“Not anymore. All staff members will be working through the weekend to get this done. You can leave Wednesday evening.”
Tink scowled at her boss and fisted her hands on her hips. “Sorry, Barry. You said I could have the week off.”
“If you’re not here then you can have the rest of your life off.”
“Are you threatening to fire me?” she huffed.
“Take it however you wish.”
Finished with the conversation, DH dismissively waved her out of the office. Tink ground her teeth together to keep from telling the idiot off and stormed out the door.
When it came down to it, she had to stay because she couldn’t afford to lose this job yet. Dropping into her desk chair, she got out her flight information and called the airlines. Ten minutes and almost two hundred dollars later, her flights had been changed.
Now for the hard part, calling Kate.
The phone rang only once before her friend answered and immediately started talking nonstop.
“Hey, Tink. You packed and ready to go? I can’t wait for you to get here. We’re going to have such a great week. I have so much planned.”
She waited for Kate to take a breath before trying to get a word in. “No, I haven’t packed yet. There’s a slight problem.”
Her statement was met with silence. Tink took a calming breath before telling her friend what had happened. For once, Kate didn’t interrupt. Even after Tink had stopped talking she didn’t say anything.
“Kate?”
“Quit!”
“I can’t do that. I invested most of my savings in new products for the Vibratorium for a special Christmas promotion.” She would never get rich selling sex toys online. Her business was small compared to the many other online retailers, although she had seen an increase in her client base since Jesse had listed her website on the links page for Mastering Life. The new BDSM merchandise was geared toward those customers. A risky move considering she had yet to recoup her investment, but she’d anticipated getting a regular paycheck through the rest of the year.
“I’ll front you whatever money you need for the move.”
Nice as the offer was, Tink couldn’t accept. “Kate, be realistic. You need every penny you have for your new business.”
Kate sighed. “I was going to discuss that with you while you’re here. Steph and I need you. I’m not talking about you being our employee either. We want you to be a full partner in the business.”
The astonishing offer left Tink speechless.
“Tink? Say something.”
“I’m in shock. That’s your baby. Partnering with Steph makes sense since you have the art background and she’s a programming genius. What do you need me for?”
“You’re kidding me, right? Come on, Tink. I’ve never met anyone with a better head for business and marketing. Steph and I are clueless when it comes to promotion, contracts, filing copyrights and all that other legal stuff.”
She had a good point. Between her business degree and her experience at Riseman Designs, Tink knew all the ins and outs of managing a design company. Along the way, her dreams of actually doing so had fallen by the wayside, thanks in great part to DH Barry Riseman squashing them under his heel and grinding them into the dirt.
“Umm…wow. It’s a lot to think about. I’m going to need some time.” Ha, who was she kidding? Tink wanted it so bad she could almost taste it. Only one thing held her back from squealing in delight and jumping up and down.
“Of course. And…umm, we haven’t talked about what happened—”
“We’re not going to talk about it now, either!” She wasn’t ready to go anywhere near where that statement led. Not until she sorted it out for herself first, which would require facing one hell of an ornery cowboy.
“Okay, Tink, but I’m here if you do need to talk.”
“I know, thanks.”
“So when are you going to be here?”
“I fly out Wednesday afternoon. Already reserved a rental car.”
“We can pick you up at the airport,” Kate offered.
“No. You’ll be busy getting ready and we can’t have you being late to your own party.”
“I can’t wait to see you. There’s still a little matter of tricking me and dumping my ass out in the middle of nowhere to discuss. Paybacks are a bitch!”
“Oh, come on,” Tink teased. “No way are you mad over the intervention, which for the record was Riley’s bright idea. Not when the results were so good. And besides, you should be mad at Tamara, not me. She was the master planner. She even managed to stick me with driving Tex back to the ranch.”
“I’m still waiting for details of that road trip by the way.”
“Good luck with that, I’m not talking. Not even to Tamara, and boy does that woman know how to wear someone down.”
“Yeah, umm…about moving to the ranch. I’m not sure what I was thinking but putting you together in the same place with Tamara— Oh Lord. Probably not one of my better ideas.”
They were both quiet for about two seconds before surrendering to fits of hysterical laughter. That fast the tension was over and they were back to their normal bantering and teasing friendship. Until that moment, Tink hadn’t realized just how much she missed Kate.
* * * * *
“Stop tugging at your collar and growling,” Riley complained. “You’re scaring away all the single women.”
Brock couldn’t help it. The buttoned-up tight collar and tie were choking him. “I don’t understand why we have to be dressed up for the damn engagement party.”
Riley shrugged. “Because it’s what the bride wants.”
Kate also wanted a bigger party than anyone had imagined. They’d had to clean everything out of the barn to house the event. The cold weather had necessitated a truckload of outdoor heaters, which were currently roasting him.
“Screw this!” He loosened the tie and undid the first button on the shirt then took a deep breath. “There, that’s much better.”
“You need to get laid.”
Sex was Riley’s solution to everything but it was the last thing Brock needed. The beast refused to be leashed since he’d had a taste of Tink. The past month had been hell and insomnia had become his closest friend. Everyone except the prankster had been smart enough to stay far away from him.
His bad mood had turned to outright irritation when Tink hadn’t shown up for the party. He knew she was supposed to be here since it was part and parcel with her maid of honor gig. Apparently she was still running scared.
“Bobbi ‘Hoover’ Lee is here. That woman could suck the chrome off a trailer hitch.”
“Do you ever think of anything other than sex?”
Riley’s toothy grin answered for him.
Brock resigned himself to at least two more hours of torture before he’d be able to escape the party. A long, excruciating two hours. Kate damn well better appreciate his sacrifice.
An elbow jabbed into his ribs and he turned toward Riley, prepared to rip his idiot friend’s head off. “What?” he demanded.
“Don’t look now, but Bobbi Lee’s sizing you up for the next notch on her bedpost.”
He took a good long look at Bobbi Lee. She was so damn tiny and skinny as a rail Even in spiked heels she was too short. Hell, the woman still wore her dark brown hair in an outdated Farrah Fawcett flip.
Seeing that she had their attention, Hoover smiled, put some extra sway in her narrow hips and let her plastic triple-D’s lead the way. “Now what are two fine studs like you doing standing over here all alone?”
Cloying, flowery perfume preceded her. Bobbi Lee moved in close, rubbing a huge breast against his arm and innocently fluttering her eyelashes. She was the exact opposite of a certain hellion, which at the moment made her damn near perfect in his eyes.
“Hey there, Bobbi Lee. You are lookin’ mighty fine tonight, sugar.”
Ignoring Riley’s greeting, she all but purred as she rubbed against Brock. “You look like you could use so
me company, cowboy.”
Damn straight he could. And why the hell shouldn’t he take what she so blatantly offered? He didn’t have any commitments that required fidelity. Maybe Riley was right and getting laid would clear Tink out of his head. Hell, Bobbi Lee might be able to blow the hellion right out of his system.
He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face until she made eye contact. “I’m gonna be real clear, Bobbi Lee, so you understand what being in my company will entail. Riley and I will take you back to the rec room where you will be tied up and blindfolded to be used for our pleasure. I will spank your ass, may even use a crop. If you scream too loud, I will put a gag in your mouth.”
Bobbi Lee’s big amber eyes dilated and she swayed a bit on her heels.
“Then I’m going to have Riley fuck your ass while you suck me off.” Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Riley shift from foot to foot and adjust the bulge tenting the front of his slacks. “You will be at my command and do everything I say without hesitation.”
“Yes sir,” Bobbi Lee drawled and licked her puffy red lips. “I understand.”
Interesting. He took a long look into Bobbi Lee’s eyes and recognized a trained submissive in her even stare. Great. Not only would he get laid but he’d have a chance to let the Dom out.
Without another word, Brock turned and walked to the back of the barn, moving aside the shimmery white material that had been used to cover the walls and hallway. Riley practically ran next to him, anticipation seeping out of his pores.
Brock didn’t look back. If his suspicions were accurate, Bobbi Lee would be a step behind them, gaze respectfully downcast. He wondered if the delicate woman would be able to handle his Dom. With a mental shrug he figured they were about to find out.
When they reached the rec room, he gave her one last chance to say no. One-hundred percent with the program, she instead told him her safe word.
Fuck, he was going to enjoy this. It had been too many years since he’d had an actual scene with a trained sub.
* * * * *
Luck was smiling on him. A good old-fashioned country barn party. Wonderful. Not that he’d been invited or would crash the party. But a party meant good times, dancing and drinking. It also meant the elusive lady of the house would be out of the house and with the hands good and liquored up they wouldn’t be watchin’ over her so closely.
He rubbed his hands together, anticipating finally getting them—and a few other choice parts—on the kinky blonde. He’d give her a real lesson in the darker side of sex. And the bitch would grovel and beg before he finished with her. He was damn tired of peeking through windows and only watching the action. Looked as if his turn was almost here.
* * * * *
Damn planes never landed when they were supposed to, which meant Tink was going to be late. She hated being late and feeling rushed. Her temples pounded as she waited to claim her bag. Of course it was one of the last ones off the plane. And the suitcase had suffered during the flight. One of the wheels wobbled crazily as she dragged it behind her.
To add insult to injury, the rental car place wasn’t at the airport. She boarded a packed shuttle with tons of other weary travelers then waited in an endless line to claim a car. Oh, and the person in front of her got the last full-size car. Her choices were to pay less for a three-cylinder subcompact or get a free upgrade to a crossover vehicle, whatever that meant. She took the upgrade.
Tink wasn’t sure what the odd thing was supposed to be. It resembled a toaster with wheels. Not really a station wagon or an SUV, it was just plain strange. On the positive side, it worked and the heater kept her warm and toasty.
Out here in rural Montana they apparently didn’t see the need for streetlights and the roads were pitch black. She went ten miles past the ranch before realizing she’d gone too far. Almost missed it after turning around again since the wood and dark metal arch over the drive was barely visible.
She saw the brightly lit up barn but parked near the house, wanting to freshen up before making an appearance at the party. By the time she managed to lug her unwieldy suitcase up the stairs, the throbbing in her head had turned into a full drum line banging out a tune in time with her heartbeat.
Loud country music reached her before she entered the party. They had done a great job decorating the barn. Inside, it didn’t resemble a barn at all. A dance floor was set up on one side of the room. On the other side was a line of tables weighed down with food and drink. In the middle they’d placed tables and chairs in various arrangements to accommodate both small and large groups of people.
“Oh my God!” Kate squealed, her voice slicing through Tink’s aching head. “You’re finally here.”
“It’s a miracle that I made it, but nothing would keep me away from your engagement party. Congrats, Kate.”
They talked for a few minutes before Jesse swept Kate away to the dance floor. Tink worked her way around the room, saying hello to everyone she’d met last month. Her gaze constantly scanned the large space, searching for one particular cowboy who was conspicuously absent. When she’d finished a complete circuit of the guests and hadn’t run into him, her tension rose along with her worry.
How would he act toward her? Would he be mad that she’d left without a word? Or would he expect to just pick up where they’d left off? Not knowing the kind of reception she’d get from Brock kept her on edge. Especially with the decision she’d made during the trip.
She wanted to accept Kate’s offer but she had to know where they stood first. She craved him, badly. If he didn’t want her then seeing him every day would be pure hell. Even more painful than her killer headache.
Spotting Steph at a small table, she joined the other woman. Tink had thought she’d been discreet about rubbing her forehead but Steph had noticed.
“Got a headache?”
She sat down with a relieved moan. “You have no idea. It’s turning into a migraine. Started to get shimmery flashes of light in my peripheral vision about ten minutes ago.”
“Ouch!”
Tink stayed until she couldn’t take it anymore. “Is there someplace close by a little more quiet and private? I have to get out of here for a few minutes.”
“Yeah,” Steph said. She stood and grabbed Tink’s hand. “Come on, I know just the place.”
With her own strobe light show going on at the edges of her vision, she was relieved they didn’t have to walk far. As it was she had to lean on Steph for support. With one arm around Tink’s waist, Steph opened a door and steered her inside, coming to an abrupt stop a few steps inside the room.
The sight before her was so unexpected that it took several long moments for Tink’s brain to interpret what she saw, her migraine fading to a distant annoyance. She took in and filtered out useless information such as the sports-bar-themed décor, pool table, dartboard, some stand-up arcade machines. What she gaped at was the life-size bull in front of her, the kind used for roping practice, and the three people surrounding it.
Tink had an unhampered view of a brunette woman lying belly-down sideways over the saddle. She was naked and a silk tie covered her eyes. Her ass, which was thrust up in the air, bore marks in varying colors from pink to angry red, peppered with raised lines of red and white. The pattern continued along her right hip, flank and humongous breast. Her widespread legs were bound to one side of the frame and her arms were attached to the other.
The bull rocked from side to side as Riley plowed into the woman’s ass from behind in a hard, punishing rhythm. Every so often he struck her side with the crop he held in his right hand, causing her head to thrash wildly. Her screams were odd, not pleasure or pain but something in between.
As shocking as Tink found all those things, her attention locked on the third person and remained there. His dress shirt hung open, framing his torso, and his slacks were pooled around his ankles. With a cold, hard expression on his face, one hand fisted the woman’s hair and the other held his semihard cock, which glisten
ed with wetness.
Two questions surfaced and Tink wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answers or if they even mattered. Was that the same crop that had been used on her, and what fluid was on Brock’s spent cock? Lube or the woman’s saliva?
Oblivious to their entrance, no one paid them any attention. Tink glanced over at Steph, watching the other woman’s mouth silently open and close like a guppy. Her breath came in rapid pants as if she’d just run a marathon and her eyes were wide as dinner plates. Tink figured she probably bore a similar shell-shocked appearance.
“Holy Christ,” Steph finally managed to say, drawing the cowboys’ attention their way. She slapped a trembling hand over her mouth, turned and raced from the room.
In her mind, Tink screamed orders at her feet to fucking move, yet they stubbornly remained rooted to the spot. She continued to watch, unable to look away, as Riley cursed and pulled up his pants. Brock, however, made no move to cover himself and stayed motionless.
When Tink met his hard gaze and felt his normally warm green eyes watch her with cool indifference her paralysis broke. She turned and stepped out into the hall, holding on to the wall to steady her shaking body.
From the left came the sounds of music and chatter from the party so she turned right, found a door and stumbled outside. Where she went didn’t matter. The only thought in her head was to put distance between her and the horrible scene that would forever be burned into her memory.
Not even the cold air penetrated the hot rage of betrayal burning in her blood. She walked without any direction in mind, clutching at her chest, feeling as if ground glass pumped through her heart instead of blood.
Without warning, something slammed into the back of her head. There was the sensation of falling as blackness spread over her vision.
* * * * *
“Whoo-ee! I knew this was gonna be my lucky night.”
Stupid bitch had stumbled right out the back door and staggered around in the dark. He didn’t smell any alcohol but he knew a drunk when he saw one. Hell, she probably would have wound up passed out in the woods somewhere and froze to death.
He dropped the fist-size rock, bent and picked up his prize, struggling to lift the woman. “Damn, you need to lose some weight.”
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