human testicles will remain operational for centuries to come.”
Valerie put her hands over her mouth to muffle her snickering.
“I’m so glad I’m female,” Linda choked out, then brightened. “There’s my Sam.”
“Off you go. Tell him hi for me.” Valerie made a shooing motion. “I’m going to check out the rest of the place and let Ghost know I’m here.”
So much to see.
Interested glances came her way, adding to her high spirits. Then again, how many of them were simply hoping her breasts would fall out?
“Nice boots, lieutenant,” one Dom murmured with a nod at her high black boots.
Pleased, she smiled at him. Maybe her legs had a bit more jiggle than in the past, but they were still shapely.
And Ghost claimed the jiggle made spankings even more fun for him. How could she argue about that? She’d happily let him spank her each and every day of the week.
“Valerie, just who I wanted to see.” Kari approached with Master Dan. The hard-faced cop hadn’t dressed in costume, but Kari wore a mini-skirted uniform much like Valerie’s. Only Kari’s clothing wasn’t made of vinyl. “Hey, love the uniform. Can you even breathe?”
“No. Needless to say, it was a present from the mean manager.” Valerie waved her hands in the air. “Would you believe it’s to remind me he’s the only one who gets to squeeze my—”
Dan grinned.
Spit, had she actually said that in front of a Dom?
“Squishing the girls is really mean.” Kari beamed at Master Dan. “I’m so glad you’re only a bit into the owie stuff.”
He wrapped an arm around her. “You’re a lucky subbie.” He turned to Valerie. “Think how good it will feel when he peels you out of it.”
Her face heated. Because he said if she had any dents from the uniform, he’d use clothespins on them. On her breasts.
She pulled in a breath. “Kari, did you need me for something?”
Kari nodded. “Did Natalia tell you about her gallery showing at—”
“Val, babe.” Barry grabbed her shoulder. “Jesus, you look fantastic.” His gaze ran up and down her body, lingering on her breasts.
Revolted, she yanked free and took a step back. “Did you need something?”
“You, babe. I need you.” He reached for her again.
She retreated another step.
“I miss you. A lot.”
There were no words.
“What?” The furious voice announced Kahlua’s arrival. “You’re asking the hag to return?”
“Shut up, slave,” Barry snapped, then his smile returned. The tender, gentle one she had fallen for, had loved. “Come back home, Val. To me. I need you.”
For perhaps the first time in her life, she studied him with impartial eyes. After being around the Masters, around Ghost, she could now perceive his handsome outer shell covered a weak inner character. He was far more interested in himself than in others.
He wanted her back…and as long as she provided what he wanted, he’d “love” her. If and when he found someone better, he’d lose interest. Even worse, once again, he’d chip away at her confidence to keep her off balance and from leaving.
The question wasn’t would she return; it was how had she been so blind for so long? A sense of loss mingled with her anger.
Because in the beginning, they’d been friends. Sometimes, people didn’t change for the better.
“You don’t need that old biddy.” Kahlua latched onto Barry’s arm. “You have me. She’s going to be toothless in a year or two.”
Old biddy. Toothless. A momentary doubt swept over Valerie, then she laughed. “Are you really so insecure you have to keep recycling those pathetic insults? How sad, Kahlua.”
The young woman stiffened in indignation.
“You don’t have to worry.” Valerie turned her attention to Barry. “We’re divorced. That’s final, and I want nothing to do with you.”
“But babe. You love me.”
“Hmm.” She tapped her chin. “No, actually, I’m in love with someone else.”
Kahlua sneered. “As if anyone would have you.”
Another second’s doubt. Was Kahlua right?
No. No she wasn’t.
“I would have her.” Ghost wrapped a thickly muscled arm around Valerie’s waist and drew her against his rock-hard body. “I do have her. And I know how to treat the woman I love.”
Kahlua’s mouth dropped open.
Barry’s face flushed with anger.
“Ghost, this is my ex-husband, Barry, and his live-in, Kahlua. Barry, this is the manager of the Shadowlands, Ghost, and our friends, Master Dan and Kari.”
Barry’s jaw thrust forward—and for a moment, she thought he’d lose his temper.
But he reined it in. “Yeah, right. Have a nice night then.” He shot her a glare, gripped Kahlua’s arm, and stalked toward the bar.
“That went well,” Kari