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“You’re late.”Ry’s voice was low and heavy.

“Yes.”Her chin went up.She wasn’t going to apologize.

“Bad move.”Jed’s spoke softly in her ear as his arms encircled her.

“I haven’t given my consent to anything.”

Jed held his hands up.“You’re right.”

Ry shook his head.“Let’s talk.”He gestured to the sofa.

“Come sit down.”Ry patted the center of the sofa on the other side of the room.

When had he moved?Katie shook off the sensual cobwebs and sauntered over to the sofa.She sat, leaving space between her and Ry.Jed grinned at her as he strode over, nudged her to the middle, and took his seat.His thigh brushed hers.

Ry shifted, his hip bumping into hers as he scooted closer to her.Her body temperature shot up.Two men, two hard bodies.

Stay calm, you can handle this.She settled back and waited.

“One rule we have is we don’t tolerate lateness.If you’re late again, it will be five swats from the implement of our choice from each of us for every minute you’re late.”Ry placed his arm around her shoulders.“And we’ll do it on your bare ass.”

She nodded, twisting her fingers together, wishing her pussy didn’t cream at his words.She should be frightened, but she wasn’t.This was Ry and Jed.The two who had taken her on her eighteenth birthday, showing her sexual heights unmatched since.

“Are you nervous, Kitty Kat?”Jed asked.

“A little.”She wasn’t going to lie.

Ry opened his mouth, but the ringing of the landline caused him to swear.They had to keep a landline because cell coverage on the ranch could be spotty, and Jed wanted to be sure his crew could reach him.

“I’ll get it.”Jed rose, ambled over, and snatched up the receiver.“Yes.”His lips pressed together.“Understood.I’ll be right down.”He hung the phone up and stared at her.“Misty’s in trouble.I have to go down to the stables.”

“Take care of her,” Ry said.

Jed nodded.“Go ahead and continue.I’ll catch up when I get back.”He turned and walked to the back of the house.

“Tell me, Katie.How many men have you been with?”Ry asked.

“Four.”Katie squirmed.She included him and Jed in that four.He didn’t have to know her relationship with Walter was platonic.And the other was a Dom at the club who only played with her.No sex involved.She didn’t want them to think she was totally inexperienced, even if she was.

“Are you saying—”

“Yes, that includes you and Jed.”No hiding, she told herself.When she made her decision to leave New York, it was with the knowledge Ry and Jed were the only two men she wanted.Her father could go to hell and back for his ideas on who was a good man for his daughter.He’d pushed Walter at her every chance he got, and Walter wasn’t the right man for her.Never had been.

“Then Jed was right.You know very little about our world.”

“More than you think.”Katie gathered up her courage.“Just because I didn’t have intercourse doesn’t mean I didn’t play.”

Ry sprung off the couch as if the fabric burned him.“You played?Where and with who?”

“Ry.”She reached out and took his fist in her hand.He stiffened.Was she breaking an unspoken rule?But they hadn’t established any rules yet, except if she was late.“This is something we can discuss when Jed is here.I don’t want to explain twice.”

And she didn’t.She’d waited until she was twenty-two before she went to a club in New York.It had been more than to satisfy her curiosity, and to help her understand the lifestyle.Even if it scared the crap out of her at times.

But she was learning to deal with her fear.It was more fear of her own sexuality and learning to understand the needs she had.She trusted Ry and Jed.Her therapist Pamela had told her trust and communication was the foundation for any relationship.Something her father broke over and over again.

She waited, and Ry let out a breath.She pulled her arm back as he sat down.

“You know I’ve always been a little protective where you’re concerned.”