Page 14

She’d wondered when he’d return to that topic.Sitting back against the sofa, Katie tried to relax.“At my dad’s company, I met some of the other female workers.We usually went out for drinks on Friday night, just to unwind from the week.And one Friday night, we got to talking about sex.”She tangled her fingers together in her lap.

“We discussed the usual stuff.Right after I turned twenty-two, Jan approached me at lunch the following week and asked me if I was interested in the kinkier aspects of sex.When I told her maybe, she gave me a card.It had the name of Dr.Pamela Shaffer, Sexual Psychologist, and the date and address of her next free workshop.”

“And you went?”Jed slipped his arm around her shoulders.

“Yes, I was curious.Pam was fantastic, and she opened my eyes to a lot of things.She gave me a list of recommended books to read, so I ordered them and read them.”

“They helped?”Ry asked.

Katie’s gaze caught his.Desire shined in his eyes.“Yes, I began to understand more about the lifestyle you two wanted.She took me under her wing after I explained about you two and my bad reaction.”

“Aw hell, Kitty Kat, your reaction was natural.You were only eighteen.”

“A very naïve eighteen.”

“This Dr.Pam took you to clubs to play?”Ry asked.

“Sort of.She knew I wasn’t ready to play but wanted to know more.She took me to clubs she knew were safe and would welcome me.”

“And what did you think of the clubs?”Jed asked.

“At first, I was scared to death, but after the first couple of times—when no one minded that I stayed clothed or didn’t participate—I began to watch and learn.And later, I participated on a limited basis.”

“Tell me what you learned,” Ry said.

Katie took a deep breath.“I learned I’m a sexual submissive, about the power exchange, and though my desires were different, they weren’t any less important.”

“You said you participated on a limited basis,” Ry said.“Explain.”

“It means I allowed Sir William to play with my breasts, put clamps on them, and to spank me.”Her gaze flickered to Jed, then back to Ry.Neither seemed upset by this.That made her relax a little more.

“And sex?”Jed asked.

Katie shook her head.Time to tell the truth.“No sex.Not since you two.”

Ry sprang from his chair, and Katie winced.Oh, hell, she’d misread him.She’d told him earlier that she’d been with four men but hadn’t mentioned sex.How angry was he she’d left that detail out?It was hard to tell.

“Ryland,” Jed snapped.

Ry glanced at them, closed his eyes, then opened them.“Sorry, Katie, I’m not angry.I just can’t believe you haven’t had sex in eight years.”

“I have used toys.I had to get some relief somehow.”

“Of course you did.”Jed squeezed her shoulders.“I think maybe this is enough for tonight.”

Ry straightened and ran his fingers through his hair.“Dinner tomorrow night.Be here at six.We’ll have dinner first.You can tell us how you’re feeling and if you’re ready to play with us.If the answer is yes, you’ll go down to the dungeon, and we’ll begin your training.”

“Okay.”Katie stood up, feeling confused but also relieved.She turned to Jed.“Tomorrow.”She gave him a kiss on the cheek, then turned to Ry.

She didn’t want Ry angry with her.It was up to her to show him the woman she’d become.She raised her chin and marched over to Ry.He went still when she stopped in front of him.“All I can say is I’m sorry I ran.I was too young to understand myself, let alone what the two of you needed.”Standing on her toes, she kissed his cheek.

“I’ll walk you out,” Jed said as he took her hand.

She threw a glance over her shoulder, but Ry hadn’t moved.She fought against saying something more.She didn’t want this to be an upward battle.

Jed squeezed her hand as they walked out the front door.“All will be okay.”

* * * *