The Ties That Bond by Christelle Mirin

is that?”
    Rhonda shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because it’s the room everyone ends up in when they’re at home?”
    A small smile curved his lips. “That’s a wonderful thought, you know. Makes it seem like we’re more family than anything else, doesn’t it?”
    A warm feeling settled over her. “Yes, it does.”
    Jack nodded then continued out the door, closing it with a soft click behind him.
    Rhonda sat on the edge of the bed, tapping the comb on the palm of her hand. Family. Did Jack really feel that way about her? As if she were part of his family? And what part exactly would she be if she was? She shook her head. Her mind was running away with her. Thinking thoughts like being a part of Jack’s family, maybe a major part, was totally out of the question at this point.
    But they were drawing closer together the more time they spent with each other. Maybe being connected like family wasn’t all that far out of the ball park.
    This weekend seemed to be revealing much more than she had imagined about bonding. Meeting Jack had come out of the blue. Sometimes things that just happened were better than things that were planned. Rhonda rose from the bed and dropped her comb on the vanity. A sense of new beginnings came over her, and there was a new spring in her step. She most definitely didn’t feel like an office manager today. Not at all. She felt more like a woman who had finally met the man who could complete her. Jack was someone she felt she could trust. With him, the bondage hadn’t seemed so intimidating. She wondered what else he had up his sleeve when it came to sex.
    Rhonda entered the kitchen to find Grace, Missy, and Jack leaning over a paper bag on the kitchen table. “What’s going on here?” she asked, stopping beside Jack to peer over his shoulder. “I hope there’s food in there.”
    “No food, just new lotions and potions,” Grace said, pulling a tall, slim bottle of lotion out of the bag. “Here, take a whiff.” She opened the bottle and held it toward Rhonda.
    Rhonda reached across Jack and took the bottle from her, sniffing. “Mmm, that’s a really strong vanilla. I like it, though.” She handed it back to Grace. “By the way, did Jack tell you Morgan wants to see you in the playroom?”
    Grace snapped the lotion shut and dropped it into the bag. “I’ll see you all later. My man is calling.” With a finger-wiggling wave, she left the kitchen through the back door.
    Missy took the bag from the table. “I guess I’ll get these put into my inventory. Do either of you feel like a massage? I’ve got all this new stuff.” She raised an eyebrow.
    “Maybe later,” Jack said, rubbing his hands together. “Right now, I think Rhonda and I are going to have a bite to eat and then maybe find a game to play.”
    Rhonda bit the inside of her lip to keep from commenting on the “game” he was speaking about. She couldn’t wait to begin playing with him, but first, she did need a bite to eat. “I wouldn’t mind a massage later this evening, Missy,” she said, linking one arm through Jack’s. “I have a feeling I might need one.”
    Missy held the bag in her arms and walked toward the kitchen door. “Just give me a ring. I’m anxious to try some of these new potions.”
    “I’ll call you later.” Rhonda winked at her.
    Missy left through the same door Grace had, leaving Rhonda and Jack alone.
    Jack looked down at her. “What are you hungry for this time?”
    “Something light. Maybe some crunchy, fresh veggies and some dip?”
    “Okay, but I think I’ll slap together a sandwich for me, if you don’t mind.”
    She shook her head. “I don’t mind. You should keep up your strength. There’s no telling what sort of activities we’re going to get into this evening.”
    They set about gathering things on the kitchen table to make their lunch, working together as if they’d been fixing each other lunch for years. “Tell me, Jack, what are your