* * *

  After finishing with the horses, Brad lifted a suitcase from Megan’s Jeep and lugged it up to her loft. Walking in and seeing several boxes still waiting to be unpacked, he placed it on the bed, then glanced around. She’d already given the place some feminine touches. It made him smile. Walking back down, he found her tossing the rubber bone for Catch.

  “How does he do that?” she asked as the dog made an astounding leap and snatched it out of the air.

  “You’ll have to ask him. I put the bag on your bed.”

  “Perfect, thank you.”

  “Let yourself in through the back door when you’re ready,” he said, kissing her softly. “I’ll see you shortly.”

  “I won’t be long.”

  Striding from the barn with Catch racing ahead of him, Brad glanced back over his shoulder. Megan was moving into Bonny’s stall. He was relieved, though surprised, that Megan had taken the news of Bonny’s potential departure so well.

  “Better not look a gift horse in the mouth, eh, Catch,” he declared, marching up to the kitchen door and letting him in.

  Calling his favorite pizza parlor and placing the order, he headed into his bedroom to shower and change. Walking into the bathroom and turning on the faucets, he peeled off his clothes, giving the water time to run hot.

  A devilish grin crossed his lips.

  With Megan being in such surprisingly good spirits, he could introduce her to a few of his favorite toys. Stepping into the stall to wash his hair and soap his body, he pondered the many decadent choices.

  “Ah, I know what I’ll do,” he muttered, stepping out and drying off. “I’ll let her decide.”

  Wrapping the towel around his waist, he moved into his closet, pulled a large black leather bag from a high shelf, and carried it to the bed. Selecting several wicked implements, he left the bag near the door under his hanging trousers.

  Catch suddenly barked and ran from the room. Quickly dressing, Brad followed and found Megan waiting in the kitchen.

  “Damn, girl, you look like a cowgirl supermodel.”

  “I do?”

  “Yeah, you do,” he said with a grin, his hands on his hips as he took in the sight.

  With her white boots, a pleated pink and white checkered skirt, a white T-shirt with the words Pink Be Pretty in sparkling pink rhinestones across her ample chest, he wanted to devour her on the spot. Abruptly marching across the kitchen, he grabbed her around the waist and jerked her into his body.

  “Screw the pizza. I’m havin’ you for dinner. What’s that I smell?” he asked, picking up the fragrance of peppermint. “Now I’m thinkin’ dessert.”

  “My lipstick,” she murmured, moving her arms around his neck and pressing her breasts against him. “Minty Moments.”

  “I hope you brought more with you, cos it’s comin’ off right now.”

  Pressing his lips against hers, he clutched her bottom, squeezing her cheeks as their kiss ignited his passion, then lifting her skirt and finding no panties, he slid his fingers into her sex and darted his tongue between her teeth. Her pussy was as wet as her mouth. He was about to thrust his finger inside her when the doorbell chimed. Barking loudly, Catch ran from the kitchen.

  “The dang pizza boy,” Brad mumbled, pulling back. “He sure has lousy timin’.”

  “Or maybe it’s good. We do have to eat.”

  “Megan, I’m gonna answer the door,” he said, dropping his voice, “but I want you to go down the hall and through the double doors at the end. That’s my bedroom. There are some surprises waitin’ on the bed.”

  “What kind of surprises?”

  “You’ll find out, but you only get to pick one, then bring it back to me. Understand?”

  “Sure. How much fun is this?” she said with a giggle as she hurried away.

  “Fun? That hasn’t even started yet,” he muttered, then headed off to answer the door.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The items Megan had found beneath the pillow in Brad’s cottage had stirred her imagination, but the riding crop, rope, and vibrator were innocent compared to the salacious implements laid out before her. Goosebumps popping and butterflies fluttering, her eyes moved from the leather fur-lined cuffs, to the large, round wooden paddle, then the short thin stick she instinctively knew carried a vicious sting. Gazing at the two sets of nipple clamps appearing so innocent elicited a wince, and the dildo with the small bottle of lube next to it sent her tummy tumbling. She could well imagine the plans he had with those two items. The blindfold, though, made her smile. She’d always wanted to be blindfolded while her lover devoured her body.

  Then there were the floggers.

  One pink, with thin strips of leather.

  The other black, with wide, heavy-looking tongues.

  Though her T-shirt boasted Pink Be Pretty, the heavy black one called to her. Pulse racing and breath quickening, she picked it up, gripped the smooth, round leather handle, and ran her fingers through the tendrils.

  I was at a BDSM club. I saw him there. Flogging a girl. She was in the stocks.

  Teddy’s stammered remark had captivated her at the time he’d made it, and the devilish device in her hand had her spellbound.

  But did she dare take it back to Brad?

  There was an easy way out.

  The blindfold.

  “Is that why it’s there,” she murmured, “so I’d have a choice that’s tame?”

  * * *

  Waiting for Megan to return and trying to guess which wicked toy she might choose, Brad opened a bottle of red wine and poured two glasses, then fetched a container of chili peppers and parmesan cheese from the pantry. Putting them in the center of the table, he glanced at his watch. Megan was taking an inordinate amount of time. Picking up a wineglass and taking a drink, he thought about removing four slices of pizza from the box and placing them on two plates, but he didn’t want them to get cold.

  “Dammit, Megan, are you freakin’ out, or just havin’ a hard time makin’ up your mind?”

  Resisting the temptation to march down the hall and check on her, he moved to the kitchen window and gazed out at the empty paddocks. On Wednesday afternoon there’d probably be one less horse, and his mind wandered to the conversation he’d had with Megan about Debbie Chandler picking up Bonny. He’d been sure Megan would be absolutely devastated by the news, and he’d tried to think of a way to soften the blow, but her mild reaction had astounded him. It still did.

  I have to have her, and I’ll do anything. Do you hear me? I’ll do anything.

  As her desperate declaration echoed through his head, a worried chill pricked his skin.

  “I, uh, I’m back.”

  Taking a breath and turning around, he pushed the thought of Bonny’s pending departure from his mind, and focused back on the tantalizing question. Which wicked item had she chosen?

  He found her holding the black flogger.

  As she walked slowly over to him, he couldn’t suppress his smile. Her nervous eyes sparkling, she handed it to him.

  “Brave choice.”

  “Brave?” she whispered.

  He winked, then handed it back to her. “Take a seat and place it in the middle of the table. I’ll fetch our pizza.”

  * * *

  As delicious as it smelled, and as ravenous as she was, Megan found it difficult to enjoy the pepperoni pizza and wine. The menacing black flogger consumed her attention.

  “Doug thinks that jittery black colt is destined for great things,” Brad remarked, biting into his second slice. “His times are off the charts. Aren’t you hungry, Megan?”

  “I am, but, uh, what does it feel like?”

  “What does what feel like?”

  “You know,” she mumbled, her brow creasing. “That!”

  She’d jerked her head toward the forbidding-looking implement.

  “I’ll let you tell me,” he said, lowering his voice, “but since you brought up the subject, why did you select it?”

  Picking up her wineglass, she took a long drink staring at the devilish black implement, then cast her eyes back at him.

  “I’m not sure. I think it’s because of what Teddy said. You know, that he saw you flogging someone at that club. It made me wonder.”

  “But there was a pink one on the bed too.”

  “I know, but this black one looked so... dramatic. You must have some idea how it feels.”

  “The pink one stings more, but the effect doesn’t last as long. The black one is heavier, and its bite is hot.”

  “I don’t know why I asked,” she mumbled. “I’ll only know when, uh, you use it. Brad, can you put it someplace else? I know it’s there to build my anticipation, but believe me, you’ve succeeded.”

  “Sure,” he said with a grin, lifting it off the table and carrying it to the couch in the living room. “Is that better?” he asked, stopping behind her on his way back to his chair to nuzzle her neck.

  “Much. Thank you.”

  “I didn’t mean to torture you.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  “Maybe a bit,” he said with a chuckle as he sat back down. “Tell me, what do you plan to do with Bonny tomorrow?”

  “Just enjoy her. I might saddle her and—”

  “No,” he said firmly, picking up his half-eaten slice of pizza.

  “Excuse me?”

  “The first time you sit on any horse, I have to be here.”

  “Can’t I just text you?” she asked, delighted her ploy had worked and she’d been able to divert the conversation. “You can watch through the security cameras.”

  “So I can see you get bucked off and not be here to help?”

  “What makes you think I’ll get bucked off?”

  “I don’t, but when you get on a new horse for the first time there’s no tellin’ what might happen. It’s not smart, Megan. When I get back, if you want to, I’ll sit in the bleachers and you can climb on then.”

  “Okay, but she’s not new to me. I have ridden her a couple times back in Los Angeles,” she muttered, having a tough time suppressing her smile.

  “Even so, she still belongs to Jennifer. I can’t allow it if I’m not here, and I’ll be keepin’ my eye on you.”

  “I won’t get on her, Mr. Bossman! Jeez. Keep your cowboy hat on.”

  “Eat your pizza,” he said, getting up and collecting another slice for himself. “Do you want more?”

  “It’s delicious, but I think this second one will be enough.”

  Her reply wasn’t exactly true. She was hungry enough for a third piece, but she was too nervous for more. She may have successfully shifted the conversation, but sitting quietly as she finished her second scrumptious slice, her mind raced.

  The black flogger waited, as did the other wicked items on his bed, then she flashed back to her plans for the following day with Bonny. Brad would be watching, and he was an experienced trainer. Would he pick up on what she was doing? As she finished the slice, and drank her wine, he grinned across at her.

  “What? You look like the Cheshire Cat.”

  He looked as if he was about to speak, but was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. As he pulled it from his pocket, she saw a slight frown cross his forehead.

  “It’s Carrie Phillips,” he remarked. “I hope her horses are okay. Hi, Carrie.”

  “Hi, Brad. I wondered if you could give me Megan’s number. I’d like to speak with her if possible.”

  “Actually, she’s right here, hold on. Carrie wants you,” he said softly, handing her the phone. “I’ll clean up while you talk.”

  “Hello, Carrie. How are you? How’s Karen?”

  “We’re both very well. Brad said you’re working for him now.”

  “I am. I just started.”

  “I hope you don’t mind me asking this, but we have a new horse here and we’re having a terrible time. She hates her ears being touched. We have to leave her halter on because once it’s off, we have a devil of a time getting it back on, and bridling her, forget it.”

  “Oh, no. That’s too bad. Has the vet checked her out?”

  “He did, and he had to tranquilize her to do it. There’s nothing physically wrong with her. I remember how you used to help people with all kinds of problems, and I just wondered if you’d mind taking a look at her. Maybe you can figure this out.”

  “I’d be happy to, but I can’t promise anything.”

  “Of course you can’t, but I’d be very grateful.”

  “Tomorrow I’ll be tied up all day, but I can pop out there on Thursday if you want, assuming Brad can spare me,” she replied, glancing up at him. “Let me check.”

  “I’m goin’ out there on Thursday mornin’ to do that horse I had to reschedule,” he said, picking up her plate. “You can come along.”

  “Perfect,” Megan said with a smile, then in a whisper, quickly added, “not that you had to reschedule. I mean, that—you know what I mean.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Carrie, apparently Brad’s coming out to see you on Thursday morning, so I can come with him and check out your mare while he’s working.”

  “That’s wonderful. Karen will be so pleased.”

  “Give her my best. See you then.”

  “I will, and thanks so much, Megan. Bye.”

  “Bye, Carrie.”

  Placing the phone on the table, she picked up her wine and finished the last swallow.

  “What’s the problem?” Brad asked, picking it up and putting it back in his pocket.

  “She has a new horse that freaks out when her ears are touched. They have to leave her halter on, and they can’t bridle her at all.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “If I help her, do I have to charge her? I’m working for you now.”

  “No, not in this situation.”

  “If it’s because her ears were twisted by stupid people thinking that’s a way to control a horse, I can fix her.”

  “I’d like to see that.”

  “Hopefully it will be that simple.”

  “Time to turn this off,” he declared, focusing on his phone.

  “Off?” she asked nervously.

  “Yep, off,” he repeated, dropping it back on the table, then grabbing her hand, he pulled her to her feet. “You have a date with my flogger. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.”

  As a thousand butterflies fluttered their merry dance and she followed him into the living room, all thoughts about the following day evaporated. Approaching the couch, she was sure he was going to order her to bend over the back of it, but he suddenly wrapped her in his powerful arms and hugged her tightly.

  “Megan, I haven’t know you very long, but I’ve got a pretty good idea you’ve got a scheme runnin’ around that beautiful head of yours,” he murmured, his lips pressed against her ear, “but I’m not gonna ask about it. If you were gonna tell me you would’ve by now, and you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do, but I’m gonna insist on one thing. Don’t put yourself at risk.”

  “But, uh—”

  Clutching her hair, he jerked back her head.

  “Megan,” he said, his voice a deep rasp, “don’t take me for an idiot. Promise me whatever you’ve got cookin’, you won’t put yourself or anyone else in danger. If you don’t promise me that, you won’t be stickin’ around here tomorrow.”

  Though her face flamed with red heat, and she realized she hadn’t fooled him for a moment, she slowly nodded her head. “I promise, Brad.”

  His lips abruptly fell on hers in a demanding, devouring kiss, his hungry mouth sucking on her lips, his tongue pushing through her teeth, then pulling back and leaving her breathless, he locked her eyes. “First you’re goin over my knee and I’m gonna spank you for turnin’ off your phone, then...”

  “Then...?”

  “What do ya think, little lady?”

  Chapter Eighteen

  He’d be flogging her bent over the back of the couch. He could just as easily have spanked her there too, but having her over his lap, watching her wriggle, and feeling her awkward embarrassment offered great pleasure.

  “You don’t have to spank me for not turning on my phone,” she whined as she squirmed into position. “I totally get it.”

  “You also totally get I don’t let things slide. If I didn’t punish you, the slippery slope would begin.”

  She’d stopped twisting through the brief exchange, and letting out a sigh, she fell quiet and still.

  “Comfy now?” he asked, moving his hand over her skirt-covered backside.

  “Comfy? Hardly. I don’t think there is such a thing as being comfy over your knee.”

  “Sassy to the end,” he muttered, shaking his head. “I have a feeling you’ll be in this position frequently.”

  “That wasn’t being sassy,” she retorted. “You asked me a question and I gave you an honest answer.”

  “Sassy isn’t what you say, it’s how you say it, and that, little lady, was definitely sassy, along with your last comment.”

  “I plead the fifth,” she mumbled under her breath.

  “I heard that! Honestly, Megan, you are unbelievable. Just how hard do you want me to whip your ass?”

  She didn’t respond, but let out another long sigh. Waiting to see if she had anything else to say, when nothing was forthcoming he lifted her skirt and folded it over her waist. Gazing at her voluptuous behind poised for punishment sent energy surging through his cock, and it wasn’t just the erotic sight. He’d found the short, testy exchange tantalizing. She always had a smartass retort.

  “Before I begin,” he declared, smoothing his hand over her naked cheeks, “was there anything else on the bed that caught your eye? Did you have a tough time decidin’ on the flogger?”

  “Everything caught my eye, and there were a couple of things I’d gladly throw in the fire,” she declared. “That little stick looked fearsome, and so did the paddle, but I almost picked up the blindfold.”

  “Does the thought of bein’ blindfolded scare you or turn you on?”

  “I’ve always wanted to be blindfolded,” she admitted, turning her head and staring at him over her shoulder. “It’s one of my fantasies.”