“So, this is where you work?” Paco asked, letting Kathryn lead as they strolled down the long hall.
After having visited with the detective and Troy in their room, Kathryn offered to walk Paco out of the hospital. Which would have been faster if she knew exactly where she was going. She’d only been a few places in that hospital, and with Troy being moved to another room again, losing her bearings was easy. But she knew the general direction of the exit, and if she didn’t eventually figure the way out, she could always ask for directions since there was a nurses’ station about every twelve rooms.
Kathryn let out a long sigh. “Can I ask you something?”
“The last time you asked me that, you asked me to be your Dom.”
She smiled at the warmth of that memory. “I’m needy that way.”
Paco’s muscular shoulder nudged hers, before he winged out an arm. “Shoot. What’s on your overanalytical mind?”
Sliding her arm around his, she asked, “Is it common in the lifestyle? Being with more than one partner?”
“As the risk of sounding repetitive, this is probably something you should be discussing with Jake. The truth of the matter is that nothing is common in the lifestyle. Are you thinking about,” he paused, “branching out?”
“No, not me.” How can he ask me that? “It’s Jake.”
“Jake?”
“There’s this other woman—”
“Stop.” Paco took a cautious step back, dipping his head and meeting her eyes. He kept his voice as low, taking into considering they were in a very public place. “You know I’m a vault. And I will always be here for you. As uncomfortable as it makes me to ask this, and just so you and I are crystal clear, are you saying Jake wants to see you with another woman?”
“What? No. I mean . . . I don’t know. Oh my God, I didn’t even think of that. Andi said she wanted to connect this weekend. What if that’s the surprise? The gift that keeps on giving. A sub . . . for his sub?”
After a minute of nothing but a squeak emanating from her parted lips, and Paco’s patient eyes smiling down on her, Kathryn answered her own question, making the words sound more like a question than a statement.
“No . . .” She let the word settle for a second, saying more firmly, “No. I don’t think so.”
“Let’s start over.” Paco began strolling, settling her hand into the crook of his arm that was always there to pull her along. “You have a question.”
Kathryn’s light giggle was quickly quashed as she saw Carter at the end of the hall. He was running, and the man never ran. Not unless there was an emergency.
Her arm dropped from Paco’s. Understanding, he stepped back, giving them room.
“What’s going on? Can I help?” she asked, racing alongside Carter. They’d spent too many years in the field together. The give and take, needs and expectations, they become instinctual.
“Yes. Smart of me to have you already credentialed at this hospital. We’re needed in the ER. A major pileup on the freeway ended in a gas-tanker explosion. Three buses of grade schoolers en route to a choir competition were among the injured. They’re diverting everyone to several hospitals, and we’re the closest. You’re not completely cleared and can’t assist in surgery, but we could use your help.”
Damn insurance rules.
Kathryn turned back, ready to apologize profusely for abandoning her friend. But Paco was gone.
Keeping up with Carter as she picked up the pace, she said, “You’ve got it.”