“Maybe I am, but so are my orgasms,” I reply with a wicked smile.

“Okay, so here’s my question,” Juliana cuts in again. “I can understand why you’d like it, but what about him? What does he get out of slapping you so hard that you bruise, and choking you until you nearly pass out? Is he some sort of sadist?”

“Yes,” a voice booms, cutting through the tipsy dialogue with bass and authority. The entire group is startled, and we all look over to find Nas standing behind us.

As usual, he looks incredible, dressed down in a white polo shirt and black jeans, but still carrying the same god-like aura he had when we all first met him at Christiana Mall. As he steps to the table, his cologne wafts over us and I can feel the nervousness come to life in everyone seated next to me. All of my friends clench at the sight of Nas, and for reasons I can’t understand, it makes me want to smile. There’s just something about knowing he intimidates everyone around us, while looking at me with pure lust in his eyes that makes me want to jump all over him in the middle of Chili’s. It’s like he makes the whole world shake in their boots, but not me. I’m special.

When I slide over to let him sit down next to me, I have to fight the urge to kiss him like we’re dating because I know we haven't defined what we’re doing yet. So, instead of kissing him, I take a big gulp of my drink and try to loosen up. Nas makes himself comfortable and smiles at the group who’s staring at him like he’s a vampire amongst humans.

“Hey, you made it,” I say, hoping to break the weird tension that has settled over the table.

“Yes, I did. I made sure of it. So, you wanted to know what I get out of being a Dom?” Nas begins, turning his attention to Juliana who swallows so hard, the action is audible.

“Umm, are you willing to tell us?” DeShaun asks quietly like we’re suddenly in a library.

“Of course,” Nas answers before pointing to a passing waiter and asking for Presidente Margarita for himself. “First of all, it’s nice to see you all again outside of my little work setting. Secondly, understanding what someone gets out of being a sadist may be hard to do if you're not one yourself. Have any of you, besides Alina, actually read any of my books?”

Silence screams over the table, making it incredibly awkward, but Nas lets out a little chuckle as he nods his head.