RAVEN
? ?? Every day for us something new… ???
Ilooked at their hope-filled faces and battled over my response. I wanted, more than anything, to see where this could lead, but, at the same time, I was terrified by it. I was anything but a risk taker in my everyday life and this was a huge risk. God only knows what people would think of a threesome, let alone a BDSM one. I realized, as the hope died on their faces, that my inner monologue meant I wasn’t actually answering them.
“I can’t stop thinking about the other night,” I started, “but I’m equal parts excited and terrified at the prospect of this becoming my life. I’ve really only had a vanilla relationship, just the one, and even that didn’t go well.”
“How so?” Chase asked.
“Leah was actually the one who set us up. He was one of the few that came without the pocket protector and need for a personality transplant,” I giggled.
They chuckled good-naturedly and prompted me to continue.
“I thought things were going really well and then, one day, he just up and ended things with no explanation. To this day, I have no idea what happened. He wouldn’t tell Leah either.”
“You’ve only had one relationship?” Seb asked, brow raised.
“Yup. I mostly just stay home on my own. Okay, wow, I just made myself sound like a colossal loser.”
“No, you didn’t. Listen, why don’t we table things for tonight, order dessert, and just enjoy each other’s company. Take a couple days to think on it and then let us know,” Chase said, uncertainty flashing in his eyes.
“I can get behind that idea,” I smiled.
We spent the evening drinking wine and getting to know each other better. By the time we left the restaurant, I was more drawn to them than ever. I had to force myself not to invite them back to my place. I was certain neither of them would have turned me down. They each stooped to drop a kiss at the corner of my mouth and then put me in an uber home.
* * *
I jumpedin the shower once I got home and then pulled on a pair of fuzzy pajamas. I replayed the evening in my mind, trying to absorb everything they’d told me. I had to admit, the whole Dom/sub thing was really nothing like what I’d thought it would be. I guess they were right when they told me that Hollywood has really fucked with the perception of it. I looked at the clock, wondering if it was too late to call Leah. I needed to clear the air with her and I could really use a friend to bounce ideas off of. She had meant well dragging me out to the club and it seemed like she really was sure I’d be safe with Seb and Chase.
10 o’clock on a Friday night definitely wasn’t too late to call, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she was out. It was amazing that a social butterfly like her and a hermit like me could have become such great friends. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number, letting it ring until it went to voicemail. I didn’t bother leaving a message. I would just call her tomorrow.
I brought up Andrew’s information, hovering over ‘send’ for only a moment before clicking to connect the call. Unlike with Leah, he picked up on the first ring.
“Raven? Are you okay?”
“Hello to you, too, Andrew,” I laughed, “I’m fine. I was just looking for someone to talk to.”
“I’m close by, I’ll be over in ten,” he said, hanging up.
What the fuck was that?
I tried calling back to tell him to stay home, but he didn’t pick up. I considered getting changed before deciding he’d have to just deal with me in my pajamas. After all, he was the one coming over uninvited. True to his word, he was at my door ten minutes later. I let him in, offering him a drink.
“You didn’t need to come over, you know? We could have talked over the phone.”
“I figured, after the way your week has gone, you could use a friend to hang out with and talk to.”
“That’s true, I just wasn’t expecting company,” I said, motioning to my attire.
“You should know by now that wouldn’t bother me. So, what has you looking to talk this late on a Friday night?”
I tried to decide how best to broach the subject that had upset him so much earlier in the week. I figured he’d probably get a little annoyed over the fact I had gone to dinner with them, not to mention the fact I was considering a relationship with them. Nothing could have prepared me for the reaction I got, though.
“Are you fucking crazy or just downright stupid, Raven?” he roared.
“Excuse me? You can’t…”
“Don’t fucking tell me what I can or can’t say or do. A few days ago, you were beside yourself over the fact you spent an evening with them and now you’re considering a relationship with them?”
“That really is my decision. I think you’d better…”
“I didn’t break you up with your tool of a boyfriend so you could become a fucking miscreant!” he railed, “You’re so much better than this.”
“What are you talking about, Andrew?” I asked, eyes wide and mouth gaping.
“That asshole Brian. He wasn’t good enough for you. You should be thanking me.”
“Thank you for meddling in my life? What the fuck did you do?”
“I just convinced him that you weren’t right for him, that’s all.”
“What. Did. You. Do?”
“I just explained to him that it would be better for him and his family if he ended things with you. He was very easy to convince. You’d be hard pressed to scare me off like that.”
I leveled my eyes at him and, in a low, menacing voice said, “Get the fuck out of my house.”
His eyes filled with rage and, for a minute, I was afraid he’d do something to hurt me. I stood up, straightened my spine, and steeled my nerves.
“I won’t tell you again.”
He stormed out the front door and I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding and collapsed into my chair. My stomach was in knots and I was shaking uncontrollably. Suddenly, I was afraid to be here alone. In my own home.
Fuck.