Second Base Read online

‘I’m just—never mind. I’ll get the rest of the bags.’ Pete stalked out, grumbling under his breath.

  When sure he was alone, Dan took a moment to huff a curl of hair out of his eyes. Though he longed to pace, the dozens of bags dotting the floor left him with too little room. Instead he chewed the inside of his cheek, glaring at the beer.

  It’s none of his business. This is about me and Karen. Why does he even care?

  The doorbell rang again. He stomped back to the door and jerked it open.

  A short woman with straight brown hair and a solemn expression, flinched back from him. ‘What’s up with you?’

  ‘Sam?’ He stepped back to let her through. ‘Nothing. I’m fine.’

  ‘Of course you are.’

  He swallowed the sharp response rising in his throat. ‘Where’s Cindy?’

  ‘Parking. Why is your street so packed? It’s a nightmare.’

  Dan narrowed his eyes. ‘Have you been speaking to my mother?’

  ‘No, why?’

  ‘Nothing. Just come in, will you? Grab a beer or something.’

  Sam shook her head. ‘I’m on call, but I’ll have some lemonade if you have any.’

  ‘Check the ice bucket.’

  As she walked through, Pete hurried up the path carrying two plastic bags. He shivered as he approached. ‘You didn’t tell me she was coming.’

  Dan eyed his harried expression. ‘Didn’t think I had to. She’s with Cindy, I figured it was a given.’

  ‘I thought they broke up.’

  ‘They did. Then made up. Then broke up. Then made up. You know what it’s like with those two.’

  ‘Yes but—this is bad.’ His fingers twitched on the handles to the carrier bags.

  ‘What have you done?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Pete . . .’

  He gazed at the floor, watching his shuffling feet. ‘I’ve got weed in my pocket.’

  Dan rolled his eyes. ‘So leave it in the car.’

  ‘This neighbourhood? It’ll get robbed quicker than chocolate at Slimming World.’

  He turned back towards the hallway. ‘Then bring it in. Whatever, I don’t care. Just come inside.’

  ‘Dan, she’s a policewoman.’

  Impatience gave his voice a rough edge. ‘And her girlfriend is the biggest pothead I’ve ever met. I’m sure she has other things to deal with besides you and a bit of weed.’

  Still Pete lingered. ‘It’s not just in my pocket.’

  Dan sucked in a deep breath then let it out slow. ‘Tell me.’

  ‘My cousin made biscuits. I couldn’t eat them all so I brought them.’

  Dan’s heart gave a little flutter. ‘You brought hash-cakes to my house warming party? My parents are going to be here.’

  Pete looked nervously into the house. ‘Keep your voice down.’

  ‘Jesus, Pete, are you crazy? Isn’t this going to be hard enough?’

  ‘I thought you’d want some. You used to.’

  ‘And I used to jerk off to anime but I don’t do that any more either. Mum will be here in half an hour. Where are they?’

  Pete gave a slow blink.

  ‘The biscuits!’

  ‘In the kitchen.’

  Dan dashed back into the house. In the kitchen, he caught his foot on a bag of snacks and stumbled into the counter. He caught himself with his hands. ‘Ow . . .’ Pain speared through his locked elbows.

  A shadow fell over him. Sam extended one hand. ‘Take it easy, Bolt. You okay?’

  He stood, awkward and stiff as his knees joined the song of pain. ‘I’m fine.’

  ‘Still don’t believe you, Dan.’ She took a huge bite of the biscuit in her other hand. Crumbs rained down her chin. ‘Do you need help in here? I don’t mind.’

  Dan looked at the biscuit. Small. Dark. Studded with chocolate chips. ‘Where did you get that?’

  She hooked a thumb at a large plastic box beside the kettle. Open and stuffed with cookies.

  Fuck.

  ‘They’re great.’ She gestured with the remaining crescent before ramming it into her mouth. ‘Karen make them?’ More crumbs flew.

  He froze, looking at Sam, the box, then back again. ‘Oh, God, Sam.’

  ‘I know, they’re for the party, but I’m starving. I only had a few.’

  ‘A few?’ he squeaked. A giant, invisible fist squeezed the air from his lungs.

  ‘Okay, three, but they’re really good.’

  ‘Sam.’ He buried his face in his hands. ‘Jesus, Sam.’

  ‘What? Cindy’s right; you are high strung. They’re just cookies. You’ve got loads.’ She snagged another and ate half in one smooth movement.

  ‘Sam those cookies have got—’

  ‘Samantha!’ Pete barrelled into the room, dumped his bags on the dining table and rushed over to gather Sam into a bone crunching hug. He plucked the cookie from her fingers. ‘How the hell are you?’

  ‘Um . . .’ She struggled, feet waving three inches off the ground. ‘Good, I suppose.’

  ‘And Cindy?’

  ‘Parking the car. Put me down.’

  ‘What?’ Pete frowned.

  Sam glared. ‘Put me down and give me my cookie.’

  Dan shook his head as his friend lowered Sam to the floor.

  This ought to be good.

  ‘Thanks.’ She brushed herself off. ‘My cookie?’

  Pete stared at the half eaten snack as though he had no idea what it was. ‘I—no. Sorry. Haven’t tried one yet and they look really good.’

  ‘There’s a whole tub right here.’

  Pete crammed the cookie crescent into his mouth and grabbed the box. ‘I’ll take these.’

  Dan snorted. He couldn’t help it. ‘The damage is done. Put them down, Pete.’

  ‘What damage?’ Sam held up her hands. ‘I only had a few. Are they really that special?’

  This time he couldn’t hold the laughter in. ‘You could say that.’

  ‘They’re just chocolate chip.’ She brushed crumbs off her blouse.

  ‘You didn’t taste anything else?’

  ‘Maybe a bit of a weird aftertaste, but that’s nothing to—’ She broke off. Her eyes widened. ‘What have you done?’

  ‘Me?’ Dan touched his chest. ‘Nothing. Ask my idiot friend over there.’

  Pete shot him a ‘thanks mate’ glare before turning to face Sam. ‘I can explain.’

  ‘What’s wrong with those cookies?’

  ‘Nothing,’ he stammered.

  ‘Funny, but I don’t believe you. You and Dan are terrible liars.’

  Cindy breezed into the kitchen. She wore tight black trousers slung low on the hips and a fishnet shirt over a shocking-pink bra, a strong contrast to Sam’s modest blouse and knee length skirt. ‘Hey bitches. Ooo, cookies!’ She reached around Pete and snagged one. ‘I love chocolate chip. Home made?’ She bit. Chewed. Swallowed. Grinned. ‘Fuck me, that’s strong shit. Who are you trying to kill?’

  Sam folded her arms. ‘Will someone tell me what’s in those cookies?’

  Pete groaned. ‘My cousin made them. I didn’t—’

  ‘Well, tell your cousin she’s a fucking genius.’ Cindy demolished the rest of the biscuit.

  ‘His name is Mark.’

  ‘Bullshit.’ She reached for another and examined it. ‘No man can cook up space-cookies this good. This has to be a woman’s work.’

  Sam slumped against the sideboard. ‘Space-cookies? Like hash? As in weed?’

  Dan watched the understanding dawn on her face and took a giant step back. Here we go . . .

  Pete slammed the lid into place. Wet his lips. ‘I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t know you were going to come in here and stuff your face. Who does that anyway? Who just walks into someone’s house and eats their food?’

  ‘It’s a party!’ Sam snarled. ‘Of course I ate the food. Do you have any idea how long that stuff stays in your system? I’m on call. I have a shift tomorrow.’

  Cindy cocked her he
ad. The long tail of her ice-white hair flicked over one shoulder. ‘Wait, you ate one? Why? When did you get all loose and free?’

  ‘I didn’t know.’

  ‘How many?’

  Sam glared at the floor. ‘Six.’

  Dan frowned. ‘Blimey, did you inhale them? You told me three.’

  ‘I lied,’ she snapped. ‘Am I the only one not allowed to lie?’

  Cindy slapped her thigh. ‘Oh my fucking god, you’re going to be so high.’

  ‘This isn’t funny!’

  ‘It is. You get so horny when you’re high; why do you think I keep offering to cook?’

  ‘You cook because it’s your turn.’ Sam frowned, tugging on a lock of her hair.

  Dan inched away from the two women. He saw the storm brewing and preferred to be out of range.

  Cindy winked. ‘I cook because I get to spice up the food.’

  ‘You spike my food?’ Sam’s voice rose several octaves.

  Cindy closed the small space between them and tucked that maltreated wisp of straight, brown hair behind Sam’s ear. ‘You’re so fucking hot when you’re pissed at me. That’s the other reason. I love it when you go all copper.’ Still smiling, Cindy shoved her girlfriend against the sideboard. ‘We’re gonna have so much fun tonight. You’ll be high, I’ll be drunk and we’ll fuck like bunnies until we’re too sore to move.’

  Pete’s mouth dropped open.

  ‘You don’t want to see that.’ Dan grabbed his friend by the arm and hauled him into the living room.

  ‘Don’t I?’ Pete cast wistful glances over his shoulder. ‘They’re real, proper lesbians, aren’t they?’

  ‘Cindy is. Sam’s a bit more flexible.’

  Pete licked his lips. ‘How flexible?’

  ‘Don’t you dare, you horny bastard. And give me those cookies.’ He snatched the box and put it on a bookcase. ‘Leave her alone. Don’t go near her. Don’t touch her. Don’t even talk to her.’

  ‘But—’

  Dan threw him a level look. ‘When she gets off that high how do you think she’ll feel? Trust me, leave her alone.’

  Karen entered the living room.

  Familiar warmth fanned across Dan’s chest and groin when he saw her. His gaze traced the line of her jaw, the swell of her breasts and the incredible curve from her waist to her hips. So beautiful. Even more in the tight jeans she wore, topped by a flowing, sleeveless shirt with a pattern of red and purple flowers. Purple always looked amazing against her skin.

  A flash of light brought his attention to her wrist. His throat tightened. ‘You’re wearing the slave band.’

  She nodded shyly, playing with the silver links. ‘Is that okay? I know your mum will be here but it’s important to me.’

  Dan rushed forward and cut her off with a kiss. She melted into his embrace, soft and supple as a cat. Despite her recent orgasms she pressed against him, hot, needy, willing. Always willing. He slipped his hand beneath her shirt, stroking her ribs. At her bra, he thumbed her nipples through the cups until they stiffened. ‘It’s important to me too.’

  ‘Thank you, Sir.’

  He could think of nothing better than his submissive wearing their personal interpretation of a collar during their housewarming celebrations. For all his friends and family to see that she belonged to him, even if they didn’t understand what the piece of jewellery really meant. Perfect.

  Pete cleared his throat.

  When Dan escaped the hypnotic pull of Karen’s eyes, he found his friend studying the bookcase. ‘Sorry.’ As the word left his mouth he wanted it back. Why did he feel the need to apologise for a gesture of affection? In his own home?

  Karen noticed Pete at the same moment and jerked away. She pressed her back to the door frame and smoothed her shirt over her stomach. ‘Hey, Pete. How are you?’

  ‘Fine,’ he stared at the books.

  Dan frowned. He imagined a thick wall of ice, with Karen and Pete on either side, talking across the awkward distance. ‘What’s wrong with you two?’

  Pete shrugged.

  Karen gazed at her toes.

  He sighed. ‘Is this about the cage? Still? Guys, I’m sorry but we’ve got to move on. It wasn’t that big a deal, right?’

  Discomfort centred on the memory forced him to lock the experience away in a far corner of his mind. Having to leave Karen in a three–by–three play cage was bad enough, but being forced to call Pete to rescue her was far worse.

  Pete gave a tight smile. ‘What are you talking about? I’m fine, mate. I’ve already forgotten everything I saw. We’re good, right Kaz?’

  Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. ‘We’re good.’

  Bullshit.

  He longed to shake both of them. To grab their shoulders and jerk them back and forth until the lies ran clear. If only it were so simple.

  With Karen, maybe—they were much better at talking since the trip to Sugar Dust—but Peter? The man clammed up tighter than an oyster when he wanted and nothing short of torture would open his mouth.

  I don’t have time for this.

  ‘Fine. Whatever. I need a tablecloth.’ He struck off for the kitchen.

  Karen grabbed his arm. ‘Don’t go in there just yet.’

  A keening groan floated through the closed door across the hallway.

  Karen shrugged. ‘I stopped to grab a beer and found Cindy with her head under Sam’s skirt. If we don’t disturb them they’ll get it out of their system a lot faster.’

  ‘I doubt that.’ Dan rolled his eyes. ‘Fucking lesbians.’

  ‘Hey,’ she slapped his arm. ‘As if we haven’t done worse. Remember last night?’

  Dan did indeed recall; the damp cotton of Karen’s underwear in his pocket and the delicious pressure of her toes as she massaged his cock beneath the table while he struggled to eat spaghetti carbonara. He remembered the delirious pleasure as he fumbled the remote in his pocket, occasionally giving the egg clamped inside her pussy a burst of high speed.

  It was enough to make his cock twitch.

  He shook his head. ‘I’ll not forget in a hurry. Believe me.’

  Another loud moan came from the kitchen. Maniacal laughter. Something heavy thudded on to the floor. Shrieks of pleasure.

  Dan turned back to the living room. ‘Maybe we should get the sound system ready.’

  Karen patted his arm. ‘Good idea.’

  Chapter Three

  Karen

  Karen refilled a bowl of nuts while swaying her hips to the pounding music.

  The press of bodies, loud chatter and music collided to make thinking difficult. Not that it mattered. People seemed more concerned with dancing, eating and drinking.

  She checked her phone, scrolling through her recent calls. Nothing yet. Not even a text message.

  Maybe the train’s late. Or she’s stuck without a signal. She’d call if she could.

  Her palms prickled with sweat. Karen wiped them on her jeans. To occupy her hands, she fussed with the links of her slave band, turning the rings back and forth on her slender fingers.

  Three silver rings, attached to a bracelet by thin chains studded with white crystals like flakes of diamond.

  Seeing it soothed her. Reminded her of the love shared between herself and Dan, hot, honest and deep.

  She faced the room, smiling each time someone caught her eye. Colleagues from the university, various social workers from Dan’s professional circle, the occasional closer friend. So many people turned out to wish herself and Dan well in their new home.

  From the corner of her eye, she saw Dan fiddling with the stereo. As he stooped, the muscles across his back and shoulder bunched, released and bunched again. His hair curled over the back of his neck and shoulders.

  He needs a trim.

  She imagined doing it herself, running her fingers through the silky-soft strands to reveal the nape of his neck. She longed to kiss him. Or bite him.

  Living with Dan was a dream come true. Waking to his face every morning,
listening to his steady breathing every night. Washing his holey, mismatched socks, cooking his food, sharing his bath. She treasured every part of it.

  A voice came from her right. ‘Karen, I don’t like the carpets.’ Sharp. Slightly nasal. An inflection that spoke of dirty, smelly things in need of a wash.

  She fixed a wide smile in place and turned to face her mother-in-law. ‘Good evening, Maxine.’

  The older woman wrinkled her surgically straightened nose. ‘Haven’t we already done all that?’

  ‘You said hello to Dan, not me.’

  ‘Oh, you silly thing.’ Maxine waved her hand, a clatter of gold bracelets. ‘It’s implied. Hello Daniel and his darling significant other?’

  Sarcastic bitch.

  Karen struggled to moderate her tone. ‘What’s wrong with the carpets?’

  ‘They’re brown.’

  ‘Egg-shell.’

  ‘It looks dirty. Like some big, wet dog rolled all over it. Is it new?’

  ‘Of course it is. What are you trying to say?’

  Maxine glanced at her feet then up again, as if to leave her gaze on the carpet would render her dirty too. ‘You never can tell. I hope you went to a proper store and not one of those cheap Asian places. It doesn’t even match this gorgeous wallpaper.’

  Karen grinned, a childish surge of triumph. ‘You’ll have to ask Dan: he chose the carpet. I bought the wallpaper.’ She shoved passed Maxine before anything less delicate could pass her mouth. She angled herself toward Cindy, chatting gaily with Julian on the long sofa.

  The older man stood when she approached. He held out his hands and she gladly clasped them in her own, leaning in to kiss his whiskery cheek. ‘Hey.’

  ‘Good evening, my dear. What a wonderful party. Thank you for inviting us.’

  ‘Having fun?’

  ‘Yes and having a splendid chat with your lovely friend. She’s quite the charmer.’

  Cindy gave a surprised bark of laughter. ‘Steady on, grandpa.’

  Karen smiled. For all her friend’s unconventional appearance, Cindy always did have a way with words and a strong, magnetic charisma. ‘Just don’t let her draw you into politics. She’s much less charming then.’

  Cindy stuck up her middle finger, then fiddled with her white hair. ‘Just because I have views, Kaz. You’re so busy bending over for Wonder-Dan over there, you never think about the bigger picture. You two are pioneers. You should be thinking about what you can do for the world.’