"Really?" Sam asked, clearly surprised that a Dominant could ever be anything<i>other</i>than a Dominant. It made sense, of course, that people might not<i>really</i>know which role, if any, they preferred until giving it a try. While the mention of handcuffs or hitting a partner had neither one stirred her interest past mere curiosity, the way Bobbie chimed in about the sense of helplessness struck a chord within Sam. For the briefest moment, a deeper desire was stirred to experience that for herself, and it made her squirm a little in her seat.<br/><br/>Laughing at Mikie's comparisons, Sam shook her head and pointed out, "Okay, but<i>everybody</i>likes ice cream and<i>nobody</i>likes Brussels sprouts." A teasing grin was flashed at Mikie, even as Rickie seconded Sam's declaration with a small toast of his drink before nearly choking on it when Mikie brought<i>The Experiment</i>. Again. It was all Sam could do not to embarrass<i>herself</i>with laughter, one arm across her stomach and her other hand still in Mikie's. Little thought was given to how her thumb affectionately stroked the woman's, both finding comfort and feeling comfortable at the same time.<br/><br/>Caught up in the laughter that was slowly ebbing as the group sipped their drinks and calmed down, Sam almost missed that Mikie was talking to<i>her</i>. "I - I mean--" Stumbling over her words, she was grateful when the applause drowned her out. The disruption gave her a chance to breathe, especially when Mikie was drawn away. Sam smiled at the man - Marcus - and gently shook his hand. "Thank you! It's been a very... educational evening," she laughed.<br/><br/>And it looked to continue that way. This time when Mikie asked, Sam was ready with a quick nod and a brave smile, "Okay. If I'm going to try this, I'd rather it be with somebody I feel like I can trust." Sam wasn't quite bold enough to admit, even to herself right then, that half of her excitement was from imagining what it would be like to have<i>Mikie's</i>gaze on her.<br/><br/>Sam tipped back the last of her drink, then waved a small goodbye to the others and let Mikie lead the way. One of the group called out a teasing 'have fun' that made her blush, and she reached out for Mikie's hand. "Thank you for this," she said in a soft tone that was easier to hear in the hall at the back than it would have been in the main area.