What Happens in Vegas

He paused again, and I could tell it wasn’t just for dramatic effect. He was trying to figure out a way to put it. A way to word things, so I would best understand.

“Well, the second date is all about us.”

Eighteen

LAUREN

I sat at the other end of the phone, blinking unknowingly. My wine glass dangling from one limp hand.

“All about… you?”

“Yes,” said Corey. “If a girl wants to go out on a second date, we make sure she agrees to take care of our needs.”

“Didn’t I take care of your needs last night?” I laughed, maybe even a little wickedly. “I mean… if I seem to remember correctly—”

“Yes,” said Corey, “of course you did. And you were amazing. There’s no denying that.”

I was squinting in confusion again. “So what’s the issue?”

“Let me put it this way,” said Corey, his voice abruptly different again. All of a sudden he sounded a lot more sure of himself. “If you were to go out with us a second time, you’d have to let us call the shots. We’d be in total control.”

“Fine,” I said, feeling thrilled at the prospect. “Done.”

“Not so fast,” he went on. “On the second date, you’d have to do everything and anything we wanted. No questions asked.”

No. Questions. Asked.

I lost my breath at that part. Luckily, I found my voice again quickly.

“What do you mean by everything and anything?”

“Exactly that,” Corey replied simply. “During the first date, we were completely at your disposal. But during the second date?

?? you’re ours.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Ours?”

“Yes.”

I was feeling hot all of a sudden, warm all over. And it definitely wasn’t from the wine.

“If we took you out, you’d obey us,” said Corey. “You’d be our guest, but also our…”

“Toy?” I offered.

I heard him pause again, trying to consider his words. “Look, Lauren,” he said. “This isn’t for everyone. It’s not something I’d expect you to want, or even understand, or—”

“Then go on,” I said, trying not to choke on my own rising excitement. “Explain it to me.”

A few halting seconds passed. Long moments of absolute nothingness, as I stared down at my phone’s darkened screen.

Then he spoke… and he told me everything.

Everything.

“Oh.”

It was a dry, one-word response that eventually dropped from my lips. The only word I could even manage, by the time he was finished speaking.