Page 188 of Contentious

Chapter Thirty-Four

Cresley led Carson into the living room, and they settled on the sofa together.

“Griffin is taking a paternity leave,” he said.

“That’s big news, right?”

“Huge.”

“You’re happy for him, though, right?”

“Of course. It’s just odd to think of him taking several months away from work. That’s unprecedented for us.”

“Does he work with one of your brothers?”

“Ethan, who’s not thrilled, to put it mildly. A lot will fall on him and the others, including my dad, who’s going to do some actual work for a change and pick up the slack with Griffin’s clients.”

“I mean… if he was sick or something, they’d have to do the same thing.”

“Right, but it’s highly unusual for one of us to check out of work for any reason.”

“It seems to me you and your siblings are learning there’s more to life than work.”

“What’s this you say?”

“Haha, you heard me.”

“Enough about them. Talk to me about us.”

“What about us?”

“All the things. Like what happens now.”

“What do you want to have happen?” she asked.

“Remember, I have no experience with these things. I need you to tell me.”

“I have no experience with something like this,” she said, gesturing between them. “I’ve never had this before.”

“I can’t believe that.”

“It’s true. After Marlon, I sort of hunkered down with Ty and kept to myself. The club was an outlet. A place I could be with friends I was safe with, have some fun.”

“And some sex.”

“A lot of sex, but it was transactional. It wasn’t about connecting with someone. It was more about experimenting and dabbling in the BDSM lifestyle in a safe, sane and consensual environment that was carefully cultivated by people who had far more to lose than I did. I trusted them, and that was a big deal for me. I’ve struggled with knowing who I can trust in this town.”

“I get that. I’m glad you found what you needed with them.”

“It was a phase for me. Not a way of life, like it is for them.”

“Are we talking about my friend Flynn here?”

“I’d never name names.”

“Fair enough.”

“They must be losing it over the breach.”