5.

Cat looked down and saw her hand swallowed up by his larger hand. Again. What the hell was going on? What had Rick gotten himself into, and just who was Scott Weston or Easton or whatever the hell his real name was?

And now her sister was caught up in whatever was happening. If he had gotten Maggie into something illegal, she'd make use of some of those torture implements Maggie had shown her. Hell, she'd use them on Rick too if he hurt her sister. Maybe on Scott, too.

Cat took a deep breath and looked up to see Scott staring down at her with an intense expression. Cat blushed as she realized she'd been staring unseeing at their joined hands while she had been fretting about what Rick was involved in and how Scott fit into it all.

It would be a lot easier if her old feelings for him hadn't come rushing back the moment she realized that it really was him. And now that he was touching her hand, she was having trouble thinking of anything but jumping his bones. All she wanted was to throw herself into his arms and wrap her body around his and have him hold her tight and tell her that everything would be all right. She wanted him to tell her that it was all a mistake, and he wasn't a criminal, and he didn't have any nefarious plans here in Chicago.

Hell, if she was thinking with her brain and not her girly bits, she'd grab Maggie and Rick and tell them all about Mr. Scott Easton Weston, and demand answers from her soon-to-be brother-in-law. But then she looked down the table at her sister. Maggie was so happy, and Rick was the picture of a man in love. And they were surrounded by all their friends. She would wait and listen to what Scott had to say before she decided what to do.

"Penny for your thoughts!"

"Just trying to remember if I moved the laundry from the washer to the dryer," she lied.

"Want to go home to check? I'd be glad to drive you. I wouldn't want anything to happen to your delicates."

"Never mind about my delicates!"

Cat tried to tug her hand free, but he had it captured in both of his now, and he was tracing her palm with his thumb. Her pulse was racing again and she could feel her respiration speeding up. He was the sexiest man she'd ever met. It was like there were pheromones or something coming off him in waves.

What was wrong with her? The last time she saw Scott, he was being led away in handcuffs. And now he was skulking in alleys with Rick, and she'd seen them with her own eyes furtively exchanging something.

And he was carrying a gun. A gun! And that lie about being an accountant... How stupid did he think she was? What accountant carried a weapon, especially to a dinner party? The man wasn't to be trusted. He might have cleaned up nicely, but he was still a thug.

So what was wrong with her? Why did she want to jump his bones? She wasn't interested in bad boys, not anymore. Like many women, she'd gone through that phase, but now she was a responsible business owner. She couldn't, she wouldn't, get involved with him again.

She tugged again and this time he released her hand. A sharp stab of disappointment shot through her at the loss of his touch.

She looked up and saw him gazing down at her with a small smirk as if he was reading her thoughts. When he caught her gaze, he lowered his face so he could whisper into her ear.

"Want to get out of here? I promise to explain everything and make sure you are completely satisfied." His breath was hot and his voice a low rumble when he said the word satisfied. Satisfied. Damn, even out of context, that word from his mouth could still make her horny.

Yes, yes she did want to get out of there, she wanted to reply, but she couldn't, not until after the big announcement. Wordlessly she shook her head. Then she was saved by the bell. Literally. Sort of. Rick was hitting his water glass with a knife to get everyone's attention with the musical sound. "Please, everyone, take your seats."

There were several large tables set up. Rick sat at the head of the largest with Maggie at his right hand. Cat recognized many of the guests from previous Kinky Book Club meetings. Lexi was there with her guy Andrew and two friends of hers, who had recently joined Club Hades as submissive trainees. Rhonda and Nicole had both come to the last few book club meetings and Cat had liked both of them immensely, and they and Lexi had lunch plans for Monday.

And there were Amanda and Gabe. Gabe was one big scary dude with black hair and muscles on his muscles. He owned Club Hades and was Master of all. Although, and she had to suppress a giggle, outside the club, the fiery red-headed Amanda seemed to be pretty outgoing. Whatever their relationship in the club, she was definitely his equal outside. It gave her hope that Maggie and Rick could be happy in the lifestyle without Maggie losing her independence or becoming totally subservient to Rick.

She took a sip of water while trying to ignore the warmth radiating from Scott. Damn, why did he have to sit so close? She was about to say something, when Rick stood and called for everyone's attention.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank so many of our friends in the lifestyle for joining us as well as Cat and Scott, two good friends who aren't. I know some of you have wondered why Jane and Ben aren't here. Well, they've asked me to pass on their apologies and make a brief announcement on their behalf. They decided to take an unplanned trip to Arizona so they could tell her mom that she's going to be a grandmother in just over six months."

There was a lot of toasting and cheering, and when the noise subsided, Rick rose again.

"As most of you know, Maggie has done me the great honor of agreeing to be my wife. We haven't finalized the date for that event, which we hope you all will attend, but we have finalized another celebration. I've asked Maggie to wear my collar and she has accepted."

He paused as the group erupted in cheers. Cat could see the smile of happiness on her sister's face, a happiness she didn't understand. She knew enough of kink to know that collaring was looked on as something as serious as, or even more serious than, marriage. Her sister was truly committing to the BDSM lifestyle.

She jumped in her seat as a big hand clasped her knee and Scott leaned sideways to whisper in her ear. "Don't be worried. They love each other and this lifestyle makes them both happy. We don't have to understand it. Just accept it and wish them well."

Cat stared at Scott for a moment before nodding and turning her attention back to Rick. Scott gave her knee one more reassuring squeeze before moving his hand so he could lay his arm along the back of her chair. Without conscious thought, Cat found herself relaxing into his warm body as the cheers died down and Rick continued speaking.

"Normally Club Hades is closed on Mondays. Master Gabriel has graciously allowed us to use the main stage for the collaring ceremony, and we both hope you will attend. It will be a week from Monday. We know it is short notice, but once we made the decision, we didn't see any reason to wait. Anyway, we wanted to tell you all in person and we hope you can be there with us. You all are so important to us, and we want you to celebrate with us."

Cat desperately plastered a happy smile on her face, but she wasn't sure how successful she was.

"Breathe, Cat. Just take a few deep breaths. Then go congratulate the happy couple and at least pretend to be happy for your sister. We'll leave as soon as it's polite to do so."

He gripped her elbow and guided her up and out of her seat and around the end of the table to where Maggie stood receiving congratulations from everyone. Then it was her turn. She hugged her sister tight.

"Collaring ceremony? Maggie? Are you sure about this?"

"Please be happy for me, Cat. I love Rick so much and this is important to me. I want you to be there. Can you do that for me? Please. I know you don't understand the lifestyle, but a collaring ceremony is almost more important than a wedding. I was at Gabriel and Amanda's a couple of weeks ago, and it was so beautiful and meaningful and, in its own way, spiritual. It was a symbol of their love and commitment, and I want that with Rick. And I need my family there and I can't ask Mom and Dad."

Cat shuddered at the thought.

"I need you there. Please."

Damn. How could she say no after a plea like that?

"Can't you just get married like everyone else?" Her tone was teasing and she could see the relief on Maggie's face. She forced herself to smile.

"Oh, we'll do that too, and I expect you to be my Maid of Honor. But I want, I need, the collaring ceremony too. Please promise me you'll be there, but only if you can be non-judgemental. I know you really don't understand the lifestyle and what it means to me."

"You're right, but you are my sister and I love you, and I'll do whatever it takes to support you. And if this makes you happy, then I'll be there for you every step of the way, even going to a collaring ceremony at a sex club!" She had a sudden thought. "Is there anything I need to do? Is there a Maid of Honor role in a collaring ceremony? I don't have to be responsible for the whips or anything, do I?"

Maggie laughed and hugged her, and everything was right between them again. Cat was relieved but still apprehensive about the ceremony. But that was her problem, not Maggie's.

After that, things were a blur. Maggie was swallowed up by well-wishers and then they all sat down to a meal. Once everyone finished eating, there was more mingling. She was speaking to Maggie, starting to excuse herself to go downstairs to see how things were going, when she felt Scott's big hand on her arm.

"Nonsense, Cat. Tomas can manage the restaurant for one evening. Relax. Enjoy yourself," Maggie's tone was suggestive as she glanced at Scott. "I can see you are in good hands."

"We plan to, and she is. Congratulations again, Maggie." Then he took her hand and led her down the stairs and out of the restaurant.

It was cooler than it had been earlier and Cat took a couple of deep breaths of the fresh air.

"Come with me."

"I'm needed back at the restaurant."

"Didn't your sister say Tomas was looking after things? I'm sure he can manage without you a little while longer, and if there's an emergency, Maggie's just upstairs. We'll let the kinky crew do whatever it is they do when they are alone while we vanillas have our own fun." He smiled. "Come for a ride with me, Cat!"

"I can't ride a motorcycle like this!" She waved her hands up and down her body to indicate the tight skirt and heels she was wearing.

Scott laughed. "Not to worry. I don't ride in a suit. I've left the bike at home but maybe later we can take a different type of ride."

He felt her stiffen. He expected some kind of indignant protest, but she just looked at him with longing in her gaze before she shuttered her expression. He grinned. She wanted him too. It wasn't one-sided. That meant he had a chance.

He quickly hailed a cab and hustled Cat inside before she could form an objection. He leaned forward to give the cabbie directions and then sat back, one arm along the back of the seat, his hand lightly touching her shoulder. Or rather, his hand touched the shoulder pad of her suit jacket. Damn. He'd like to shift his hand lower but he had a feeling she wasn't quite ready for him to be that bold. For now, he had to content himself with pulling her close to his side.

Her fragrance drifted up to him during the short ride. It was fresh and citrusy, and he wondered if she always smelled that way. He wanted to bury his face in her hair, between her breasts. He wanted to wrap her legs around his head while he used his mouth and fingers to make her scream for mercy, and then he would bury his cock balls deep inside her.

He wasn't a Dom. He had no desire to tie her up and beat her ass, but it might be kind of fun to do a little lawman and the desperado role playing in the jail cell theme room Rick had told him about. He wondered if he could rent it for an evening even if he wasn't a club member.

Cat looked around in surprise when the cab stopped at the entrance to Navy Pier. She hadn't been there in longer than she could remember.

She looked over at Scott, who just smiled as he paid the cabbie and opened the door. Then he helped her out. She had to look up at Scott. At five foot six, she was just over average height, but he was close to ten inches taller than she was. She had her four-inch equalizers on, but he still had half a foot advantage.

He frowned. "Can you walk in those? I should have asked first."

"I can walk just fine, thank you. I am on my feet all night at the restaurant wearing these, and I do very well, thank you for asking."

"Well then, let's go have some fun."

"Shouldn't we be talking about some very important matters?"

"Yes, but not just yet. Please, can we just pretend for the next hour that we are on a date and forget all about the rest of the world? Afterward, I promise to tell you everything and answer all of your questions to the best of my ability."

She looked at him and nodded. She realized that he was as tense as she was when he grinned with relief at her agreement.

He took her hand and for the next few minutes, they walked along the pier in silence. There was a bit of a crowd, so she let him take her hand while they walked. His was big and warm and a bit calloused. He moderated his stride to hers. It was like the four years hadn't passed. They were still completely in sync.

Once they got to the end, he scored them a prime bench with a view of the Chicago skyline.

"Be right back. Do not move."

Ten minutes later, he was back carrying a tray with two bottles of water and a bag from the Hagen-Dazs store.

"You remembered," she exclaimed when he placed a large, decadent butterscotch sundae, topped with peanuts and whipped cream, into her hands. He had bought himself an equally sinful treat, but his was covered in chocolate sauce.

"I haven't forgotten a thing about our time together, not one single, solitary thing. I dream of it, of you, at night. For the last four years."

There was no way to answer that, and she didn't want to try. Thank goodness he didn't seem to expect a response. They ate in companionable silence for several minutes. Cat ate every single bite and even scraped the bottom of the container. Then she sat back and sighed. "I really do hate you."

"I know." He didn't seem concerned. "You have whipped cream on your chin."

"I do?"

"You do." He leaned over. She thought he was going to kiss her. Cat's respiration sped up and her eyes closed. Then, nothing. She opened her eyes to see the desire glittering in his, just before he lowered his head and licked the whipped cream off her chin.

"Delicious. Almost as delicious as this is going to be."

Then he kissed her. They were sitting on a public bench surrounded by people, but for Cat, there was no one but Scott. It wasn't a long kiss and, sadly, there was no tongue. But it was a kiss that held the promise of more to come.

"Well, well, well."

"Is that all you have to say?" he teased.

"Well, it wasn't bad, but a little too short for a more detailed critique."

"I'd be happy to oblige in a more private setting. There are children around. However, if you have any concerns about my technique, I am sure I can..."

Laughing, Cat stood. "Let's go look at the stained glass museum."

Grumbling, but clearly not upset, Scott took her hand and walked around the museum with her, showing extreme patience as she paused in front of almost every piece. About halfway through the exhibits, Cat finally admitted to herself that she was deliberately stretching things out. When they were like this, she could pretend that they were on their first date and forget about the past and the future and just enjoy the present.

Afterward as they strolled toward the entrance to the pier, Scott steered her toward the Centennial Wheel, a large Ferris wheel known for the great views of the city.

"I just realized... I don't know if you are afraid of heights."

"I'm not."

"Good." Without asking whether or not she wanted to go on the Ferris wheel, he bought the tickets and minutes later they boarded. Usually, when there were just two of you, you had to share the pod, but she noticed Scott slipping something to the young attendant who smiled and made the older couple behind them wait for the next opening. The couple was annoyed. The attendant grinned happily.

The sun was going down and it was starting to get a little chilly. That's why Cat snuggled up to Scott when he put his arm around her. Yup, the only reason, she told herself, not because she missed the feeling of his arms around her She looked up at Scott. He was looking down at her, an enigmatic expression on his face. Then he leaned down and kissed her. It was soft at first, but by the time the ride came to an end, she was short of breath and wasn't thinking about much of anything except for Scott.

When they got off, all of her worries came back.