as he finished his sentence, Aiden’s best friend and partner from the police force, Josh, walked up to the table.
“Hey, score! Looks like I’m moving up in the world, getting seated with the fun crowd.”
Mistress Martha, who had obviously never met the handsome cop, pulled the chair out next to her and with a shit-eating grin on her face, patted the chair, and welcomed the newcomer. “What a nice surprise.” Josh had just moved into motion to take a seat next to Mistress Martha when she finished her thought. “I’m gonna have to thank Lukus and Tiffany for providing me with some boy-toy entertainment tonight. I’ve been waiting to find a nice submissive young man to play with.”
Josh froze, mid-sit, until the whole table burst out laughing. He did finish sitting, but Rachel noticed him scooting his chair a few inches away from Martha in an attempt to put some distance between them as Grey finally filled in their new friend.
“Don’t worry. Mistress Martha talks big, but she’s turning into a softy.”
“Hey, I resent that. Just because I’m a little out of practice doesn’t mean I’m going soft.”
Having always been scared of the crusty old Domme, Rachel actually agreed with Master Grey. Martha had mellowed. Still, she wasn’t going to say that out loud.
Josh proved he was able to handle her on his own. “Yeah, well I may not have officially joined The Pit yet, but I can assure you, I’ll be on the Dom side of the equation, not the submissive.”
“Such a shame,” Martha complained, a smile still on her lips.
A waiter arrived to fill everyone’s champagne glass for the coming toast, but Rachel waved them off since she was still breastfeeding. She noticed that Mary abstained from drinking alcohol as well.
After the waiter left, Mary leaned in to whisper to Rachel, “I can’t believe it, but James has been all gung-ho to have another baby ever since we got home from your house a few weeks ago. Even though we’ve been crazy busy with Christmas and now New Years and the wedding, he still had me go to my OBGYN to have my IUD removed earlier this week.”
Rachel hugged Mary. “That’s awesome! It would be great for Michael to have a friend his age to play with as they grow up.”
Mary grumbled good naturedly. “Yeah, well I tried to talk him into waiting at least until after the new year just so I could drink alcohol tonight. I’m on strict ‘no booze’ instructions, although….” Mary’s eye sparkled as she waved the waiter back over with the champagne. As soon as her glass was full, she turned towards the head table, seeking out her husband sitting with the bridal party. She waited until he glanced her way before holding her full flute up in a distant toast. James just shook his head before grinning.
Only after Mary had downed half the glass did Rachel press her. “What the hell is that all about?”
“Oh nothing.” When she could see Rachel wasn’t having it, she added, “It’s just that we got a room here tonight and the kids are staying with my parents. I just want to make sure we have something fun to talk about when we get upstairs.”
Obviously, their seat mates had seen the exchange as well because they broke out in laughs and Master Grey confirmed, “I see you’re bratting to make sure your gonna get your ass nice and warmed. I’ll make sure James knows you deserve double the punishment for topping from the bottom.”
Making matters worse for herself, Mary stuck her tongue out at Grey, much to Violet’s delight.
The toasts and dinner flew by too fast, although when the lights dimmed and the DJ announced the first dance, everyone gathered around the dance floor, anxious to watch the bride and groom share their first dance. Rachel was thrilled when her husband finally joined her, hugging her from behind as they enjoyed watching the happy newlyweds.
“A year ago, I would have said this day was impossible, but look at them. They are the perfect couple,” Derek whispered against her ear as they swayed to the music themselves.
Rachel giggled, remembering the disastrous way Lukus and Tiffany had met. Glancing across the dance floor, she watched as Markus and Brianna stepped out onto the floor to join their best friends in the first dance. Rachel’s heart was joyful recognizing just how much love they shared and felt lucky to be part of their inner circle of friends.
Derek stepped around her,