Marie Harte - Bending the Rules

Rex lifted his fork. “Still working on Momma’s chicken.”

“Freeloader.” His father frowned. “That was supposed to be my lunch tomorrow.” He sighed and grinned. “Oh well. Easy come, easy go. How’s work treating you, boy?”

His mother drifted into the living room to answer the phone while Rex talked financials with his father. After a while, he noted the time.

“Shoot, Daddy. I gotta go.”

“Where to?”

Rex rinsed his plate and fork in the sink, then put them in the dishwasher. “Meeting Brian for a beer. It’s tough to get him by himself without Faith, so I’m taking advantage.”

“Sad to see them fall, isn’t it?” His father laughed. “Tell Brian I said hey. And take a note. Get yourself a woman and—”

“Not you too.” He groaned. “I already told Momma I’m bringing a date next week to the gala. And no, I will not introduce you to her until we have at least a few more dates between us. I think I can grow to like this one. I don’t want to scare her off with a ‘meet the parents’ nightmare.”

“Gotcha.” Harry understood. “Tell me this, she cute?”

“Nope. Sexy. A little mean.”

His father’s eyes sparkled. “Even better. Good luck, boy. With a woman like that, you’re gonna need it.”

Rex left them with kisses goodbye. Anyone seeing how close he was with his parents would call him a momma’s boy, but he loved his folks. They could do no wrong in his book. He just wished he could be the boy they wanted. A two-point-five kids father and husband to a suburban helpmeet. Boring, staid, happily-ever-after.

God love ’em, but his parents didn’t scream sexy or exciting. They were like a big old plate of comfort food. Something he treasured but couldn’t eat every damn day without getting heart disease.

Rex wanted something more. Something different. Something he got when he watched Brian and Faith go at it. Or when he played with multiple partners at the club—Augusta’s private place where any and everything happened—on the QT.

It had been over a month since he’d been by, and he figured he was due. Jerking off to thoughts of Natalie Wielder were pathetic, even for him. Time he saw some action again.

He met Brian inside the club his buddy privately co-owned with his sister Freddy. Good old Brian. Successful dull millionaire on the outside, perverted fun guy on the inside.

He grinned as he sat down at a table in the crowding lounge. Must have some kind of show tonight. “Hey there, kinkster. Nice to see ya.”

Brian flushed. “Shut up. I’m here because you forced me to meet you.”

“I did not. I merely pointed out what a pussy you’ve grown into since finding luurve with that sexy woman. Where is she, by the way?”

Brian shrugged and flagged down a waitress. After ordering drinks, they watched as a band set up for a live show. The nameless club had a private membership, the rules clearly stating what went down at the club stayed at the club. Lawsuits and high-profile clientele mandated confidentiality. Considering the wealthy, litigious patrons who frequented, Rex understood why they’d never had a problem being discreet.

Freddy brought them their beers. “On the house, handsome,” she teased and gave Rex a peck on the cheek. “Where’s Faith?”

“What I’d like to know,” Rex said.

“She’s hanging with Sydney and Hailey at the house. Some stupid girls’ night I wasn’t invited to.”

Rex stared. “Is that why you accepted my invite? Because you got denied a better one?”

“I wanted to hang out with you, you moron.” Brian’s sneer said otherwise.

Freddy laughed. At the bar behind her, Rex spotted Dylan Warren and Harper Reynolds, Freddy’s significant others, watching them. When they saw him, they raised their drinks in salute.

“Nice family you got there, Freddy.” He respected the hell out of her for taking what she wanted in life. He could just imagine the horror on his parents’ faces if he brought home a boy and a girl to play house. Then again, he didn’t want a boy to play house with, just to play with on the side, preferably while his girlfriend watched.

At the thought, he wondered what Nat was up to tonight.

“Thanks for the beers, Freddy,” Brian said. “Better get back to Frick and Frack though. Harper looks annoyed at you kissing Rex.”

Rex grinned and turned his other cheek toward her. “You missed a spot, sugar.”

She kissed him, then went back to the bar. He noted Dylan frowning now as well. Rex waved, to which the guys answered by flipping him the bird.

“Oh yeah, Rex,” Brian drawled. “You’ve still got the touch.”

He grinned. “So guess what? I have myself a date for next week. You’re gonna be there, right?”

“Yep. In fact, it’ll probably be fun. I’m going with Faith. Freddy will be there with Dylan. Harper’s staying home though. Can’t stand fancy parties.”

“He’s missing out.”

“That’s what I said. But he’s content to wait for Freddy and Dylan.” Brian shook his head. “I tell you, the idea of my sister with two guys was beyond weird. But she’s never been this happy. Harper and Dylan are perfect for her.”

“And each other, hear tell.”

Brian squirmed. “Dude, TMI.”

“What’s wrong with a little man love?” He grinned. “You seemed to have no problem letting me know you could handle the thought of me and Peter.” Peter Cordell, his first same-sex experience, and the perfect partner to introduce Rex to voyeurism and submission.

He wondered what Nat would be like in bed, if she’d act as aggressive in the sack as she had at work. Did she like to be in charge? To watch or be watched?

He sighed. If only.

“You seem less embarrassed about admitting it,” Brian said.

“Hell, man. You’d just come back to town after being gone forever. I didn’t know how cool you’d be knowing about me. Then again, after what we did with Faith…”

“Now those are some nights I’ll never forget.” Brian took a swig of beer. “I can’t believe you thought I’d be judgmental about your sex life.” Brian shook his head. “Just because I’m not into guys doesn’t mean I have a problem with what anyone else likes.” He coughed. “I mean, Faith likes when you watch us.”

“You do too, don’t you?”

“Oh hell. You know I do, but mostly because it gets her so fuckin’ hot. And remember, that’s still our little secret.”

“Who am I going to tell?” Rex snorted. “You like to be watched, I like watching.” He especially liked watching Brian master Faith, calling her his slave, taking charge. Because Rex wanted that too, but from a woman.

Odd how he liked sex with both genders, but he wanted a relationship with a woman. The man-sex could be added in, but only for play. Finding a woman to accept his needs? That was the real challenge.

“Can we stop talking about our kinks, please?” Brian asked.

Rex chuckled. “Dude, we’re in a sex club. What the hell are we doing here if not…” he tapered off, staring in shock at the woman who’d entered to sit at the bar next to Harper.

“What’s wrong?” Brian swiveled in his chair. “Who’s the chick next to Harper?”

“My date for next week.” Rex’s smile grew wide. “And if I play my cards right, my partner tonight in a little play. Wh-oo-ee, this is my lucky night. Do me a favor and find your sister, but be quiet about it. I need a minute to talk to her.”

Brian rolled his eyes. “The things I do to facilitate your sex life.” At Rex’s look, he stood. “I know, I know. You’ve more than helped me out. Just wait here.”

Rex sank lower in his seat, keeping an eye on Nat while keeping himself half-hidden behind a menu he’d found on a nearby table. When Brian returned with Freddy, Rex filled her in on what he wanted.