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“I don’t get why they do this,” Charlotte said as she cut into one of the biscuits and slathered it with butter and honey. “Give us breakfast before we order breakfast.”
“I know, right?” Hannah agreed, preparing her own biscuit. “I guess it works as a business model, though. People still order an obscene amount of food here.” She glanced around at nearby tables, where other patrons were tucking into huge platters of eggs, sausage, grits, waffles and pancakes. Hannah took a bite of the hot buttermilk biscuit. It was good, but not as good as her own.
Andy had loved her biscuits.
Stop it.
When the waiter returned with their coffee and juice, Charlotte ordered a side of grits while Hannah chose the fried green tomatoes.
“Okay,” Hannah said, once he’d gone. “The suspense is killing me. I can’t wait another second. What’s your big news?”
Charlotte’s face suffused with pleasure. “Jim and I are getting married.” She held out her hand, displaying a stunning emerald-cut diamond on her left ring finger.
“Oh, Charlotte,” Hannah cried, thrilled for her friend. “That’s such great news. Congratulations. When’s the wedding?”
“We don’t have an exact date yet, but probably sometime next spring. He’s never been married before, so he wants the whole shebang—big church wedding, me in a white wedding gown, a three-tiered cake, and his little nephew as ring bearer.”
She snorted. “I’d just as soon elope and save the money to build a first-rate dungeon in our basement. But I don’t want to deprive Jim of his big day,” she added with a grin.
She leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially as she added, “The ceremonyI’mlooking forward to will involve collars and chains and very little clothing. We’re going to formalize our BDSM relationship of Master and slave. It’s happening this Friday night. Master Jim is going to pierce my nipples as part of the ceremony.”
Hannah sucked in a breath of shocked excitement. She briefly tried to visualize herself in such a scenario—and failed. “That’s so brave of you, Charlotte. And so exciting.”
While Hannah couldn’t imagine allowing someone to poke a needle through her nipple, or any other of her body parts, she did love the look of body jewelry and appreciated its D/s significance. Many of her characters underwent piercings as symbols of ownership or as part of intense erotic play. That was one of the cool things about her characters—they did everything she’d never had the opportunity or the nerve to try.
“Where are you having the ceremony?”
Charlotte’s smile lit her entire face. “That’s the best part. Anthony has offered to let us do it at The Enclave.”
Anthony was one of the founders of The Enclave, a group of BDSM enthusiasts dedicated to the art and passion of BDSM as a 24/7 lifestyle. Hannah had met him on several occasions during her visits to the club. He had exuded dominant charm, embodying her concept of a true Master.
Ever since Charlotte had first told her about The Enclave, Hannah had been dying to see the place. It was like something out of her own novels, with the huge added attraction that it was actuallyreal. Charlotte and Jim had been invited to a few Enclave dungeon parties since she’d signed on as his club manager. Each time Charlotte had returned, she’d shared some of the details of the intense BDSM training and erotic play she’d both witnessed and participated in while there.
“You must be thrilled, Charlotte. I’m so excited for you.”
“I am. I haven’t been able to think about anything else since he made the offer. Master Brandon and Mistress Marjorie are going to participate in the ceremony with us—kind of like the groomsman and bridesmaid, but way more fun.”
“Remind me who they are again?” Hannah interjected.
“Brandon and Marjorie are two of the founding members of The Enclave. They’re both dominant, but Marjorie is submissive to Brandon. They own a sweet little slave girl named Katie.”
Hannah bit back a sigh. What she wouldn’t give to be granted admission to that BDSM Shangri La. What an incredible opportunity to observe a genuine BDSM community firsthand. What she learned would surely enable her to add more authenticity to her Angelique Rose novels.
But her longing was about far more than an opportunity to take field notes. She couldn’t help but fantasize about being a part of it all. Imagine finding the courage to submit so completely to another? Just the thought sent shivery chills of both terror and desire down her spine.
Charlotte’s laugh pulled Hannah from her reverie. “What?” she said, looking up.
“Your face,” Charlotte replied, still chuckling. “Is that the light, or are you actually green with envy?”
“Huh? No,” Hannah protested, not wanting to tarnish Charlotte’s news because of her own unrequited longing.
“Don’t lie, girlfriend,” Charlotte retorted. “You’ve been dying to go there since I first told you about it.” She leaned forward, her expression animated. “Here’s the good news. We’re allowed to bring a guest. Master Jim is fine with me inviting you.”
“Me?” Hannah squeaked, both shocked and delighted. “Seriously? That would be awesome. Beyond awesome.” She frowned as a new thought occurred to her. “Anthony’s okay with you bringing someone who isn’t actually part of the scene?”
“He was delighted when I suggested it.”
Hannah was confused. “Huh? Does he even know who I am?”
