Kyle’s Bargain (21 page)

Eyebrows went up all around the room before the laughter
spread. “I guess that puts you in your place,” Kyle said. Lindy threw Meg an
admiring grin. “I wish I’d thought of that. I always think of those lines way
too late.”

“You’re all ganging up on me,” Rick teased. “I might have to
find a corner and go sulk.”

“The picture in that one is particularly interesting,” Meg
said, pointing to the corner on the left.

Rick looked at Kyle. “Likes to live dangerously, doesn’t
she?”

Kyle shrugged. “We understand each other.”

Dinner went smoothly with them trading compliments, insults,
jokes and information about themselves and their lives. The spaghetti and
meatballs tasted great, the bread and salad Meg brought were excellent, the
wine, provided by Rick, was smooth and rich. Kyle had ice cream for dessert,
with coffee, and that made the perfect finish.

Afterward, the men cleared the table, Lindy put away the
leftovers and Meg loaded the dishwasher. Kyle poured more wine for everyone
then he and Rick went to the living room while the women finished in the
kitchen.

“What’s the word on funding for your project,” Rick asked
before he could steer the conversation into another path.

Kyle took a deep breath and then a long sip of wine. “Not
good. So far nothing but rejections on the additional funding.” He looked up at
his friend. “It’s got me in a knot. Worse, now that I’ve got even more at
stake.”

“How’s that?”

“I love Meg. I want a life with her. But how can I propose
when I’m likely to be bankrupt and on the street?”

“That’s an exaggeration.”

Kyle shrugged. “A bit, but not by much. Unless one of these
last applications comes through—and how likely is that?—I’m not going to have
much to offer her. Loads and loads of debt. The kind that may cripple my career
for the foreseeable future. And who’s going to invest in me again? Or hire me
to oversee their projects?”

“We’re talking probably several years in the future anyway,
aren’t we? You’ve got backing for what you’re doing now.”

“True. But it’s going to catch up with me eventually.”

“You think that would make any difference to Meg?”

“If it were only her, no. But she’s solely responsible for
her sister and her future. She’s already got a lot invested in that herself.
She marries me and she effectively takes on my debt too.”

“What makes you think she can’t handle that? You’re both
smart, mature adults. So you go into debt. You’ll work it out. And marriage is
for better or for worse. If that’s the worst part of ‘for worse’ you’ll both be
lucky.”

“You wouldn’t let it stop you?”

“No way. And you’re even more of an idiot than I thought if
you let it stop you,” Rick said. “I bet it won’t stop Meg.”

Rick and Lindy brought out a box they’d left in the living
room when they came in.

“This was an engagement present from Nick and Andi
Tysinger,” Lindy said. “It’s a version of the game Truth or Dare, but Andi and
Nick and a couple of their friends rewrote the rules to be more appropriate for
a BDSM couple or group.”

“Why don’t we take it down to the rec room,” Kyle suggested.

They followed him to the finished area of the basement and
pulled the card table out from against the wall. Kyle found the folding chairs
and ranged them around it while Lindy unpacked the contents of the box. She set
out three decks of handmade cards, a sheet of paper with directions, a light
flogger, a switch and a wood paddle, painted down the middle with the words
Wuss
Paddle
.

Kyle brought refills on the wine and a beer for Rick before
they settled in. Lindy handed the sheet of paper to Rick and asked him to read
the directions.

“It looks pretty simple,” he said. “Here’s what it says…

Each player is dealt three ‘chicken’ cards, which can be
used at any time. All players play as subs, but one Master is designated as the
‘Umpire’. A second player is designated as the ‘Umpire’s Assistant’. The
‘Umpire’ delivers the Wuss Whacks as well as any other actions necessary.
Should the Umpire be the culprit, the Umpire’s Assistant does the job.

Players take turns selecting a card from the “Truth”
pile. They read the card aloud and answer the question truthfully. Should they
not wish to answer, they select a card from the “Dare” pile and accept whatever
is written on it. If they choose not to accept the dare they have the choice of
receiving three whacks with the “Wuss Paddle” or using one of their Chicken
cards.

Play ends whenever the players decide to end it, but each
participant should get the same number of turns. It is suggested that the cards
not be shuffled but used in the order they’re provided in.”

“That’s it?” Kyle asked.

“That’s all that’s written here. Shall we try it?”

Lindy looked a bit nervous, but the rest of them nodded.

“Votes on who gets to be Umpire?” Rick asked.

“Kyle,” Meg said while Lindy said, “You” to Rick. Kyle
looked at him, and said, “You” also.

“Guess it’s me, which leaves Kyle as Assistant Umpire,” Rick
said. “Ready? Why don’t I start?” Lindy sat to his right, ensuring she’d be
last. No one objected to the plan.

Rick picked up the top Truth card, and read, “
Have you
ever skinny-dipped? How old were you?
”

“Too easy,” Kyle said.

Rick shrugged. “I’ll answer. Yes, and I’ve done it a number
of times. The first time was probably when I was around twelve.”

Meg drew a deep breath. “Guess I’m next.” She took the top
card from the Truth pile, and read, “
How old were you when you lost your
virginity?
”

She thought about it for a moment. “Ouch. I thought they’d
lob a few more softballs first. I believe I’ll take a Dare on that one.” She
reached for a card. “Remove your shoes and socks if you’re wearing any and one
additional piece of clothing.” A wash of pink appeared in her cheeks, but she
bent down and took off her shoes then removed her shirt. She wore a sleeveless
top below it. Kyle suspected she wasn’t wearing a bra and had a feeling he’d
find out before the game ended.

It was his turn now, so he picked a Truth card. “
If
you’re a guy, have you ever worn women’s underwear? If you’re a woman, have you
ever worn men’s underwear?
” He remembered the time Rita had begged him to
wear her panties, just for fun. He wasn’t about to share that. “I’m taking a
Dare on this one,” he said.

Rick gave him a faux-shocked look. “Whoa! Really?”

“Not your business.” He reached for a Dare card. “I suppose
this is poetic justice. Switch one article of clothing with the person on your
left.” He looked over at Lindy. “Your shirt for mine?”

She colored even more than Meg had then said, “No way.
You’ll tear it apart trying to get it around your shoulders.”

Kyle shrugged. “I guess I’ll just have to Wuss out then.”

“You sure?” Rick asked. “I’ll have to do my duty as Umpire.
Up against the wall, buddy.”

Kyle leaned against the wall, putting his palms flat against
it. He blessed Rick’s sensitivity in not making him drop his pants. It would
likely come to that before the night was through, but the girls weren’t ready
for it yet. Neither was he, in truth.

“Since you’re a guy you get no mercy,” Rick warned him. He
delivered on the promised with the first crack of the paddle against his butt.
Kyle gritted his teeth as the wood smacked with harsh intensity. It delivered a
bruising thud even through the fabric of his trousers. The second was even
harder and the third made him jump and curse under his breath. Damn it. It
hurt.

Even though he understood what Rick was doing, Kyle glared
at him when he turned around. His friend shrugged. Meg and Lindy each smothered
a grin when Kyle winced as he sat down. Rick didn’t bother. Some friend.

Lindy looked distressed, so he took her hand for a moment,
and said, “All part of the game. It’s not a problem.”

She nodded and hesitated before reaching for a card. She was
the shyest of all of them and might find this the most difficult. She sighed in
relief before she read, “
Describe your sexiest underwear.
”

After a moment’s thought, she said, “I’ll answer that. Of
course sexy is subjective, so Rick may have his own opinions, but I’d say it
would be my green silk Victoria’s Secret panties and bra. The panties are
small, barely cover anything and the bra is kind of a push-up thing but low
cut.”

She looked at her fiancé for confirmation and he returned a
smile. “They definitely work for me,” he confirmed. “I guess I’m up again.” He
pulled a card from the stack, and read, “
What is the sluttiest thing you’ve
ever done?
” He drew a deep breath, and said, “Ouch. I think I’d better take
a Dare.” Again he pulled a card. “Play one round with your hand tied to the
chair.” He gave the others a rueful grin. “I guess I’ll have to turn Umpiring
duties over to Kyle for this round.”

Kyle grabbed some rope from his supply closet and tied Rick’s
left wrist to the back of the chair. He found it entirely satisfying to put it
in a position guaranteed to be uncomfortable.

Meg reached for a card this time. “
What’s the one thing
you’ve done that you swore you’d never do
,” she read. She sighed. “I don’t
know that I swore I’d never do this, but if you’d asked me about it six months
ago I would’ve sworn I never would. I committed a crime—a major one—when I
kidnapped Kyle. It was an interesting way to meet but not one I’m proud of.”

Rick’s eyebrow rose as he looked from one of them to the
other, but he didn’t say anything.

Kyle went next. “
How old were you when you realized you
leaned toward kinky
?” he read. “I didn’t know any word for it then, but I
think I’ve always known my fantasies were a bit…well, different. I didn’t
realize I wasn’t as weird as I thought, though, until I got to college and met
Rick and his stash of porn. It was an eye-opener.”

“You were such a straight-laced, uptight kid,” Rick said.

“And you were such a street-smart hell-raiser.” He laced the
words with irony.

Lindy looked from one to the other, shook her head and took
a card. “
What is the stupidest thing you’ve ever bought?
” She was quiet
for a moment, thinking. “I guess it would probably be the piano. I’ve never had
a single lesson, but I thought I could teach myself how to play it.”

Kyle untied Rick’s wrist and dropped the rope into his lap.
“I’m turning the duties back over to you.”

Rick nodded and took a card. “
What’s the most
embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?
” His eyebrows went up and
after a pause he said, “I’m taking a dare on this one.” He grabbed a Dare card
read and shook his head. “Oh man. Lick a dollop of whipped cream off each of
the other players. They get to decide where to put it.” He glanced at Kyle. “You
have whipped cream?”

Meg volunteered to go get it and went upstairs. “Probably
should’ve Wussed on this one,” Rick admitted. “This could get…interesting.”

Meg returned with the plastic container of whipped cream and
a spoon. She dug in first and started to put it on her wrist then stopped,
stooped and put it on her foot. Rick rolled his eyes. She handed the tub to
Kyle, who decided to have mercy and put it on the back of his hand. To his
surprise, Lindy lifted her sweater and put a small dollop on her navel.

Rick knelt down next to Meg and licked the whipped cream
from her foot with one lap of his tongue. She giggled. Kyle watched Meg’s face
while Rick approached him and licked his wrist. He mock-punched the man when he
did a few extra tongue wags on his skin for effect. Lindy waited for him with a
grin. Rick knelt next to her, put his arms around her and rested his chin on
her lap before he tackled the cream. He took his time over it. So long in fact
that Meg began hooting. “Hey, guys, there’s a game going on.”

Rick lipped his way up Lindy’s chest to her mouth. After one
long kiss there, he finally stood up and sighed as he got back in his seat.

“Delay of game penalty?” Meg said.

“Not in the rules,” Rick answered, “And since I’m the
Umpire, it’s my call.”

“I’m considering a recall.” Meg took another Truth card. “
Where
were you when you lost your virginity?
” She shook her head. “No way.” She
reached for a Dare. “Select a player to pinch you three times. Oooh, that’s
hard. Kyle?”

“My pleasure. My choice where?”

“Doesn’t say. I guess so.”

He met her gaze and saw a bit of challenge there. Good. He
went over and pinched her chin between his thumb and forefinger while kissing
her on the mouth. He then pinched her earlobe, and while keeping his lips
locked with hers, he reached down and tweaked her left nipple. The kiss went on
and on. Meg didn’t seem to want to end it and neither did he. It took Rick
saying, “Get a room, guys, or get on with the game,” to snap them apart.

Kyle took a card, and read, “
What’s your worst nightmare?
”
He stopped for a moment. “Right now it’s not getting funding for the second
phase of the shopping center.” No sense in telling everyone how close that was
to becoming reality.

Lindy went next, and read, “
How old were you when you
lost your virginity?
” She stared at the card a moment. “I’m using one of my
Chicken cards.” She turned in the card.

Rick stared at her with raised eyebrows for a moment before
he shrugged and took a card himself. “
What’s your biggest secret fear?
”

He sighed and hesitated for a couple of long seconds. “My
biggest secret fear is that someday everyone will wake up and realize I’m a
fraud, that I’m not as smart or confident or successful as people think I am.”

“Wow,” Meg said. “I guess we know now. No more pretending with
us.”