The Chase

“Before.”

“So they didn’t punish you?”

“No. They threatened to spank me when they heard I’d offered River my, um…”

“Virginity? Yeah.” She snorted. “They were so bent about that, I’m surprised they didn’t do more than threaten.”

“Would they really take me over their knee as a punishment?” But she knew the answer. It made her blush and feel a little hot.

A month ago, she couldn’t imagine getting this personal with anyone. Now, it felt helpful, if still a little unnatural.

“In a heartbeat. And for lots of reasons other than lying, so listen up. Don’t ever say you’re fine if you’re not.”

“Okay. What else?”

“Don’t throw a hissy. Let me tell you from personal experience, that’s a big no. They’ll want calm, effective communication. And don’t say negative things about yourself. You can say you feel bloated. You can’t say you’re a fat cow.” The pregnant woman rubbed her swelling belly with an impish grin. “Believe me, I know.”

Heavenly touched a hand to her friend’s baby bump and softened with something that felt like envy. “I won’t.”

“Whatever you do, don’t give them your tears unless they’re real.”

Why would someone fake-cry? “I’d never—”

“Good. Another important tip: if they tell you to do something in or out of bed, either sit them down to explain why you can’t—because they will see reason—or do what they’ve told you. Otherwise, be prepared to face the consequences.”

“Like a spanking?” Honestly, she’d enjoyed that…more than she wanted to admit.

“If you’re lucky. But not always.”

“What else would they do? And how am I supposed to know?”

“Sometimes, they’ll tell you the punishment for disobedience in advance. Even if they don’t, after you get to know them, you won’t have to guess too hard.” Raine grinned in a way that made Heavenly nervous. “But I suggest you get good at negotiating, sweetie. You’ll be doing it constantly with those two.”

“Negotiating what?”

Raine smiled as if it should be obvious. “Everything. If you haven’t figured it out yet, there are two things they want most from you. Well, besides sex. Trust and commitment. I know you’re not in a good mental space to be thinking about forever but—”

“I trust them.”

The brunette raised a brow. “They don’t see it that way. I get why you didn’t tell them about Bazookas or your dad and all that stuff. A lot of people want to keep their family and financial situations private, especially in a new relationship. But now, you’re theirs—at least in their minds. They’re going to expect a lot more from you. And when you hide things, their translation is that you would have told them if you genuinely believed in them.”

That horrified Heavenly. “But that’s not—”

“True? It doesn’t matter. That’s how they’ll take it. You want to hurt them? Keep secrets. Actually, that’s the number one no-no in our house.”

“Does that rule work both ways? Do they keep stuff from you?”

She got quiet. “We all hid our truths and feelings early in the relationship. It nearly destroyed us. So no, none of us keep secrets anymore.”

Heavenly couldn’t imagine blurting out everything. “That’s a lot to grasp.”

“And you’ll have to get used to it. They know that. But try your best. If you’re not willing to, there’s no reason for you to stay.”

Maybe she shouldn’t, but Heavenly needed to see where her heart led her. She couldn’t let guilt make her decisions.

“I will.”

“Good. They won’t settle for just the parts that you want to share.” Raine shoved a tube of mascara in one hand and a lash curler in the other. “Three coats.”