Trusted (Club Indigo Book 2) Read online

  He called Sonja back. "Hi, Connor, twice in one day, to what do I owe the pleasure?" she said teasingly. Brat!

  "I've figured out how to handle the sale of Carol's half of The Savory Table without upsetting Suzie." As he explained his plan, Sonja stayed silent, listening.

  When he finished, her first question was, "Why not just tell Suzie?"

  "I think I just covered that," Connor replied. "Suzie is proud and she'll see this as charity, not the sound investment I think it is. Also, we're personally involved and this would throw a monkey wrench into that. Will you help me keep this secret?"

  "I don't know, Captain," she said, reverting to her submissive side. "I'm not good with secrets. What if I accidentally let the cat out of the bag?"

  "I'm trusting that, with something this important, you won't, Sonja. I think you understand how important this is to you and to Suzie. Your only other option is to borrow the money from a bank, and I'm beating their interest rate by half a percent."

  "Okay, that's motivation I can understand. Draw up the papers, and I'll sign them."

  When Suzie arrived at The Savory Table at 11:30 am the following Wednesday, the hostess directed her to the office. Connor stood as she entered the room, looking elegant in a three-piece suit. Sonja and a woman who must be Carol remained seated at a small table in the center of the cramped room that looked like it had been moved in for the meeting. An old fashioned double desk was pushed into a corner, one side inaccessible. Like any place where the office was the least important part of the business, the decoration was sparse.

  Sonja introduced Carol, and the four of them sat down to go over the books and discuss the plans Suzie and Sonja had drawn up. Carol said she understood that Connor's consulting came with the catch of his becoming the accountant. "Yes," he said. "Will that be a problem with your current accountant?"

  "Not at all," she said. "John is cutting back his workload. He's planning on semi-retirement. It won't be a problem for him to give this place up."

  "I've approached a couple of banks about an SBA loan. For something like this, with your solid business plan, you would likely get a five-year term. We do need to discuss the price."

  Carol said, "The original price I gave Sonja was a ballpark estimate. After going over the books with my accountant, he suggested a formal appraisal. The appraiser and my accountant both feel I undervalued the business. I think another $40,000 would bring us to a fair price."

  "Another $40,000?" Suzie's face went white. "I can't afford to borrow that much more. The loan payments are going to be a stretch as it is."

  "Relax, Suzie," Connor said. "We talked before you arrived and I think we have a solution. I knew you would be uncomfortable with the higher price."

  Sonja interrupted, "I really want you for a partner. So, we worked out between us how much you want to borrow from the bank, and I'll borrow the rest. The $40,000, at least. Then when the bank loan is paid off, you can pay me the rest of it. You can pay the interest in the meantime if you want. We'll figure out the terms between us. I know you'll pay me back."

  "That's not fair, Sonja. If you contribute more, then you're the senior partner. I won't take charity. As soon as I can, I'll start paying on the principle, too. Can you keep all that straight for us, Connor? I want it all in writing."

  "Of course. Are we all in agreement about the terms?" Connor summed up the terms. "The bank will give both of you a rate of 5%. Sonja to borrow $40,000 and Suzie the rest. Do you have a lawyer, Carol? If you don't, that's okay, I have a good real estate lawyer on call and we can save expenses by only using one."

  "I use Matt Jacobs at Owens and Jacobs," Carol said. "They specialize in business and real estate."

  "Great minds think alike, Carol," Connor said, grinning. "That's my choice, too. This should go smoothly from here on out. Let's both call him and we can set up a meeting to get the papers drawn up and another with the bank to take care of the loans. We should be able to close in no more than six weeks." Connor arranged the papers into a neat pile. "Don't forget all the other details. We need to deal with all the changes to the corporate documents, and we may need to meet with the landlord, too."

  "I sure hope he doesn't want to raise the rent," Sonja voiced her most important concern.

  Connor reassured her, "I think you're safe on that front. I've read the lease, and the place is rented by the corporation. You did well in doing it that way. It protects you in this sort of circumstances." Connor held up three fingers. "So, next steps: Carol and I will be in touch with Matt Owens and get him started on the legal stuff, I'll set things up with the bank, and you ladies can start figuring out the practical parts of the transition." He tapped off the steps as he related them.

  "Connor," Sonja said, "I didn't know how much more you did than just accounting. I think we're really lucky Suzie found you."

  "I second that motion," Suzie voiced thankfully. "Are we done with the business now? I'm starving, and I have to be back at work by one."

  "I need to see what's happening out front." Sonja raised to her feet.

  "And I need to get back to the kitchen," Carol added. "Nice to meet you, Connor, Suzie. I think you and Sonja will do well together."

  They walked out into the restaurant to find all the tables filled and a line of people waiting both for tables and at the takeout counter. "Well, I guess we know not to come after twelve," Connor commented, trying to sound positive.

  Sonja hurried over to them and apologized for the lack of space. "Why don't you eat in the office? You'll have the same food and service and the added benefit of privacy. She handed them menus. "I'll send someone in to set the table and take your orders."

  Suzie looked at Connor. "Privacy would be nice. It's also good to see the crowd. It helps me to realize I made the right choice."

  They sat examining the menu for a few minutes while they waited for the server. Suzie broke the silence first. "I really like the menu design. It's clear and straightforward. Not so long that people will have trouble making decisions. Of course, the dessert section needs work, and I can't wait to start offering biscuits from scratch."

  "If you're in a hurry, maybe you want to spend more time deciding what you want to eat and less on critiquing the menu," Connor suggested.

  "I'm having the Caesar salad with chicken and a cup of soup. I'm working my way through the salads at the moment. I've been coming in at least once a week so I have a better sense of what I'm getting into. I have a different meal every time I come."

  The server came in with water and silverware. She asked if they were ready to order. Connor ordered a pastrami on rye while Suzie asked for her soup and salad. After she left, Connor said, "Tell me more about yourself. What was your marriage like?"

  "Richard and I met in college. We really clicked in terms of what we wanted out of life. The house, two point five children, all the classic stuff. We even wanted a white picket fence and a dog."

  "You're short half a child," Connor teased.

  "When we had one of each, we decided that was enough. We had a dog until he died about two years ago. A chocolate lab rescue. The kids were heartbroken. I'd like another, but I'm waiting for them to bring it up. Abby still talks about Cocoa sometimes. What about you? Marriages, children, pets?"

  "None across the board. I had a shepherd mix growing up, and I've thought about it since I got out of the army but haven't done anything about it. My mother lives at Brookdale Wornall Place. My father died about ten years ago. I have some family in Scotland, too. I'm curious about your marriage. Was it good?"

  "I think so. We had a lot in common. He was a good father until he got sick, well, even then, really. He helped around the house. He was the perfect husband."

  "Since you keep dancing around the question, Suzie, I'll be blunt. What was your sex life like?"

  "Sex with Richard was fine." Suzie colored a bit as she tried to decide how much to say. "It was normal, vanilla, I guess I'd call it now. He was only my second partner, so I didn't have
much to compare it with."

  "How often did ye come?" His eyes lit with arousal.

  "Is that really any of your business, Connor?" Suzie's face was beet red by now. "I came often enough."

  "As hard as ye came for Kate and for me?"

  Suzie dropped her head and whispered, "No."

  "Suzie, I'm convinced from your responses to Kate and to me that ye're a masochist. Let's explore yer needs together."

  "Why? Why me?" She sounded almost belligerent now.

  "Because I like you. I'm a sadist as well as a Dom and I think we'd be good together. Ye're a strong, beautiful woman and ye deserve better than 'fine' where sex is concerned. What do ye say?"

  "I'd like to try," Suzie said quietly, her face still red, but with a small smile building to her eyes.

  After lunch, they said goodbye in the parking lot. Connor looked Suzie straight in the eyes and told her bluntly, "I want to fuck ye. I want to hurt ye. I want to make ye come over and over again." He kissed her breathless and ushered her into her car.

  As Suzie drove off, she watched him getting smaller in her rearview mirror and thought, Now, that's an offer I can't refuse.

  Chapter 8

  " I 've met a man." Suzie was alone with the children in the dining room. James and Laura were cleaning up in the kitchen, so she could talk with the children.

  "What do you mean, Mom?" Abby wanted to know. "We meet people all the time."

  Suzie smiled at her daughter and explained, "I mean, I met a man I like and I want to get to know him better."

  "Okay?" The way Abby extended the word and the way she looked over at Tim told Suzie she didn't really get it.

  Tim scoffed, "Mom is dating." He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. Suzie cringed. Why didn't she bat an eyelash when a certain sadist scowled, but seeing her boy like that made her want to run to him and make it all better again?

  "Why?" Suzie could hear his accusing tone in the one word question.

  Suzie had no idea how she could explain her needs to nine and twelve-year-old children. "I-I—"

  Tim stood up with so much force and violence, his chair fell backward and crashed to the floor. "I don't understand why we need another man around. It's perfectly fine with the three of us and Grandfather or Uncle James to help with heavy stuff." He stormed out of the room. Suzie stared after him with an open mouth. A small sound made her turn. Abby sat frozen in her chair with big eyes that spilled over with tears and her hand clapped over her mouth. In a few quick strides, Suzie was with her daughter and held her trembling body in her arms.

  Uncle James intercepted him before Tim could reach the stairs. "Let's go to the basement, buddy."

  Tim descended the stairs on stiff legs. He felt lost, confused, and mad. He wanted to punch something, but he didn't know what.

  Uncle James pressed a delicate train model into Tim's hands. "Tell me about this one."

  Tim blinked at the delicate yellow model in his hands with the black and red striping. His gaze focused on his uncle and returned to the model he was holding. "It's a 1940 replica of the Southern Belle." As soon as Tim started to talk about his trains, he relaxed. Holding one of his precious trains had drained some of his anger.

  When Tim finished, Uncle James put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Now tell me what that scene upstairs was about."

  Tim did and ended his account with, "I don't get why she has to change things. I miss Dad, but we've got a good life together." He looked up at his uncle with his eyes wide open, letting him see his heart and soul, his vulnerability. Tim didn't care; he trusted Uncle James.

  Uncle James had listened without interrupting, and Tim thought maybe he'd understood. "How do you feel about Aunt Laura and me being together, or your grandfather and Miss Mary?" James' voice was firm but not unkind.

  "I don't know." Tim shrugged. "I guess it's okay. If you're happy." He placed the train back on the tracks. "I like you and Miss Mary, and I like having a bigger family." He fell quiet.

  James waited and let the boy do some thinking. Silence was a powerful tool in his opinion.

  "But Aunt Laura and Granddad were alone. Mom has us." Tim's voice had a whine to it that James didn't like, but he didn't call him on it. This was difficult stuff for a boy of Tim's age.

  James thought for a moment and said, "Sometimes people like company their own age. You love Abby, but you like to spend time with Josh, too, don't you?"

  Realization dawned on Tim's face as he whispered, "I'm being selfish, aren't I?" Tim was on the verge of tears.

  "Let it out. It doesn't do any good to bottle up your feelings," James said.

  Tim let go then, and James held the sobbing boy until he settled into hiccups. He drew back and looked James in the face. He had tears and snot on his face, but a clear gaze and a relaxed mouth. Good enough. "Let's get you cleaned up and find the others."

  While Tim washed his face in the downstairs bathroom, James went to find the women. They were settled on the couch in front of the TV. Abby was snuggling between Laura and Suzie, the stuffed pony Tim had won at the festival last summer in her arms. She seemed to have come to terms with what had happened. Suzie looked sad but composed. His eyes met Laura's and she slowly closed and opened them and bowed her head. Her submission to him and her trust in him always gave him a warm feeling. James strode through the room and stood beside her. He stroked Laura's hair and she rested her head against him and sighed.

  They were still standing there when Tim entered the room.

  Tim walked up to his mother without a hitch in his step. "Sorry, Mom. I was only thinking about myself. You have every right to have friends of your own."

  Suzie hugged her boy as tears filled her eyes and James said, "Tim, I'll take Aunt Laura and Abby downstairs. Come and find us when you're finished."

  When Tim joined them in the basement later, Abby was explaining the plans for the new train depot to James and Laura. Tim immediately jumped in to correct Abby. "We can't do that part until we get the roundhouse, and those are expensive. It will be a while before we can finish the depot. We can do part of it, but then we have to switch to the scenery again."

  Abby said, "I'm sorry, I forgot about the roundhouse. But scenery is fun. You know I like to paint, Tim."

  James stepped in before an argument started. He knew Tim's emotions were still close to the surface after everything that had happened. "Why don't you show me what you have in mind for the depot, Tim? Then Abby can explain about the scenery."

  Tim explained the intricacies of the train depot with all the necessary switches and crossed tracks for almost fifteen minutes, with Abby contributing an occasional detail. When he had finally run down, James suggested Laura go check on Suzie. He expected the train discussion and work would continue for quite a while longer.

  Suzie's mind was preoccupied with Tim and her evening plans, so she missed what Laura said when they brought the last of the dishes into the kitchen.

  "What was that?" Suzie asked.

  "James has asked me to marry him," Laura repeated.

  Suzie blinked and then narrowed her eyes and scrutinized her sister. "You don't look happy, sis," she observed.

  "Yeah, well." Laura was wiping the countertop she had already cleaned. "I think being collared is enough." She turned around to lean against the kitchen sink. Now she was absent- mindedly strangling the dishcloth.

  Suzie walked up to her and took the mangled black and white cotton square out of Laura's hands, dropped it on the countertop, and took Laura's hands in her own. "I know collaring is basically being married according to the BDSM world. You're living together. Why wouldn't you want to commit for the public eye as well?"

  It felt like someone squeezed Suzie's heart when she looked Laura in the eyes. She looked so insecure. That damned ex of hers had nearly broken her sister. "Listen, Laura." Suzie made sure she had eye contact with her. "I know Jake did his best to destroy your self- confidence, but as I see it, James is helping you build it up, piece by pie
ce. What's more, the guy loves you to the moon and back."

  Laura managed a watery smile and nodded. "Collaring was a big step for me. I'm just not sure about marriage. A ring means something to everyone; the collar is only between us. What if I lose myself in him?"

  "Hell no!" Suzie exclaimed and promptly slapped a hand over her mouth at the mild profanity. She grinned mischievously. "Since you wear his collar, he could wear your ring."

  Laura gaped at her and both women started to giggle. Their giggles turned into laughter, and before they knew it, they were having a fit.

  Suzie bent over and almost cried. "Please, stop."

  "I c-can't," Laura stuttered, but she started to calm down a little bit.

  Suzie pulled herself upright, just in time to see James stroll into the kitchen, and she retreated without James and Laura noticing—they only had eyes for each other. She would say goodbye to the children and give the couple a bit of time.

  Suzie found herself once again standing at the front door of Connor's place. Given that it was still daylight and she was carrying a big overnight bag, she was glad he opened the door before she had a chance to knock.

  He was wearing a casual t-shirt and faded jeans. Suzie decided that the man could wear a paper bag and still look good. She smiled tentatively, not sure how she should act. What did he expect of her? What was the etiquette for a Sadist/masochist relationship?

  Connor pulled her inside and, in a practiced move, closed the door and smoothly pushed her against it. He took her mouth in a hot kiss, with both his hands braced against the back of the closed door. Suzie melted into the kiss and followed his lead, opening up to his pressure, letting him invade her mouth and giving him her tongue in return. The overnight bag was mashed between them, completely forgotten.