“Maybe.” It was rare to find a woman our age still capable of blushing and the fact that it came so easily to Vanessa only made me more attracted to her. “I’ve never been to your place before.”
“We’re almost there, unless you prefer we go back to your place?” It wasn’t a big deal to me but after a few nights of dinner and more at her place, I wanted to show Vanessa my space. For a night.
Maybe more.
“Not at all. I’m eager to see where the mysterious Emmett Manning resides.”
“No mystery, I promise. I’m an open book.” It had been a long time since a woman wanted to read that book or since I’d let anyone browse the pages, but it felt like that was starting to change.
“Yeah? We’ll see about that.”
Five minutes later I parked right in front of my condo and killed the engine. “I guess we will.” Again Vanessa beat me to the punch, stepping from the passenger seat before I could help.
“Why did you choose a condo? Not that there’s anything wrong with it, I’m just…curious.”
“When I first got out of the service, apartment living wasn’t for me,” I told her and unlocked the door, escorting her inside. “Too much noise at all hours and it drove me fucking crazy. Sadie took me house shopping, and I liked this corner unit. It’s on three split levels, which was cool, so I made an offer on it. A hell of a lot quieter than my old place.”
“It’s nice,” she said hesitantly. “Could use a few more signs of life though.”
I arched a brow. “Are you offering to help me decorate because this is the extent of my decorating skills.”
“Seems like a big step,” she teased.
It seemed that way to me too, but we were still friends and that was exactly the kind of thing friends did for each other.
“I don’t mind if you don’t.” I guided her down a half staircase to the kitchen. “But I have a surprise for you.”
“What kind of surprise?” There was hesitation in her voice which reminded me of something else we needed to talk about. Later.
“The kind that you’ll like. I promise.” I pulled a bouquet of roses mixed with tulips from the fridge and handed them to her along with a little black bag.
Surprise flashed in her deep blue eyes and then she closed them and buried her face in the bouquet, inhaling deeply with a sweet smile on her face. “They’re gorgeous Emmett. Thank you. But, what’s the occasion?”
“No occasion except that I thought you might like some flowers.”
“And this?” She held up the bag with a teasing lilt to her voice, probably thinking I bought her a dildo or crotchless panties.
“Open it up and see.”
“Ooh, cryptic,” she teased. “Japanese moonshine? How is this even a thing?” Vanessa’s eyes were wide with surprise and something that looked a lot like affection. “We have to crack it open. Right now.”
“I kind of like it when you’re bossy.” Hell, I more than kind of liked it, my dick was already hard.
“Yeah? Then go get us some glasses, now. Please.” We both burst out laughing at her attempt.
“Almost.”
“What’s next?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, what do you normally do when you bring women here. A tour? Soft music on the sofa? I’m interested, not judging.”
“I don’t bring women here.”
“Ever?” I shook my head and she frowned. “So you go to them. Why?”
I shrugged. “I like to have my space.”
“But I’m here. Why? Do you have a dungeon or something?”
I laughed. “You ask a lot of questions.” I liked that she was interested enough to ask, and I liked it even more that she didn’t seem to be jealous.
“Are you gonna answer?”
“Why would I have a dungeon?”
“Be-because…you might have a kink or two?”
It was cute how she was so nervous when it came to talking about sex, even when she was curious.
“Okay. No dungeon, and if I was that kinky, I’d go to one of the clubs.”
“Club? What clubs have kinkiness?”
Her eyes lit up and she looked genuinely interested. And I felt guilty as hell for going by the Lucky Lopez the other night.
“Well, there are so-called sex clubs with exclusive lists, regulations, rules, but you can always find someone interested in a little kink. Sometimes a lot of kink. Especially since that book became a movie.”
She blushed and I knew she was aware of just what book I meant.
“You’ve been to a sex club?” She didn’t sound horrified, and I nodded, happy to have a drink in my hand.
“What was it like?”
“It’s just a place to get off exactly how you like to get off, safely and without judgment.”
I didn’t tell her that I didn’t go often. Sometimes I needed to relax where no one would judge, and I made no apologies for that. Until now.