Master A-0002

I tried to be silent through the minutes as my wife made her rounds. I tried to hold my tongue. I couldn't as she stopped before me. "That was quick. Did he get his clothes, or did you give him something more?"

Weight settled into my lap as Georgie took a seat and leaned in, kissing my cheek.

"No need to be upset or jealous. I may play and go pretty far with men, but you know ever since I've been taking the medications to get pregnant, you're my only real lover. I don't cross that line, and I won't. It's too much of a risk. This slave is a job. Nothing more. I don't mix work and pleasure."

"I know, but I'm not sure I like him."

"You have nothing to worry about. I promise. Besides, I don't think he'll be here much longer. Maybe not even past the night."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing," she laughed. "I'm just praying Elec comes to his senses. Something else is bothering you besides the crow. What is it?"

I didn't answer as I pulled my wife in, hugging her as the buzz of voices and moans continued to fill the space. We'd been heating things up so good before Mistress Sixty-two decided she needed Georgie's help finding the restroom. The dark-haired girl was drunk. I knew that, but I couldn't withhold the annoyance towards the younger Mistress either. She'd been stealing so much of Georgie's attention, and it was obvious why. Even as her own male slave kissed the brunette's neck, her eyes didn't leave my wife. Usually, that wouldn't bother me. Hell, I'd like it, but we were talking about Amanda Marchase, little sister to Katia Marchase, one of the Jane's Georgie used to work with. Where the sister was levelheaded and rational, Amanda was anything but. She was trouble, and I still wasn't quite sure why Georgie agreed she could come. Nothing was going right this trip. I felt at odds with almost every situation we'd come across in the last few days, not to mention the focus I kept on Georgie's behavior, which was very unstable.

"Jack?"

I glanced up, scanning our crowded living room, letting out a deep breath. "I'm thinking about that island again. Maybe a break from the Gardens wouldn't be so bad." I paused, not able to stop the building confusion and aggravation as I took in Amanda. "You mentioned the men only being for play. Is that why you brought her here? She's a little young for your taste, isn't she? Twenty, at best."

It was Georgie's turn to look confused. It only lasted for a moment before she laughed.

"Twenty-two. And she's not for me. I got her for Percy."

"Percy?"

Georgie snuggled and curled into me, whispering against my neck.

"He's been so sad lately, and I know Amanda. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. At least concerning her and her sister. They like older men. Especially ones who don't mind…treating them. Purely business, baby. She's just here to see what she thinks before I ask Percy if he's interested."

"Well, good luck with that," I breathed out. "She's more into you than she is into him."

"Is she?"

Georgie's head turned, and a sound left her. Not one of happiness. Not even one of interest. She suddenly saw what was so obvious to me, and she wasn't enthused.

"Well, that won't do. Too young, indeed. If I wanted a female, I'd beg Shane for Vera. We both know he won't allow that. I've hinted enough, and he won't budge or play with us. Let's not think about that right now. I'm still upset both them and Jenson couldn't come tonight."

"But what about the other Masters and Couples you declined? They'll continue to call to see when our next party is. You know they will."

"You mentioned the island?"

I chuckled. "A break from the scene wouldn't be bad. Everyone's starting to rely on us to host, and we do enough of that in the outside world. We're done for a while. Me and you. That's all I want."

"How bad?"

"Bad enough to endure the heat. You know how I feel about tropical places. At this point, I'd get a killer sunburn to get you alone."

"Yeah? Would you lay with me in the sand? Go swimming with me in the ocean?"

"I'd risk the sharks to see you happy."

And she was in that moment. Georgie's eyes were practically gleaming in her excitement.

"I hope Elec can get us in."

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for you." My fingers slid through the back of her pinned-up hair as I drew her mouth closer to mine. "If you want on that island, I'll find us a way, no matter the cost."

"I know you will. I love you." Georgie's hands settled on my cheeks, and our lips barely met before Mistress Twenty-eight's loud voice had us turning.

"And here I thought I got the most handsome slave there was at the auction. Georgie, you've been hiding him."

My wife glanced at Amanda but turned more in the direction of Doris. "Oh, he's not a regular slave. This one is special. Dangerous ."

"Is that right?"

"Damn right it is," Percy ground out. "I have no idea what she was thinking."

Doris looked intrigued as her gaze followed our crow. He lowered to the floor, next to my legs, but leaning in the direction of my wife. That we didn't have to instruct him was surprising, if not a slight relief. Then again, the way his eyes scanned the room in caution told me he knew the threat he was surrounded by.

"Tell me more," the Mistress continued. "I want to know all about this…dangerous slave."

"Maybe you'd like him to tell you himself. Give me a minute."

Even Amanda's gaze had lowered to Walter as Georgie shifted on my lap, closing the distance to the crow. Her hand slid under his chin, turning him to face her. At her eyes narrowing through the inspection of his cleanly-shaven face, I wasn't sure what to feel. He was indeed good-looking. Mistress Twenty-eight hadn't over-exaggerated. And his body was well-defined and powerful above the sweatpants. He was my wife's type. Had he not been a murderer, I would have encouraged her to play. But that was the issue at the moment. She may have viewed him as a job, but his threatening nature would appeal to her. It might even be the very temptation that had her breaking her own rules.

"Better."

"My Mistress approves? How about my Master?"

My lids narrowed the smallest amount as he looked over at me, but Georgie leaned in, lowering her voice to him before I could answer. What she spoke had me stiffening.

"What we think doesn't matter at the moment. There's only one person you need to impress, and Mistress Twenty-eight already stated her interest."

The crow's head cocked to the side the smallest amount, taking in the older Mistress who was leaning in to kiss a younger male slave. Even in her mid-fifties, Doris Pennington was beautiful with her mostly white hair and almond-shaped brown eyes. She had a twin, but Dayla didn't attend the Gardens. She wasn't as sadistic as Doris, not that the woman ever showed her darkness at our parties. But she was a killer. A very gruesome one, taking her pleasure in removing her slaves one body part at a time. The male who had his hand down her red dress, fondling her breast, didn't have a clue what awaited him.

"Why her?" The crow swallowed hard, moving in closer to Georgie. "Is there a motive, or am I just being pimped out?"

"You don't miss much."

Georgie gripped the side of the slave's neck, leading him up to kneel before us. I widened my knees, biting down through the conflicting emotions and suspicion as she led him higher. Her back came to rest against my chest, and despite my uncertainty, I could feel myself growing hard as his palms lowered to each of my thighs.

More, she drew him down, until he was nestled between her legs, and his lips were but an inch or two from hers.

"Mistress Twenty-eight is friends with my mother. Doris is on the board of a very important foundation that means a lot to me." Georgie tilted her head and licked her lips. The crow's fingers pressed harder into my thighs, and his eyes met mine for guidance. He wasn't sure what to do. He was in uncharted territory, and I didn't do anything to help ease the fear deep in his eyes. I suddenly had fears of my own, and I didn't like the sudden distrust I felt towards my wife.

"What would you like me to do?"

Georgie's lips brushed his, but the slave didn't kiss her back as his stare jumped to me. I knew my wife was playing a part, but I didn't like it as I listened. I didn't dislike it either, which caused me to shift underneath them.

"She should be pretty drunk by now, but she's too smart for me to give you instruction. She'll catch it a mile away. Tell her about yourself when she asks. Not too much, but enough to get her to do what she likes best…. talk. Doris will do all the work when she feels there's no ulterior motive. You're going to pay special attention to what she says. Especially if she mentions names."

"Which name do you want to hear? Gilbert Marks?"

Georgie's head shook back and forth.

"No. Best not mention him at all. Just pay attention. If you're too focused on names, she'll detect your interest the moment she says it. Just listen and remember. Make her feel wanted. Like you're attracted to her, whether you are or not. Like you really do care to listen." Georgie pulled, slow but steady, bringing him down to kiss her. Walter's eyes met mine, and he didn't react. I cursed internally.

"Kiss her back, slave, or she won't let you up until you do."

The smallest movement of his lips had me rolling my eyes.

"Is that how you'd kiss her if I wasn't here?"

"I'm not looking to die…Master."

I smiled, but it wasn't nice.

"Then you better give my wife the kiss she's worthy of. You cheapen her by playing it safe. Georgetta's worth dying for, whether it's time or not. If you're going to lose your life at any moment, you better make every second worth it."

The slave's eyes scanned mine for only a moment. His stare lowered to hers…searching…and she had him. He cupped her face, surging forward passionately as he captured her mouth. The pings of twisted nausea fed me. It was both a love and hate relationship with the way I felt, seeing my wife with other men. I loved it more than I hated it. What that said about me, I wasn't sure.

Georgie moaned, holding to the back of his neck. My gaze lifted, taking in the slight pout yet scowl from Amanda Marchase. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. She was at the Gardens, so I was sure I wasn't far off. But I didn't like it fixated on my wife. The way she had tunnel vision. She didn't even see me looking at her. All she saw was my crow and Georgie.

…had I missed something?

Was this new?

I wouldn't worry about that right now. I had so many questions concerning my wife. Amanda was the least of my problems. Doris…That wouldn't fucking do. Too much bullshit was beginning to come to a head, and I had to put a stop to it. Now. Georgie was done. Finished.

Our slave jerked back, and I put my focus on him, watching as he blinked down with wide eyes. He seemed confused, if not overly surprised.

"Just like that," Georgie said, lifting to go back to meet his lips. "Go to Mistress Twenty-eight. Give her your time. If and when she's ready for you, kiss her…just like that."