Romance Book Club by Michelle Hughes

began and for the first time since joining the book club, she felt like she had something to offer. When Carolyn asked if she thought it was possible for a dominant to be a great friend, Jessie actually gave her thoughts.  "I would think a dominant would be just like any other man, and it would depend on his personality.”
    It was awkward when more than a few of the women looked at her with their mouths almost agape because she actually spoke.  She forced a smile instead of glancing at her lap, and noticed several smiles returning to her. And a fifteen-minute conversation resulted from her comment!
    After the meeting, she was shocked that a few of the women came up to talk with her, and she was even more surprised to find herself enjoying the conversation.  Amanda had bailed out early, claiming she had a date with her lawyer, so after the rest of the women departed, she didn't have an excuse not to stay and talk with their host.  Carolyn didn't waste any time questioning her.
    "Something's different about you, Jessie." Handing her a glass of the wine, they sat down on the couch.
    Taking a sip of the smooth liquid, she smiled. "This is really delicious."  Not knowing exactly how to respond to her statement, she just shrugged.
    "Are you and Chase playing together?" Carolyn watched her expression intently.
    Jessie almost choked on her wine at the blunt question.  She wondered how she should answer, then decided maybe the truth would be the best way to go.  "Not really." That was true. She wasn't playing with him in the way Carolyn meant.  Unless Chase tying her to the bed counted.
    Taking a sip of her wine, Carolyn glanced over the glass at Jessie.  "How do you ‘not really’ play with someone?  I mean, it really is a you are or you're not situation." 
    A thought entered Jessie’s mind.  "You and Chase don't play together, do you?"  Now that she'd asked the question, it really did make sense.  They obviously shared the same interest, and why else would he trust her with his club?
    Carolyn threw back her head back and laughed out loud.  "That would never happen.  I'm not a switch."
    "A switch?  I have no idea what a branch has to do with this." 
    Carolyn laughed even louder. "No, a switch is a person who enjoys being both dominant and submissive, depending on their mood.  Let's just say I always like to call the shots."
    Feeling her face redden, Jessie lowered her eyes in embarrassment.  "Sorry. There are obviously a bunch of words in your world I haven't learned yet."
    "Yet? So are you saying you are going to learn more, perhaps with Chase?"  
    "Seriously, I don't know at this point, Carolyn.  I mean, I enjoyed staying with him last night, but as far as where it will lead, I just don't know."  Realizing she'd just basically admitted sleeping with Chase, she wondered if she could be more of an idiot.
    "You spent the entire night with him?"  Carolyn’s eyes filled with shock. 
    Taking a quick gulp of her wine, she wished she'd controlled her mouth filter more.  "I really don't want to talk about this."  That was an understatement.  She'd known Carolyn for a while now, but they weren't exactly close enough to discuss this subject.
    "I didn't mean to pry,” Carolyn said apologetically, “I'm just worried Chase hasn't been very upfront with you about how he views relationships. He’s a really nice man, but I'm not sure he's in a place to consider anyone else's needs at the moment."
    That was a warning if she ever heard one, and Jessie stiffened.  "I shouldn't have said anything."  She already knew she'd revealed more than she should have.
    Smiling encouragingly, Carolyn shook her head.  "I think you're misunderstanding me.  I don't want to see you get hurt.  If things weren't so stressful with Chase at the moment, I'm sure he would have explained he doesn't do casual play."
    Her brow wrinkled in confusion.  Was the woman warning her off or telling her Chase would expect more?  "I really