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Tapping a finger on her lip, Connie closed her eyes and tried to think of any research she'd come across that could back up her theory. Nope, not a single shred of evidence, which sucked. It would have to be a process of elimination, and she had a feeling Jasper would not be pleased with her for suggesting it. “All right, I think we should try something. It's going to piss your Dom off, and you might not be thrilled about it, but starting tonight, I want you to abstain from any sexual interaction after six p.m.”
Apple juice spewed from Archie's mouth. “What the fuck?”
“You heard me. Nothing after six p.m. for the next few days. If you do the demonstration on Friday, Jasper will have to keep his dick in his pants Saturday and Sunday night. I want you to keep a record of how many nightmares you have per night, and the details if you can remember them.”
Stunned, Anarchy simply stood and gaped at her. For a moment, Connie thought her friend might break down and cry…until the laughter bubbled up. “Oh, my God. Jasper is literally going to spontaneously combust. We both enjoy sex before sleep, and it's become a favorite part of our routine now that we're living together.” Laughter died into giggles. “He's going to lose his shit.”
“The sadist will have to get over it,” Connie said flatly. “If he can't control his urges for a few extra hours a night for the next week, I have several toys in my bag that should help dampen them. You two can fornicate like bunnies on Viagra every other hour in the day, from dawn until six p.m.”
With a shake of her head, Archie walked back to the couch and dropped down. “I shouldn't laugh. He'll do it because he loves me, and he'll do anything to make the nightmares stop. But what happens if sex is triggering them? Then what the hell are we supposed to do?”
“What I'm good at, sweetheart. Finding a solution to the problem. This is just a theory, Archie, but something I'd like to remove from the realm of possibility. If you don't want to try, that's fine. We can re-evaluateand head in a different direction.”
“But you think it's worth trying?”
Nodding, Connie didn't hesitate to say, “I do.”
“All right, I'll explain it all to Jasper.” Archie drank again, then grimaced. “Shit, I sprayed juice all over your floor. Sorry, Connie.”
“It's fine, I'll leave a note for the cleaners to use one of their magic machines tonight. You know, if Jasper needs to speak to me about this, he can—with your permission. Don't feel you have to struggle on your own.”
“No, I can handle the big grumpy bear. God, I'm tired. Why did no one tell me therapy would be so exhausting before I started coming here? Not that I don't enjoy the time with you, Connie, but jeez, you know how to put a girl through the damn wringer.”
Oh yeah, Connie sympathized with her. No one knew better how tiring sifting through memories for the details, reliving pain and fear, could be for the brain. Thane was giving her refresher courses on just how debilitating dredging up the past was, and she knew firsthand that it got worse the longer the secrets were buried. “We'll hit a point where everything gets easier, Archie. Instead of fighting uphill all the time, you'll find yourself strolling down the other side of the peak.”
Archie grinned and finished her juice, then set the empty bottle on the table. “I'm looking forward to that day. Are we done for the afternoon?” When Connie chuckled and inclined her head in an affirmative, those dark eyes became mischievous. “Good. Now I can ask what's in the box that made your eyes bug out of your head. Don't deny it,” she warned with a playful wag of her finger, obviously shedding the gloom of her session with admirable ease. “You took a peek in the box, and your eyes did this…” She used her own pretty features to emulate whatever expression she thought Connie had worn.
“I looked as though someone stepped on a frog?”
“Um, well, yeah. It wasn't a happy face, so it wasn't jewelry. Jasper gave it to me to give to you, but I'm betting the yummy Thane is the one behind it. So…what did he get you?”
God, this was such a touchy area to press on. If Connie was honest, it would certainly raise Archie's eyebrows that a sub would gift his Mistress a butt plug and lube. There would be a whole slew of questions which would inevitably lead to Connie spilling her guts out to her friend. That might not be so bad—Bodie knew the truth, after all. But it just seemed like the inner circle of knowledge was quickly expanding, and once it hit a certain radius, everyone would be in the loop.
Was she ready for that?
No, but neither could she lie outright to someone she loved like a sister. If she lied, the trust between them would shatter, and not just in the friendship. Their relationship as doctor and patient would suffer, and with it, so would Archie. Jasper's kitten might seem perky and content, but Connie couldn't risk deepening the already dark chasms running under Archie's skin.
Closing her eyes, she made a choice. “What I tell you in here, stays in here, Anarchy. Understand?”
“I…shit, that sounds really serious. Is everything okay with you and Thane? I know the Masters think the sun shines out of his taut ass, but if he's hurt you, Jasper won't hesitate to smear him over the sidewalk.” The vehemence in Archie's voice was absolute. Hell, if Thane lifted his hand wrong, Connie fully believed her friend would be the one to mess him up, probably shoving Jasper out of the way in her haste. “Last night, you seemed good. You make a striking couple.”
“Thanks, sweetie. There will be no smearing necessary.” Deciding it would be easier to just show her, Connie rose and walked over to her desk, retrieving the pesky box. She half-feared it might be Pandora's box in disguise. Steeling herself for Archie's reaction, Connie made her way back to the couch, dropping the dangerous object into her friend's hands before she sat down again.
“I can open it?” Anticipation lit her eyes.
“Go ahead.”
Carefully, Archie's clever fingers removed the lid, and she cocked her head as she stared at the contents. Her lips pressed together into a straight white line, then curved as she glanced up at Connie. “This is what he got you? Is it for you, or is it a hint that he wants you to use it on him?”
Just breathe, her inner voice said soothingly as a fist of anxiety rammed into her sternum. “Thane bought it for me. He expects me to be wearing it when he picks me up later, but I will not be here, and that thing will notbe put to use.” Voice tight, she wanted to smack the asshole for making her feel this way.
“Hmm. I'm confused. So, your new club submissive buys you a butt plug and orders you to wear it for him, outside of Avalon. That sounds more like he's dominant than submissive, Con. Although, after watching you two in the pit last night, it makes a lot of sense. Can a Dominant top a Dominant? That would be some serious Alpha power being passed back and forth.”
“You have no idea,” Connie muttered, then averted her gaze as Archie lifted the plug from the box and held it up to the light. She didn't want to see the damn thing again. “Thane is a Switch, Archie. He gains pleasure from being the one in control, and being the one who surrenders.”
“Cool. So, he swings both ways, but with kink rather than sexuality?”
“Exactly. Thane and I have that in common.”
