Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Hope
I spotted Master Troy the second I stepped into the room.
He looked exactly as handsome as I remembered him to be.
He stood with his back straight, one ankle resting casually over the opposite one, dark shirt sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal strong forearms, leaning against the bar.
He looked entirely at ease, like the room had simply arranged itself around him.
It was the kind of confidence I found impossible to resist.
And when his eyes found mine, they warmed in a way that made my pulse skip.
There was something about being looked at like that.
I didn’t hesitate.
I crossed the room with a smile already tugging at my lips and leaned in to brush a light kiss against his cheek. “Hi.”
His hand settled briefly at my waist, making my heart skip a beat. “Hello, Hope.”
The way he said my name did unfair things to my insides.
“How was your day?” he asked, his gaze sweeping over me once before returning to my eyes. There was no way to miss that he really liked what he saw.
“It was good,” I said, settling into the chair beside him. “Really good, actually. But I’m very happy to be here with you now.”
His thumb stroked once against the fabric at my waist before he let go, and I had to fight the urge to lean into the touch like the touch-starved woman I was.
“I’m glad to hear that,” he murmured. “Because there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
I blinked.
“Oh?”
He shifted slightly against the bar, turning his body just enough that my line of sight moved past him—
And that’s when I saw him.
Another man sat at the bar behind him, half-shadowed by the low lighting. Broader through the shoulders than Master Troy, a little shorter, with sandy hair brushed neatly back from his forehead. He’d been watching quietly, an unreadable expression on his face.
My stomach dipped. I really did not need to be attracted to yet another man.
“Hope,” Master Troy said smoothly, “this is Master Archibald Ramsey. Archie, if you prefer.”
The man’s mouth curved in an easy smile. “Please. Only my grandmother calls me Archibald.”
I let out a small, nervous laugh, suddenly very aware that I’d walked in assuming this was a date for two.
“Archie is one of my closest friends,” Troy continued. “I ran into him here while I was waiting for you. I hadn’t realized he’d be attending the event this week.”
Master Archie extended his hand across the table. “It’s very nice to meet you, Hope.” He had the faintest English accent, and I had to work hard not to swoon.
I glanced at Master Troy for half a heartbeat before placing my hand in his.
“You too. I have to say, I’m a little surprised I haven’t run into one or two people from back home. The kink community is smaller than we sometimes like to think.” I smiled at Master Archie, trying not to let it show that I was freaking out at his unexpected appearance and my reaction to him.
“You’ve got that right,” he responded with a sweet grin. “I’m sorry for intruding on your date. When I realized Troy was meeting someone, I tried to make my excuses, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”
My eyes flew to Master Troy at this admission. Did he want a buffer on our date? Why had he even asked me out if he didn’t think he could spend time alone with me?
And why was I letting myself spiral like this over one teensy little surprise?
Master Troy placed his hand on my hip again and gave it a soft squeeze. “Only because I thought you two would get along beautifully. I know it’s not something we discussed during our dinner, but Archie and I have been known to share a submissive from time to time.”
Oh?
Oh!
Well, that certainly put a different spin on things.
I felt my cheeks heat at the implication and worried my bottom lip between my teeth before peeking up at Master Troy. “I suppose we can’t let all our secrets out on the first date,” I finally responded.
He beamed at me. “I’m so glad you understand. If that isn’t something you’re open to, I completely understand. We’ll finish our drinks, and I’ll send Archie on his merry way to find himself some other company.”
The man in question scoffed at Master Troy’s words but patted his friend on the back. “I’m glad I’m so easily dismissed, mate.”
Both of them laughed, but then Master Archie looked at me. “But seriously, lovely. If that’s not your cuppa, then I’ll see myself out. No hard feelings.”
I swallowed, heat crawling all the way up my neck.
It wasn’t a total shock. Not really. Rawhide wasn’t exactly shy about the fact that people came here looking for all kinds of connections. And honestly… if I were being very, very truthful with myself, the idea didn’t scare me nearly as much as it probably should have.
It excited me.
A lot if my body’s reaction to these two men was anything to go by. Within a few short sentences I could feel my nipples pebble against my bra, and there was an unmistakable ache between my legs.
I took a deep breath to buy myself a second to think, then rested my hands on the bar in front of me for something to do with them.
“I… don’t mind being shared,” I said softly while staring at my clenched fingers.
Both men went very still, so I chanced a look at them.
Master Troy’s eyes darkened in a way that made my stomach flutter, and Master Archie’s brows lifted just slightly.
“But,” I added quickly, forcing myself to meet their gazes, “I think we should talk about what that actually means. Because there’s a difference between a one-time thing and… something longer. And I’d rather know which one we’re talking about before anyone gets hurt.”
The words came out steadier than I felt.
Master Troy leaned back a little, studying me with clear approval. “That’s very sensible, Hope.”
Master Archie nodded too, his expression warm. “Communication is the only way these things work. Otherwise, it’s just chaos and bruised feelings.”
I huffed a small laugh. “Exactly. And I already feel like my heart is being tugged in five different directions this week. I don’t think I can handle accidental heartbreak on top of that.”
Master Troy’s hand tightened gently on my hip again. “For me,” he said, voice low, “I prefer ongoing arrangements when they’re right. I don’t enjoy treating people like disposable entertainment.”
Master Archie nodded. “Same. I’m not opposed to something casual if that’s all anyone wants, but when I share with Troy, it’s usually because we both like the person. We’d want to see them again. Get to know them properly.”
My chest did a funny little flip at that.
“So… a poly relationship?” I asked, tasting the words carefully.
Master Troy’s mouth curved. “Potentially. If everyone wanted that.”
Master Archie lifted his glass in a small toast. “With the very important caveat that everyone keeps talking. About feelings. Boundaries. Expectations. All the boring but necessary bits.”
I smiled despite myself. “I don’t think that sounds boring at all. But in the interest of open communication...” I paused, worried that I was taking things too far, too soon.
“Yeah?” Master Troy urged.
“I guess, I need to tell you, as I mentioned earlier, I feel like my heart is being tugged in five different directions this week, because it is. You’re not the only person I’ve connected with.
Which is absolutely insane because my entire life, I’ve never connected with anyone, and now, here I am, talking to and dating more than one person. ”
For a split second, I braced myself. For a flicker of a heartbeat, I wondered if I’d just detonated something fragile and beautiful before it even had a chance to bloom.
Master Troy didn’t even flinch.
If anything, his expression softened.
“Hope,” he said gently. “That’s… kind of the point, isn’t it?”
Master Archie let out a quiet huff of amusement beside him. “You’re at a huge summer dating extravaganza,” he reminded me lightly, the fancy word sounding ludicrous coming from him. “No one came here expecting exclusivity on day three.”
Heat crept up my neck. “I just didn’t want you to think I was—”
“—misleading us?” Master Troy finished.
I nodded.
He shook his head almost immediately. “You’re not. You’re being honest. Which, frankly, is refreshing.”
Master Archie tipped his glass toward me. “Most people would just quietly juggle and hope no one notices.”
I winced. Because yes. That had absolutely been an option. One that would have probably left me with sleepless nights, an ulcer, and me biting my nails.
Master Troy leaned forward slightly, elbows on the bar in front of him, eyes steady on mine. “We’re all here to explore connections. If you’re feeling something with other people, that means you’re actually doing this right.”
“Besides,” Master Archie added with a teasing smile, “if we bolted every time someone admitted they had options, none of us would still be sitting here.”
That pulled a laugh out of me before I could stop it.
Master Troy reached across the table. His fingers brushed mine. “Thank you for telling us. Really. That takes guts. And,” he continued, voice warm but steady, “I’d still very much like to continue this date. If you’ll let me.”
Master Archie raised a brow. “Us,” he corrected mildly.
I blinked between them, surprised again by the easy way they existed together. Something inside my chest loosened.
“You’re sure?” I asked quietly.
Master Troy’s smile turned just slightly wicked. “Hope, if we ran at the first sign of competition, we wouldn’t deserve you.”
Master Archie clinked his glass lightly against mine. “So. Are we moving on to one of the restaurants and ordering food with our drinks, or are we going to sit here and admire your pretty blue dress all night?”
And just like that, the air felt lighter.