Expecting it All (Punishment Pit #7) - Livia Grant Page 0,1

The Punishment Pit, Rachel was about to ask him about his kids when a nervous Ethan Walsh, the club manager, stepped between them, his back to Rachel.

"She's taken, Thomas. Step back." Ethan not so gently shoved the Dom backwards.

Thomas at least had a good sense of humor about being manhandled. "Relax. I didn't know you were married, Walsh. I was just talking to your little woman here about kids. I didn't mean anything by it." He lifted his hands, palms out, as if to surrender.

Rachel stepped up to pull Ethan's hand away from the Dom's chest. "Ethan, it's fine. Really. He didn't do anything wrong."

Finally listening to her, Ethan stepped back to turn towards Rachel. He looked her up and down, his eyes getting bigger by the second.

"Holy shit, Rach. You're so big!" The second the words left his mouth, his face flushed red. "I mean... wait, that didn't come out right. You look..."

Rachel giggled. "It's okay. I agree. I feel like I'm carrying a watermelon around." She self-consciously rubbed her baby bump, as she often did.

Thomas had remained close enough to hear the exchange. "Sooo... I'm guessing this isn't your husband. Either that, or he's doing one piss poor job of keeping up with your pregnancy." The humor in his eyes put Rachel at ease. She liked this guy.

It was Ethan who injected an answer. "Me, married to Rach? Hell no. The bosses would kick my ass if I got too friendly."

"Mitchell and Parker? Why's that?" The stranger was curious.

She wasn't used to playing the role of anything but submissive at The Pit, so it took her a few seconds to realize the right protocol under her new circumstances. Rachel stuck her hand out as a greeting. "Rachel Parker, at your service."

"Well, isn't this a treat? I've heard all kinds of stories about you, young lady. You're like a legend around this place, but I was beginning to think you were a figment of everyone's imagination. Are all the outrageous stories true?" Thomas asked.

Rachel smiled shyly, secretly pleased she hadn't been forgotten during her time away. "They're all exaggerated, I'm sure."

As she bantered near the bar with the stranger, Rachel was again reminded of how much had changed with her pregnancy. A year ago, she would have been backstage on her knees, naked, waiting for orders from her Dom and husband on how she could help prepare for that night's show. Only months before, she had been center stage with her Dom, obediently helping to subdue naughty slaves who were due a punishment.

Ethan reached to help her out of her coat, drawing her attention back to the present. "Let me take your coat and put it back in the office. You planning on watching the show? I can get you set up down front."

"That would be great, Ethan. I'll be up there in a few minutes."

He sauntered off, leaving Rachel standing awkwardly with her new friend. "So… I guess—" she began.

He cut her off. "I'm concerned you arrived alone. This isn't the kind of place a lovely woman like you should be wandering around in alone. I'm surprised your husband isn't with you."

Rachel heard the censure in his voice and came to her husband's defense. "Derek doesn't know I'm here tonight. I haven't felt up to coming for a long time, but when I felt better this evening, I thought it might be a nice surprise. He's backstage, prepping for the show."

"Ah, I see. Well, in that case, I'd love it if you'd let me escort you safely to your seat." The gentleman held out his elbow. Since her bloated ankles were aching, she was grateful for his steadying arm.

They moved toward stage left, where Ethan was in the process of pulling a comfy love seat into place from the perimeter. The two men were attentive, helping get Rachel settled into the soft-cushioned seat, and lifting her swollen feet onto the matching ottoman.

"You want your usual, Rach?" Ethan's eyes twinkled with mischief.

She didn't have the heart to tell him she'd rather have a cup of hot tea. "Sure. Can you warm it up?"

"You bet. I'll be back."

To her surprise, Thomas still stood nearby. "I was wondering if you'd mind me sitting next to you for the show. You've been involved with this place for a long time, and probably know all the gossip. You can give me the inside scoop on everyone."

"On one condition," Rachel said.

"You name it."

"Tell me if Thomas is your first name or your last."

He grinned.