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Grinning at the thought, she rolled out of bed. Chris was their green thumb. Maybe she should ask him that question. She could just imagine what his reaction would be.
***
Geoff's text came in later that day, telling her he'd be working late, well past her normal bedtime. Disappointing, but certainly not unexpected. She occupied herself in the usual ways: watching TV, playing on Pinterest, reading in the backyard. In the evening, she texted to tell him she'd set the alarm, punctuating it with a smiley face and several heart emoticons, sap that she was. He sent her a brief okay, though the heart emoticon he included made her smile.
Waking Monday morning, she wasn't sure he'd even been home. A text telling her he'd sacked out in his small office for a short three hours before his morning meeting confirmed it. With a sigh, she showered and got ready for work. As she was heading out the door, she received a text from Chris, saying he anticipated being home later in the week. He'd attached some pictures of seabirds and other scenery from Gulfport.
When he got home, what should she tell him about what had happened? Or would Geoff do it? Tonight, Geoff would likely be home. Did she keep pursuing this with him, trying to get him fully on board before Chris's return, or should she listen to Geoff, wait until Chris got back and then try to talk it out with them again?
Though that seemed the safest route, her instincts told her differently. She needed to make sure she and Geoff were a little further along. She needed to make sure he was pushed to the point she was--not content to let things stay as they were. She ignored the little voice that suggested it was more her OCD nature than her instincts pushing her in that direction.
She almost didn't talk to Flo about it at lunch, afraid her friend might disagree and sway her on it. But as they were hoofing it through downtown on their lunch walk, it all came spilling out, in enough detail she was sort of appalled at herself. But she pressed forward with her questions.
"I don't want to wait for Chris to get back. I want to do something else to throw this in Geoff's face, make him react. What kind
of sub does that? Am I being too pushy? I'm afraid I'm too revved up over it all, not using good judgment. Flo, what happens if I do the wrong thing and ruin our friendship?"
Keeping it all percolating through the morning had obviously turned her into a teakettle about to blow. Flo linked arms with her and kept them moving forward.
"First off, breathe. Second, you need to think about something pretty significant. Yes, you're friends, but you stopped being only friends some time ago." She ticked off the points on her long nails. "When was the last time any one of you had a date? Or didn't spend most your free social time with each other? You're lovers, even if you're not sharing a bed. You've already crossed that line."
"I've dated. I've . . ." Sam trailed off. "Okay, a year ago."
"You're a good-looking twenty-five-year-old woman, and you last had a date a year ago. How many have you turned down?"
"A few. But they weren't really right for me. Sometimes I've worried that was because of Anthony. I don't really trust anyone like I trust Geoff and Chris. Am I using them as a crutch?"
"Only you can answer that. Didn't Mark from Records ask you to join us at that new bar this week? In kind of a Let's see how we like each other in a group way?"
"Yes."
Florence shrugged. "Well, that seems a safe way to resolve that question in your mind, but I honestly think you're just frustrated that Geoff hasn't jumped in with both feet. And, honey, I can tell you this. You can't push a seasoned Dom into anything, so the fact he might be new to it but is being so careful with you makes me have good feelings about what kind of Master he'll be, even if it's driving you batshit."
Sam rolled her eyes. "Great. Dom bonding. Want to stand in as his proxy and let me slap you upside your stubborn-ass head?"
"Only if you want to draw back a stump." Flo smiled serenely. "As far as you not taking risks because of Anthony, it seems to me your relationship with Chris and Geoff has strengthened your confidence in yourself, your sense of your own sexuality and what you truly want out of a relationship. So stop worrying so much. Don't you think your relationship with Chris and Geoff can handle a few strains on it, especially if it helps it grow?"
At Sam's uncertain look, Flo shook her head. "Let me put it this way. Can you live with it staying how it is? The three of you just 'friends' who are fantasizing about one another but not doing anything about it?"
"No," Sam said resolutely. "Hell no. I'm done with that."
Flo pinched her arm. "All right, then. Go home tonight and give him that additional push."
"Isn't trying to manipulate him wrong? I thought you just said Doms can't be pushed into anything."
"They can't, and if I felt you were trying to manipulate him in the wrong way, I'd be the first to suggest you need to pull back. But Geoff seems like a big boy who can figure out what's driving you. And in your situation, it might help Geoff to know just how much his submissive wants and needs what he has to offer." She lifted a shoulder. "If he's pretty close to being ready and you yank his chain the right way, you'll get a response for sure. Like you did this weekend."
Sam remembered how he put her over his lap so decisively, pulling her pajama bottoms out of his way, his palm clapping against her tender flesh. She shuddered a little, a smile playing on her lips. Flo gave her a knowing look.
"Should we take a poll from that homeless guy over there about whether or not you should go home and try to get Geoff to slap that ass again?"
Sam pushed at her playfully. "Stop it. You're terrible."
"And you're blushing. It's adorable."
"Shut up."
Flo linked arms with her again. "I know I'm giving you some conflicting messages, but I trust your judgment. You're a smart woman, Sam, and you have a loving heart. I can also tell these two guys think the world of you, so no matter what happens, I know you'll watch out for one another. But on that note, I am going to say one thing to you that's really important, okay?"
