Julie laughed. "Faith, you dork, we were only apart for less than a week. "
"So?" she said with a sniff. "I missed you guys. "
"The hell you did," Serena snorted. "If I know Gray he had you six ways to Sunday and a few into Monday as well. "
Faith blushed but her grin lit up the entire cab.
"Okay, so I know you guys arent thrilled with Cattlemans, but I arranged our own little private drinking area, complete with . . . drumroll, please . . . our own private bartender. And hes hot, if I do say so myself. "
"Oooh, Cattlemans is looking up," Serena said.
Faith wrinkled her nose. "Since Im newly married and all, arent I supposed to be struck blind for at least six months? Im not supposed to notice hot guys, right?"
"Honey, as long as you go home to your even hotter man, a little window-shopping is not verboten," Julie said.
"Hmm, window-shopping. I like that," Faith said.
Half an hour later, they landed at Cattlemans and entered the pub, cutting past several people waiting to be seated to eat. Julie caught Carls eye and waved. He smil
ed and motioned her back.
"Come on, girls," Julie said grabbing their hands.
Seconds later, escorted by Carl, they were given a table in a cordoned off section of the bar. The rounded back corner was theirs and a bartender leaned saucily against the wall.
"Ladies," he greeted. "My name is Drew, and Im yours for the evening. "
"Oh, Julie, good call," Serena murmured.
"Somebody remind me Im married," Faith squeaked.
"Place your orders," Drew said. "Im ready to pour. "
Fours hour later, the crowd had filtered out, the drinks had slowed and Julie, Serena and Faith were on the floor, their heads touching as they stared up at the ceiling.
"Who knew there were stars up here, or that they glowed in the dark," Faith said in a low whisper.
"Pretty," Serena agreed.
Julie was still trying to get her tongue to work. A face appeared above her head, a grinning face.
"Ready to call it a night?" Drew asked.
"Hell no," Julie muttered. Easy enough to find her tongue when it counted. "I want one more. Just slide the straw down here so I dont have to get up. "
He chuckled. "Sorry. Im going to have to cut you off. Its last call. "
"Damn. "
"Think Carl will mind if we just camp out here tonight?" Serena asked. "Ive lost the feeling in my legs. "
"Im not moving," Faith said. "If I do, Ill probably puke. "
"So, we stay," Julie said with a nod.
She held up her hand, giggling when it waved precariously. Serena and Faith held theirs up, and it took three attempts, but they finally managed to high-five.
Julie let her hand fall to the floor with a thump. "Damn its good to hang out with you guys again. We need to make a solemn vow with you two heifers tying the knot that we dont give this up and become boring housewives. "
"Bite your tongue," Serena muttered. "Damon may have me manacled, but he doesnt have me on a leash. "
"Yet. " Faith snickered.
Julie turned to check out the shiny arm cuff on Serenas upper arm. It looked so exotic on her, and shed wondered more than once what its significance was. She had a matching one above her ankle. It looked so slave-girlish.
"So is that what he gave you in lieu of a collar?" Julie asked seriously.
Serena stilled and touched the outline of the gold. "Yeah," she said quietly. "Its his mark of ownership. "
"Damn, thats hot," Faith said wistfully. "Grays not into the embellishments and trinkets of the so-called lifestyle. Id wear something like that though. Its incredibly sexy. "
"So collar yourself," Julie said. "Surprise him one night and show up naked save for your owner collar or whatever the hell you call it. "
"Your snideness is showing again," Serena snickered.
"No," Julie said. "Im not snide at all. I think what you guys have is cool. Its not for me, but anyone with eyeballs can see how much Gray and Damon love and worship you two. If Faith thinks its hot, then go for it. Get a leash while youre at it. I can think of all sorts of naughty things you could do with a leash," she added with a grin.
"Uhm, I guess Im too drunk or I lack imagination, but now Im dying to hear these deviant ideas you have about leashes. "
Julie snorted. "Come on, Faith. Youre the resident wild child. If you cant figure that one out, you need to go watch some porn or something. "
"I once raided Micahs stash," she admitted. "He has some, er, uhm, interesting stuff. "
Both Serena and Julie raised their heads, or at least they tried. Julies landed back with a thump, and she groaned.
"Were dying of curiosity here, Faith. Spill," Serena said.
"Lots of bondage stuff. Darker than I would have thought. Kinda scary, but it made me shivery at the same time," Faith said.
"Oh? Well, I kinda figured him for the bondage type. Hes all brooding, and he seems to like submissive women," Julie said.
"Uh-huh," Serena said.
"There was something in that agreement," Faith needled.
Serena laughed. "Ive felt the sting of Micahs lash," she said ruefully.
"Damon allowed this?" Julie asked.
"Oh yes," she sighed. She went silent, and Julie didnt pry for more.
"So what else?" Julie prompted Faith. She was curious as to Micahs proclivities now that she knew hed fucked her along with Nathan.
"Dark stuff. "
"You already said that," Serena said patiently. "What kind of dark stuff. "
"Spankings, but not the light, fluffy kind. Pain, the edgy kind that crosses the line of pleasure. Hot wax. And when I say submission, I mean complete and utter submission. Its hard to explain. Had this dungeon feel to it. He seems to like threesomes too, but then I guess we all know that," she added with a laugh.
"What do you suppose his story is?" Julie murmured. "A man like that has all sorts of juicy secrets, Im willing to bet. "