"Just take it slow. Stand here a minute and take some deep breaths. When you feel steadier we'll get your pants and shirt on."

Julie giggled. "Yeah, screw the underwear. Can you imagine? Me on the floor like an octopus falling out of a tree wrapped up in my panties. They'd be talking about me for a week."

Between the two of them, they managed to get Julie's pants and shirt on minus bra as well. Julie looked down and giggled at her breasts straining against the material.

"Let me guess. One of your shirts?"

Serena flushed. "Yeah, well, it was lucky I had a pair of your jeans at the house. I wasn't so lucky with the shirts."

"Should have gotten me one of Damon's, dork."

"I didn't think. Besides, I wish I looked that good in my own shirts."

The door opened as Julie was buttoning the fly on her jeans. Both women turned around to see Nathan standing in the door.

"Ah, gee sorry, ladies. I should have knocked."

Serena smiled. "No problem, she's decent."

Nathan frowned as he took in the fully dressed Julie. "What the hell are you doing out of bed? Why are you dressed? You should be lying down."

Julie grinned. "I'm getting out of here. Doc just discharged me."

Nathan took a step toward her, his mouth pursed as if he was working up the nerve to say something.

"You shouldn't be going home alone. I—"

"Oh, she's not," Serena piped up. "Damon and I are taking her home with us."

Nathan's face fell. "Oh, I mean, well, that's good. You should have people to look after you," he said gruffly.

Julie took a step toward him and grasped his arm for support. Then she leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you, Nathan," she said softly. "For looking out for me. For staying with me when I was scared out of my mind."

His eyes gleamed and his gaze strayed to her lips. She could feel that small cut there tingling, remembering how it felt when he'd pressed his lips to that tiny wound.

"You're welcome. Take care, okay?"

He brushed the hair from her cheek and leaned in like he was going to kiss her. Instead he rocked back on his heels and took a step back.

"Seems like you guys have it handled, so I'll get on out of here." He looked at Julie once more before turning toward the door. "See you," he said softly.

"Yeah, see you," she echoed.

He walked quietly out the door and let it swing shut behind him.

Chapter 26

“When the hell is Faith getting here?" Julie asked grumpily from her sprawled out position on Serena's couch.

Serena rolled her eyes from her position in the armchair catty-corner to the couch. "They're newly weds plus they're moving into their new house. Which means they take a load, fuck on the living room floor, move another load, fuck on the bedroom floor, move another load, fuck on the kitchen table. Very exhausting thing, moving!"

Julie burst out laughing. "Oh man, we're going to have to carry her ass tonight."

"She'll be a cheap drunk at least."

"My favorite."

"Would you ladies care for another glass of wine?" Sam asked from the living room entrance.

Since Damon had been banned from the night's activities, he'd taken it upon himself to hang out at The House and make sure things were running smoothly. Sam, on the other hand, had decided that he would at least see the women off. He was still miffed because Serena wouldn't allow him to drive them around.

But hey, girls' night out was sacred, and that meant nothing with a penis was going to be within ten feet.

"I'd love one," Julie called out. "Come on, Serena, we're getting a cab. Drink up!"

Serena smiled when Sam's glower got all the more disapproving. Julie mentally started counting. She got to three before Sam spoke up.

"I do wish you'd let me drive you where you're going tonight, particularly since there is alcohol involved. Does Mr. Roche know about the drinking?"

Serena rolled her eyes. "Julie's going. He knows."

"Hey! What the hell is that supposed to mean? I'm not the only lush in this group."

Serena snickered. "We'll take that wine, Sam. Better bring us the bottle. We're going to need a head start on Faith."

Just then Faith burst into the living room, out of breath, but looking like a million bucks as usual.

"I hate her," Julie drawled, looking at Serena and ignoring Faith.

"So do I."

"What? I'm only five minutes late," Faith said. "And you two started without me. Ungrateful whores."

"Meow. Marriage has made her feisty," Serena said with a raised eyebrow.

Faith plopped down on the couch next to Julie, concern shadowing her eyes. "Are you sure you should be doing this tonight? Are you feeling okay?"

Julie laughed. "I'm fine, Faith. Promise. I've been a lazy ass for four days, my every whim and desire catered to. Well, almost. Damon refused the cabana boys. My head is fine, my shoulder is great, so I'm ready to go cloud the brain with some alcohol. Besides, we have a lot to celebrate!"

Faith smiled and turned to include Serena in the warm gesture. "Yes, we do. Gray and I are married, Serena is getting married and Julie is alive. It's been a good week!"

"I say we get shit-faced for the occasion," Julie said.

"After you, ladies. Sam grudgingly informed me that the cab has been waiting for the last half hour, and he is at our beck and call the entire evening thanks to Damon's cash and Sam's threats not to leave us even for a second."

"You know I love this house," Faith said as she hauled Julie to her feet. "You can just smell the testosterone as soon as you walk in."

"Money and testosterone," Julie corrected. "I'm strongly considering offing Serena and stuffing her into the trunk of the cab. Think Damon would notice if I showed up in his bed with a black wig?"

Faith studied her for a moment. "Hmm, the loss of five inches might tip him off."

"Not to mention the abundance of cleavage," Serena said dryly. "Although he might not complain about that part."

The girls giggled and headed toward the door where Sam stood solemnly, his expression disapproving.

"May I tell Mr. Roche what time you plan to return?"

Julie snickered.

With a perfectly straight face, Serena said, "Well, you could, Sam, but I have no idea when that might be. You may tell Mr. Roche that I'll see him when I see him."

They stumbled out of the house laughing as they headed toward the cab parked inside the circle drive.

"Where're we going anyway?" Faith asked when they piled into the cab.

Julie looked at them sheepishly.

"You seriously aren't taking us to Cattleman's for girls' night out," Serena said.

"I mean, I like Cattleman's," Faith was quick to say, "but this is a special night. We're back together again."

Julie laughed. "Faith, you dork, we were only apart for less than a week."

"So?" she said with a sniff. "I missed you guys."

"The hell you did," Serena snorted. "If I know Gray he had you six ways to Sunday and a few into Monday as well."

Faith blushed but her grin lit up the entire cab.

"Okay, so I know you guys aren't thrilled with Cattleman's, but I arranged our own little private drinking area, complete with ... drumroll, please ... our own private bartender. And he's hot, if I do say so myself."

"Oooh, Cattleman's is looking up," Serena said.

Faith wrinkled her nose. "Since I'm newly married and all, aren't I supposed to be struck blind for at least six months? I'm not supposed to notice hot guys, right?"

"Honey, as long as you go home to your even hotter man, a little window-shopping is not verboten," Julie said.

"Hmm, window-shopping. I like that," Faith said.

Half an hour later, they landed at Cattleman's and entered the pub, cutting past several people waiting to be seated to eat. Julie caught Carls eye and waved. He smiled and motioned her back.

"Come on, girls," Julie said grabbing their hands.

Seconds later, escorted by Carl, they were given a table in a cordoned off section of the bar. The rounded back corner was theirs and a bartender leaned saucily against the wall.

"Ladies," he greeted. "My name is Drew, and I'm yours for the evening."

"Oh, Julie, good call," Serena murmured.

"Somebody remind me I'm married," Faith squeaked.

"Place your orders," Drew said. "I'm ready to pour."

Fours hour later, the crowd had filtered out, the drinks had slowed and Julie, Serena and Faith were on the floor, their heads touching as they stared up at the ceiling.

"Who knew there were stars up here, or that they glowed in the dark," Faith said in a low whisper.

"Pretty," Serena agreed.

Julie was still trying to get her tongue to work. A face appeared above her head, a grinning face.

"Ready to call it a night?" Drew asked.

"Hell no," Julie muttered. Easy enough to find her tongue when it counted. "I want one more. Just slide the straw down here so I don't have to get up."

He chuckled. "Sorry. I'm going to have to cut you off. It's last call."

"Damn."

"Think Carl will mind if we just camp out here tonight?" Serena asked. "I've lost the feeling in my legs."

"I'm not moving," Faith said. "If I do, I'll probably puke."

"So, we stay," Julie said with a nod.

She held up her hand, giggling when it waved precariously. Serena and Faith held theirs up, and it took three attempts, but they finally managed to high-five.

Julie let her hand fall to the floor with a thump. "Damn it's good to hang out with you guys again. We need to make a solemn vow with you two heifers tying the knot that we don't give this up and become boring housewives."

"Bite your tongue," Serena muttered. "Damon may have me manacled, but he doesn't have me on a leash."

"Yet." Faith snickered.

Julie turned to check out the shiny arm cuff on Serena's upper arm. It looked so exotic on her, and she'd wondered more than once what its significance was. She had a matching one above her ankle. It looked so slave-girlish.

"So is that what he gave you in lieu of a collar?" Julie asked seriously.

Serena stilled and touched the outline of the gold. "Yeah," she said quietly. "It's his mark of ownership."

"Damn, that's hot," Faith said wistfully. "Gray's not into the embellishments and trinkets of the so-called lifestyle. I'd wear something like that though. It's incredibly sexy."

"So collar yourself," Julie said. "Surprise him one night and show up naked save for your owner collar or whatever the hell you call it."

"Your snideness is showing again," Serena snickered.

"No," Julie said. "I'm not snide at all. I think what you guys have is cool. It's not for me, but anyone with eyeballs can see how much Gray and Damon love and worship you two. If Faith thinks it's hot, then go for it. Get a leash while you're at it. I can think of all sorts of naughty things you could do with a leash," she added with a grin.

"Uhm, I guess I'm too drunk or I lack imagination, but now I'm dying to hear these deviant ideas you have about leashes."

Julie snorted. "Come on, Faith. You're the resident wild child. If you can't figure that one out, you need to go watch some porn or something."

"I once raided Micah's stash," she admitted. "He has some, er, uhm, interesting stuff."

Both Serena and Julie raised their heads, or at least they tried. Julie's landed back with a thump, and she groaned.

"We're dying of curiosity here, Faith. Spill," Serena said.

"Lots of bondage stuff. Darker than I would have thought. Kinda scary, but it made me shivery at the same time," Faith said.

"Oh? Well, I kinda figured him for the bondage type. He's all brooding, and he seems to like submissive women," Julie said.

"Uh-huh," Serena said.

"There was something in that agreement," Faith needled.

Serena laughed. "I've felt the sting of Micah's lash," she said ruefully.

"Damon allowed this?" Julie asked.

"Oh yes," she sighed. She went silent, and Julie didn't pry for more.

"So what else?" Julie prompted Faith. She was curious as to Micah's proclivities now that she knew he'd fucked her along with Nathan.

"Dark stuff."

"You already said that," Serena said patiently. "What kind of dark stuff."

"Spankings, but not the light, fluffy kind. Pain, the edgy kind that crosses the line of pleasure. Hot wax. And when I say submission, I mean complete and utter submission. It's hard to explain. Had this dungeon feel to it. He seems to like threesomes too, but then I guess we all know that," she added with a laugh.

"What do you suppose his story is?" Julie murmured. "A man like that has all sorts of juicy secrets, I'm willing to bet."