The Silken Edge

The Silken Edge

(Silken Edge Series #1)

~

By Laci Paige

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Disclaimer: This book is for mature audiences only. It contains sexual content intended for ages 18 and older.

The Silken Edge

Copyright @ by Laci Paige

Edits by E.L. Felder

Front cover design by Mina Carter

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

~Dedication~

For my love.

Chapter One

Kristy, there's someone else.

Kristy White stared at the man she'd called her boyfriend until three seconds ago. What? Her chest burned as if the air had been punched out of her lungs.

Well, not exactly. Not yet. Steve laughed nervously.

Steven, just fucking say what you need to, and start making sense. This isn't funny. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes.

He glanced around at the early evening crowd in the dark bar, as if he didn't want to look in her eyes. No, I don't mean to make fun. Do you remember Mona from work? His words were soft, and she could see the concern on his face.

Kristy nodded.

Well, I love you and I probably always will, but love's not enough anymore. I want something different, something more. And I think Mona's that 'more.' I haven't explored anything with her, I promise you. I've been faithful, but I don't think I can any longer. After that, Kristy only heard bits and pieces of what he had to say.

Walking home after Steven Butcher broke the news to her, she agonized over what had gone wrong in their relationship. Ignoring the traffic whizzing by, she drifted deep in thought. She had to talk this out. Calling her best friend, she learned Sherry was down the block at their favorite local tapas bar and lounge, Stan's.

A major change was in order, Kristy could feel it in her gut. How dare he dump her after she'd devoted five years to him? And to make this decision after they'd been living together for the past two years? It was time for a makeover, and not the physical kind.

Kristy sat next to Sherry at the bar, watching those around her in disbelief. There were several tables full of seemingly normal people on the other side of the room. Sherry eyed her for a moment before she spoke. Today's get-together is for a Munch. Once a month, members of the local kink community gather and hold a casual meeting. You're welcome to join us if you want.

She had to be kidding.

Sorry. I promise to be quick, and I'll be back for a bite to eat. Sherry rushed over to the rather large group.

Sherry appeared comfortable and relaxed. They appeared to be ordinary people—any of them could be a mailman, grocer, or bank teller. But no, they weren't exactly normal, were they? They were all into BDSM activities, and that meant they were a bunch of perverts. Kristy shuddered, out of her element.

Attempting for the third time to read her book, she got distracted and stared at the people chatting and laughing with her friend. Finally, she put the book in her bag and headed to the restroom. Halfway there, Sherry stopped her.

Hey, you doing all right? You can come join us if you want. We're done with business, and now people are just chatting. As I left, they were trying to figure out what they were making for dinner. You know, normal conversation. Sherry grinned at her. I'd like for you to come meet some of them. She tilted her head.

Not today, Sherry. Sorry. Kristy couldn't handle a conversation with anyone in that group after having such negative thoughts about them, let alone being so raw from the breakup.

Sherry frowned, her brows peeking out from beneath her fringe of auburn hair. I'll be with you in a few. Let me say goodbye to some people.

It had been like this for months. More and more with each passing week, Sherry kept trying to push her newfound lifestyle on Kristy. It was beginning to upset her, but this was her friend and Kristy loved her, so she tried to be accepting and not judgmental about her bestie's private life.

Kristy waited, musing about how grateful she was Steven decided to come clean before having an affair with another woman. Although it was real shitty of him, he was honest when he explained he and Mona had been hot and bothered over one another for weeks. He finally asked Mona if the feeling was mutual and apparently, Mona said yes, but insisted he break up with his girlfriend before acting on anything. So perhaps Kristy owed thanks to the other woman.

Taking a deep cleansing breath, Kristy pulled out her cell and kept her promise to Steven by dialing the number he gave her earlier.

Mona picked up on the third ring. Hello?

Hi, this is Kristy. Steven's girl—ah, ex-girlfriend. I wanted to let you know, things are over between us. He's all yours.

Oh, um, thanks? Mona sounded surprised, and yet judging by the snotty tone of her voice, she was put off by the call as well.

A man's voice rumbled in the background. How the hell did that ass get to Mona's apartment so quickly? Tell Steven I said hello. After a distinct click and silence, she closed her phone and dropped it in her bag. Whatever, bitch.

What a strange phone call. How had she lost Stephen to Mona? He'd always been predictable in bed. They had a routine, but they'd still had intercourse regularly. She'd heard of people who had been together for years, whose romps in the sack were few and far between. Kristy had been thankful that wasn't the case for them. She enjoyed sex and never turned it down. Steven was the one who usually said no, which should have alerted her to a problem.

No point in getting bent out of shape. Crying was not her thing; at least it hadn't been in over a decade. She used to be an emotional woman, but since she was nearing forty, she couldn't afford to, and didn't want to allow her emotions to rule her. Being upset is too exhausting.

Sorry, that took longer than I expected. Sherry patted her arm, interrupting her reverie. Hungry?

Kristy was met with a pair of concerned green eyes and tried to smile at her friend. No, but if it's all right with you, I'd rather just head home. Come with me? I don't want to be alone.

You don't even have to ask. Let's go. Kristy stood, Sherry linked elbows with her, and they headed out.

So, you're sure Dan is okay with you being over here so late? Kristy unlocked the door to the house she shared with Steven.

Yes, I'm sure he's home by now, sleeping in front of the TV with his hand in his waistband. I told him where I'd be and why. He's fine. Sherry waved her hand in the air.

Thanks for coming over. Not like I'm going to bawl or need ice cream, but company helps. Kristy knew her longtime friend well enough to know she'd be there for her, and for that she was thankful.

Boo on the lack of ice cream, but yay for not crying. Her friend clapped with a too-bright smile on her face. That was Sherry, always the optimist.

Crying isn't going to fix anything. Besides, I'm not as upset as I should be. That goes to show why we were over a long time ago. I need to give up on having a relationship, I'm too old for this shit. Kristy sighed and headed down the hall with Sherry following her.

Sherry pressed her lips into a fine line. Kristy, you aren't old. How many times must I tell you? You look great—fit, sexy, and you have a good head on your shoulders. Your perfect someone is out there.

My perfect someone? How I wish that were true. No ice cream here, but I do have wine. Want some?

Sherry smirked. Thought you'd never ask. She went to retrieve glasses from the kitchen. Hey, most of the stuff in here is his, isn't it?

Her friend was looking around the kitchen so Kristy wandered in and leaned against the fridge. Yeah, I need to find a new place. For now I'll sleep in the guest room. As long as he isn't bringing female friends over, I think we can be civil.

Wow. You're something, you know that? Anyone else would want to chop his balls off. Sherry made a chopping motion.

Nah, he was honest, and didn't cheat.

Physically.

What's that supposed to mean?

He's been cheating on you for weeks now. In. His. Mind. Sherry used her pointer finger to poke herself on the side of the head, emphasizing each word.

Shit. Guess I'll be needing a bigger glass.

Chapter Two

Near midnight, Steven drove home from Mona's. His thoughts were all twisted up about how wonderful Mona was, and why hadn't the universe paired them together before Kristy came into his life? Not that being with Kristy had been a waste of time, but their relationship wasn't quite what he thought it should be after all the time they’d been together. They were at a standstill and the sex fell flat; it was only a means to an end instead of a deeper connection.

Mona caught his eye one day while he waited for the copy machine at work. He'd seen her around the office and found her attractive, with her big brown eyes, dark hair, and creamy white skin. But that day at the copier changed things. It changed him.

He watched her raise the lid of the machine, and her paper lifted and floated to the floor. She bent over to retrieve her project, and his dick stiffened immediately at the view of her backside. All he could think of was how he would feel to be buried deep inside her.

When Mona turned to apologize for taking so long, instead of being offended, she gazed down at his obvious erection and licked her pouty red lips. From then on, the sexual tension between them revved up each day.

That's when he made the difficult decision to break it off with Kristy. His stomach twisted in knots at the thought. He loved her, but it wasn't enough, he knew deep down inside they weren't meant for each other. But before he did anything stupid, he needed to break her heart and end their relationship.

To his surprise, Kristy took the news well and offered to call Mona to let her know he was a free man.

Pulling into the driveway, he cut the engine. Replaying things in his mind, he didn't know what to expect. Guilty feelings consumed him after the explosive evening he shared with Mona.

As he approached his house, music and laughter filled his ears. Throwing the door open, he stomped to a halt. Kristy was the last person he expected to see. He figured she would've grabbed some stuff and gone somewhere else for the night.

Kristy and her friend Sherry were sprawled on the floor with empty wine bottles scattered around. Anger boiled through his veins. There he was, plagued with guilt, and she was partying it up.

The women glanced up at him and erupted in another round of laughter.

What the fuck is this? His tone sounded harsh even to himself. Normally he was an easygoing guy and never so much as raised his voice.

What does it matter? You broke up with me.

Yet, you're in my house. He glared at the mess surrounding them. And drinking my wine.

As if I have somewhere else to go. She spat the words at him.

You have friends. His voice, hard and stern, sliced through the air. He'd never spoken to her that way before, but damned if he couldn't stop himself.

Kristy turned her head away. They have lives, and I refuse to disrupt them. I'll find a place of my own and be out. Until then, the guest-room is mine. You owe me that much.

He scowled at her. You have one week!

Kristy shuddered and Sherry glanced sideways at her. Kristy wasn't frightened, why had she reacted?

He growled, slammed the front door, and headed to his room, slamming that door, too.

Kristy jumped at the loud sound, and she took a deep relaxing breath to calm herself.

What's wrong, did he scare you? Sherry's green eyes widened.

No. That was fuckin' hot. She fanned herself with her hand. I've never seen that side of him before. So in charge. So demanding. Her insides clenched in need. Must be the wine.

Sherry narrowed her eyes, and then they popped open. I knew it! If you like that, you'd be a great submissive.

I don't want to hear any more about how you and Dan are happy with your arrangement. It's too weird for me. She averted her gaze and focused on her wine glass, swirling the liquid around inside. Nice collar, by the way. She looked up just in time to see Sherry flinch and reach up to stroke the petite choker around her neck.

H-how did you know?

I'm not stupid. When you and Dan got serious in all this BDSM crap, I went online and read about the lifestyle. That's how I know it's not for me. She offered her friend a warm smile. But if you're happy, then I'm happy for both of you.

Sherry reached out and hugged her. Thank you.

I think he's a good man for you or I wouldn't have stood up for you at your wedding.

I'm sorry, forgot I was wearing my collar. I like to wear it to the meetings. Sherry tapped her fingers against her choker. For me and Dan, this lifestyle is only in the bedroom and the club. That's our arrangement, and we're both content. Aside from being his submissive during those times, I'm in charge of everyday life.

Kristy shook her head. I know, but let's stop talking about this before I have too many visuals of you in ropes, nipple clamps, and butt plugs. She clenched her eyes tight and faked a shiver.

Moving on...So, how about the gym? Sherry had a glint in her eye.

What about it? I'll be going every night after work to avoid Steven. She didn't like where the conversation was heading, and took another sip of her wine. Sherry liked to tease about the hot young gym owner.

And for no other reason? Sherry waggled her eyebrows.

Her mind wandered to the young man. Kristy always thought he was good-looking, and had a nice disposition. If only she were about fifteen years younger. Oh, come on, Jake's a baby. I could be his mother.

If that's what you're into. Sherry winked. But seriously, have you ever seen the way he looks at you?

Sherry, just stop, will you? She smacked her friend hard on the thigh and froze as an afterthought. Sorry, Dan should be the only one spanking you. Looking down, her pink handprint formed on Sherry's skin, she felt her cheeks getting warmer.

That caused her friend to lose it. Sherry burst into a belly laugh with tears running down her face. Oh shit...oh shit...I can't...I can't breathe. She forced the words out through her hysterics. After a moment of watching her friend, Kristy joined in the drunken laughter.

Steven ripped his bedroom door open and glared down at them.

Kristy rolled around on the floor, writhing in laughter.

You two! Shut it now! he barked.

Kristy's stomach dropped at his tone and her insides fluttered in excitement.

Sherry gripped her stomach, and shouted at Steven, I'm going home now anyway. And if you keep yelling, Kristy is gonna need to take care of business.

Kristy glared at Sherry.

Okay, I'm leaving. I'll see you at the gym tomorrow. And don't worry; I walked over, so no driving for me tonight.

Text me when you arrive so I know you're safe.

I will. Helping each other up from the floor they hugged, and off Sherry went.

***

Steven watched Kristy for a moment while she cleaned up the living room. Her shapely petite frame usually moved gracefully, but the wine hindered her. Because of the distance in their relationship he hadn't taken the time to appreciate her beauty lately. Her long brown hair trailed down her back, and her brown eyes glanced at him as she attempted unsuccessfully to clean up.

Sighing, he pushed off the doorframe he'd been leaning against and began to help.

No, no, I got it. I made the mess, I can clean it up. She flipped her hair away from her face, swaying side to side.

It's fine. You're drunk, anyway.

Am not. She pushed her chest out and tried to steady her body. The motion made her sway more, and she started to tilt toward the floor.

I've got you. Steven scooped her up, holding her close. I'm gonna put you to bed, and I'll finish cleaning.

I'm sorry. She stroked the side of his face as her eyes fluttered with sleep.

Don't worry about it. I don't blame you for getting smashed. I probably would've done the same.

No, not that. I'm sorry I couldn't be the woman you needed me to be. Her eyes were sad and it broke his heart. They reached the guest bedroom and he set her down gently on the bed after flipping the covers back. Sitting on the edge, he watched her snuggle in under her blankets.

Kristy, I was the one with the problem, not you. I didn't even try to make things work with you. He smoothed the blanket over