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"Gross."

"Yup."

Nora's soft footfalls returned as she padded down the hall. Her bare feet became soundless when she returned to the area rug in front of the sofa. She wore a pair of my sweatpants with one of my worn-out FBI Academy sweatshirts. After a glance in Samirah's direction, she offered her a small wave.

"Well, look at you." Sam approached Nora, her hands on her hips as she did so. "What's got your pretty little face all sad?"

"Caroline making me wait all day." Nora pouted at her.

A soft chuckle escaped Samirah, and she reached up as if about to brush Nora's hair behind her ear. She paused, however, her gaze landing on me. "Permission to comfort your sub?"

"That's up to Nora," I said, lowering my phone to watch them.

Nora kept her eyes averted until I said her name. "Me?"

"Yes, you, honey. Only you can give permission about your own body. Not me," I said, seriousness lacing my tones. "My answer depends on yours."

Samirah observed our exchange casually, as it wasn't unusual in certain circumstances.

"You can," said Nora, looking up at Samirah now.

"Permission granted." I followed Nora's lead.

Samirah smiled and tucked Nora's damp hair behind her ear as she intended to do before. Her demeanor softened and she said, "What a treacherous Domme for making you wait. What ever shall we do with her?"

"Make her feed us." Nora smiled up at her and Samirah laughed as she urged her into a hug.

"I like that plan," she said, rubbing Nora's back. "You're all warm and cozy."

"Shower was hot." Nora leaned into her embrace, though she continued to pout at me.

Secretly I adored when she acted this way. Cute and needy with a slight edge to her twisted my insides and primed me for making it up to her later. It became a part of our pregame, and neither of us seemed to grow fatigued by it. I sent off our dinner orders, with Samirah's requests as well, then pocketed my phone.

Samirah continued to stand beside Nora and toy with her hair. "Your hair is like baby hair. Light and feathery."

"Everyone says that." Nora snickered.

Samirah broke away from her to perch herself on the loveseat adjacent to the sofa. She tugged Nora's hand with her, and with extreme caution, Nora followed. Her eyes never left me, however, and I fought the grin while I watched the two of them. Nora's nervousness became evident in her twitching fingers, but she hadn't refused Samirah's affection just yet. One day someone would poke fun of me for finding everything Nora did endearing and cute. Frankly, it would probably be Sali.

I winked at Nora and she finally smiled when she leaned back into the cushions.

"How about a foot rub for Caroline's pretty little sub?" Samirah cocked a brow at her and patted her lap.

Nora chuckled, and turned sideways to lounge against the arm of the loveseat with her feet in Sam's lap. Her amusement told me she was actively playing along while being aware of her limits.

"What's your safe word?" Samirah asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Nightshade," answered Nora while idly fingering her bracelet.

"Good. That applies always, yes?"

Nora nodded and wiggled her feet. "Yes, Mistress."

"Oh, what a good girl." Samirah grinned, her eyes falling on me. "Does she call you that?"

"Nope." I laughed and wagged my brows at Nora. "She knows better."

"Do you?" Samirah asked Nora as she began to massage her feet.