Page 135 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

Andrew grimaced. “Yeah.”

Shock permeated Tom’s features. “And you’re not there? Shadowing her every move?”

Amy gave Andrew anI told you solook that seemed to add to his annoyance. If she were even remotely intelligent, she wouldn’t poke the bear. But excessive cleverness wasn’t something she’d ever been accused of.

“I don’t know exactly where she is in Australia.”

Tom looked from Andrew to Amy then a grin split his face. “You won’t tell him.”

It wasn’t a question, but Amy answered anyway. “She’s perfectly safe. If I thought she needed rescuing I’d tell him where to find her.”

Tom released a brief, loud bark of laughter. Amy decided then and there she liked the cameraman. “None of this explains whyyou’rehere. And why you refused to bring her to begin with, Andrew. Guests are always welcome at parties as long as they’re accompanied by a member.”

“I wanted to surprise you,” Amy said to Andrew. “I left you a note at home.”

“I never made it home. Paulie phoned to chastise me for forgetting to call and leave the name of my guest.”

She gave him an embarrassed smile, regret crinkling her nose. “Sorry. Did I mess up your deal with the advertisers?”

“Dinner was nearly over, so it was no problem for me to claim I had an emergency to attend to.”

“Well, that’s good, I guess. I’m glad you’re here.”

Andrew took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips to kiss. It was an old-fashioned gesture, but he still managed to make it feel like pure seduction as he opened his mouth, taking one of her fingers inside to suck on it.

Tom’s eyes widened. “Looks like you two have become friendly as well.”

Amy flashed Tom a smile. “Andrew’s teaching me how to be a submissive.”

Tom choked. “Damn. You’re doing a helluva job so far, Shaw.”

Andrew narrowed his gaze, giving Tom a dirty look. “Fuck you. I told you to stay home, Amy.”

“I thought it might be more fun to move our lessons here.”

“Yeah, well, lucky for you, Tom was already here and able to intervene. Otherwise, you’d most likely be spending the evening with Schuster.”

“The arsehole? No way.”

Tom explained. “Amy, you walked into the social room without a Dom or a bracelet. That’s an open invitation.”

“And I don’t get any say-so?”

Tom shook his head. “Not tonight. It’s aprivateparty and there are some fairly strict rules regarding the play at this one.”

She bit her lip. “Oh. Sorry again. I didn’t realize.”

Tom shrugged good-naturedly. “No harm, no foul. So…are you two planning to stick around for a while?”

Andrew didn’t respond immediately. Instead he studied his friend’s face before looking at her. His expression was less angry now. If anything, he seemed to be uptight. Then he nodded slowly. “Sure. Why not? We’re already here.”

Just when Amy didn’t think Tom’s grin could get any bigger, he proved her wrong. “Awesome.” He reached into his pocket for something. “I reserved room seven when I checked in.”

Andrew looked at him. “I told you I wasn’t coming.”

Tom lifted his shoulder. “I was horny tonight. Planning my first solo act.”

Amy tried to follow their conversation, but wasn’t having much luck. For a second, it almost sounded as if Andrew and Tom were a couple. “Um, should I leave?”