“I really hate weeding,” Brie confessed with a shrug.
Courtney sputtered, “I…uh…we…uh…”
“We heard you doing things to this girl,” Wendy insisted, looking accusingly at Master Anderson.
“Heard what, exactly?” he questioned, ignoring Wendy as he stared hard at his neighbor.
Master Anderson’s gaze unnerved Courtney and she answered sheepishly, “Nothing. Come on, Wendy.” The two slunk back down on their side of the fence and hurried into the house.
Once her sliding glass door slammed shut, Master Anderson threw back his head and gave a full-bellied laugh. When he was done he wiped away a pretend tear. “They make it too easy for me.”
“Your devilish humor is going to get you in trouble someday, Master Anderson,” Brie warned.
He pinched her cheeks, wiggling them gently from side to side. “You were brilliant, my little accomplice. That last little, ‘But it hurt…’ was the absolute kicker. How could they resist a peek, in the name of all that is holy?”
As she walked back into the house, she stated casually, “You know, Courtney was just trying to pair you off with her friend.”
Master Anderson smirked, looking back at his neighbor’s house. “Really?”
“I thought you’d enjoy knowing that little tidbit. To think that your evil ways have caused you to miss out on the future Mrs. Anderson. Such a shame.”
He ruffled her hair. “Totally worth it. The look on their faces when they peeked over to find you weeding—priceless!”
Mysterious Autumn
Lea honked her horn three times to let Brie know she’d arrived to pick her up. Brie was actually nervous about meeting Lea’s new friend. All the mystery surrounding the girl, along with her unwillingness to meet on that first night, made Brie uneasy. Despite Lea’s assurances that she would adore the girl, Brie still had serious doubts.
She apologized to Sir, who was on the phone, having taken a moment out of his busy schedule to check on her. “I’m sorry, Sir, but Lea’s here.”
“Not a problem, Brie. I’m glad you’re finally getting to spend time with her.”
Brie smiled into the phone. “But I hate to say goodbye to you.”
“We’ll see each other soon enough. Go enjoy your time with Lea.”
“I love you, Sir.”
“I love you too, babygirl.”
She pressed the end button and stuffed her phone in her purse, skipping out the door to meet her best friend.
“Lea!”
Lea jumped out of her car and ran to the passenger side to give Brie a hug. “I’m going to squeeze you as much as I can while you’re here. I’ve missed my Stinky Cheese.”
The two hugged several times before hopping into Lea’s beat-up excuse of a ride. The poor car was so full of dents it reminded Brie of a golf ball.
Once they were on the road, Brie asked her, “So, girl, where are we headed this fine Colorado evening?”
“We’re going to do something a little daring tonight.”
“Oh no. Now you have me worried.”
Lea laughed, patting her knee. “You’re going to love it. Trust me.”
After the Kinky Goat incident, Brie wasn’t taking any chances. “Out with it, Lea. Where are we headed?”
“To a skating rink, silly.”
“What, like roller-skating?”
“Oh heck, no, that’s for children. We’re going ice-skating.”
“But I can’t ice-skate.”
“Neither can I,” Lea stated enthusiastically.
“If neither of us can skate, why the heck are we going?”
“Don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud, Brie. This is Autumn’s favorite place.”
Brie looked out the car window and grumbled, “My ass is going to be bruised by the end of the night.”
“Then it’s no different from a night at The Haven, now, is it?”
Brie turned to her and giggled. “I suppose you’re right. So tell me, is this girl some kind of Olympic athlete or something? Is that the reason for all the secrecy?”
“Nah, Autumn is just like us.” Lea bumped shoulders with Brie and in the process almost ran her car off the road.
Brie clutched the door handle and squealed, “Sir will kill you if we die tonight.”
“How?” Lea joked. “Is he going to come up to Heaven and kill me just to prove a point?”
Brie burst out laughing. Dang, it was great being with Lea again. “I’ve missed you, woman! Sure wish you’d come back to LA.”
“I miss you too, but I like it here. Like, seriously.”
“Why? What does Denver have that LA doesn’t?”
“The snowcapped mountains and changing seasons. I can’t explain it, but I love it here. It’s like the best of all worlds.”
“Well, I know one thing this city doesn’t have.”
“What?”
“Me.”
“Aww…Brie.” Lea tried to give her a hug and almost ran them off the road again.
“Hands on the wheel, woman!”
Lea’s infectious laughter filled the tiny car. “I promise no more hugs until we’ve made it safely to the rink. I don’t need Sir going after my ghostly ass.”
Brie giggled. “God, you’re such a nut.”
“And that’s why you love me.”
“Yeah, and the only reason I put up with all your lame-ass jokes.”
“By the way, I’ve got another one for you.”
Brie covered her ears. “Nope.”
Lea pouted, her bottom lip quivering as she looked at Brie. Lea knew she couldn’t resist that look.
“Fine,” she sighed, “insult my sense of humor.”
“Goodie! You know you’re a kinky mom when…” Lea paused, waiting to make sure Brie was listening.
“When what?” Brie asked dryly.
“Your son’s Boy Scout troop thinks you’re the bomb because you helped them earn their merit badge for tying knots.”
Brie chuckled despite herself. “That’s barely funny.”
She pointed to Brie’s lips. “I heard you laugh. You know you love it.”
“Well, only slightly…I think.”
Lea grinned. “Oh, you’ll be remembering that little joke and thinking of me when you’re surrounded by your brood. Just you wait.”
The idea of holding a tiny Sir in her arms made Brie’s heart flutter. She couldn’t really imagine it, yet the thought of having his child enchanted her.
Lea glanced over at her. “Hey, what’s that adorable look on your face all about?”
Brie blushed. “It’s nothing. Just glad to be with you again, girlfriend.”
Once they’d pulled up to the ice-skating rink and parked, Lea got out her phone to text the girl they were meeting. Lea smiled when she read the response. “Autumn is already here and can’t wait to meet you.”
“Great,” Brie said, with more enthusiasm than she felt. Making a fool of herself on the ice was not her idea of fun, and she still had reservations about Lea’s new friend.
Lea grabbed Brie by the arm and squeezed her tight. “I can’t believe it. I have my bestest friend meeting my new best friend. I feel so lucky!”
Autumn was waiting for them in the main lobby, hiding in the shadows in the corner. Lea released Brie and went straight for her, pulling her away from the wall.
Brie noticed two things right away. First, the girl wore a scarf that covered most of her face. Second, she moved stiffly when Lea pulled her away from the wall. Neither was off-putting, just odd. Brie held out her hand and smiled at Autumn. “Hello. I’ve heard a lot about you from Lea. Well, that’s not true. I’ve heard very little about you, just that Lea thinks you’re the best thing to happen since sliced bread.”
The girl’s eyes twinkled as she took the hand Brie offered. “I’ve heard all about you, Brie. Lea can’t stop talking about her favorite Stinky Cheese.”
Brie gave Lea a sideways glance. “Stinky Cheese? Really, Lea? The two of us haven??
?t even met yet and she’s already calling me Stinky Cheese.”
Lea shrugged, grinning like the Cheshire Cat but Autumn took pity on Brie.
“You’re right, I haven’t introduced myself properly. It’s unfair that I know so much about you but you know nothing of me.” She moved away from the main entrance and into a darkened hallway. With a graceful movement, Autumn unwound the scarf around her head and revealed her face to Brie. She had a deep scar running from her ear to her lip, underneath her right cheekbone. Autumn smiled hesitantly at Brie.
“There’s no reason to cover your face. You’re beautiful,” Brie assured her.
“You’re very kind to say that.” She caressed the scar self-consciously. “I prefer to get to know people before I show my face. Normally I wouldn’t be so bold with someone I’ve just met but, based on everything Lea’s shared, I feel as if I know you already. Plus I have this good feeling about you—it’s as if we’ve been friends for a long time.”
Brie was honored Autumn felt that way. “I’m not sure if it’s because Lea loves you so much or you’re just naturally awesome, but I feel the same way.”
Autumn’s smile was genuine and warm. It made the scar on her face invisible to Brie.
Lea giggled, hugging both girls at the same time. “Now that you two have met, my life is complete.”
Brie rolled her eyes.
“Lea is a bit over-the-top, but I like that about her,” Autumn said, glancing at Lea with affection.
“I like that about Lea the Lame too,” Brie agreed, pinching Lea’s cheeks as if she were a child.
“So would you two like to skate now?” Autumn asked, gesturing to the rink on the other side of the large double doors.
Brie grimaced. “Sorry, but I don’t know how to skate.”
“I’d be happy to teach you both,” Autumn offered.
Lea and Brie looked at each other and shrugged, giggling as they made their way to the skate rental counter while Autumn headed into the rink. “Meet you on the ice,” she called to them.
“Sure thing,” Lea answered, waving to her. “Hey, Autumn, what did the doctor say to the girl who fell on her bum while ice-skating?”
“I don’t know,” Autumn shot back enthusiastically.
“Do you want some ice for that?”
Autumn’s twittering laughter echoed down the hallway.
“I seriously can’t believe she laughed at that,” Brie teased.
“I’ll have you know that Autumn laughs at all my jokes.”
“I’ll try not to hold that against her.”
Once they had their skates in hand, the girls walked through the double doors into the rink area. There Brie saw Autumn in all her glory. She’d shed her heavy clothes and wore only a simple top and white skirt. Brie watched in amazement as the girl floated on the ice, turning in graceful circles on two legs, one of which happened to be made of metal.
“She’s incredible,” Brie whispered to Lea.
“She really is,” Lea agreed, “in so many ways.” She hugged Brie again. “I just knew you two would hit it off!”
Autumn spent the evening patiently instructing them on the fundamentals of skating. She also had a few lame jokes of her own to add as they practiced skating around the rink.
“How do you know you aren’t making the Olympic skating team?”
Lea almost tripped when she looked up from her skates to ask, “I don’t know, Autumn—how do I know I’m not making the Olympic team?”
“Your coach keeps screaming, ‘Let go of the railing! Let go of the railing!’”
When Lea started laughing, she promptly fell on the ice.
Brie quickly grabbed onto the railing to prevent the same thing from happening to her. “Hey, is that supposed to be a commentary on our skating abilities?”
Autumn skated past them going backwards, holding up both thumbs. “You’re doing grrreat!”
Brie looked over and saw Lea struggling to get up off the ice. “Lea, I think your friend is toying with us.”
After several failed attempts to get back on her feet, Lea gave up and crawled to the wall. “I’m afraid you’re right, Brie. I think it’s time for some hot cocoa.”
“I’m right behind ya, sister.”
“But ladies, I have so much more to teach you,” Autumn called from the ice, doing a beautiful spiral before them.
“Another day, Autumn. I don’t want you to abuse Brie too much on her first day meeting you.”
“Wimps!”
“A wimp and proud of it,” Brie shot back, holding up both thumbs.
Once they’d settled in a booth with hot chocolate in hand, Brie decided to ask the obvious. “So, Autumn, do you mind me asking what happened?”
“No, not at all. I was in a car accident when I was a kid. After I lost my leg, my mom decided to sign me up for ice-skating to give me something to focus on and strive towards.” Autumn looked back longingly at the rink. “It’s only on the ice I’m as graceful and beautiful as I feel in my heart.”
Brie was touched by her words. “You’re a strong person.”
The girl picked up her Styrofoam cup and smiled at Brie. “I’m lucky to be alive, and I keep that to the forefront of my mind any day I start feeling sorry for myself.”
“Those are words we all should live by,” Brie replied, admiring her even more.
Lea gave Autumn a hug. “I told you she was something special.”
“You know what I like about you, Brie?” Autumn asked, still nestled against Lea’s big boobs.
Brie felt heat rise to her cheeks. “I can’t imagine.”
“You’re a famous director, and you didn’t bring it up all evening. You were just genuine and fun.”
“I’m not famous, Autumn. Lea’s been exaggerating.”
Autumn sat back up and smiled at her. “I know who you are, Brie Bennett. I’ve been following your story ever since the documentary came out. It’s the reason I was brave enough to approach Lea. She was such a goof on screen; I just had to meet her in real life.”
“Aww…” Lea pressed Autumn’s face back against her chest one more time. “I can’t believe I’m goofy enough for you, friend.”
“You’re even goofier than me, and I didn’t think that was possible.”
Brie enjoyed watching their friendly teasing. “So, Autumn, are you into the lifestyle yourself?”
“Oh no, I could never…”
“Too kinky for you?”
“No, it’s just that I don’t think I could handle being intimate with someone like that. I…I don’t have the confidence. Besides, I’m much happier on the ice.”
“Even though I’ve just met you, I can tell you’re a beautiful person—and it’s not just on the ice.”
Autumn blushed a deep shade of crimson, then made a classic Lea move. “Why shouldn’t you tell jokes while ice skating?”
Brie shook her head, knowing it was going to be bad. “No clue.”
“Because the ice might crack up.”
Lea and Brie started snickering, then broke out in giggles that wouldn’t stop.
Autumn shook her head in amusement. “It wasn’t that funny, but thanks.”
The girls had another round of hot cocoa before heading home. Before they parted, Brie asked Autumn, “Do you mind if I give you a hug?”
“With kindred spirits, hugs are always welcome.”
Brie wrapped her arms around the extraordinary woman. A sense of peace and wellbeing radiated from Autumn, surrounding Brie as she held her. “It was truly an honor to meet you tonight. Thanks for giving me a chance.”
“Hey, I appreciate you putting up with me and my odd ways,” Autumn said.
Brie turned to Lea. “And thank you for bringing us together, girlfriend.”
“Actually, Brie, it was you and your film.”
Brie paused to think about it. “I guess you’re right. Amazing to think that everything we do has a ripple effect we’re not aware of.” She smiled at Lea and Autumn. “If you
take it a step further, the three of us would never have met if Sir hadn’t left his business card at the tobacco shop.”
Brie smiled to herself. Thank you, Sir!
A Session with Clark
Brie was anxious about filming Ms. Clark again, and placed Tono’s white orchid in her hair with trembling hands. Help me to breathe, Tono, she silently prayed.
She hadn’t gotten a chance to talk privately with the Domme since Master Anderson’s prank. Despite Lea’s assurances, Brie was worried she might end up in the stockades during the session today. However, it was a risk worth taking since her producer, Mr. Holloway, had specifically requested she include a scene that featured the Dominatrix. The documentary was extremely important to Brie, and she was willing to do whatever was required to ensure Ms. Clark was part of it.
Brie took solace in the fact that the trainer herself had scheduled the session. Just like the first time, Ms. Clark surprised Brie with her willingness to help with the documentary, despite their many differences. She was unsure if it was because of the Domme’s close relationship with Sir, or if there were other things in play she was unaware of. Regardless, Brie was determined to capture the beauty and allure of a skilled Domme on film. She owed the public no less.
Unfortunately for Brie, she arrived ten minutes late to the session through no fault of her own. Brie prided herself on being on time and fully expected to be reprimanded by the Domme, but Ms. Clark was the epitome of calm. She looked up when Brie entered the room.
“Good afternoon, Miss Bennett.”
Her serene demeanor was startling, but it was not the only thing that struck Brie. The Domme had dressed in a sexy red corset and black hose, with dangerous-looking heels that ended in gold-tipped spikes. Her long blonde hair framed her flawless makeup, and her perfect lips sported the same vibrant red as the corset.
Ms. Clark was absolutely stunning, making it difficult for Brie to keep her eyes from straying back to the Domme as she set up her equipment.
“So, Miss Bennett, collared life treating you well?” Ms. Clark asked, a smile playing on her sensuous lips.
Brie stopped adjusting the camera to answer her. “Very well, Ms. Clark. I have grown tenfold under Sir’s guidance.”