Free The Exhibitionist (The Submissive #6) by Tara Sue Me Page B

to find Apollo with a pink feather boa around his neck, a pink “Princess” sash draped over his shoulders, and a sparkling pink tiara tied to his head. He looked at me as if to say,
Pink really isn’t my color. Make them stop.
    “How’s the tea party going?” I asked Elizabeth, who was dressed in a princess gown and a pair of Abby’s old shoes.
    “Henry won’t wear his crown,” she said.
    At the mention of his name, Henry smiled and pointed to Apollo. “Dada, he’s pretty!”
    “Yes, Apollo certainly looks very pretty, but I think he needs to rest now. He’s old, you know, and playing princess tea party is hard work.”
    “Is Apollo really, really old?” Elizabeth asked. “Like ten?”
    “He’s closer to twelve,” I said, laughing inside that ten was
really, really old.
    “That is old.” She walked to Apollo as best she could in the shoes and started de-princessing him. “Go rest with Daddy, Apollo. We can play tea party later.”
    Once he was no longer decked out in pink, Apollo stood up and shook, then trotted over to me. “Let’s go take Apollo outside and we can play on the swings.”
    “Cookie. Please,” Henry said.
    I glanced at my watch. “Too close to dinner. Mommy wouldn’t like it if I let you have a cookie now. Eat a good dinner and we’ll see.”
    “I have cookies,” Elizabeth said, pushing an empty plate toward him.
    Henry looked down and, realizing they were only imaginary cookies, told her, “Fix it.”
    Elizabeth tried to explain why imaginary cookies were better and Henry didn’t believe her one bit. But he didn’t complain. They played together really well, at least most of the time.
    Growing up as an only child, I’d always wanted a brother or sister. Then my parents died when I was ten and I lived with my aunt and uncle. Their son, Jackson, had been like the brother I’d never had. I’d always known that if I ever had children, I’d want at least two.
    “Let’s go.” I picked Henry up to carry him down the stairs and Elizabeth followed with Apollo.
    Later that evening, after Abby returned home from lunch with her friends, I pulled into Daniel’s driveway. He’d called while the women were at lunch and asked if I could stop by his house for a little bit. I’d just gotten out of the car when I heard voices near the patio.
    “How long is Cole going to be at the guesthouse?” The question was voiced by a woman I didn’t recognize.
    “I don’t know.” That sounded like Julie. “He’s been gone a lot. Traveling different places. I really can’t keep up with him.”
    “Does he have a lot of … people over?”
    “By
people
, do you mean women?”
    There was a tight laugh and then, “Yeah, that’s what I meant.”
    “I haven’t seen anyone stay overnight, but that doesn’t mean he’s not inviting women over to play.”
    “Just wondering.”
    Julie sighed. “You know Cole’s reputation in the playroom, don’t you, Sasha?”
    “I’ve heard some things.”
    “From what I’ve picked up on, they’re all true,” Julie said. “Do you think about playing when you picture yourself back with the group?”
    There was nothing from Sasha and I wanted to make my presence known before they started chatting again. I walked quickly, covering the distance in a few long strides. Turning the corner, I found them working in the garden that ran along the front porch.
    “Hey, guys,” I said.
    Julie sat back on her heels and smiled. “Hey, Nathaniel. Daniel said you were coming over. He’s in the sunroom at the back of the house. If you follow the walkway around, you’ll find him.”
    “Thank you, Julie.” I glanced at Sasha. She’d put her shovel down and was looking at the dirt. Abby had told me about her conversations with Dena. I still had reservations about Sasha rejoining, but wasn’t sure exactly why. “Hello, Sasha.”
    She didn’t look up. “Hello, Sir.”
    “I prefer
Nathaniel
when we’re not with the group.”
    She lifted her head, and a