, placing his fingers under her chin and tilting her face up. “Unless you’d like to take part?”
“Me?” she half-squeaked.
“Mike was right, you’re interested in the rope. Would you like to give it a try?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“It’s okay to say no if you think you’ll be too overwhelmed.”
She should say no. Play it safe. Like she always had, but look where that had gotten her. Nowhere.
“People will be watching.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. Some people like that.”
She didn’t. Well, she shouldn’t like it. “I won’t have to be naked?”
He grinned slightly. “Not if you don’t want to be.”
“I don’t,” she told him quickly. “And you’ll stop if I say stop?”