by Maggie Ryan
“Yes.”
“I heard Adira say a phrase that makes no sense.”
“Are we talking about the submissive having control?”
Zoya shook her head. She had no desire to be in control… not in this room, at least. “No, she said ‘my ass is grass.’ While I understand the gist of it, the phrase doesn’t make sense to me.”
Stryder laughed. “I’ve never really thought about it but I can see where it would be confusing. The original saying is ‘Your ass is grass and I’m the lawnmower,’ which again, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense except that the lawnmower is in control and will be cutting the grass.” He paused and then chuckled. “Or, I suppose cutting out the bad behavior.”
Zoya shook her head. “If you ask me, neither grass nor lawnmower make any sense. It should be ‘My ass is on fire’ but seeing as how you are the one who started that fire, that would make you an arsonist when what I so desperately need is a fireman’s hose.”
“Hose, huh?” The way his eyebrow lifted and his lip curled up had her forgetting about the burning of her ass as the rest of her body heated. He stood and carried her to the bed she could barely make out. When he dropped her onto it, she squealed and yet giggled as he said, “I can get into role playing and have always wanted to play fireman and rescue a beautiful damsel in distress.” Her heart skipped a beat as he began to strip out of his clothes until he stood, legs slightly apart, hands on his hips, smile on his face and his ‘hose’ ready for duty.
“I got a call, ma’am. Can you direct me to the fire?”
Zoya had lost her panties some time ago but couldn’t get her dress and bra off fast enough, throwing them to the floor and then swooning onto her back.
“Oh, help me, Sir, I swear I’m about to spontaneously combust.”
Stryder managed to put out the fire only to set another and then another as he brought her to climax after climax. By the time he had her on her hands and knees, his fingers gripping cheeks that still burned as he thrust into her again and again until she screamed and he roared, collapsing on top of her, she knew exactly what boneless meant. She didn’t have the strength to even squirm beneath his weight but managed to find just enough to snuggle into him when he rolled off and pulled her against him.
She had never felt more loved, more content than she did at that moment. They hadn’t moved from the bed, hadn’t taken a thing off the wall, hadn’t used any of the equipment that had captured her attention and yet, she didn’t care. There would be time enough for that. Closing her eyes, she smiled, wondering what his next role would be and knowing that hers would always be the damsel needing her hero to rescue her and take her to places she’d never even imagined.
Chapter 21
Within two months, Zoya had cried as seven more women were rescued. She hadn’t known them well but that didn’t matter. The first day Anson asked her if she’d like to move the save to its proper place beneath the line, she’d cried with joy as she added a woman named Elizabeth to the line that had her own photo as well as Sophia’s. Each subsequent time had her giving thanks to every man, so many she’d never actually meet, who had risked their lives to get them to safety. Learning that the women had been returned to their families and would have a chance to heal was the most important thing. The Steeles, working with Hadi, whom she learned had insisted on financing the incredibly expensive operations, were able to hire teams of men and organize rescue operations around the world. Now only three photos remained at the top of the screen, Natalia’s still in the first position.
When no intel had come in threatening the Steeles or indicating that the ranch was a target, regardless of Poplov’s posting the location, security was relaxed enough that the women were given permission to go into town. Of course, Zoya wondered if that decision had been spurred on by the fact that one night at dinner Jennie announced that unless she got to the grocery store, the menu for the foreseeable future would only include the vegetables she’d yet to harvest, mostly consisting of large, beautiful beets.
“I’m sure Zoya wouldn’t mind whipping up another vat of borscht.”
Zoya had giggled as every man at the table had looked at each other, desperation clearly written in their expressions. “I’d love to, and this time I can add a few slices of raw ginger. It gives it a special zing even though it’s a cold soup.”
“No!” Maddox and Stryder said in unison before Stryder waved a hand to his older brother. “Go ahead.”
“No, that’s all right, you can—”
“No, no, as the eldest, I give you the floor.”
“Gee thanks,” Maddox muttered and then sighed. “What we mean is that we prefer our ginger to be used in… um, different ways.”
Zoya had to wonder why his words had Adira blushing and squirming on her chair. She also had to wonder why Stryder grinned and cocked his eyebrow when she looked at him. She didn’t have to wonder why her nipples instantly hardened as she knew they did that every single time he had that look in his eyes. “Okay, I’ll leave the ginger out of the next batch and just add more onions and cabbage. How’s that?”
Drake shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day that my sons were too chicken to tell you the truth. While we love you, Zoya, we can’t say the same about your soup. It might be a favorite in Russia, but frankly, a bowlful of bright red goop with a bunch of chunky vegetables congealed in a cold broth just isn’t our cup of tea.”
“Well, unless I get to the store pronto, that’s what you’ll be having for breakfast, lunch and dinner!” Jennie announced.
The next morning, Zoya was climbing out of the truck and taking a few of the empty canvas bags that Jennie had brought along. As they walked across the parking lot towards the super Wal-Mart, she couldn’t help but remember the last time she’d been inside. Even then, without yet loving her, Stryder had been so understanding. She smiled, wondering what had become of the high heels she’d left on the floor. The moment the trio walked through the door, the aroma that assaulted her had her remembering that there was an actual fast food restaurant just inside. Her stomach clenched and her mouth started watering.
“You all right?”
Forcing herself to look away from the bright yellow arches, she saw that Jennie already had a cart.
“Um, yes, but I need to use the bathroom.” She wasn’t lying—not exactly, as she felt her bladder clench as well.
“They’re right over there,” Jennie said with a nod towards the restrooms. “Here, I’ll take those and you can find us when you’re done. I’m going to get some more mason jars for canning and then be in the grocery department.”
“Thanks, I’ll find you,” Zoya said, handing her the bags and turning towards the bathrooms. Once she was done, she stepped out and looked around. When the coast was clear, she practically sprinted to the restaurant.
“Welcome to McDonald’s, what can I get for you today?”
Zoya didn’t even bother looking at the menu above the counter. Instead, she looked at the young teenager and asked, “What is the largest hamburger you have?”
“We have the sirloin burger—”
“I’ll take that. Does it come with cheese?” When he said it could, she smiled. “Great, I want two… no make that three slices. Oh, and what about bacon?”
“Well, it doesn’t normally come with bacon but I can ask. That would cost extra though.”
“I don’t care, just add a lot, please.”
“Do you want fries and something to drink?”
“Just water. Oh, it’ll be quick, right? I mean, I don’t have a lot of time.”
The look the boy gave her said she was acting a little strange but she didn’t care. She was afraid that if she didn’t get her hands on the hamburger immediately, she just might jump over the counter and fix it herself. “We’ll have it right out.”
Once he’d consulted his manager and rung up the burger, she paid and then paced back and forth, her eyes scanning the area and muttering for them to hurry up. When her n
umber was called, she grabbed the tray and sat at the closest table, barely catching herself from whimpering as she tore off the wrapping. The first bite was pure nirvana and she couldn’t contain a soft moan. The second and third just as fabulous and she finally paused to take a sip of her water. God, who knew that food could be so delicious? She’d taken another bite, pondering if she had time to order another when she heard, “Zoya?”
Her head whipped up and the bite she’d just taken got stuck in her throat. She sputtered and coughed as Adira pounded her on the back until she swallowed and could breathe.
“What are you doing?”
“Shit… um, I mean thanks… I mean, oh hell,” Zoya said. Peeking around Adira and not seeing Jennie, she added, “Promise you won’t rat me out!”
Adira laughed. “Of course I’m not going to rat you out. In fact, I think I’ll join you.”
“Really?”
“Well, I’m not going to eat a hamburger but I do have a craving for a thick chocolate milkshake.”
When Adira moved towards the counter to order, Zoya picked up her burger again but turned and called, “Order me some of those nugget thingies, please.”
With her burger finished, Zoya dipped her chicken nugget in a container of honey-mustard sauce and popped it into her mouth. “Hmm, I don’t know. I can’t decide which one I like the best.”
“Not for lack of tasting,” Adira said, sucking down the last of her large milkshake. “You’ve got every kind of sauce they make. Girl, I’ve never seen anyone eat so fast and so much.”
“You obviously haven’t eaten BBQ with Stryder,” Zoya said, the hand holding the last nugget hovering over the row of sauce containers and finally dipping into the sweet and sour one. After swallowing her last bite, she sat back. “I don’t know what happened. I think I was possessed. I felt like, if I didn’t get meat inside my stomach and fast, I was going to go on some rampage or something.”
Adira giggled and shook her head as she gathered up the trash strewn across the table. “I know what you mean. I love Jennie and her cooking but sometimes, well, let’s just say my carnivore side comes out. But we’d better go before she comes looking for us. I left her in the home goods department because I had to go to the bathroom. I’m sure she’ll be in the grocery section by now.”
They walked towards the grocery aisles before Zoya stopped. “What’s wrong?” Adira asked.
“I don’t feel so good,” Zoya said, her stomach roiling.
“I can’t say I’m really surprised. I mean a hamburger and two orders of chicken nuggets. I think maybe you overdid it just a bit.”
“Oh, God, I think I’m going to be sick,” Zoya said, and then turned and bolted towards the front of the store. She barely made it into a stall before losing everything she’d eaten, which certainly wasn’t as pleasant coming up as it had been going down. Pushing the door open, she found Adira waiting with a wet paper towel.
“Thanks,” Zoya said, using it to wipe her mouth before she went to the sink. Leaving the bathroom, Adira pointed to one of the benches along the wall.
“You still look a little green. Why don’t you sit here and we’ll come get you after we check out?”
Not sure she wasn’t going to need the bathroom again, Zoya nodded. Once seated, she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes. That’s what you get for being such a little piggy, she thought. Thinking of fat little pigs had her thinking of The Flying Pig which, in turn, had her remembering the night she and Stryder had played… she in the role of a poor little cowgirl who had been thrown from her horse. Her big strong cowboy had, of course, not only rescued her but insisted on giving her a very thorough, very intimate examination to make sure she had no broken bones. The memory of giggling when the cowboy became the doctor, had Zoya smiling.
She couldn’t help but remember the night she and Adira had been washing the dishes and heard their men arguing behind them.
“It’s our turn,” Maddox said. “Shit, ever since we got back from Dubai, we’ve barely gotten to use the dungeon.”
“Bullshit, you and Adira were in there all night just a day ago. It’s our turn.”
Zoya had cut her eyes to Adira to see her trying not to giggle, whispering, “It’s sort of cool having them fight over us, isn’t it?”
“I think it’s the room they are fighting over, but, yeah, it’s sort of fun.”
“Fine, I’ll flip you for it,” Maddox said.
“I call head,” Stryder said and Zoya couldn’t contain the blush that flooded her cheeks, knowing he’d purposely left the “s” off the end of the word. The memory of kneeling before the stern headmaster, performing her “proper penance” for being a naughty little school girl had her panties moistening and her praying that Stryder won the coin toss.
“Fuck!”
“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’d be lying,” Stryder said and then had come to the sink and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Let’s see, I’ve always wanted to play the part of Dudley Do Right.”
“Who’s he?” Zoya asked.
“A Royal Canadian Mountie who rescues the damsel in distress,” Stryder explained and then leaned closer. “She’s often tied to a railroad crossing and we do have that large wooden X just waiting for a beautiful damsel.”
Maddox growled and Adira said, “Now I know we are sisters because I’m suddenly very jealous and want to strangle you.” Then she laughed and said, “Go play. Maddox and I will finish the dishes.”
And play they did. That had been the night when she confessed that she wanted him to whip her again. The look of surprise in his eyes and the way she saw his cock jerk had her begging him until he agreed. It had been even more incredible than that first time, as after he’d released her from her cuffs, he’d carried her to the bed and licked and kissed along every wheal his strokes had raised on her flesh. She’d been sorry to discover his marks gone within two days but knew that one day soon, he’d paint them on the canvas of her shoulders, back and buttocks again. She could still hear the snaps of the whip…
“Zoya, honey, wake up.”
Opening her eyes, she realized the snapping she heard was that of Adira snapping her fingers next to her ear. She could feel her face heat with color, hoping the moans she’d remembered making that night hadn’t been audible now. Adira and Jennie stood before her, a cart full of overstuffed canvas bags.
“Well, you definitely look better. Your cheeks aren’t pale as a ghost’s anymore.”
“Oh, I feel much better.”
They walked to the truck, placing the bags in the back and once they climbed inside, Zoya said, “I’m so sorry I didn’t help with the shopping but I promise I’ll do the unloading.”
Once home, she discovered that Jennie had other ideas. The moment they’d carried all the bags into the kitchen, setting them on the table, Jennie picked one up and handed it to Adira. “I’m thinking nothing but positive thoughts. Go.” She turned to Zoya. “Go with her.”
Zoya was confused but followed Adira from the kitchen. “What’s going on?”
Adira took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’ll explain once we’re in your room.”
“My room?”
“Yes, it’s closest and I’m not sure when the guys are coming back. Unlike my door, yours has a lock.”
Once inside the bedroom, the door locked behind them, Adira pulled her into the bathroom and only then pulled a box from the bag. Seeing it, Zoya smiled. “You think you might be pregnant?”
“No, I’m pretty sure I am pregnant as I’ve missed my last two periods. This is just for confirmation and this,” she said, pulling a second box from the bag, “is for you.”
“For me?” Zoya said, “I don’t need… oh God, you think I’m pregnant?”
“You’re showing signs. You’ve been taking naps and the other day, I caught you crying over some Hallmark commercial. You haven’t had Stryder out for a run in… I can’t even remember the last time I heard him grumbling that he had to jog, even
though he now loves it. And today? Cravings for meat that you haven’t had for months, licking every dribble of those sickening sweet sauces off your fingers… after swiping the insides of those little containers, and then tossing it all up again? You fell asleep on a bench in the middle of a Wal-Mart, for God’s sake. So…”
“I can’t be pregnant,” Zoya said, her heart hammering inside her chest. “I’m not married!”
Adira laughed. “Seriously?” Evidently she saw the look of shock on Zoya’s face because she put the boxes down on the counter and took her hands. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even think about that.”
“What am I going to do?”
“First, you’re going to take this test with me and we’ll go from there. No matter what, we are here for each other, all right?”
Zoya could only nod, too numb to speak. She barely heard Adira as she read through the directions before she peed on the pregnancy stick. Adira replaced the cap on her test and laid it on the counter. She slowly repeated the instructions, counting out the five seconds required, then took the test from Zoya, capped it as well and placed it beside her own.
“What now?” Zoya asked.
“Now we wait to see if one or two pink lines appear,” Adira said.
“Shouldn’t they be blue if it’s a boy?”
“According to the instructions, it doesn’t work that way but that would be really nice. Come on, we need to wait for a few minutes.” Adira took her hand again and led her from the bathroom to sit on the edge of the bed. “Honey, you don’t have to look so horrified. You love Stryder, don’t you?”
“Yes, with my whole heart, but that doesn’t mean he wants to be a father.”
“It doesn’t mean he doesn’t, either. I think you’re worrying about nothing. If anyone is going to wonder how this happened, it’s going to be Maddox. We use protection; condoms and I’m on the pill but sometimes the best laid plans go wrong.”
“God, I’m an idiot,” Zoya said. “I’m not on the pill and we’ve never used a condom.”