way Des touched Julie and how she immediately looked to him, plus Rory’s awareness of a hard-to-explain feeling about the energy between them. Rory wondered if it was as pronounced between him and Daralyn. If it was, he liked the idea.
“You have to see the potter’s booth we found,” Julie was telling Daralyn. “He has some gorgeous pieces. Des is thinking about buying one for Elaine for her birthday. Come see what you think. He also makes these little animals out of bits of leftover clay, and they are so cute. Far more affordable, too. I thought you might want one or two for your window ledge in the kitchen.”
Julie clasped Daralyn’s hand and was pulling her forward. Daralyn looked back at him, checking, and Rory gave her a nod. Her face brightened and she joined Julie in trotting ahead.
Des slid his hands into the pockets of his well-worn jeans as he ambled beside Rory. They checked out a booth selling pocketknives, Des picking up a couple to examine them. Rory offered his opinion before they nodded to the vendor and continued the companionable stroll.
Not surprising, the girls had stopped at a jewelry booth instead of making a straight line for the potter. Rory watched Julie hold a cuff to Daralyn’s ear, brushing her hair back onto her shoulder. The cuff looked like a delicate vine with blooming flowers that sparkled in the morning light along the curve of her ear. When Daralyn glanced his way, he nodded. He liked it. Pretty and sexy. Like his girl.
“Happy to answer anything on your mind, if you have questions about the party tonight.”
Rory glanced at Des. He must have been logging the byplay between him and Daralyn, same as Rory had between him and Julie. Well, he wasn’t going to say no to the offer. He trusted Marcus, but a second opinion never hurt.
“Have you ever been to one?”
“Plenty. I’ve done rope demo all over the country.”
After learning Des was a “rope artist,” Rory had looked up some of that. He’d thought about it even more after threading Daralyn’s legs through the hammock ropes and seeing the light impressions of the hemp on her limbs afterward.
“Marcus said you’re doing one at the party tonight,” Rory ventured.
Des nodded. “It’s kind of like that in the BDSM community. We’re there as guests, but if my skills help others, or if it adds to the atmosphere, I’m always open to doing a demo to pay my way.” Des slanted him a grin. “And don’t worry. Tyler’s old money, richer than Lucifer, but he isn’t stuck up and he doesn’t suffer assholes.”
“Good to know. What can I do to make sure she feels good there?”
Des gave him an approving look. “Best first question ever. You’re going to be fine.”
As they discussed some of the finer points of what Rory could expect at the party, as well as some deeper questions, he found Des was as good as Marcus at breaking it down, making him feel like there were no stupid questions.
While they talked, he was pleased to see that, except for quick glances to make sure she knew where Rory was, Daralyn seemed more comfortable among the flow of people than he’d ever seen her. Even when people pressed closer in the small space under the vendor tents.
When Julie swung back to tell Des the price of the piece he was considering for Elaine, she confirmed it. “I can’t believe it,” she said. “What a difference. Last time Les and I took her shopping, back several months ago, she was better—she’s always improving—but she was still sticking right with us.”
“Going to school has helped a lot,” Rory said. “And I think she’s been getting more comfortable ever since she started helping in the store.”
“No question. But Les said you helped make the school thing finally happen. Just look at her,” Julie said. “It’s you, Rory.”
Rory glanced toward Daralyn as she laughed at something one of the vendors said. She was so enchanting, he expected she’d be offered the biggest discounts anyone else would see today. The store suppliers were always cutting her breaks when she called in orders. Breaks even Jesus couldn’t get from those guys.
She looked his way again, smiled. His hand curled over his push rim. He was glad to see her comfort level, glad he had helped with it. But the openness of his conversation with Des prompted his next question.