it is, Sawyer. If you want to see me, I’ll come get you.”
“I do.”
“So call me when you’re done, and I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” I lowered my voice as I walked to my car. “I’ve got plans for you.”
She gasped. “What kind of plans?”
“I’m not going to tell you. That would take all the fun out of it.” Actually there wasn’t really anything that would take the fun out of what I was going to do to her. But the element of surprise would add a little extra something.
“Oh, you’re so mean.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “But I can’t wait. I’ll call you as soon as I can.”
We hung up, and I drove home humming a song that had been playing in the bar. When I got there, I let Renzo out, gave him some attention, and then put him into the spare bedroom. He let me know in no uncertain terms that he was not pleased.
“Sorry, buddy. But I need a little more room to myself tonight. And since things might get kinda rough and I don’t want you to get spooked, you’ve gotta stay in there.” I scratched behind his ears. “I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, okay? Extra play time at the park after work.”
Once Renzo was taken care of, I took a quick shower, threw on some jeans and a T-shirt, and went downstairs to make sure everything was in place. Surprisingly, I wasn’t even that tired anymore. Thinking about the night ahead had adrenaline running through my veins, and my imagination was working overtime thinking up things I wanted to do to her, say to her.
The other night she’d told me she wanted sex that was a little unpredictable, sex that made her feel like she might not be okay. I had years’ worth of fantasies saved up—all kinds of things I never in a million years thought I’d get the chance to act out, with Meg or anyone else. Her words were like an invitation. And we had the necessary kind of trust between us.
When she texted me just after ten-thirty, I was ready. I turned off all the lights, pulled all the blackout shades, and left the handcuffs on the counter.
I was going to push her boundaries tonight.
Fourteen
Meg
“What’s with you? Got a hot date later?” Chloe poked me in the side and gave me a knowing look.
“Huh?”
“You keep checking your phone.”
“Oh.” Heat rushed my face, and I glanced around the table, where everyone was still finishing up dessert. “Yeah, kind of. Noah is coming to pick me up and I can’t figure out how to get out of here. He’ll be here in like fifteen minutes.”
“Say you’re tired and want to turn in.”
“You think?”
She shrugged. “Why not? Is your bedroom door closed?”
I thought for a second. “Yes.”
“Perfect. When they get home, they’ll just assume you’re already asleep.” She glanced around the table. “You start. I’ll back you up.”
I flashed her a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I put my phone away, waited about sixty seconds, and yawned dramatically, stretching my arms for good measure. “Wow, I am beat. All that food and wine did me in. I think I’ll head back and hit the hay.”
“Me too,” said Chloe, pretending to stifle a yawn of her own.
“Really?” my mother asked, eyeing us both a little suspiciously. “It’s not even eleven. I thought we’d go back to the house for coffee.”
“Sounds nice, but I’m really tired,” I said, jumping to my feet.
“Same, and I’ve got a bit of a drive home.” Chloe stood too.
“It’s the same drive I have,” April pointed out, one brow arched. She had to know something was up.
“I know, but I’m a baby about my sleep. I’ll walk out with you, Meg.” Chloe grabbed my elbow and tugged me toward the door. “Thanks for dinner, Mom and Dad. See you guys tomorrow. Night, all.”
We hurried through the restaurant, which was fairly empty at that hour. Hitting the lobby, we burst out laughing. “God, that was so bad,” I said, cringing.
“It was,” Chloe agreed. “We are not very good actresses. You’ve got zero chill whatsoever.”
“You’re no better! And I can’t help it. I’m excited to see him.”
“I can tell.”
We said goodnight to the evening desk receptionist, walked down the back hallway past the executive offices, and used the employee exit. “I mean, I knew it was going to be good,” I said once we were outside. “But it was more than that. It was the best I