Sorry for the delay in the post, but hope you enjoy!
– Richard
Chelsea settled back into her spot next to Arnold.
“Everything go okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. He actually wasn’t that bad,” she said.
“Did you kiss?”
“No.”
“Not even a little one? On the cheek?”
“No. I didn’t really even think about it.”
“So what did you do?”
“We talked a little. He helped me calm down.”
“That’s good. So, no funny business?”
Chelsea blinked. Was spanking funny business? It wasn’t sexy spanking. Or not any more sexy than anything that involved Mark being within five feet of her. “No. He was fine. I… I dunno. It’s just a lot seeing him here, but he’s not doing anything wrong. I’m gonna go get a drink. Want anything?”
“Nah, I think we’re about done with this game anyway. I’ll stretch my legs after it’s done.”
Chelsea stepped into the kitchen and glanced over the bottles on the island. She reached for the Fireball, only to have someone else snatch it just before she could grab it.
“You sure you want to do that tonight?” Mark asked.
She crossed her arms. “What’s it to you? You’re not responsible for me anymore.”
He grabbed a cup and poured a little in. Not as much as she would’ve. Then a heavy pour of cranberry juice, stirred, and handed it to her.
“I’m 35, Mark. I know my limits.” She downed the whole thing in one gulp.
“I’m sure you do. Be a dear and pour me some of that Dewar’s.”
“Yes, Si– damnit!” She poured herself some more Fireball instead.
He quirked one eyebrow, the edge of his mouth following it despite his efforts to stop it.
“And I was so nice to you in the closet. Can’t even pour me a drink.”
“Not when you ask like that.”
“Like what?”
“With your ‘sub word’, bullshit.”
“Will you please pour me some of that Dewar’s?”
She rolled her eyes, but poured, passing him the cup.
“That’s a dear. Thank you.”
“Bastard.”
“Careful. If Hannah hears you, she’ll think we’re flirting. I don’t know that yours will notice.”
“Where is she, anyway?”
“Counting to one hundred before she can pee.”
“You work fast.”
He took a sip of the scotch and leaned on the counter. “She asked me to show her what I did that freaked you out so much. She was easy to read. A little light bondage, a little teasing, some overstim… She was eating out of a dog bowl by the next day.”
“Well, I’m glad you two are having fun.”
He shrugged. “Fun enough. Not exactly looking for anything too serious right now.”
“Why not? You were never one to take things slow.”
“Getting my mom’s shop ready for her to retire is a lot of work. And I’ve got to help her pack up the house to move too. And I don’t really know what I’m going to do with my own life after all this is over.”
Chelsea poured in a bit more juice and stirred her drink. “I’m surprised you’re not just taking over. You always seemed to have fun when you worked there.”
“Yes, but I can’t exactly keep Hannah tied up in the back room. She has a job and all. Besides, that was stupid, totally unsafe.”
“I could’ve gotten out. Your knots were shit.”
He quirked an eyebrow again. “Care to find out if I’ve gotten any better?”
Arnie wandered in. “Hey, babe. Hey, Pete.”
“Hey, sweetheart!” Chelsea said, flinging herself at him and wrapping her arms around him. “Can I get your help with something?”
J R Vincente 