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“Oh great! Maybe next time I read a book someone recommends I find out exactly what it’s about first,”Lucy almost growled with anger. She exhaled loudly. “Okay. Let’s find out about true Doms and subs.”

For the next two hours, she had her eyes opened for the first time. Jack had been right—this was nothing like the damn stupid book.

If she understood correctly what she read on the various computer sites, the sub dictated the way things ran.

The Dom provided the control, the power, but if the sub wasn’t happy with anything, then it was the Dom’s duty to stop and discuss.

It appeared everything was done mutually, there were no one-sided demands, no ignoring the word ‘no’.

Judging from the number of sites that basically said the same thing, it was no wonder the men had been confused by her reaction.

“Oh my God, I got it so horribly wrong. All because of some damn book that I only read part of anyway!”

She kept shaking her head—partly in amazement. Her coffee sat untouched beside her. The whole Dom-sub thing still confused her, but at least she understood there was no abuse that wasn’t wanted.

“The word ‘abuse’ is probably the wrong way of looking at it.”

All she read left her with the tantalizing idea this was what she’d spent her whole life craving—someone who took control.

It surprised her that some of the things she’d read echoed pleasurably within her.

Maybe her desire to be controlled was actually part of this whole vast sub-culture.

Perhaps she wasn’t some weirdo like she’d thought.

She gave a wry laugh, shaking her head. “I should have grabbed a few romance books with Doms in them to read as well as sweet romances and ménages. I wouldn’t have gone through all my adult life thinking I was weird.”

Lucy closed down the laptop. When the men now came, she’d be able to make a sensible decision armed with real facts and based on what they considered their relationship to be. And there was always their offer to remain as just friends and not take things any further than friendship.

Anyway, friendship would come first, she thought.

Surprised, she discovered it was close to midday, and she still wore her pajamas.

Going back upstairs and into the bathroom alongside her bedroom, Lucy showered then walked naked into the bedroom.

She stood looking at herself critically in the full-length mirror.

Lucy was very happy with her body, but she did wonder what men thought of it.

She guessed they must like it or else no one would have ever asked her out let alone slept with her.

She twisted back and forth. She’d never been thin, but her ample curves were shapely and well-padded. Gravity had an effect on her boobs, but apart from that she figured she looked pretty good for fifty-four, as long as you liked plus-sized women. She brushed her hair and left it loose.

Now to decide what to wear. “Oh hell! What on earth do you wear to discuss a kinky sexual relationship?”

That set Lucy into a fit of giggles which very quickly escalated into maniacal laughter. She sat on the edge of the bed, unable to stop. Maybe it was a release. Finally getting her laughter under control, she stood and opened her dressing room door.

Staring at the contents without really seeing them, Lucy couldn’t decide what to wear. She took a set of underwear off one shelf and put them on. Looking critically in the mirror she decided they were too sexy, so she tore them off and put on another more demure set.

If she wore jeans it might look too casual but dress pants would be too formal. A dress.

Maybe, but then what one?

Pulling a casual floral summer dress off its hanger, she slipped it over her head and studied her reflection.

“No.”

She shook her head and quickly took it off, then stared into the rack of clothes.

“This is crazy. If I can’t even decide what to wear then how the hell am I going to decide what to do?”

Groaning, Lucy decided to just stick with a pair of jeans. They might be casual, but they were comfortable.

“Yep, I need comfort.”

After pulling a pair on, she rummaged for a top. In the end, she just chose a plain black t-shirt. Forget about shoes. “I usually go bare footed. They can just get used to it right from the start!”

Stunned, Lucy’s thoughts had taken on a life of their own.

She was actually thinking about being together with the two men.

It both excited and scared her, but when she thought about it maybe it wasn’t such a surprise.

She hadn’t been in a relationship for so long.

Now these men had set her dreams into flights of fancy.

“I’m already attracted to them. The only drawback was the whole Dom and sub thing.”

Since she’d read her first ménage romance the idea of two men had tickled her fancy. To be honest, she’d never really thought it would be possible, and yet now she was on the brink of considering exactly that.

Walking back into the bedroom, she looked at the clock on the nightstand and was startled to see it was past one. She’d fiddled about clothes for so long, she hadn’t noticed how late it was.

Going downstairs, she went into the kitchen. Should she make a coffee?

“Yuk. No.”

Lucy doubted she could face food or drink.

Her stomach had now decided to do somersaults—double back-flips with a twist, so coffee wasn’t a good idea.

Even the thought of a plain biscuit made her feel ill.

Holding her hands out in front of her, it wasn’t at all surprising to see how badly they shook.

Becoming extremely nervous as each minute passed, Lucy jumped at the slightest sound.

There was an overwhelming desire to pretend she wasn’t home when they came.

Or to phone and say she’d changed her mind.

From the kitchen, she walked into the ‘parlor’. It was a large room but not as big as the formal living room, more relaxed and informal, perfect for what lay ahead. She checked everything was tidy then checked the powder room between the conservatory and study.

“Won’t do if there’s no loo paper or clean towels.”

That done, she wondered what she should do next. “Calm my damn nerves,” she muttered as she wandered out through the conservatory door to the large back deck.

Damn! The chickens!

She’d forgotten to feed them. Marching down to the large coop, she unlocked the door.

The coop had seen better days and Lucy thought she’d definitely have to replace the wood very soon.

The fowls seemed happy. They had lots of land to scratch and plenty of shelter, plus ample protection from the local foxes and feral cats.

The coop had plenty of room for dozens of chickens.

Entering, she fed the birds, checked their water, and collected a couple of eggs.

Going back into the house, she put the eggs in a basket on the wooden counter top and looked at the kitchen clock. Her heart plummeted to her feet then back up again.

It was ten to two.

Now she wished she hadn’t told them to come. She wanted to run and hide. All those years of seclusion while she cared for her mother seemed very warm and comfortable and she wished they were back.

When she heard a car, its wheels making a rhythmic thumping sound as they bumped across the cobblestones of her driveway, she froze.

Shit!

They’re here!

Pressing a hand to her heart, she almost ran up the hall toward the staircase and front of the house.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

That one word pounded in her brain. Flustered, she muttered, “Calm down, deep breath.” The somersaults in her stomach had gone to new heights. They now performed several triple-back ones with a tuck.

A brisk rat-a-tat drummed on the front door.

This was it!