The Silken Edge (Silken Edge Series) Read online

  The Silken Edge

  By Laci Paige

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement (including infringement without monetary gain) is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in, or encourage, the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Disclaimer: This book is for mature audiences only. It contains sexual content intended for ages 18 and older.

  The Silken Edge

  Copyright @ 2012 by Laci Paige

  ISBN: 978-1481868532

  Cover design by Mina Carter

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue ~ Two Months Later…

  Chapter One

  “Kristy, there’s someone else."

  Kristy White stared at the man she'd called her boyfriend up until three seconds ago. "What?" She felt a burn in her chest, as if the air had been punched out of her lungs.

  “Well, not exactly someone else. Not yet.” Steve laughed nervously.

  “Steven, just fucking say what you need to, and start making sense. This isn’t funny.” Tears pricked at the back of her eyes.

  His gaze darted around at the early evening crowd in the dark bar. “No, I’m not meaning to make fun. Do you remember Mona from work?” he asked. Kristy nodded.

  “Well, you know I love you and I probably always will, but it’s not enough. I want something different, something more. And I think Mona is that 'more.' I haven’t explored any kind of relationship with her at all. I promise you. I’ve been faithful, but I don’t think I can anymore.” After that, Kristy only heard bits and pieces of what he had to say.

  Walking home from where Steven Butcher broke the news to her, she agonized over what went wrong in their relationship. Oblivious to the traffic whizzing by, she drifted deep in thought. She needed to talk to her best friend, Sherry. After phoning her, she was relieved to find out that Sherry was just down the block at Stan’s, the local tapas bar and lounge they liked to frequent.

  Having just been dumped by the man she'd devoted five years to, and had lived with for the past two years, Kristy’s gut told her a major change was in order. Perhaps a makeover, and not the physical kind.

  At the bar, Kristy sat next to Sherry, watching those around her in disbelief. There were several tables full of seemingly normal people on the other side of the room. Sherry explained that the day’s gathering was there for a Munch. Once a month members of the local kink community got together and had a casual meeting.

  Sherry promised to be quick at the meeting and that she’d be back to join her for a bite to eat. Sitting across the room, Kristy noticed how comfortable her friend was with the group. They all appeared as everyday people should. They could have been your mailman, grocer, or bank teller. But no, they weren’t exactly normal in Kristy’s mind, they were all into some kind of BDSM activities, and a bunch of perverts as far as she was concerned. The thought gave Kristy a shiver down her spine, and she shuddered, feeling a bit awkward.

  Attempting for the third time to read her book, she couldn’t help but stare at the people chatting and laughing around her friend. Finally she put her book in her bag and got up to head to the restroom. Halfway there Sherry stopped her.

  “Hey, are you doing all right? You can come join us if you want. We’re done with business, and now people are just talking casually. When I left, they were trying to figure out what they were making for dinner tonight. See? Normal conversation.” Sherry grinned at her. “I’d like for you to come meet some of my other friends though.”

  “No, not today, Sherry. Sorry.” Kristy wasn’t sure she could handle a conversation with anyone in the group after having negative thoughts about them, and feeling the way she did after the breakup.

  Sherry frowned a little. “It’s okay. I’ll be with you in a few. Let me just go say goodbye to some people.”

  That’s the way it had been for months and more and more with each passing week, Sherry was always trying to push her newfound lifestyle on her. It was beginning to upset Kristy, but this was her friend and she loved her, so she tried to be accepting and not too judgmental.

  While Kristy waited she thought about how grateful she was that Steven decided to come clean before having an affair with another woman. He explained he and his coworker, Mona, were hot and bothered over one another for weeks. He had no self-restraint around her anymore, and Steven asked Mona if the feeling was mutual. Apparently Mona said yes, but she insisted he break up with his girlfriend before acting on anything.

  Taking a deep cleansing breath, Kristy pulled out her cell phone and called Mona like she promised Steven she would.

  Mona picked up on the third ring. “Hello?”

  “Hi, this is Kristy. Steven’s girl—ah, ex-girlfriend. I wanted to let you know, it’s over between us. He’s all yours.”

  “Oh, um, thanks?”

  Kristy heard a man’s voice in the background. How the hell did that ass get to her apartment so quickly? “Tell Steven I said hello.” After a distinct click and then silence, she closed her phone and dropped it in her bag.

  “Whatever, bitch.”

  Shaking off the strange phone call, she thought about Steven. He’d always been predictable in bed. They had a routine during their intimate times, yet they still had sex frequently. She’d heard of people who had been together for years, whose romps in the sack were few and far between. She’d always been thankful that wasn’t the case for them. She enjoyed sex and never turned it down. Steven was the one who usually said no, which should have alerted her to a problem.

  She refused to get upset. Crying was not her thing; at least it hadn’t been in over a decade. She used to be an emotional woman, but nearing forty, she couldn’t afford to, and didn’t want to let her emotions rule her. Being upset is too exhausting. Fuck it.

  “Sorry that took longer than I expected.” Sherry patted her arm bringing her from her thoughts. “Hungry?”

  Kristy looked up and tried unsuccessfully to smile at her friend. “No, if it’s all right with you, I’d rather just head home. Come with me? I don’t want to be alone.”

  “You don’t even have to ask. Let’s go.” When Kristy stood, Sherry linked elbows with her and they headed out.

  “So you’re sure Dan is okay with you being over here so late?” Kristy asked as she unlocked the door to the house she shared with Steven.

  “Yes, I’m sure he’s home by now,
sleeping in front of the TV with his hand in his waistband. I told him where I’d be and why. He’s fine with it.” Sherry waved her hand in the air.

  “Thanks for coming over. Not like I am going to bawl or need to eat a gallon of ice cream, but company helps.” Kristy and Sherry had been friends for many years, and they knew each other well enough to know when the other needed a pick me up, or a shoulder to lean on.

  “Boo on the lack of ice cream, but yay for not crying.” Her friend clapped her hands with a too-bright smile on her face.

  “Crying isn’t going to fix anything. So why bother? I’m too old for that shit.” Kristy sighed and headed down the hall with Sherry following behind.

  Sherry pressed her lips into a fine line. “Kristy you aren’t old. How many times do I have to tell you? You look great for your age. Fit and sexy and you have a good head on your shoulders. You would make a great companion for any man. Your perfect someone is out there.”

  My perfect someone? How I wish that were true. “Oh shush. No ice cream here, but I do have wine. Want some?”

  Sherry tilted her head and smirked. “Thought you’d never ask.” She ran to get the glasses from over the counter in the kitchen. “Hey, most of the stuff in here is his, isn’t it?”

  Kristy turned the corner to find her friend looking around the kitchen. She leaned up against the fridge. “Yeah, I need to find a new place. For now I’ll sleep in the guest bedroom. As long as he isn’t bringing female friends over, I think we can be civil.”

  “Wow. You're something, you know that? Anyone else would want to chop his balls off.” She made a chopping motion in the air. To which Kristy laughed.

  “Nah, he was honest, and didn’t cheat.”

  “Physically.”

  Kristy wrinkled her brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “He’s been cheating on you for weeks now – In. His. Mind.” Sherry used her pointer finger to poke herself on the side of the head, emphasizing each word.

  “Shit. Guess I’ll be needing a bigger glass.” She pointed to the small wine goblet and gave a weak smile.

  Chapter Two

  Near midnight, Steven drove home from Mona's. Mona was wonderful. Why hadn't the universe paired them together before Kristy came into his life? Not that having Kristy was a waste of time, but their relationship wasn’t quite what he thought it should be. They were at a standstill and the sex fell flat.

  Mona caught his eye one day while he waited for the copy machine at work. He’d seen her around the office and he found her attractive, but that day at the copier changed things. It changed him.

  He watched her raise the lid of the machine, and her paper lifted and floated to the floor. She bent over to retrieve it, and his dick stiffened immediately at the view of her backside. His only thought was how good it would feel to be buried deep inside her.

  When Mona turned to apologize for taking so long, she gazed down to his obvious erection and licked her lips. From then on the sexual tension between them revved up each day.

  After talking to her one afternoon at lunch, he found out she wanted him as much as he wanted her. That’s when he made the difficult decision to break it off with Kristy. His stomach twisted in knots at the thought. He really did love her, but he knew deep down inside they weren’t meant for each other. Before he did anything stupid, he needed to break her heart and end their relationship.

  To his surprise, Kristy took the news well and offered to call Mona for him to let her know he was a free man.

  He pulled into his driveway and cut the engine. Why he replayed things in his mind, he didn’t know. Perhaps he felt a little guilty after the explosive evening he shared with Mona.

  As he approached his front door, he heard music and laughter. Throwing the door open he stomped to a halt. Kristy was the last person he expected to see. He figured she would’ve grabbed some stuff and gone somewhere else for the night.

  Kristy and her friend Sherry sprawled out on the floor with empty wine bottles scattered about. Anger boiled through his veins. Here he felt guilty, and she was partying it up.

  The women looked up at him and erupted in another round of laughter.

  “What the fuck is this?” His voice sounded harsh even to his own ears.

  “What does it matter, you broke up with me?”

  “Yet, you’re in my house.” He glared down at the mess surrounding them. “And drinking my wine.”

  “As if I have somewhere else to go.” She spat the words at him.

  “You have friends.” His voice came out hard and stern. He’d never spoken to her that way before and damned if he couldn’t stop himself.

  Kristy looked away. “They have lives, I refuse to disrupt them. I will find a place of my own and be out. Until then the guestroom is mine. You owe me that much.”

  He looked at her through narrowed eyes. “You have one week!”

  Kristy shuddered and Sherry glanced sideways at her.

  She didn’t seem frightened. Why had she shuddered? He growled, slammed the door, and headed to his room slamming that one too.

  ***

  Kristy jumped at the sound of Steven’s bedroom door, and she took a deep relaxing breath.

  “Are you frightened?” Sherry’s green eyes were wide peeking out from her auburn bangs.

  “No. That was fuckin’ hot.” She fanned herself with her hand. “I’ve never seen that side of him before. So in charge. So demanding.” Her insides clenched in need. Must be the wine.

  Sherry narrowed her eyes at her long time friend, and then they popped open. “I knew it. You’re submissive!”

  “Oh, cut it with that crap. I don’t want to hear any more about how you and your Dom are forever happy with your arrangement. It’s too weird for me.” She averted her gaze and focused on her wine glass, swirling the liquid around inside. “Nice collar by the way.”

  She looked up just in time to see Sherry flinch at the mention and reach up to stroke the petite choker around her neck. “H-how did you know?”

  “I’m not stupid. When you and Dan got serious in all this BDSM crap, I went online and read about the lifestyle. So that’s how I know it’s not for me.” She offered her friend a warm smile. “But if you’re happy, then I’m happy for the both of you.”

  Sherry reached out and hugged her. “Thank you. I’m glad. Your blessing means everything to me.”

  “He’s a good man for you or I wouldn’t have stood up for you at your wedding.”

  Sherry tapped her fingers against her choker. “I’m sorry I forgot I was wearing it. I like to wear it to the meetings. You know this lifestyle is only for the bedroom, and the club, right? That’s our arrangement, and we’re both content with it. Aside from being his submissive during those times, I’m in charge of everyday life.”

  She shook her head. “I know, but let’s stop talking about this before I get too many visuals of you in ropes, nipple clamps, and butt plugs.” She clenched her eyes tight and faked a shiver.

  “Okay, moving on…So how about the gym?” Sherry asked, with a glint in her eye.

  “What about it? I’ll be going every night after work to avoid Steven.” Kristy didn’t like where the conversation was heading.

  “And for no other reason?” Sherry waggled her eyebrows.

  “Oh come on. Jake’s a baby. I could be his mother.”

  “If that’s what you’re into,” Sherry winked. “But seriously, have you ever seen the way he looks at you?”

  “Sherry, just stop, will you?” She smacked her friend hard on the thigh and froze as an afterthought. “Sorry. I guess Dan should be the only one spanking you.” She looked down to see her pink handprint forming on Sherry’s skin, and she blushed.

  That caused her friend to lose it. She busted out in a belly laugh with tears running down her cheeks. “Oh shit…oh shit…I can’t…I can’t breathe.” Sherry forced the words out through her hysterics. After a moment of watching her friend, Kristy joined the laughter.

  S
teven ripped his bedroom door open and glared down at them.

  Kristy looked up from rolling around on the floor, writhing in laughter.

  “You two! Shut it now!” he barked.

  Kristy’s stomach dropped at his tone and her insides fluttered in excitement.

  Sherry gripped her stomach, and shouted at Steven, “I’m going home now anyway. And if you keep yelling, Kristy is gonna need to take care of business.”

  Kristy gave Sherry a hard look.

  “Okay, okay, I get it. I’m leaving. I’ll see you at the gym tomorrow. And don’t worry; I walked over, so no driving for me tonight.”

  “Text me when you get in so I know you're safe.”

  “Okay.” Helping each other up from the floor they hugged and off Sherry went.

  ***

  Steven watched Kristy for a moment while she cleaned up the living room. Her petite frame usually moved gracefully, but the wine hindered her. Sighing, he pushed off the doorframe where he’d been leaning and started to help.

  “No, no, I got it. I made the mess I can clean it.” She flipped her long brown hair away from her face, and swayed side to side.

  “It’s fine. You’re drunk anyway.”

  “Am not.” She pushed her chest out and tried to steady her body. The motion made her sway more, and she started to tilt toward the floor.

  “I got you.” Steven scooped her up, holding her close. “I’m gonna put you to bed, and I’ll finish cleaning.”

  “I’m sorry.” Her hand reached up and stroked the side of his face as her brown eyes fluttered with sleep.

  “Don’t worry about it. I don’t blame you for getting smashed. I probably would’ve done the same.”

  “No, not that. I’m sorry I couldn’t be the woman you needed me to be.” Her eyes looked sad and it broke his heart. They reached her bed and he placed her down gently. He sat on the edge while she snuggled in under her blankets.

  “Kristy, it wasn’t you. I was the one with the problem. I needed so badly to be with Mona. I didn’t even try to make things work with you.” He smoothed the blanket over her.