Then she sighed and shrugged. “It was amazing. I just don’t know that we’re going to repeat it. Why are you here anyway? Don’t you have a playboy fiancé to keep happy and a business of your own to run?”
Annabelle gave her the don’t-even-try-it face. “It’s Monday so the shop’s closed, which you would remember if your brains weren’t addled by Tyler. Jared had to go back to Philly to meet with some big client at Haven, and I remembered Joe took the day off to visit his mother in Delaware so you’re alone all day. Now, spit it out. What happened?”
Since she didn’t want to screw up Mr. Morrissey’s pants beyond repair, she switched off the iron and cocked her head for Annabelle to follow her to the break room.
After she’d poured herself her fourth—or fifth—cup of coffee for the morning, she set her mug on the tiny table along the wall and flopped onto one of the chairs.
“You have to promise me you won’t judge.”
Annabelle’s eyebrows curved into serious arches. “How kinky are we talking?”
“That’s just the thing. How kinky is too kinky? I’m not even sure I know. And I don’t know if I’m freaked out because I’m a prude or because I have a preexisting hang-up. And if I do have a preexisting hang-up, can I get over it before I completely push him away?”
Annabelle shook her head, an amused grin starting to form. “Maybe you should start by telling me exactly what happened and we can go from there.”
Kate took the plunge and let it spill out. “I let him tie me to the bed.” Ignoring Annabelle’s suddenly huge eyes, she pressed on. “I liked it in the moment but, of course, Sunday morning, I started to question everything. And now I think Tyler thinks I’m not into it and he won’t want to see me again. The problem is, I think I might be into it, but should I be? I mean, I’m supposed to be a strong woman, right? I shouldn’t want to be dominated by a man. I shouldn’t want to feel all helpless and ‘oh, save me, big strong man.’ Right?”
Annabelle blinked, looking totally confused. “Um, I’m still at, I let him tie me to the bed. I’m not shocked,” she rushed to add. “And I’m not judging. I’m just . . . Yeah, wow. That must have been a huge leap of faith for you.”
And this was why Annabelle was her best friend. She got her.
“It was. But what do I do about Tyler?”
“Well, what do you want to do about Tyler?”
Kate threw her hands in the air. “That’s just it. I don’t have a clue.”
Annabelle scrunched her face into a grimace. “Have you considered maybe it’s too soon after your breakup with Arnie to be with anyone else?”
“No, not really. I mean, breaking up with Arnie was the right thing to do. I just don’t love him like I should to make the commitment to marry him. I should’ve realized that months ago.”
“I think you did realize it months ago. When you first met Tyler. Do you think that has anything to do with how you’re feeling now?”
She took a sip of coffee and pondered that. “Possibly. Probably.” Then she sighed. “But what do I do about it? I want to see him again, but I’m not sure I’m ready to jump into that lifestyle. Hell, I’m not even sure I really approve of the lifestyle.”
“I’m sorry.” Annabelle offered her a lopsided grin. “I just don’t know what to tell you. You’re the only one who can know what you’re comfortable with. But maybe you’re not giving Tyler enough credit. Talk to him. Tell him what you’re thinking.”
“I know, I know. You’re absolutely right. It’s just not that easy when you don’t really know the guy.”
Annabelle shook her head. “Honey, you probably know him better than you realize. I think you learn a lot about a guy when you allow him to tie you up.”
Okay, when Annabelle put it like that . . .
She sighed. “I really like him.”
“Then don’t scare yourself away from him.” Annabelle reached for her hand and squeezed. “I say go for it.”
“Are you going to mope the entire time I’m in town? Seriously, I thought we were gonna have some fun this week and you’re acting like a fucking robot. What the hell’s wrong? And don’t give me any bullshit. I’ve known you for years, Tyler. What’s going on?”
Greg Hicks held out his hand for the glass of whiskey Tyler had just poured him then sat back in the leather club chair in the Salon.
A dreary Monday afternoon cast shadows throughout the room, perfectly matching Tyler’s mood.
He’d tried to throw off this serious funk because he was happy to see Greg, but not even last night in the bar, listening to some great, live music, could he dredge up a smile.
Dropping into the chair opposite Greg, he took a long pull from his own drink before he spilled his problem onto his friend’s shoulders.
“I met a woman. We spent a few nights together. Not sure it’s going to work out.”
“But you like her.”
The shock in Greg’s tone didn’t make him feel any better. Hell, did everyone think he was going to pine away for Mia for the next twenty years?
She was gone. He’d come to grips with her death, for Christ’s sake.
“Yeah. I do.”
Greg broke out in a smile that had been known to make women throw themselves on his casting couch without any hope of landing a job.
The guy looked like a SoCal surfer, with his sun-streaked brown hair and killer green eyes, and he towered over most men at six three.
People outside the film industry saw an easygoing dude with a ready smile and down-home charm. Industry insiders knew that outward charm hid the tough-as-balls producer who got films made on time and within budget and didn’t take shit from anyone.
“Well, now, I’m glad to hear that. So what’s the problem?”
Tyler wasn’t exactly sure, and that pissed him the hell off. “I think I scared her.”
And that really didn’t sit right with him.
“So what happened? Come on, now. Tell Father Greg all about it.”
That coaxed a smile out of him. Greg was barely six years older but he constantly razzed Tyler about his youth and inexperience.
Of course, Tyler reciprocated by telling him he was old, so it all evened out.
Tyler gave him the finger as he took another swallow and let the whiskey’s warmth sink into his blood. He’d been feeling pretty damn cold since he’d returned on Sunday.
“We’re gonna be ducking lightning bolts if you don’t watch your mouth.” Tyler set his empty glass on the table, figuring it was too early to finish the bottle. He and Greg had plans for tonight that required him to be coherent.
“Trust me, if I haven’t been struck by now, it ain’t happening. Start with the girl. Who is she?”
“You don’t know her.”
Greg’s gaze narrowed, as if Tyler had just presented him with an interesting puzzle. “Okay, so someone new. Someone who doesn’t know about your preferences?”
“She knows now.”
“Ah. And that’s the problem.”
He remembered word for word what Kate had said Sunday morning. “Yeah.”
“So what? You’ve been through this before. Mia had no idea what you liked when you first met her. Hell, Mia was practically an innocent when you brought her in. She adapted. What makes you think this girl won’t?”
Good question. “She’s stronger than Mia.”
Greg nodded. “No offense intended to Mia, you know I thought she was a sweet girl but . . . Hell, a thin sheet of ice was stronger than Mia. You had the perfect little submissive there.”
He knew that’s what everyone thought about Mia, at least those who knew his predilections. He still wondered, though, if Mia had been submissive. Or just afraid to refuse him.