“No, I really couldn’t care less what it is.”
Brie bit her lip, smiling at his devilish humor. What would those poor women think? Little did they suspect he was just getting started.
“Kneel and open that pretty little mouth.”
Brie obediently sank to her knees with her mouth slightly open in a pleasing manner. She looked innocently up at him, liking her role.
He handed Brie the tool bag and commanded, “Unzip it slowly. I want to you admire what’s inside.” She did as he asked, knowing the sound could easily be mistaken for the unzipping of pants. “Do you like what you see, baby?” he asked huskily.
She smiled up at him.
“Of course you do,” he answered for her. “Now take it out. I want you to handle it properly before I use it on you.”
Brie heard an audible gasp on the other side of the fence and had to bite her lip to keep back the laughter. She took the bullwhip out of the bag and touched its deceptively smooth, braided leather. For something so pleasant to the touch, it definitely had a wickedly painful side to it.
Master Anderson took it from her. “I want you to kiss it.”
Brie leaned over and pressed her lips against the fierce tool. Her heart skipped a beat, her body still remembering its bite.
“That’s it, baby. Pucker those pink lips and kiss the length of that bad boy.”
Brie left a trail of kisses down the handle of the bullwhip.
He took it from her, stating, “Take that thing off,” he said, pointing to her top. “I want those tits to bounce when we do this.”
A utensil clattered onto the patio concrete on the other side of the fence. There was no doubt they had a captive audience.
Brie unbuttoned her blouse and handed it to him. He draped it across a patio chair.
“I will not be gentle.”
“I like it rough,” Brie replied, wanting the women who were eavesdropping to know this was a consensual encounter—just in case they were considering calling the cops.
“Stand and present yourself over there.” He pointed to the wooden pole. Her stomach fluttered as she willingly walked up to it. She wasn’t sure she was prepared to take the harsh onslaught of his whip so early in the morning.
“Hands up, baby,” he said in a deceptively charming voice. He bound her wrists in leather, then secured them to a hook above her head. He swept her hair away so that her back was exposed. Her nipples hardened in anticipation of what was coming; fear seemed to have that unusual effect on her.
“Spread those legs.” When she did, he growled sensually, “Wider…”
Brie couldn’t begin to imagine what those two women were thinking. She heard the swish of the bullwhip cut through the air as Master Anderson warmed up, but he did not crack it. She closed her eyes, the anticipation of contact almost undoing her.
“No tears this time.”
There was an angry huff from the other side of the fence. Brie stifled her giggle. If he wasn’t careful, Master Anderson might have a riot on his hands.
“I will keep them to myself,” she assured him.
“My strokes are going to come hard and fast, baby. You ready?”
She whispered a hesitant, “Yes.”
It was as silent as the grave on the other side of the fence.
When the first lash contacted her back, Brie was surprised to find it challengingly pleasant—a strike that was not too light but stimulating to the skin. She let out a passionate moan when the second lash found its way home.
“You like it hard, don’t you?”
Brie enjoyed egging the women on with their naughty banter and purred, “The harder the better.” She trusted he understood she was only kidding.
He rained down a series of lashes, each precise in its placement, with exactly the same intensity as the first. Truly this man was the Master of the whip.
Brie’s cries were of pure, sexual bliss.
“Quiet, you’ll wake the neighbors,” he warned cheekily.
“But you make it hurt so good.”
“I know how to handle my tool,” he replied in a playfully arrogant voice. “Hell, I’ve been stroking young heifers with it since I was a boy, baby.”
There was an audible gasp on the other side of the fence.
“But this is beginning to bore me. Let’s try something new…something I know you’re not going to like.”
He untied Brie from the pole and handed over her blouse. With her skin still tingling from the quick session, she buttoned up and waited for his next command.
“Move over to the fence and bend over with your ass in the air.”
She walked over to the spot he’d indicated, just opposite the two ladies, and did as he’d instructed.
As he approached he told her, “This isn’t about you. This is about what I want. Understand?”
“But—”
“No. Not another word.”
He came up behind her and handed her a set of gardening gloves. Then he leaned over and grabbed her hands, guiding them to a spiky weed. “Grasp it with both hands and pull hard.”
The needlelike weed pressed through the gloves into her sensitive palms. It was slightly uncomfortable, so she whimpered in pain for the benefit of their audience.
“I don’t care if it hurts, baby. Pull on it like you mean it.”
Master Anderson aided her by grasping the offending weed below. With his help, the stubborn plant came up without a problem.
“That wasn’t so bad, now was it?”
“Yes, it was,” she complained, grinning at him.
“I want you to do it again.”
She whined pathetically, “But it hurt…”
“I don’t care—bend over and yank on it.”
“That’s it! For God’s sake, leave that poor girl alone!” Courtney roared from the other side. Both women peeked over the fence in unison. If looks could kill, Master Anderson would have been struck dead on the spot.
He looked up at them innocently. “Howdy, ladies—sorry if we disturbed you. My girl here gets pretty wimpy when it comes to yard work.”
Brie smiled up at them, her hands still grasping the plant.
They couldn’t comprehend what they were seeing versus what they’d just heard. The ladies stared at Brie, too flabbergasted to speak.
“I really hate weeding,” Brie said with a shrug.
Courtney sputtered, “I…uh…we…uh…”
“We heard you doing things to this girl,” Wendy insisted, looking accusingly at Master Anderson then to Brie and back to him.
“Heard what, exactly?” he asked, looking directly into the eyes of his nosy neighbor.
His gaze undid Courtney and she answered sheepishly, “Nothing. Come on, Wendy.” The two slunk back down to their side of the fence and hurried into the house.
Once the door had closed, Master Anderson threw back his head and gave a full-bellied laugh. When he was done he wiped away a pretend tear. “They make it too easy for me.”
“Your devilish humor is going to get you in so much trouble someday, Master Anderson.”
He pinched Brie’s cheeks, wiggling them gently from side to side. “You were brilliant, my little accomplice. That last little, ‘But it hurt…’ was the kicker. How could they resist a peek, in the name of all that’s holy?”
As she walked back into the house with him, she stated casually, “You know, she was just trying to pair you off with that other woman.”
Master Anderson smirked, looking back at his neighbor’s house. “Really?”
“I thought you’d enjoy knowing that little tidbit. To think that your evil ways have caused you to miss out on the future Mrs. Anderson. Such a shame”
He ruffled her hair. “Totally worth it. The look on their faces when they peeked over to find you weeding—priceless!”
Mysterious Autumn
Lea honked her horn three times to let Brie know she’d arrived to pick her up. Brie was actually nervous about meeting Lea’s new friend.
All the mystery surrounding the girl, along with her unwillingness to meet on that first night, made Brie uneasy. Despite Lea’s assurances that Brie would adore the girl, she had serious doubts.
Brie apologized to Sir, who was on the phone, having taken a moment out of his busy schedule to check on her. “I’m sorry, Sir, but Lea’s here.”
“Not a problem, Brie. I’m glad you’re finally getting to spend time with her. I can hear the giggles now.”
Brie smiled into the phone. “I hate to say goodbye.”
“We’ll see each other soon enough. Go enjoy your time with Lea.”
“Thank you, Sir. I love you.”
“I love you too, Brie.”
She pressed the end button and stuffed her phone in her purse, skipping out the door to meet her best friend.
“Lea!”
Lea jumped out of her car and ran to the passenger side to give Brie a hug. “I’m going to hug you as much as I can while you’re here. I’ve missed my stinky cheese.”
The two hugged several times before jumping into her car. Once they were on the road, Brie asked, “So, girl, where are we headed this fine Colorado evening?”
Lea grinned. “We’re going to do something a little different tonight.”
“Oh no. Now you have me worried.”
Lea laughed, patting her knee. “You’re going to love it. Trust me.”
After the Kinky Goat incident, Brie wasn’t taking any chances. “Out with it, Lea. Where are we headed?”
“To a skating rink, silly.”
“What, like roller-skating?”
“Oh heck, no, that’s for children. We’re going ice-skating.”
“But I can’t ice-skate.”
“Neither can I,” she stated enthusiastically.
“Lea, if neither of us can skate, why are we going?”
“Don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud, Brie. This is Autumn’s favorite place.”
Brie looked out the car window and grumbled, “My ass is going to be bruised by the end of the night.”
“Then it’s no different from a night at the Haven, now is it?”
Brie turned to her and giggled. “I suppose you’re right. So tell me, is this girl some kind of Olympic star or something? Is that the reason for all the secrecy?”
“Nah, Autumn is just like us.” Lea bumped shoulders with Brie and in the process almost ran her car off the road.
Brie clutched the door handle and squealed, “Sir will kill you if we die tonight.”
“How?” Lea joked. “Is he going to come up to Heaven and kill me just to prove a point?”
Brie burst out laughing. Dang, it was great being with Lea again. “I’ve missed you, woman! Sure wish you’d come back to LA.”
“I miss you too, Brie, but I really like it here. Like, seriously.”
“Why? What does Denver have that LA doesn’t?”
“The mountains and changing seasons seem to agree with me. I can’t explain it, but I love it here. It’s like the best of all worlds.”
“Well, I know one thing Denver doesn’t have.”
“What?”
“Me.”
“Aww…Brie.” She tried to give Brie a hug and almost ran them off the road again.
“Hands on the wheel, woman!”
Lea’s infectious laughter filled the tiny car. “I promise no more hugs until we’ve made it safely to the rink. I don’t need Sir going after my ghostly ass.”
Brie giggled. “God, you’re such a nut.”
“And that’s why you love me.”
“Yeah, and it’s the only reason I put up with all your lame-ass jokes.”
“By the way, I’ve got another one for you.”
Brie covered her ears. “Nope.”
Lea pouted, her bottom lip quivering as she looked at Brie. Lea knew Brie couldn’t resist that look, so she put her hands down. “Fine. Insult my sense of humor.”
“Goodie! You know you’re a kinky mom when…” Lea paused, waiting to make sure Brie was listening.
“When what?” Brie asked drolly.
“Your son’s Boy Scout troop thinks you’re the bomb because you helped them earn their merit badge for tying knots.”
Brie chuckled despite herself. “That’s barely funny.”
She pointed to Brie’s lips. “I heard you laugh. You know you love it.”
“Well, only slightly…maybe.”
Lea grinned. “Oh, you’ll be remembering that little joke and think of me when you’re surrounded by your brood. Just you wait.”
The idea of holding a tiny Sir in her arms made Brie’s heart flutter. She couldn’t really imagine it, yet the thought of having his child enchanted her.
Lea glanced over. “Hey, what’s that adorable look on your face all about?”
Brie blushed. “It’s nothing. Just glad to be with you again, girlfriend.”
Once they’d pulled up to the ice-skating rink and parked, Lea got out her phone to text the girl they were meeting. Lea smiled when she read the response. “Autumn is already here and can’t wait to meet you.”
“Great,” Brie said with more enthusiasm than she felt. Making a fool of herself on the ice was not her idea of fun, and she still had her reservations about Lea’s new friend.
Lea grabbed Brie by the arm and squeezed her tight. “I can’t believe it. I have my bestest friend meeting my new best friend. I feel so lucky!”
Autumn was waiting for them in the main lobby, hiding in the shadows of a corner. Lea released Brie and went straight for her, pulling her away from the wall.
Brie noticed two things right away. First, the girl wore a scarf that covered most of her face. Second, she moved stiffly when Lea pulled her away from the wall. Neither was offputting, just odd. Brie held out her hand and smiled at Autumn. “Hello. I’ve heard a lot about you from Lea. Well, that’s not true. I’ve heard very little about you, just that Lea thinks you’re the best thing to happen since sliced bread.”
The girl’s eyes twinkled as she took the hand Brie offered. “I’ve heard all about you, Brie. Lea can’t stop talking about her favorite stinky cheese.”
Brie gave Lea a sideways glance. “Stinky cheese? Really, Lea? The two of us haven’t even met yet and she’s already calling me stinky cheese.”
Lea shrugged, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Autumn took pity on Brie. “You’re right, I haven’t introduced myself properly. It’s unfair that I know so much about you but you know nothing of me.” She moved away from the main entrance and into a darkened hallway. With a graceful movement, Autumn unwound the scarf around her head and revealed her face to Brie. She had a deep scar running from her ear to her lip, underneath her right cheekbone. Autumn smiled hesitantly at Brie.
“There’s no reason to cover your face. You’re beautiful,” Brie assured her.
“You’re very kind to say that.” She caressed the scar self-consciously. “I prefer to get to know people before I show my face. Normally I wouldn’t be so bold with someone I’ve just met, but based on everything Lea’s shared, I feel as if I know you already. Plus I have this good feeling about you—it’s as if we’ve been friends for a long time.”
Brie was honored Autumn felt that way. “I’m not sure if it’s because Lea loves you so much or you’re just naturally awesome, but I feel the same way.”
Autumn’s smile was genuine and real. It made the scar on her face invisible to Brie.
Lea giggled, hugging both girls at the same time. “Now that you two have met, my life is complete.”
Brie rolled her eyes.
“Lea is a bit over-the-top, but I like that,” Autumn said, looking at Lea with affection.
“I like that about Lea the Lackluster too,” Brie agreed, pinching Lea’s cheeks.
“So would you two like to skate now?” Autumn asked, gesturing to the rink on the other side of the double doors.
Brie shrugged. “Sorry, but I don’t know how to skate.”
“I’d be happy to
teach you both,” Autumn offered.
Lea and Brie looked at each other and shrugged before making their way to the skate rental counter while Autumn headed into the rink. “Meet you on the ice,” she called to them.
“Sure thing,” Lea said, waving to her. “Hey, Autumn, what did the doctor say to the girl who fell on her bum while ice-skating?”
“I don’t know,” Autumn shot back enthusiastically.
“Do you want some ice for that?”
Autumn’s twittering laughter echoed down the hallway.
“I seriously can’t believe she laughed at that.”
“I’ll have you know that Autumn laughs at all my jokes.”
“I’ll try not to hold that against her,” Brie teased.
Once they had their skates in hand, the girls walked through the double doors into the ice rink. There Brie saw Autumn in all her glory. She’d shed her heavy clothes and wore only a simple top and white skirt. Brie watched in amazement as the girl floated on the ice, turning in graceful circles on two legs, one of which happened to be made of metal.
“She’s incredible,” Brie whispered to Lea.
“She really is,” Lea agreed, “in so many ways.” She hugged Brie again. “I just knew you two would hit it off!”
Autumn spent the evening patiently instructing them on the fundamentals of skating. She also had a few lame jokes of her own to add as they practiced skating around the rink.
“How do you know you aren’t making the Olympic skating team?”
Lea almost tripped when she looked up from her skates to ask, “I don’t know, Autumn—how do I know I’m not making the Olympic team?”
“Your coach keeps screaming, ‘Let go of the railing! Let go of the railing!’”
When Lea started laughing, she promptly fell on the ice.
Brie quickly grabbed onto the railing to prevent the same thing from happening to her. “Hey, is that supposed to be a commentary on our skating abilities?”
Autumn skated past them going backwards, holding up both thumbs. “You’re doing Grrreat!”
Brie looked over and saw Lea struggling to get up off the ice. “Lea, I think your friend is toying with us.”
After several failed attempts to get back on her feet, Lea gave up and crawled to the wall. “I’m afraid you’re right, Brie. I think it’s time for some hot cocoa.”