Page 58 of Brazen Obsession

“I haven’t had to use mine yet.” I smile. Though I have had to pause things.

“I can’t wait to have a safe word,” Hope says, staring off through the windows.

“Honestly, I never had anyone to talk to about sex at all.” Madison looks at us. “I was too preoccupied with doing what it took to get out of my small town and then get through college without mountains of debt. One of the things I couldn’t wait for when I hit the business world was finding a group of friends.”

“In high school, I would have talked to friends about this. The things I told them...” I shake my head, embarrassed for not realizing those girls weren’t really my friends. “Not that the friends I had were any good. Verity was a snake in the grass who used everything I told her against me, and our friends gladly followed her.”

“I’m really sorry that happened to you.” Hope reaches out and touches my arm. “I struggled to find friends in high school. We all grew up together and I was shy. I had a bully back then too. A girl who thought she was making herself big by trying to make me feel small.”

“Do you know where that girl is now?” Madison straightens. “Because we could have a word with her. Sara slapped her bully.”

I grin, remembering how satisfying it was. And the look on Verity’s usually smug face was priceless. “It was amazing.”

Hope shakes her head and smiles. “She’s not worth it. I’m just glad I have friends like you guys now.”

“Me too. Speaking of friends...” I tap my fingernail against my glass. “Since I’ve been out of the loop, what’s happening with Nan and Kayla? Are they actually dating or is this a friendship thing?”

I try not to bounce in my seat, but it’s kind of amazing they’re hitting it off at all.

Madison looks at Hope, who shrugs.

“We don’t know,” Madison says. “There seems to be a spark, but Kayla just got out of her relationship with Bea. And Nan seems a little gun-shy.”

I nod, thinking of her date with Dante.

“Her parents don’t support her being gay.” I blow out a breath. “If my mom thought I was gay, within a few weeks she’d have me set up with every girl she could find. The woman doesn’t care who I marry as long as I get married.”

“How does that work now?” Hope looks between the two of us. “It’s still only legal to marry one guy, but you have four.”

Madison glances at the magnificent engagement ring Coop put on her finger when they were fake engaged. She’s never taken it off though. Does that mean she’ll marry Coop when the time comes or is it just his way to claim her?

“We’re still early in our relationship.” Madison looks up at both of us. “Coop would have married me yesterday. But I don’t know if I could marry just one of them. Seth has been researching how to make a relationship like ours at least legally sound. That way if someone is sick or injured, we’re on the list first.”

“Would you marry one of them if you could?” I ask, thinking about Dante. Maybe it’s not for the greatest reason, but I love him and would do anything to protect him. I don’t know how the others feel about it. There wasn’t a lot of talking after I mentioned it last night.

“I’d marry all of them if I could.” Madison laughs softly. “But I think just knowing we’re in a committed relationship is enough right now. Could you imagine the hyphenated surname?”

“I asked Dante to marry me.” I look down at my hands as if they’re suddenly fascinating.

“Yeah?” Madison asks. There’s curiosity but no judgment in her tone.

“Kayla would have married Dante in a heartbeat.” Hope finishes filling her wineglass. She glances over at me and her smile slips. “Oh, sorry, wine loosens my thinking. Did he say no?”

I blow out a breath. “His uncle has basically been pimping Dante out on socialite dates for business and personal reasons. Dante is certain his uncle wants to marry him off for some sort of gain.”

“Do people really do that?” Madison’s brows are furrowed.

“In our circles? Yes. It probably happens more than love matches.” I run a hand over my hair. “It’s usually done early and the couple gets to know each other so they can tell whether they’ll be compatible, but most of the time, it’s still a done deal.”

“But he can’t get married if he’s already married.” Hope’s eyes meet mine and I nod. She gets it.

“What do your other guys have to say about it?” Madison leans back.

“We didn’t really get to discuss it last night.” I shrug. “He told me he wouldn’t without talking to the others. Finn’s dad wanted us to get married when he thought I was carrying Finn’s baby.”

“You’re pregnant?” Hope’s eyes are wide as they fall to my stomach.

“No!” I hold up my hands. “It’s way too soon for that. He said it so Peter wouldn’t hurt me to get Tom back.”