“I have some thoughts on how we should set everything up, and I’d like your input.”

She surprised him by leaning forward and taking his hands in hers. “Tell me what you have in mind.”

He looked down at their clasped hands. It was the first time she’d touched him first. His heart felt like it was lodged somewhere in his throat. “Well,” he said softly. “After last night, I would like to remove the limit on sex.”

She stroked his knuckle with her thumb. “It kills me how you can go from being all down and dirty like last tonight to all prim and proper. I would like to remove the limit on sex.” She recited his words in a mock British accent and a sassy smile.

“Look at it this way: last night was the real me, and right now I’m just exercising an inordinate amount of control.”

Her smile lost some of its sassiness. “Really?”

“Would I rather be fucking you senseless right now instead of talking? Yes, of course.”

“In that case,” she said in a sultry voice that made his cock ache, “we’d better finish our talk.”

“I like the way you think, Sasha Blake. Perhaps I’ll even let you orgasm again today.” Pretending to ignore her muffled outrage, he continued. “I’ll need you to fill out another checklist. E-mail it to me by Wednesday so I have it in time to plan the weekend.”

“I have a blank one saved at home.”

“Excellent. Keep in mind if it’s not marked as a hard limit, I’ll not only test you, I’ll push you. And since it won’t be a hard limit, I expect you to try your best to take it.”

“I understand.”

“Using a gag on you is still a hard limit for me.”

“Me, too.”

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Sasha looked over his shoulder toward the door. Cole frowned. He wasn’t expecting anyone and was slightly irritated his conversation had been brought to a halt.

“I don’t know who that could possibly be.” He stood up and made his way to the door. “I’ll be right back. Let me get rid of whoever it is.”

The chair squeaked as Sasha stood up. “Shit. It might be Julie. She probably saw my car stay overnight.”

He’d almost reached the door, but at her words turned around. “She is aware you’re a grown woman?”

“She worries.”

“I’m not a monster, Sasha.” And he was trying very hard not to be offended, but it was growing harder each time Julie questioned him.

The knock sounded again.

“Just a minute.” He shot a look at Sasha and turned to open the door. He was so certain it was Julie, it took a long minute to recognize who it actually was.

“Kate?”

•   •   •

Kate?

Sasha craned her head around Cole, but he was too big. He obliterated her view of the front door.

“Hey, Cole,” a soft feminine voice said. “Sorry for stopping by so early, but I wanted to make good time on the road.”

Cole didn’t move or say anything.

“Can I come in and put this down? Is Daniel around? It’s been ages. I’d love to say hello. Cole?” she said when he hadn’t moved.

He jerked to attention and stepped aside. “Sorry. Come in. Let me get that box.”

A dainty woman with long black hair handed him a wooden box and took two steps inside. She stopped cold when she saw Sasha. Kate’s gaze traveled over Sasha before looking around the rest of the house. Sasha knew the moment her eyes fell on the out-of-place chair with the cane still propped against it. She was also acutely aware she had on one of Cole’s shirts.

“Damn it,” Kate said. “This is why I should have called first.”

“Yes,” Cole agreed. “That certainly would have made this less awkward.”

To be fair, Sasha thought, Kate appeared rather distressed at the situation she found herself in.

“I’m so sorry. I never thought.” Kate rushed through her apology. “I didn’t . . . interrupt, did I?”

Cole noticed the cane at Kate’s nod to the chair. He sighed. “You did, but not that.”

Kate didn’t look convinced. “I can just leave.”

“You’re already here. You should rest for a while.” He took a few steps to stand by Sasha’s side. “Sasha, Kate. Kate, Sasha.”

Sasha shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“I’m sorry,” Kate whispered.

She couldn’t figure out why she kept apologizing.

“Don’t worry about it. That was yesterday,” Sasha said to try and ease her mind.

“Sasha,” Cole warned.

“What?”

“It was?” Kate asked.

Cole cleared his throat and Kate stiffened. “Sasha,” he said, handing her the box. “Will you go put this in the bedroom?”

She really didn’t want to leave, but since she wanted to argue with Cole less, she took the box and carried it down the hall. It was heavier than it looked and she placed it on the floor beside the bed. She could hear Cole’s low voice coming from down the hall, but she couldn’t make out his words. By the time she made it back to the living room, Kate was sitting in the chair she’d recently vacated and Cole was sitting on the couch.

Not knowing what else to do, she sat down beside Cole. Because he was toward the middle of the couch, her leg pressed along the length of his. His warmth was somewhat of a comfort, but she couldn’t relax, not like she had before. She sat with her spine rigid. Maybe if she didn’t touch Cole, it would be better. She tried to subtly shift away from him, but he put an arm around her and, with that sexy smile of his, pulled her close. At his touch, the tension left her body and he squeezed her shoulder when she leaned into him.

She wondered if she should offer Kate something to drink.

“This is cozy,” Kate finally said.

Sasha snorted. “Awkward as hell is what it is.”

“That, too,” Kate agreed.

They were spared from further conversation by a knock on the door.

“That will be Julie,” Sasha said as Cole stood to answer it.

“Yes, I’m almost certain you’re correct.” He opened the door. “Julie, come in. We were just talking about you.”