Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
I grinned. A smiley face was about what I could muster too, in the drawing department. “I drew a stick figure with a single-tail whip.”
“It’s a great stick figure, though,” Ash said.
I giggled and wiped at my face, hopefully a final time. “Wait!” Something just occurred to me. “We’re not allowed to speak.”
Greer waved that off. “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. I’m just sittin’ here shootin’ the shit with Ash.”
I smiled.
Okay, then. It was a nice break. It felt good to relax for a few minutes.
“Could we shoot the shit over by the buffet table?” Ash suggested. “I’d like to steal a soda and some snacks for the cried-out maso.” He glanced down at me. “You think you can manage on your own for a minute? Be honest.”
“Um, yeah. Of course. You go, Sir. I might kiss your feet if you steal a Coke for me.”
“Consider it done.” He chuckled and rose to his feet. “Sixty seconds on the clock.”
Greer stood up too, and he kissed the top of Archie’s head. “You’re free to do your thing, baby boy. We’ll be back soon.”
“Thank you, Master.”
The two Tops walked off, and Archie was quick to get on his feet and join me on the sofa.
“I don’t think they’re kidding about sixty seconds,” he said. “But you’re sure you’re all right? You didn’t notice anything during the session?”
I shook my head, a tad distracted by his accent. Mostly American, a little bit British. I liked it way more than a Swedish accent. “Nothing, I swear. I…” Ohhhh. Santiago—he’d been there! “So that was why Santiago blocked my view. I wondered why he was standing so close.” That made so much sense.
Archie smiled. “They didn’t want you to get distracted.”
Right. Yeah, no, of course. Hell, that would’ve sucked. Being brought out of a pain session in a rude-awakening kind of way fucked with my head too much.
I wasn’t the only one involved either. I should ask how Ash was doing. Being accused of taking things too far couldn’t be a nice feeling, and my stomach sank at the thought of him checking in with me extra because he was worried.
“I should make sure Ash is okay,” I murmured. “I don’t want him to think that guy was right.”
“That’s what Master’s doing right now,” Archie said. “A similar thing happened to us after the last Game, actually. Some twat reached out online and called Master irresponsible for tossing me into the pool when it was cold out. Like they know me better than I do? Than my Owner does?” He shook his head. “I was so bloody angry.”
I could only imagine. “What a jerk.” Actually, if it turned out Ash did feel bad, or worried in any way, I might get my claws out. “It’s disrespectful too. It’s a complete stranger assuming Greer isn’t mindful of what you can handle. Not to mention, they turn subs into helpless children who can’t speak up for themselves. I know how to safeword, thank you very much. I know how to ask for help, I know how to communicate.”
“Precisely. You get it.”
True to his word, Ash was already on his way back, and I studied his expression. He was chuckling at whatever Greer was saying, so I hoped that was a good sign.
Oh! Penelope was on her way too! I watched her walk out of the house at a brisk pace, and she was already focused on me. Our gazes met, and I smiled and waved.
She picked up the pace and smiled back.
I was so damn in love with her, it wasn’t even funny. But it felt like way more now. Like, I’d been half-convinced about my feelings for a long time, and now that we were kind of together, nothing was holding back the rush of emotions.
She’d spotted Ash and Greer too, and when she was some twenty feet away, she spoke to all of us. “I have fifteen minutes, and you guys have twenty before you’re due at Jack’s station.”
“Roger that, ma’am,” Ash replied. “Are we gonna fight over Nora’s attention now?”
Penelope laughed.
I widened my arms. “Ladies and gentlemen, calm yourselves, Nora’s got love for everyone.”
Yeah, they both laughed at that.
“How are you, baby girl?” Penelope skipped up on the porch and made her way to me.
“I’m awesome.” I leaned in for a kiss while Archie left the sofa to rejoin his Owner.
Penelope hummed into the kiss and cupped my cheek. “Yes, you sure are. Are you wearing sunscreen? I don’t want you to burn.”
“I am.” Fuck, I couldn’t even describe the joy that flew through me, like a swarm of butterflies. Were they called a swarm? A gaggle? A murder? An Air Force squadron? Oh, I should pass that on to Ty later.
Ash sat down on the other side of me, and the lifesaver had brought an ice-cold Coke and a bowl of grapes and some candies.