Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
The next day, Anne let herself into Z and Jessica’s private gardens and ran up the steps to the third story. She tapped on the door.
Jessica called, “It’s open. Come in.”
The door was unlocked?
It was. Frowning, Anne walked through the kitchen, dropped her folder on the dining room table, and entered the living room.
Z had redecorated a while back. The décor was still traditional—of course—with high ceilings, arched windows, and a bronze and etched glass chandelier.
The cappuccino-colored walls, lightened with white crown molding and trim, created an inviting, intimate look.
The carpeting had been replaced by a richly shaded Oriental rug over a gleaming hardwood floor.
Jessica was nursing Sophia on the suede-cushioned, dark leather couch. Gabi sat in a matching chair nearby.
“Jessica…” Anne stared down at the petite blonde. “You may live in the country, but you really should keep your doors locked.”
Gabi snorted. “Same lecture I gave her. But we knew it was you. We saw you when you opened the garden gate, and Jessica unlocked the door remotely.” She pointed to a small monitor standing on the end table.
Anne eyed it. “Is this new?”
“A friend of Z’s from San Francisco stopped by.” Jessica grimaced at the device. “Simon not only gave Z hell for the lack of security up here in the living quarters, but he also summoned one of his employees to install it. He called it a baby present.”
“Phooey.” Anne sank into a chair. “You just took all the fun out of my scold.”
“Aww. Poor Mistress,” Gabi said.
“You’re lucky I only beat on males—with occasional exceptions,” Anne said mildly. When the subbie didn’t look worried, Anne shook her head. There was a downside to being friends with submissives.
Given the choice, she’d take friends any day.
When Jessica continued to scowl at the monitor, Anne asked, “Aren’t you happy about the security?”
“Oh, I’m glad it’s safer for Sophia, but all the alarms and buttons make me nervous.
I have to remember to turn the alarm off before I open a door and reset it when I leave, and blah, blah, blah.
” Jessica rolled her eyes. “Z wanted to install one when I first moved in until I said I’d move back out if he did. But with Sophia here, he insisted.”
“Of course he did.” No one was more protective than Z. “I should put one into my place, actually. Being on a cul-de-sac with only family around gives an illusion of safety that isn’t really valid.”
“We have a system. I’m all in favor of extra security,” Gabi said.
“You would be, oh, FBI person,” Jessica said, then smiled down at her baby, who’d fallen asleep. “And for you, babykins, I’ll put up with it.” After arranging her clothing, she burped Sophia and rose, heading toward the nursery.
“Uh-uh,” Anne held her arms out. “I brought over those background checks that Z wanted. The price is a baby snuggle.”
With a laugh, Jessica handed her daughter over.
Anne gathered the baby close. So adorable. Below her rosebud mouth, a little milk bubble decorated her chin.
Jessica walked into the kitchen, calling back, “You know, since the background checks were Z’s request, the payment should come from him.”
“You’re such an accountant. The last time I looked, this child was half your Master’s, so I’ll just hold Z’s half. Would that be the left side?” Anne nuzzled Sophia’s left cheek, inhaling the sweet infant scent.
“You should be a lawyer.” Jessica returned with a sparkling water, which she set at Anne’s elbow before dropping onto the couch.
“You’re looking good, Mommy,” Gabi said. “Not nearly as tired as a few weeks ago.”
“That diapered mini-Domme there is sleeping longer at a time. Finally.” Jessica frowned. “I’m back to normal, but Z can’t seem to see that.”
“What’s he not letting you do?” Gabi asked.
“Letting isn’t the issue. It’s what he’s not…um, doing.” Jessica flushed.
Gabi looked confused, but Jessica’s reddened cheeks told Anne what Z wasn’t…doing. “Isn’t it a little early to start having sex?”
“Ooooh, sex,” Gabi said, enlightened.
“Well, the midwife said the date when we could resume ‘marital relations’ is variable. Basically, I have to wait at least four weeks, and until I feel ready and until the spotting stops. That’s all good.
But the OB doctor”—Jessica rolled her eyes—“said six weeks period, and it’s only a little over five.
Of course, Z’s listening to the dude with the big credentials. ”
“Hey, he’d go the conservative route. He’s crazy protective about you, even if it means he goes without,” Gabi said. “I’m impressed. Who ever heard of a guy turning down sex, especially since it’s probably been a while?”
“More than a while.” Jessica crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. “I miss sex. I miss being held. And I miss the Dominant/submissive stuff too. He’s depriving me of everything.”
Z was very protective of his submissive, and a few more days of abstinence shouldn’t matter that much. “It’s just another week,” Anne said gently. “Then you can have it all back.”
“I guess. Maybe.” Jessica shook her head. “But I’m getting so mad at him that by the time the week is over, I might tell him to go fuck himself.”
Rocking Sophia, Anne regarded her friend more closely. Not at ease. Muscles tight, mouth compressed, lips trembling at the same time her fists were clenched. Someone’s emotions were all over the map.
“Ouch. Hormonal much, girlfriend?” Gabi switched seats to sit beside Jessica and wrap an arm around her shoulders.
Jessica’s eyes filled. “I really am. But I need him. And the intimacy. It’s more than sex between us and…I need it.”
“But he’s worried he might hurt you.” Anne pursed her lips, considering. She thought of her feelings when she and Ben made love—because love was what it felt like these days. If he ever refused her, whether for her own good or not, she’d feel horribly rejected.
To have two differing medical opinions was maddening; however, the midwife’s criteria seemed more sensible than some arbitrary number set in stone.
Maybe she could tell Z that Jessica was especially vulnerable right now? “Let me talk with him and—”
“No!” Jessica shook her head vehemently. “If he fucks me because you tell him to, then that’s like…like making love to me is a medicine he has to take. A chore.”
Anne huffed a laugh. “Somehow, I doubt he’d see it that way.”
“But I would.” Jessica’s shoulders slumped. “He must just not want me enough. I won’t have you telling him he has to make love to me.”
Oh, this was not good at all. Friends could never convince a woman that her husband still found her appealing.
“Anne, you’re the pro at getting guys to do what you want them to do. Maybe if you give Jessica some advice?” Gabi asked, her arm around Jessica. “Seduction 101?”
Manipulating Z. For his own good. Considering how often he butted into all the members’ affairs—for their own good—the idea was fairly irresistible. Her lips curved up. “He’ll be home for supper soon?”
Jessica nodded.
“And Sophia will sleep for a couple of hours? Or at least, not need any food for a while?”
Another nod. Jessica’s eyes brightened.
“Since I don’t start work until later this evening, I can babysit the imp.” As if that were a hardship. “We’ll rock and read in one of the second-floor rooms.”
“You’ll get bored,” Jessica protested.
“I always have a book in my bag. Just give me the diaper bag, and you’ll have two baby-free hours.”
“That’d be great,” Jessica said. Then her face clouded. “But he still won’t—”
“Now this is what I think you should do… Consider it a win-win, since even if he doesn’t cooperate, you’ll get off.”
“Jessica?” Zachary called quietly, not wanting to wake the baby—or his wife—if they were sleeping.
He tossed his cell phone on a folder on the dining room table and went in search.
The living room was empty.
Zachary pushed open the door to the master bedroom and heard soft music. The curtains were drawn, and the only light came from the scented candles around the room.
Jessica stood at the foot of the bed, wearing a black waist cincher with garters, dark fishnet stockings, heels…and nothing else.
All the blood in his body surged into his cock.
Her shining blonde hair, even longer than when he’d first met her, tumbled over her bare shoulders and down her back, begging for a man’s hand. His hand.
She glanced over her shoulder at him. “Oh. Hey.”
Her waist flared into her beautifully full hips, setting her round, white ass on display. His fingers curved, already feeling the smooth skin against his palm. He had to clear his throat before he could speak. “There’s a week yet to go.”
She sniffed. “That’s according to the male doctor who doesn’t have any children. Because he doesn’t have any girl parts. My midwife, who I talked to today, has cleared me for sex since I’m no longer spotting.”
“Indeed.” Anticipation revved Zachary’s pulse even as he kept his tone even. He had in his possession two differing medical opinions. Both sources—MD and midwife—were respected authorities. Much as he wanted his wife, he wouldn’t risk hurting her.
She’d been hurt enough. His memories of her labor were far too clear, and no matter how unreasonable, he felt as guilty as if he’d caused the appalling pain.
Odd how he could watch a sadist work over a masochist without a worry, but to see his wife—his submissive—hurting so badly that she’d screamed had shaken him to the bone. He shook his head at the memory.
“I see,” she snapped. “Well, no problem, Master. Since you won’t let me play with your cock, I found one of my own.”
From the bed, she picked up a…dildo. And a vibrator.
“Jessica.” His voice came out a growl.
“Don’t worry; I checked,” she said. “When I called Fay, she said I could keep myself as happy as I wanted.” Holding his gaze, she flipped the vibrator on, held it against her clit, and…moaned.
At his sudden rise of lust, the entire bedroom blurred out of existence for a second.
Damned if he—