The conversation continues, everyone just catching up together for the first time in what feels like forever. Or maybe it just feels like another lifetime ago because the last time was when I was still in that very dark place before Neil was able to pull me out. I feel like a totally different person than the one who sat with them at the table in Corbin’s backyard when we first got to meet Clarice a few months ago. I feel like I put on a good show, hiding my depression behind humor. It was easy when I only saw them every so often, but it was exhausting, and I’d go home and sleep the entire next day away. But I don’t feel that way anymore, and I can’t wait to grow closer with these people we’ve chosen as our family.
Time passes, and two more Captain Peppers later, I’m squirming in my seat. Soon, everyone else is too, and we all exit the booth and head for the restrooms. The girls are so sweet to me as I freshen up in the mirror, knowing tonight will be the first time I truly get to scene with my Dom after the conversation we just had at the table, which was surprisingly not awkward at all, seeing how they all live variations of the D/s lifestyle, and thanks to my brother-in-law’s quips and humor.
Clarice tells me to just enjoy it, that there is no wrong or right and just do what feels good, because that’s the whole point of it. Vi tells me to just remember the things she wrote in her books about the sub being the one in control, since at any moment, with one whisper of my safe word, everything will stop without any sort of punishment. Until then, I just get to hand over the reins and let my Dom take over. My sister, just wraps me in her arms and sobs, her pregnancy hormones getting the best of her. She cries happy tears that soak through the sleeve of my simple little black dress, wailing that she’s just “so happy she has her sister back” and that I’ve finally found a man worthy of me who she knows will take care of me without question.
And with that, we leave the bathroom, meeting the guys near the entrance of the club.
“Welp, we’re outta here, bro. Gotta get my woman to bed so I can give her a massage,” Seth says, rubbing Twyla’s back in big circles, and her head falls back on her shoulders as she groans.
“I wish you would’ve told me you were a ten-pound newborn. I might’ve made you wrap it up after all,” she gripes, and Vi cackles while I shake my head.
“We’re heading home too,” Corbin tells us. “We only had the sitter long enough for Astrid’s welcome party.” He smiles at me, and I blush. There’s something about him that tells me he probably didn’t do it very often for a long time, so his smiles are special when he turns one your way.
“Thanks for coming, you guys,” I reply.
“Umm… we ain’t going home. I was promised by the big guy that we’d get to try out the new suspension system in Playroom 3, so we call dibs. Y’all can use whichever other one you want. ‘Kay, love ya, bye!” Clarice chirps, taking hold of Brian’s hand, and he allows the tiny woman to haul his big ass in that direction as he grins at Neil and sends me a wink.
Before I have a chance to speak another word, Neil picks me up in his arms bridal style, and I squeak. With long strides, he takes us to the closest playroom, Playroom 1, and he sets me on my feet just inside the doorway. He closes the heavy-looking black curtain, and I swallow thickly when he turns his eyes back to me.
I’m suddenly nervous, which is silly. I’ve made love to Neil in all variations from sweet and vanilla to downright dirty fucking. But it’s been in our home. I’ve never even had sex outside of a house before. So this is a freaking adventure for me right now. That, and because of what I want to ask him.
“What is it, goddess? I can see it in your eyes you want to ask me for something. Tell your Viking what you wish for,” he commands gently, walking up to me slowly, every step measured, like a