Free Part II by Vera Roberts

would've realized fellatio fell under sodomy. “I’m good, Sarah.”
     
    “Speaking of what’s good," Sarah smiled, "what’s going on between you and Scott? You’re going over to his house quite a bit.” She knew what the deal was; it was much more fun to prod her best friend for information.
     
    “Scott is a…” Mariana paused. She tried to look for the right word but couldn’t find it. Boyfriend? Dom? Lover? “Scott is a very good friend.”
     
    “You mean a very good fuck buddy?” Sarah smiled. She remembered the spanking incident.
     
    “Very good friend,” Mariana corrected.
     
    “So your very good friend wouldn’t mind you going out on a date?” Sarah winked.
     
    I walked right into that one. “I’m not interested in dating anyone,” Mariana hoped the lie wasn’t too obvious.
     
    “You know I just want my bestie to be happy,” Sarah rubbed Mariana’s arm where the bruise once was, “safe and happy.”
     
    Sarah’s use of words didn’t have a lost effect on Mariana. So she did hear us. “I’ve never been happier.” Mariana's phone rang. "Excuse me, I have to take this. It's business."
     
    "Not a problem," Sarah proceeded to walk to the counter.
     
    Mariana answered her phone. "Saved by the bell."
     
    "Oh?" Scott asked. "What did I save you from?"
     
    Mariana looked over at Sarah, who was ordering. "An interrogation."
     
    "Where are you?"
     
    "I'm at the Starbucks on Ontario and Bob Hope."
     
    "Stay there. I'll swing by to get you. I'm taking you out to dinner tonight."
     
    "Hmm…I don't know if you can do that.” She teased. “I might have to ask my boss if he could let me have the night off."
     
    "I'm sure he'll be cool with it." Scott smiled. "I'll pick you up in less than two minutes. I'm just around the corner. See you soon, baby." He hung up.
     
    Mariana felt all giddy inside. She loved how Scott pronounced baby like it was "bay-bay." It gave her butterflies just thinking about it. She gathered her items and started to clear off her area when Sarah stopped by. "Leaving so soon?"
     
    "Yeah, something came up so I have to jet." Mariana packed the last of her items and walked outside. "I'll see you later?"
     
    "Um, sure? Bye, Mari!" Sarah waved. She watched Mariana wait by the curb, looking around for someone. She then saw a silver Mercedes convertible pull up and Mariana quickly got in. She leaned over and kissed the driver, who was Scott. "I bet something did come up."
     
    ****
     
    The Cliffhouse was a premier steakhouse located in Hollywood Hills. It was situated on top of a mountain cliff overlooking all of Los Angeles. It was a darling favorite of celebrities and athletes for its discretion and privacy. Reservations were made at least two months in advance.  They served a variety of cuisine from American to Japanese to Mexican prepared by a world-renowned chef.  It had a modern but old Hollywood feel and Mariana felt undressed by being there. She wished she had put on her nice jewelry.
     
    "Do you see anything that you like?" Scott asked as he perused the menu.
     
    "Well, everything looks great!" Mariana's eyes widened like a child entering a toy store. Only when they got to the restaurant did she realize how hungry she was. "I think I'll just have a salad."
     
    Scott looked up from his menu. "I know I didn't bring you here just so you can eat some water?"
     
    "I'm not that hungry," Mariana trained herself into ordering the lightest thing on the menu for so long, she forgot who she was with.
     
    "Mari, I'll expect sex from you regardless if you ate lobster or a small piece of watercress."
     
    "Well, in that case," Mariana opened her menu again. "What do you recommend?"
     
    "The petite filet mignon with prawns is an excellent choice. Very tender." Scott recommended.
     
    "That sounds good. I'll go with that." Mariana closed her menu and set it aside.
     
    The waiter came by their table shortly afterward and Scott ordered dinner for the both of them.