Page 17 of Dual Surrender

“You might not like it.”

More than anything, I wished I could turn my brain off. It cycled through the past year, the night we met, the first night he stayed over, all the way up to the week before when we’d celebrated our anniversary like strangers. The conversations and confusion that followed, and the way I needed to reach beyond my own personal comfort zone if I wanted to make the man I loved happy.

“I bet I will.” A pleased smile danced across Kevin’s mouth.

I glanced over his shoulder at Rich, who had his eye on me, and Sam, who was solely focused on Rich.

“Challenge accepted,” I shoved Kevin’s chin toward the ceiling, dismissively. “We’ll go.”

“Yay!” Sam clapped his hands together and Rich smirked.

“Go get dressed,” I commanded. “You’ll go with them.”

“What?” Kevin dipped his face down, expression confused.

“You’ll go with Rich and Sam.”

“Will you meet us there?” Kevin asked.

“Maybe,” I told him, even though the answer was yes. “Maybe I’ll let Rich pick out someone else to take you home.”

“Ronan.”

“Who knows how the night will go?” I stretched my legs out and crossed them at the ankles. “Now please go do as you’re told.”

Kevin didn’t hesitate, climbing off the couch, but I could see the hesitation in his limbs as he walked down the hallway toward the bedroom.

“You can’t be serious about that,” Rich said casually.

"Maybe.”

“That’s mean,” Sam said softly. “He’s going to be so worried.”

“Sam, go help Kevin get dressed,” Rich said.

Sam frowned at that, but did as he’d been told.

“You can’t be serious about that,” Rich said again.

“I’m not.” I turned to face him head on. “But he doesn’t know that.”

“You’re devious.” He let out a soft breath. “I’ve never had that in me.”

“You’re quite imaginative if I recall correctly. I’ve heard stories. I’ve seen things, Rich.”

“I’ve never been as good as you are with the mental gymnastics.”

“That’s half the fun. Kevin likes pain, though, and fear brings pain.” I shrugged. “Sam doesn’t strike me as a masochist.”

“Acts of service.” Rich smiled, looking down the hallway as if he could see Sam through the walls. “He’s probably dressing your better half as we speak.”

“He does have a flair for that.”I nodded in agreement and closed my eyes, screwing them shut and leaning forward. With my elbows on my knees, I cradled my head in my hands, letting out a long and rattling breath.

“Are things okay?” Rich asked. “Do you need to talk?”

“We’re in the process of renegotiating our limits.”

“Isn’t that a good and healthy thing?” he asked.