Playing Knotty by Elia Winters Page B

at Emma as she smiled. “No more getting me off subject. What’s happening with you?”
    Emma considered. She wasn’t ready to open up to Bethany yet. This could probably grow into a nice friendship over time, but it wasn’t there yet. However, just because she couldn’t tell Bethany everything didn’t mean she couldn’t tell her anything. Keeping her voice quiet, she looked to both sides and made sure no one was sitting too close. “I slept with this guy last night, and I don’t know if it was a good idea or not.”
    Bethany let out a low whistle. “Been there.” She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “Why do you think it might have been a bad idea?”
    The truth had nothing to do with bondage. “I don’t know if there’s any future in it.”
    â€œBut was the sex good?” Apparently, Bethany was one of those people who didn’t feel the need to lower her voice when discussing sex. Emma felt her face flush. Truthfully, the sex had been incredible, maybe the best sex she’d ever had. It was certainly better than anything in her last relationship—if you could call a half-dozen dates and three mediocre sexual encounters a relationship.
    â€œYeah. Really good.” Emma finished her coffee and wished she’d bought a larger size, though she could already feel the jitteriness of the caffeine in her system.
    â€œAnd now he wants to do it again?” Bethany gave her a knowing look, but Emma shook her head.
    â€œNo, actually. He . . . he didn’t bring it up.”
    â€œOh. So you want to do it again?”
    â€œI’m not sure.”
    Bethany shrugged. “So if it’s not going to happen again, and the sex was good, does it really matter whether or not it was a good idea? It’s over. It’s not like you can go back and change it.”
    She did have a point. “That’s true.”
    â€œSo let it go. Move on.” Bethany drained her cup and set it back in its saucer. “Unless you want there to be a future in it. Do you like him and you’re deciding if you want to ask him out?”
    Emma blushed again. Damn her fair skin. “I don’t think he wants to be with me. He didn’t ask me out or anything. And even if he did, I’m not sure it would last.” If she didn’t put herself out there, she wouldn’t have to be rejected. Because the rejection would come, of course. She’d learned that much already. She didn’t have the type of body that made guys want to be seen with her. She wallowed in conflicting emotions of Disney “Go for it!” and realistic “Don’t risk it,” and the combination was fucking confusing.
    â€œYou could always, you know, talk to him.” Bethany cocked her head to the side with a half-smile. “See what he wants.”
    â€œYeah, sure. Maybe.”
    â€œI know that maybe. That’s a maybe that means no. Well, it really doesn’t matter.” Bethany reached out and patted Emma’s hand. “You had some hot sex, and now it’s done, and maybe neither of you wants to see the other one again.”
    â€œRight.” Emma nodded. Perhaps her only interaction with Ian from now on would be when he came in to buy books every few weeks. She wasn’t sure if the thought comforted her or depressed her. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

Chapter 11

    I an thought about Emma the whole T ride into work that morning. Using her as his model was supposed to have been uneventful, maybe a bit awkward, but ultimately a stopgap measure until he found a permanent replacement for Lizzy. He hadn’t expected Emma to like it so much. But when he’d wrapped her hands and she’d sucked in those little hitching breaths, he’d known. God, he’d known, and it had been all he could do to keep their workshop on schedule.
    She looked so good tied up. He’d found her