"Chad's in the City you know," says Tom."Is he?" Charlotte's pale still, but she's smiling."He is. I ran into him one day down by the arena.""How is he?""He seemed to be doing well. He looked good." Tom sucks at his teeth. "I can see why you were attracted to him." He glances at Michael. "He's married again now, you know."Charlotte blinks. "Married?"Tom's lips quirk. "Not to a girl this time.""Ahh...." Charlotte's eyes widen and she's finally beginning to smile properly. "Well, I hope he's very happy."Tom sighs. "It's all right, Jenny... Sorry, Charlotte. I know what the problem was. I suppose sooner or later he'll tell his parents and they'll stop blaming you for what happened."The door opens, and Stanton pushes his head around, gesturing me out. I leave Charlotte with Michael and her old friend....... I hope....About time she had some....Outside the room, Stanton lowers his voice. "His story stacks up with what we know. We took his fingerprints fr

RICHARDI work my way along James' racks, trying one thing, then another.He doesn't stint on his budget....Spot a man whose enthusiastic about his hobby....It beats model railways...."What do you normally use on Charlotte?"James leans back against the rack, arms folding, his tone conversational. "I tend towards floggers, but don't let that limit you. If you prefer a crop or a paddle, or whatever, then use it. Just don't leave any stripes on her that will take more than a day or so to fade or you'll have Michael to answer to."Michael's fist.... punching through my office door...."And Michael will be comfortable with this?""He'll be fine." He pauses, rubs the side of his nose. "We used to visit the clubs regularly when we first knew her. I introduced Charlotte to ménage and BDSM, but she took to it like a duck to water. However, we had one occasion...." He sucks at his cheeks....Choosing his words?".... We had an occasion when it got out of hand. Michael r

RICHARDWe crunch through snap-topped snow, having to pick up our feet to get from the car to the door. A trail of footprints leads back and forth from the door to the garden and in a few places, what look like the exploded remains of snowballs lie star-fished on the surface.From somewhere comes drifting the scent of roasting meat, fruit and spices."Who's doing the cooking?" asks Elizabeth. "It smells amazing.""James, I believe." And I'm not disagreeing with her. It does smell amazing.Unloading the back of the car, I pile Elizabeth's arms with the wrapped cake, a box of candied fruit and the armagnac I know James is partial to. Then I take my own load; the gifts we bought for the three, including a bourbon which I think might appeal to Michael.Arms full, I struggle to ring the bell on the be-wreathed oak door, eventually shoving at the button with my elbow. From beyond, there is first silence, then a scuffling noise, followed by the click and creak of the door opening.

RICHARDBetween courses of the spectacular meal, nature calls. I rise from the table. "Ummm..."Michael points out of the room. "Down the hall and on the left. I'll show you. Heading that way myself."In the bathroom, "Michael, am I missing something? Elizabeth and I are here today at James' invitation, but Charlotte seemed uncomfortable at first. At least until he made it completely clear to her what his intentions were." The blond man shuffles on his feet."Is it me?" I say. "Have I done something to offend?""No," he says quickly, zipping up. "It's not you.""What then?"He rubs at his forehead. "The fact is.... that our relationship with Charlotte has had its ups and downs. And some of the downs were very down."The sound of laughter echoes down the hall. He glances toward the dining room. "Look," he says. "I'm happy to have this conversation with you sometime. But not today, eh?""I understand. But you're sure everything is alright with Charlotte?""The way

James steps forward from his post by the wall. "She doesn't have to choose." Pinning her gaze with his, he takes the other crop, swishing it to one side then the other, making a humming arc through the air before standing to one side, but still where she can see him, legs akimbo, tapping the crop across his own palm.She watches him, then me, as I unlink my cuffs....You had that one right, James........ unbutton my shirt, take it off and remove my shoes. Stripped to the waist and barefoot, I take my chosen crop again and now caress her with it.It's the lightest of touches; a butterfly kiss to the skin. And she shivers under the touch, her gaze travels my body....Checking me out?And in turn, as I play her, I take the time to look at and appreciate the body of the delicious Charlotte. Although I have seen her naked before, the first time was in that appalling video of her auction: in the most unarousing situation imaginable, with this delightful girl close to tears as sh