down the knobs of her spine. The dimples at the base of it, just above her hips. He brushed the last few strands of her hair over her shoulders, then looked at Simone with a small smile.
“Get the switch, Corrina.”
Simone’s nipples went tight and hard. Her clit pulsed. She remembered the switch.
Corrina hesitated, and Aidan’s gaze turned assessing. “Now.”
To Simone, he said as an aside, “she hates the switch.”
But he’d use it on her anyway, because he liked it, and it was Corrina’s place to do what he wanted. Her chosen place, Simone reminded herself, watching Corrina walk with her head held high but with hesitant steps to the armoire on the other side of the room. Corrina opened the doors and pulled out a long, slender switch of braided leather. She brought it back to him laid across her hands, eyes downcast, and held it out to him.
“Pomp and ceremony,” Simone said. “Always the ritual with you, Aidan.”
He didn’t take his eyes off of Corrina, but his words were for Simone. “Now who’s judging?”
She laughed, gently.
“Corrina. Get the clamps.”
Corrina shivered, her nipples rising beneath the black lace of her bra. She had gorgeous tits. Corrina’s lush curves made Simone feel self-conscious about her own lean frame, but there was no denying her beauty.
Corrina went again to the armoire and pulled out a set of metal nipple clamps, the kind with the cruelly digging ridges. She brought them to Aidan and held them out on the flat of her palm. He didn’t take them or tell her to move.
If Corrina were really perfect, she’d stay there until he told her what to do next. Simone had never managed that. She’d have either burst into giggles or been rolling her eyes by now. She was impressed.
“I’m going to get out of here,” she said. “You two need some private time.”
“Wait,” Aidan said, still looking at Corrina, though his hand snaked out to grab Simone’s wrist with unerring accuracy. “Babe, stay. Where do you have to go? Home? Alone? What fun is that?”
She laughed, though it stuttered a little at the grip of his fingers on her wrist. “Just because I like to watch, doesn’t mean I need to see this.”
“It’s been a long time since we played.” Finally, Aidan looked at her. Corrina, in front of him, still held her position with the clamps on her palm. He gave Simone a smile that not even so long ago would’ve charmed her into staying. “Stay.”
“I can’t.”
“Because of him? Corrina. Put the clamps on and go stand by the chair.” To Simone, Aidan said, “I thought you weren’t serious or dating.”
“I’m … we’re not. But that doesn’t mean I want to just randomly join your party, Aidan. Jeeze.” Simone watched Corrina slip out of her bra and put on the clips. They pinched her tender flesh, engorging the nipples. Simone swallowed hard, but looked back at Aidan. “I’m going to go. Thanks for dinner. We’ll get together soon, okay?”
“Wait,” Aidan said before she could get to the front door. “Simone, wait a minute.”
She turned and he leaned in, close. He smelled good, though the cologne was new. He took her by the upper arms, pinching a little, but though she liked pain, she didn’t like that. She pushed him away firmly until he let her go.
“She’s right,” he said quietly, obviously trying not to let Corrina overhear.
Simone didn’t bother to keep her voice down. This whole evening was turning weird. Love and friendship, even like what she and Aidan shared, could only go so far. “About what?”
“I am afraid to break her.”
Simone paused, looking over her shoulder at Corrina, who stood facing away from them, her hands on the back of the chair. “She’s good for you. I can already see that.”
“She’s perfectly submissive. Takes direction. Genuinely wants to please me, but isn’t weak.” Aidan paused to pull Simone a little closer again, and this time, she let him. “You know I don’t want someone