Trusted (Club Indigo Book 2) Read online

  Chapter 1

  S uzie decided to have a family barbecue the weekend before school started. James and Laura were available and so were Dan and Mary. Laura twisted James' arm to get him to handle the grill. Everyone began to arrive about four o'clock with food. Mary brought potato salad and Laura had made the coleslaw, so all Suzie had to do was dessert. She had made cookies for the children and a classic layered trifle for the adults. The weather was warmer than usual, so they decided to eat inside. James was the only one who would have to endure the heat. He took a beer outside with him to get the charcoal going as it would take it a while to get hot enough for cooking. The only thing fancy about the meal was Suzie's trifle. The meat was hotdogs and hamburgers, although Suzie had mixed spices into the ground beef for a little more flavor. She had three different cheeses for those who liked it on their burgers—cheddar, provolone, and American, which she knew Tim preferred.

  The adults settled in the living room to chat while the grill got hot. Tim and Abby were in the basement with their trains. They had forbidden their grandfather from coming down until they called. They were working on something special and wanted to put the finishing touches on it before they showed it to anyone. Suzie had seen part of it but had been sworn to secrecy. She continued to be amazed at all the changes they made to their layout. Apparently, the building and rebuilding of train tracks was a big part of the fun.

  Dan and James had beer and the women were drinking white wine spritzers. They were trying a white wine from the local Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery. The day was partly a celebration, since Dan had moved in with Mary two weeks before. They planned to have a housewarming when Dan was settled in and they had made a few changes to the house.

  Laura asked Mary, "So, how is it to have a man around the house? I'm sure it must be an adjustment after living alone."

  "It is," Mary replied, "but I think the pluses outweigh the minuses. It's easier than I thought it would be, since Dan brought so little furniture. We only had to rearrange the living room furniture to make room for his recliner. We're still discussing the TV situation." She smiled indulgently at Dan as she spoke.

  Dan beamed at Mary. "I have no problem with compromise, but I do like a TV big enough to see the game during baseball season."

  "I didn't realize you were a Royals fan, Dan," James said. "We should catch a game together sometime."

  "Actually, James, I'm a local heretic. I root for the Cards."

  "Say it ain't so, Dan!"

  "Yep. I grew up in St. Louis, so I come by my heresy honestly. But really, I just love the game. I'll watch any baseball that's on, and the girls will tell you that I took them to Royals games at least a couple of times a season until they refused to go anymore."

  "He did. He had one of those books where he charted every play," Laura confirmed. "I remember when he took us to St. Louis to see the Cardinals on Mother's Day. He decided it would be a nice present to give Mom—a break from all of us."

  "I remember that," Suzie said. "Mom said it was one of her favorite Mother's Day presents. Of course, we made her breakfast in bed before we left and she also got cards and flowers."

  "The next year, she was on her first course of chemo and we took care of her instead." Laura sniffed as she teared up at the memory.

  James reached over and took her hand, squeezing gently, "Some memories are better than others. I'll bet she liked both presents."

  "Yes," Dan said as he reached for his handkerchief to blow his nose and clear his throat. "And you had to go through it twice, Suzie Q."

  The childhood nickname broke the somber mood as Suzie said, "You haven't called me that since I was ten, Dad. I always thought it was odd, but it was kind of fun, once you played the song Susie Q from Credence Clearwater Revival."

  "I remember that song. It was popular for quite a while. I always liked CCR," Mary said. "They played some great rock and roll."

  "James, do you suppose the grill might be hot by now?" Laura asked. "I'm getting hungry. Vegetables and dip only go so far."

  "Do you see what I do for this woman? She wants me to go outside in ninety-five-degree weather and slave over a hot grill."

  Everyone laughed as James got up to check the grill. He returned two minutes later and said things were good to go. "Who wants what?"

  He got the orders of all hamburgers from the adults, and Laura went to find out the children's preferences. "Abby swears she'll eat two hotdogs, and Tim wants at least one cheeseburger and a hotdog. I think you should probably do a couple extra of each."

  James went into the kitchen for the meat. He came out with the tray and a fresh beer to sustain him in the heat.

  The women got up to set the table, and Mary brought Dan another beer. After another ten minutes, Laura went out with a clean plate for the cooked meat and the cheese for those who wanted it on their burgers, while Suzie called the children to come and wash up.

  Once the meat was cooked, James came in and they sat down to eat. Dan led grace, and Suzie helped Abby with the potato salad and the coleslaw. Once everyone had what they wanted, they dug into the food. There was silence for the first few minutes as they sated their initial hunger. Then the compliments started. "I don't know what kind of spices you put into the ground beef, but this is marvelous, sis," Laura exclaimed.

  "It's a secret family recipe," Suzie teased. "Your coleslaw is excellent as usual."

  "Thank you, ma'am. The potato salad is great, Mary. What all is in here?" Laura asked.

  "I like extras in my potato salad, so this has hard-boiled eggs, onions, and dill pickles. I also make the dressing from sour cream instead of mayo. I think the real key, though, is the fine dice. It lets the flavors come together better. I saw a variation in a cookbook that I'm going to try next time I make it. In addition to what's already there, it has beets," Mary explained.

  "Whatever is in, everything is great," said Tim. "Thank you all."

  "I agree with Tim," Abby said as she started on her second hot dog. It was covered in an excess of ketchup and relish like her first. Suzie kept a close eye on Abby in case of spills.

  "I think I can safely say you're welcome on behalf of everyone who contributed to the meal," Mary said. "And, Suzie, you have two wonderfully polite children here."

  "Thanks, Mary. I try, and so do they," Suzie said.

  "There are plenty more burgers if anyone wants seconds," James said.

  "Maybe in a little while," Dan said, "but we have to save room for that delectable looking trifle. Did you use Mom's recipe, Suzie Q?"

  "Of course, Dad. Mom made the best trifle I've ever had," Suzie said.

  The adults sat and talked while the children continued to eat. "You both must have hollow legs to store all that food," Dan said, "or maybe it's all the calories you burn with your mystery in the basement?"

  "Granddad, don't be silly," Abby said. "We learned about the human body in science class last year. Nobody has hollow legs. Right, Tim?"

  Tim nodded vigorously, his mouth currently full with his second hotdog. He had a full load of condiments on his. He was eating over his plate, careful that it didn't drip anywhere else.

  Just then, what sounded like an old-fashioned phone started ringing in the living room. "What on earth?" Suzie asked.

  "I'm sorry, everyone, that's my phone. I'll have to get it. It's probably something urgent at work."

  "I really wish you'd retire, honey," Dan said. "You can get Social Security now, and with me in the house, your expenses are down."

  "That's a conversation for another day, dear," Mary said as she went into the living room.

  "I'm serious, Mary," Dan called after her.

  A few minutes later, Mary came back in with her brows drawn, and her smile had changed to a frown. "I'm sorry, everybody, but I have to go back to the laundromat. One of the machines died in the middle of a load. Will you take me, please, Dan?"

  "Under protest, but yes, I'll take you. Sorry to leave before dessert, honey," he said to Suzie.
r />   "Can you wait just a minute and I'll fix you some trifle to take home?" Suzie interrupted.

  Mary responded for both of them. "That's very thoughtful of you, dear. I was looking forward to trying it."

  "I hope the basement surprise will keep for another day?" Dan asked Tim and Abby.

  "We're not done yet, Granddad, so yeah, it'll keep," Tim said. "We should finish it tomorrow, so maybe you could come Sunday after church?"

  "Please, Granddad," Abby echoed her brother's invitation.

  "We'll see. I don't want to put your mother out. Right now, I need to take Mary back to work. Love you, dears," he said as he kissed both Suzie and Laura on the cheek.

  "Well," Suzie said, "I'm sorry to see them go. Are you ready for dessert?" She looked at the children and asked, "Do you want cookies or trifle?"

  "Could I have a little bit of trifle and cookies?" Tim asked.

  "Me, too, please," Abby said.

  "I'm glad you're both willing to try something new," Suzie said. "How about you help clear the dishes? You just sit tight, Laura."

  When the dinner dishes had been taken to the kitchen, Suzie brought out a plate of cookies, bowls, and finally, the magnificent trifle with its layers visible through the etched crystal bowl.

  "Wow, that looks too good to eat," James said.

  "No," Laura corrected, "good enough to savor."

  Suzie dished out the trifle, making sure each dish had a full complement of layers. From the sounds James and Laura made as they ate, they might have been making love to the delicious dessert.

  "You've outdone yourself, sis. I know it's been a long time, but I think this might be better than Mom's," Laura almost moaned her appreciation.

  "I don't know about your mother's, but this is fantastic, Suzie," James said.

  "I like it, too," Tim said. "Could I have some more, please?"

  "Yes, dear; what about you, Abby?" Suzie asked.

  "Yes, please. It's really good."

  "I'm so glad I made the non-alcoholic version. I debated because I didn't think the kids would want to try it," Suzie said.

  "It's a hit all around. It's a shame Dan and Mary couldn't stay," James said.

  After they had all finished eating, Suzie excused the children to the basement, and James went back outside to cook the extra meat and then clean up the grill.

  Suzie and Laura went into the kitchen to clean up and Suzie couldn't contain herself anymore. "You won't believe what happened at Club Indigo after your ceremony."

  Laura looked curious. "Did you do a scene with Chris?"

  Suzie stood immobile, mouth agape. "Er, no." She paused to collect her thoughts. "Why would you think I would do a scene with Chris?"

  "Well, I guessed you guys were into each other. I…" It was Laura's turn to fall silent. "Oh well, I don't know. I thought you two hit off."

  Suzie chewed her bottom lip. "Yeah, you might be right about that, but Chris flirts with everyone of the female persuasion." Laura chuckled and Suzie continued. "No, I did do a scene, but it wasn't with Chris." She paused a moment and then confessed. "It was Kate."

  "Kate?" Laura all but exclaimed, and Suzie gestured her to keep it down. "Sorry," Laura said bashfully. "I was surprised. I never imagined you with a woman."

  Suzie smiled at that remark. "Granted. Although I did become aroused by it, what we did wasn't really sexual." Suzie felt her cheeks warm. She wasn't about to admit to have climaxed after experiencing pain.

  "But wait, Kate? She's a sadist. Did she hurt you?" Laura looked astonished.

  "Yes, she did. And I, well, I liked it." Suzie rubbed a spot on the counter that was already clean. "I liked it a lot." She looked up to her sister with pleading eyes and whispered, "What's wrong with me?"

  Laura placed her hands on her hips. "Girl!" she scowled, "there's nothing wrong with you. What you like or don't like just is. Don't judge yourself." Laura radiated indignity and power.

  Suzie looked baffled first and then quipped, "Are you sure you're submissive?" Both sisters roared with laughter. They laughed so hard, James came into the kitchen and they dropped the subject.

  Later that evening, Laura was sitting at her vanity removing her makeup. The events of the day ran through her head—especially what Suzie had told her in the kitchen.

  "What was so funny with you and Suzie earlier?" James asked. He sat on the edge of the bed, watching her put on her night cream. She could feel his eyes on her and she stole a glance over her shoulder. The man took her breath away in only a pair of dark blue boxers, displaying muscled legs and a taut upper body.

  "She did a scene with Kate at the club, and we got to talking about it and then we just started laughing," she replied. She swallowed as he rose from the bed and walked up to her. "She's confused but also intrigued, I guess." Laura continued as James slid his arms around her from behind, fondling her breasts. She moaned.

  "Sounds like she's expanding her horizons and going after the things she wants," James observed. He didn't let go of Laura's breasts and made a disapproving sound when she tried to pry away his hands. "Hands behind your head."

  Laura complied, lifting her arms and lacing her fingers together. She didn't like the flustered feeling she got when he was touching her breasts. They were so sensitive that she couldn't focus on anything else when he caressed them. That was the reason James did it. Also, he was a breast man and Laura was well endowed in that department.

  He kneaded the globes and skimmed lightly over her nipples. She shuddered. He wanted answers that didn't reflect the way she thought she should react, but how she really felt.

  "Speaking of exploring horizons. We've talked about it a few times and I need to be absolutely sure about this before I arrange it. You have double penetration on your 'curious about' list. Are you still interested in having a threesome?" He watched her expression in the mirror.

  "How would you feel about somebody else touching me intimately? Wouldn't you be jealous?" she asked.

  James smirked. "I don't know about another man fucking you. But stimulating you, driving you insane with lust, maybe oral. That would be fulfilling a fantasy of mine, honey. Think about the possibility of being bent over with me fucking you from behind, while somebody else has free reign with your breasts and you're giving him a blow job or he's eating your pussy."

  That was so wrong, but it sounded scalding hot to Laura. "Well, since you've introduced me to ass play, it piqued my interest. I didn't realize it would require someone to join us when I marked it," Laura said shyly.

  James chuckled. "How did you think you were going to have double penetration without someone else involved? We've done some stuff with dildos, but that's not remotely like a threesome. To be honest, I'm not sure I could handle having someone else fucking you, but I did want to see whether it was still something you wanted."

  "I don't want to do anything that would mess us up, James," Laura said. "Your first idea—that, I would like to try, but nothing that would make you jealous."

  Laura moaned as his right hand pulled her head backward by her hair and his skillful lips descended on hers in an upside down kiss.

  Two days after their family dinner, Suzie was standing at her kitchen window doing the dishes. She had been baking this morning and the smell of vanilla and cinnamon permeated the air. She had half an hour before she needed to start dinner. Suzie was thinking of what to do next, when she noticed a familiar car pulling up out front. Laura climbed out of her recently acquired Nissan Versa holding a bag with the logo from their favorite boutique, Wilma's, on it.

  After letting her in and exchanging a greeting, Suzie gestured to the bag. "What's that? Have you been shopping without me?"

  Laura glanced around. She had deliberately chosen a time shortly before dinner when the children would likely be in the basement playing with their trains. "I have some more books for you. I have Holding Hannah by Maren Smith and another one by Cherise Sinclair called This is Who I Am . Both of these feature women who are masochists." Laura
handed the bag to Suzie. "There's also a nonfiction book called Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns . It has a lot of information about being a masochist, playing with a sadist, and limit lists. You name it, it's probably in there."

  Suzie accepted the bag and nodded. Her brows drew together and some wrinkles creased her otherwise smooth forehead, "I guess it won't hurt to do a bit of reading."

  Laura smiled, her eyes tender as she replied softly, "It won't, sis. I would also recommend a profile on Fetlife. There's a lot to see and read about the lifestyle there, you know."

  "Okay, I'll think about that." At the dubious look on Laura's face, she smiled. "I promise." She placed one hand on her hip and cocked an eyebrow. "Do you want to stay over for dinner? You know I wasn't counting on dinner guests, but I have some fresh baking, so we won't starve."

  Laura chuckled. "No thanks. James is expecting me for dinner. Actually, I'll be in trouble if I don't hurry. I have to get back now. I'll be by to pick up the kids about eleven on Saturday." After a quick hug, she walked out.

  Suzie stood for a moment gazing after her sister. She admired the firm stride and the confident posture Laura had. She had changed a lot since meeting James. Was that the relationship or the BDSM element? Suzie didn't know, but it was intriguing. She shrugged and went back to cooking.

  That evening, with the children in bed, Suzie started her routine of cleaning up and preparing for the next morning. She was a morning person and liked to have everything prepped for the next day. It made things easier on everyone. With a last swipe of the countertop, she was pleased with her efforts. What to do next? Television held no appeal, then she looked at the bag Laura had given her and grabbed the top book, Holding Hannah . She went upstairs and into the bathroom, opened the faucet and adjusted the water temperature. After putting in the plug, she let the bathtub fill while she stripped off her clothes. As she poured in bath salts with lavender and sandalwood scented oil, she stirred the water and sank in the tub, sighing in utter contentment. After being on her feet all day, her muscles ached and a bath always helped her relax. She dried her hands, picked up the book and started reading.