Catch A Tiger By The Tail (THIRDS 6)

Ethan didn’t know the first thing about bondage. The closest he’d ever come to tying anyone up was when he apprehended perps. From the looks of things, he’d have to do some research. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Calvin. He also wanted it to be good for his partner. Seeing as how said partner was in the canteen, Ethan decided to take a moment to look some stuff up and get a general idea about how much research would be involved. He put his browser in privacy mode and started typing. The amount of websites out there on the subject was staggering. How did he know which ones he could trust? He came across something called Shibari, and it immediately piqued his interest. Tapping on one of the images of a blond man tied up very elegantly with red rope stirred something inside Ethan, not to mention in his pants.

Oh my. He could see his partner tied up like this, the ropes a sharp contrast to his fair skin. It was artistic, which suited Calvin.

“The Art of Shibari?”

Ethan nearly jumped out of his skin. He’d been so absorbed in the images in front of him that he hadn’t seen or heard Dex approaching. “What’s wrong with you?” Ethan growled quietly.

“According to some, lots, but let’s talk about more exciting things, like bondage.” Dex leaned his elbows on Ethan’s desk and wriggled his eyebrows. “You’re just full of surprises. So, I take it you and Cal have been getting jiggy with it? Doing the horizontal mambo. Playing hide the sausage.”

Ethan groaned. “Please stop.” His face was burning, and he quickly swiped his hand on the desk to close the image of the tied-up blond man.

“I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say this is for Cal. I knew he had a freaky side.”

Ethan arched an eyebrow at his friend.

“The quiet ones always do,” Dex replied with a wink.

Ash walked into the room, and Ethan didn’t have time to minimize the Shibari website before Ash saw it. Damn it!

“You guys are finally banging. Good for you. Cal likes it kinky, huh?” Ash leaned over to study the open website. “Fuck, man. You need a goddamn engineering and medical degree to figure that shit out. Your boy couldn’t be into something simpler, like blindfolding or something?”

Oh my God, was Ash talking to him about sex? Did someone put something in the water? Had Dex finally cracked him? What was going on around here? Ethan was about to reply when Cael popped his head into the office.

“Hey, what’s going on?” He squeezed in between Dex and Ash, giving Ash a poke on his side and making him chuckle. “Whatcha all looking at?”

Really? Anyone else?

“Should I even ask?” Sloane mumbled as he stepped up beside Dex.

And now his day was complete. Ethan covered his face with his hands. This couldn’t be happening. Maybe he should signal Letty and Rosa, get the whole team in here. They could help him take notes.

“It’s like an Avon party but with sex toys,” Dex stated cheerfully. “Do they have those? I bet they do.”

Cael shoved Dex to one side and tapped away at Ethan’s desk interface. “Actually, check this website out. They have top-quality stuff. It’s a little pricier than some of the other websites but worth every penny. Trust me. They’ve also got experts on hand to answer any questions you might have. I think one’s a Shibari expert. If you sign up for their rewards program, you get a free pair of handcuffs. If they can hold Ash, they can hold Calvin.”

Ash and Dex protested simultaneously. “Cael!”

Cael blinked innocently. “What? You should get a pair, Dex. They’re Therian-strength. Oh, and they have body paint that tastes like Fruit Roll-Ups.”

Dex looked horrified. “I do not want to hear about what this fiend gets up to in the bedroom with my innocent little brother.”

“Innocent?” Ash laughed, receiving a glower from Cael. He cleared his throat. “No, you’re right. It’s all me.”

Cael rolled his eyes. “It’s just sex.”

He opened up different product windows, and Ethan was ready to hide under his desk. Were those dildos? Oh my God. Really, Cael? Really?

“At home in my drawer I have this huge d—”

Ash clamped a hand over Cael’s mouth, his face crimson. “Dictionary. A huge dictionary. Cael’s teaching me new words, such as… delitescent. Adjective. This entire conversation should have remained delitescent.”

“I’m a little scared right now,” Dex whispered hoarsely, turning to Sloane. “Hold me.”

Sloane put his arm around Dex and patted his head. “There, there.” He turned his attention to the website. “Hey, check if they sell black leather chaps.”

Dex perked up. “Ooh, assless please.”

Ethan jumped to his feet and started pushing whoever he got his hands on. Out, everybody out! You weirdos. Get out of my office.