by Vonna Harper
Ann shrugged and fingered her ring, then shuddered. “Big-time meat market. All right, you want the whole damn story? It’s used for BDSM. Masters putting their slaves up for bid. Would-be buyers sampling the wares.”
Wonderful! “Rylan sold you?”
“They’re negotiating.” Ann finished her drink and blew her nose again. The whiskey must have hit bottom because she stopped crying. “When the man—I don’t even know his name—paid to play with me, I didn’t object because I figured Rylan was priming his pump, getting us both ready for an even better time together.”
Not more than an hour ago, Rylan had called to say he wanted to talk to her. She’d assumed it was work-related and had agreed to drop by his place before going to the barn in the morning. Now she didn’t want to have anything to do with him. Yes, Ann was a fool for allowing herself to become Rylan’s sex slave, but how could he have dismissed her this way, if that’s what he’d done.
“Did you go with the man?”
“Yeah.” Ann shuddered. “I need another drink.”
She left Ann to contemplate her pierced clit while she mixed another drink. Ann straightened long enough to dispense with half of the fresh whiskey, then slumped and splayed herself again.
“My new master hates this.” She fingered the ring. “He told me to get rid of it before I come to him.”
“Are you going to?”
“What choice do I have?”
“Choice! Damn it, Ann, you’re free, white, and twenty-one. You don’t belong to any man.”
“You don’t understand! I love being pampered and manhandled. Being a sub means I don’t have to scrape up a living. I get all the sex I could possibly want and beyond. Some…some is pretty rough, but the trade-off is worth it.”
“Then why are you crying?”
Ann blinked and stared. “I don’t know. Shit, yeah I do. I thought Rylan loved me. When he places me naked in a cage and makes me stay there all day, I spend the time thinking about him, waiting for him to return. He knows…he knows I’d die if he left me like that. Doesn’t my goddamned trust mean anything to him!”
“If you died, he’d be charged with murder.”
“I gave him everything, held back nothing. Some of the things he made me do were pretty damn degrading and submissive. Just try to get some other bitch to— Doesn’t he understand he owned my heart?”
Your body, yes. But if you gave him your heart, you’re a fool. “What happens now?” she asked because she’d heard all she wanted to of Rylan and Ann’s version of undying affection.
“I wait.” Ann stared at the ceiling then closed her eyes which left Maita with damn little beside labia to look at. “Rylan said… He said I still belonged to him until the money changes hands, and he expects me to—”
“I got it.”
“Yeah, I suspect you do. After all, you and Kade swing the same way.”
Instead of objecting, Maita bit her tongue. A few seconds later, Ann went on. “He’s going to expect me to show up at the dungeon tonight. Did you know he has one?”
“I’ve seen it.”
“Has he—”
“No!”
“Hmm. Anyway, I know the drill. When he steps into the room, I’d better be ready and willing or he’ll make it even rougher on me.” Ann licked her lips. This time when she touched her clit ring, her hand stayed there. “I’m always scared…scared and so excited I spend the day before masturbating. By the time he starts in on me, I’m so primed… But it’s going to be different tonight.” She sniffed. “He’s done with me, ready to move on, looking for new conquests.”
“Then get out of there.” Before, Ann had fascinated her. Now the other woman’s submissive nature disgusted and depressed her. “Pack up and head on down the road. You have money of your own, don’t you?”
“Money? I haven’t needed any for a long time. Rylan…” She slid her middle finger into her cunt and started stroking herself.
“Stop it! I’m not going to sit here and watch you play with yourself. If that’s what you came for—”
“No!” Ann sat upright and wiped her hand on her hip. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m so damn fucked up. Maita, please help me get rid of the ring! That’ll show him.”
* * * * *
Not sure what she was thinking, Maita swung into the saddle and took off down the road on one of the barrel racing horses she’d been working with. Her boss expected to see her in a little bit, but if she didn’t get a handle on her emotions, she’d be lucky if she didn’t get herself fired.
Fired? Could she continue working with Rylan?
Before long, she realized she’d guided the mare in the direction of Kade’s property. He was still out of town, at least he’d told her he’d be. She could revisit the scene of…of what? The crime? And maybe get her head on straight.
At least Ann had stopped crying by the time the small tin snips she’d brought with her had done their job. Maita had had to grit her teeth before slipping the instrument around Ann’s clit ring. Even then she’d had to wait a few more seconds until Ann stopped shaking. Fortunately, the thin gold was easy to sever, and she’d used an equally small pair of pliers to straighten the ring and slip it off Ann’s clit. She’d be a liar if she didn’t admit touching Ann so intimately hadn’t been a turn-on, and Ann’s lingering kiss had held more than gratitude.
“I feel free!” Ann had exclaimed as she held the proof of her former slavery. “Wow, I just had an idea. What if my new master wants to make use of the hole that’s already there? I love diamonds. Do you think—”
Maita had distracted her by ordering Ann into the bathroom where she kept a bottle of anti-bacterial soap. When Ann returned, she’d talked her into getting dressed, then insisted she have something to eat to counter the alcohol in her system before leaving. Ann had been grinning and whistling as she drove off, an exuberant child looking forward to a new adventure.
Was that how people like Ann and Rylan looked at what they did? What about Kade?
Although she knew she’d eventually have to face the question, Maita shoved it aside as she neared the field where the Brahmas stayed when not on the road. From a distance, the massive creatures looked docile, differentiated from countless beef cattle only by their larger size and the humps on their backs. Up close, they proved to be more impressive but still not frightening, no surprise since they were so accustomed to humans that they usually ignored them. Things changed when they were forced into small chutes and some reckless human being sat on their backs. Then they turned into monsters.
She positioned the mare next to the solid wooden fence and watched the bulls as they either grazed or slept. In many respects, Kade was a Brahma. Given the right circumstances, he changed from professional stock contractor into master of women’s bodies and minds. The layers of civilization—for lack of a better word—fell away then, revealing someone fierce and powerful.
Memories of his wild nature heated her throat and the hollow between her breasts. Seeking to quiet the energy between her legs, she pressed down on the saddle and rubbed back and forth. The mare sighed and tried to lower her head so she could eat.
“No.” Maita tugged on the reins. The gesture mirrored Kade’s command of her and further fueled her imagination. Staring at the bulls, in her mind she became a cow brought here to be serviced by one of the massive creatures. Her owner had decided to let nature take its course so had simply put her in an enclosure with the bull of his choosing.
Although she was in heat with hormones driving her response and reaction, the bull’s domineering nature frightened her. As the father of her yet-to-be conceived calf approached, she backed away. But there was no freedom! He kept after her until he’d cornered her. No matter which way she turned, he anticipated, coming closer and closer. His massive cock hung nearly to the ground, and he smelled of sex.
Still scared but trapped, resigned, and driven by the instinct to breed, she turned her back to the bull and raised her tail.
&nbs
p; No! She wasn’t some damn stupid animal!
* * * * *
Rylan let her in and indicated they could sit in the living room. Despite her best efforts, Maita couldn’t dismiss what was underground here. Had he already chosen Ann’s replacement? Was he anticipating the new woman’s introduction to the dungeon?
“Ann said you were the one who helped her rid herself of a certain item,” he said after offering her a beer which she refused. “Knowing my little girl as I do, I have no doubt you’ve heard her side of the story.”
My little girl! “I thought I was here to discuss business.”
“We’ll get there.” Rylan took his own sweet time appraising her. Apparently she lived up to his standards because a smile played at the corner of his mouth, and his eyes darkened. She wasn’t about to check his cock’s condition. “But a long time ago, I learned that putting pleasure before work whenever possible keeps me healthy—and happy.”
“And you happy comes before anything else?”
His smile faded. “Let me make something straight, Maita. You’re a rare talent when it comes to horses. I’d be the first to acknowledge that. But my success in the business world doesn’t depend on having you work for me.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Just a statement of fact. I like your directness—almost as much as I do your potential.” He shifted his gaze to her breasts.
They sat across from each other which meant he couldn’t catch her by surprise if he decided to, what? “Why don’t you lay it all out so we’re speaking the same language.”
Eyes glittering, he shook his head. “Your mouth is going to get you in trouble. I might put up with your smart-ass attitude, but he won’t. He likes his women silent—unless he’s making them scream.”
With an effort, she clamped down on her anger. “I don’t want to talk about Kade.”
“Too bad because we’re going to.” He leaned forward, his hands resting on the insides of his thighs. “Ann thinks I’ve grown bored with her which, I imagine, is true. But if you hadn’t come along—if I wasn’t aware of your education at Kade’s hands—I’d probably still be content with her. You’re new territory, a new challenge. A prime specimen green broke at the hands of a master.”
Green broke referred to a horse that has been introduced to man’s domination but just barely. Damn it, she was hardly that! “I doubt you know that much about my relationship with Kade. You’re just assuming.” She took a steadying breath and decided to go for broke. “Besides, what do you want with someone else’s woman?”
“Kade Severn will never have his woman. It goes against everything in his nature.” Rylan settled back but didn’t take his eyes off her. Maybe he thought she might bolt—or try to. “That’s why I warned him off you at first. I didn’t want you doing anything stupid like falling in love with him.”
Love? Hardly.
“Let’s get back to the subject at hand, shall we. I compensated Ann more than handsomely for performing for me. But she’s a hothouse flower, a toy. She uses her body, not her brain. You’re different, not just in the body business because yours is killer, strong and honed for action. You also have a brain. I’ve seen it in operation.” His fingers slid closer to his crotch and drew her reluctant attention to his erection. “The combination of sex and intellect…” He shook his head. “I’m willing to pay plenty to watch them in action.”
“And if I’m not willing?” She made as if to stand.
Once more his eyes glittered, reminding her of cold obsidian. “Then our association is over. Maita, I know a few things about green breaking myself. Why do you think I started by praising your horsemanship? Think of my flattery as a few sugar cubes before I throw a rope over your neck. You’ve had your sugar. I don’t need a bronc that can’t be trained to my saddle and made to stay in my barn.”
Chapter Ten
Kade punched send on his cell phone and rolled up the window to cut down on the road and wind sounds. Behind his three-quarter ton pickup, the stock trailer rattled. The two-day-old orphan bull calf which shared the cab with him lifted its head off his lap.
“What do you want?” he said into the phone by way of greeting.
“Top of the day to you, too,” Rylan responded. “From your tone, what’d you think I was, a bill collector?”
“Your name came up on the screen. What’s going on?”
“Not much. Where are you?”
He told Rylan he expected to be home in a little over an hour then fought with thoughts of how he wanted to celebrate his homecoming.
“Good,” Rylan said. “We need to talk.”
“What about?” If something’s happened to Maita—
“I’m in the market for a new toy. Ann bores me.”
“Maybe you bore her.”
“Fuck you. She’s getting a decent severance pay, and I’ve already lined up her next master. In the meantime, I’ve got no one to play with—so far.”
“What do you mean, so far?” he asked, an uneasy feeling gnawing at his gut. The calf, worn-out from learning to drink from a bottle, dozed off again.
“I think you’ve got my point. Let me ask you a question. You got any hooks in Maita or is she up for grabs?”
“Stay away from her, damn it!”
His outburst earned him the laugh he’d expected. As long as he lived, he’d never fully understand Rylan. The man seemed to be split into equal parts. He admired the savvy businessman who’d turned his parents’ hard-scrabble ranch into a successful horse breeding and training operation, he couldn’t say the same for the bastard who’d spent years leaping from woman to woman.
At first Rylan had been like most well-heeled single men, effortlessly drawing beautiful women to his money. But for reasons Kade didn’t understand and didn’t particularly want to, Rylan was no longer satisfied with normal relationships. Maybe it was a power play on his part, maybe it took BDSM to get a rise out of his cock. It’s different for me. It is!
“Kade, old buddy, I want you to think back on something,” Rylan said. “When you first latched eyes on the broad under discussion, I told you to leave her the hell alone. Are you trying to turn the tables?”
“I’m saying she’s not some animal you’ve decided to hunt.”
“What the hell do you call what you’re doing?”
Before he could think of a response, Rylan continued. “I gave her a choice. You know me, always the diplomat.” He laughed. “She can either play in my playground—oops, dungeon—or she can find herself another job.”
Despite fantasies of smashing his fist into Rylan’s face, Kade kept his voice calm. “You’re going to fire the best trainer you’ve had unless she plays your sick game?”
Rylan snorted. “Look who’s calling it a sick game? You’re the one who gets the players ready, who teaches them the rules. The reason I called, good buddy, is because I wanted to consult on something. I’m not going to fight you over ownership of Maita. If you’ve already branded her, say the word, and I’ll put you to work finding me a new pet. But if she’s still running free, then you and I’ll have the fun of competing for her.”
“What ‘competing’ if you fire her?”
“There aren’t any rules in this particular pursuit, Kade. I’ll play my cards. You play yours.”
Not bothering to respond, Kade punched end.
* * * * *
Play your cards. Rylan’s parting shot again rang through Kade. When he’d reached home, he’d spent a couple of hours getting his new stock settled in and the orphan in the same pen with a motherly cow he kept around for just such situations, then he’d gone into his office to deal with the never-ending paperwork. The Pendleton rodeo in eastern Oregon was coming up in a couple of weeks. As one of the premiere rodeos in the country, it drew the top riders. They deserved and would get the best bulls and broncs.
Finally, thankfully, he’d accomplished everything he needed to for one day. He reached for the phone to call Maita, then stopped and again listened to t
he recorded message.
“You’re a hard man to track down,” the young female voice on the answering machine purred. “But if what I hear is right, it’ll be worth it. You come highly recommended. My friend and I have a proposition to make. Two not quite for the price of one. Oh hell, you name the price—we’re rich. Well, not as rich as we’d like to be. We’re looking to increase what we can charge customers for our services. We want to offer them full and complete access to a couple of submissive beauties, beauties who know the boundaries and rules of the game.” She finished by providing phone numbers.
Not long ago the thought of having two women at his disposal would have spurred his imagination with possibilities. Now he groaned.
He jotted down the women’s numbers but instead of calling them, he dialed Maita’s cabin. It rang four times before he heard her breathless “Hello.”
“It’s me,” he said. “Did I interrupt something?”
“I was packing.”
“Then you’re really leaving?”
“How did you— Oh, that’s right. You and my former boss are friends.”
“Not friends,” he corrected. He explained about the conversation he’d had with Rylan and ended by saying Rylan hadn’t expected her to quit. “He knows how you feel about horses. He figured you’d accept his offer as long as you can keep doing what you love.”
“Then I’m not really fired?”
“No.”
“I see,” she said after a brief silence. “I’m glad you’re back,” she whispered.
“Good.” A plan started taking shape, a way of getting her to make a decision. If it turned out to be the right one— Damn it, it had to be! He had no experience in other ways of holding onto women. “I want to see you, as soon as possible.”
“You do?” She sounded uncertain.
“Yeah.” He hung up.
* * * * *
Maita was sitting on the small porch in front of her cabin when Kade drove up. She’d come out here because she hated looking at her half-packed suitcases. She’d much rather look out at the corrals, barns, and pasture that constituted Rylan’s operation. She’d fallen in love with the wide-open spaces and the multitude of horses she’d been given responsibility for. Since going to work for Rylan, her desire, her need to pit herself against a bareback bronc had decreased probably because her work satisfied her, fulfilled her.