Anastasia #2
“It was partially due to his membership. He didn’t pressure me to do it or to even participate in anything considered kinky at home.
When Reign told me, I had to confess. I’d had thoughts about kink.
Past boyfriends weren’t willing to even speak of it.
I wanted to know if it was something that would fulfill me more sexually.
I was lucky that Reign was part of the life and willing to teach.
His friends are open and answer any questions I have. ”
“Can I ask what you two like?” she asked hesitantly.
“You can. Though I’ll blush, so ignore me. Reign is what they call a rope master. He’s into bondage, but specifically a kind called shibari. It’ll be easier to show you what I mean,” I rushed in.
From there, I pulled up photos from the internet that showed both suspension and regular shibari.
She gasped when she saw it, but I don’t believe it was out of disgust. She took my phone and zeroed in on several of the models.
As she studied them, I gave her the outline of what we were into.
By the end of our back-and-forth discussion, thirty minutes later, I was more comfortable with the topic.
“Well, honey, as long as whatever you do is between consenting adults and it doesn’t harm you, that’s your business.
I thought Sawyer and Iker were lovely men, so if the rest of your friends are like them, I have no problem joining you for the cookout.
Oh, what can I bring? You know I won’t let you do all the work. ”
Her smile made me hug her. Relief washed through me. We spent time figuring out what to prepare.
?
I sat at the plaintiff’s table with Sophia Gunn.
Across from us at the defendant’s table sat Sam and his lawyer.
Behind them were my dad, Arish, Rahul, and Harish.
It made me sick to my stomach to see them there supporting Sam rather than their own flesh and blood.
I refused to look at them or acknowledge their existence since I walked into the courthouse an hour ago.
Reign and Mom had insisted they were coming with me.
I appreciated it. What I hadn’t known until they walked in was that I had more than them.
I watched as Iker, Hoss, Mikhail, Carver, Reuben, Tajah, and Cristiana entered and took seats right behind Sophia and me.
I bet the others had to work. I was astonished that the guys had been able to rearrange their work to come, but I was touched.
Tears filled my eyes until I blinked them away.
I mouthed to all of them, Thank you. I got smiles, and they mouthed, You’re welcome.
Sam’s lawyer tried to trick me into admitting I had agreed to marry Sam, then, after meeting Reign, heartlessly broke the agreement.
Sophia had warned me not to get rattled and to hold on to my temper.
God, it was so hard to do. He sat there wearing the perfect mask of disappointment.
He was convincing. When I was questioned, I had to grip my hands so tight my nails bit into my palms.
“Your Honor, the only reason I went to dinner at my friend and colleague, Arish Shah’s home with his entire family was that I was assured Anastasia wanted marriage. She’d done the proper thing and allowed the males in her family to guide her to an appropriate match.
“I’m a lawyer, and I have not only a successful career, plenty of money, but a lovely home.
She would lack for nothing. All her family and she wanted was stability.
It’s not unusual in Indian culture to enter into arranged marriages.
The difference with us was that we would meet and get to know each other as wedding preparations were underway.
Sometimes, in Indian culture, the bride and groom don’t meet until the day of the wedding,” Sam explained.
It was apparent that he had extensive courtroom experience. None of what he said about us was true. However, there was something worse than his lying. After Sam stopped speaking, I sat there and listened to Arish lie.
“Your Honor, what Sameer said is true. We’ve worked together for two years.
We have mutual respect and have built a friendship.
He values the same things as my family. When he mentioned he was seeking a wife, I knew right away he would be perfect for my sister, Anastasia.
My other two sisters are advantageously married and very happy.
I spoke to our father first, and only after he agreed did we speak to Anastasia about Sameer.
She was eager to meet him and enter into the marriage. ”
It took everything I had not to stand and call him a fucking liar. I felt Reign’s supportiveness beating at me, along with everyone else’s.
“Mr. Joshi, Mr. Shah, do either of you have proof of this agreement in writing? You’re countersuing Ms. Shah for breach of contract, so where is the contract?” Judge Elizabeth Walker asked.
Her left eyebrow was raised. I couldn’t tell whether she believed them or me. Her poker face was excellent.
“Your Honor, please forgive us, but we do not have an actual written contract. There’s an explanation as to why.
My client erred. He met Ms. Shah and was so taken with her that he verbally agreed, and she did as well.
They began dating, and things were progressing so well that he pushed the need to sign it to the back of his mind.
Both families were progressing with wedding planning while the couple began their courtship.
“Everything had been wonderful until Mr. Caldwell came into Ms. Shah’s chiropractic office, and that changed everything. Only a couple of weeks later, she had switched her affections over to Mr. Caldwell,” Sam’s lawyer explained.