Spring Training (21 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Todd whistled as he exited the locker room, headed toward the team offices. He’d arrived early so he could change in a bathroom stall without anyone being the wiser. The stripes on his back and ass were no one’s business but his own. He could hardly feel them this morning, but he wouldn’t ever forget them. Even when they completely faded, he’d still wear them in his heart—a reminder of one of the best days of his life. Brooke was his. They were going to pick out an engagement ring after today’s game. He just had one more thing to take care of.

After knocking on the manager’s door, he let himself in. Doyle Walker sat behind his desk, the team’s general manager, Ace Connelly, sat in one of the two chairs facing the desk. They both rose as Todd entered.

“Hey,” he said, waving them back to their seats. “I’m not late, am I?”

“No.” Ace said. “I’m early.” The man fixed him with a stern gaze. “So what’s your answer? You accepting the Waves deal or not?”

Connelly never was one to beat around the proverbial bush. Todd liked that about the man. Crossing the room, Todd sat in the only remaining seat. “I’m not. But I’ll go to them with an offer of my own unless you replace my name in the negotiations with Matthews.”

Both men sat forward as if they’d misheard. Connelly was the first to recover. “What’s this about, Stevens?”

“He’s a decent infielder. With some training, he’ll make the Waves a good third baseman.”

“Did he put you up to this? Why would you go to bat for him?”

Todd shook his head. “He doesn’t know anything about this, and, for the record, I’m not doing him any favors. I want him gone. He’s bad news. His ambition is getting in the way of his good sense. It’s only a matter of time before he brings an entire team down with him. I don’t want that team to be the Mustangs.”

The general manager stood, pacing around the small room until he reached a point opposite Todd. “We can’t trade a player just because you don’t like him, Stevens. He’s got talent. He’s a good back-up player to have on the bench in case someone gets injured.”

“I know all that, but ask for someone else in return. The Waves have Gonzales. He’s younger than Matthews, but he’s good. Why they don’t see him on third base, I don’t know.”

“They want experience there for a season or two until Gonzales is ready to take over. That’s why they want you.”

“Give them Matthews. Convince them he’s the player they need, or, I swear to God, I’ll call them myself and make a deal. It’s him or me. You decide.”

He was taking a huge risk, issuing an ultimatum to the very men who held his career in their hands, but he’d weighed his options. If they chose Matthews, he had no intention of going to the Waves. He’d retire before he’d do that, but they didn’t know that. He’d chosen to wear his uniform to the meeting as a subtle reminder of whom they were talking to. A polo shirt and chinos didn’t scream four-time All Star and six-time Golden Glove winner the way a uniform did. Advantage - Todd.

Through the entire conversation, the team’s manager was silent, watching the two men spar. It was up to him to put the best team possible on the field, day in and day out. Connelly would have to consider his opinion.

Todd focused on him. “Doyle?”

“I don’t know what’s going on here, but in all the time I’ve known you, I’ve never had any reason to doubt your loyalty to the Mustangs. If you have information management needs to know, you should tell us. I don’t appreciate being blackmailed into trading a player.”

“I don’t appreciate being used as bait to bring another team to the negotiating table. You’re right about one thing. I’ve always had the team’s best interest at heart. I still do. If I had anything specific to report, I would. All I have is my personal interaction with Matthews and a gut feeling. Trust me, he’s bad news.”

Connelly, who’d leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, straightened. “We’ve got to talk this over. You’ve got a game to play. We’ll let you know after the game.”

He hadn’t expected them to agree right away, but they would. Chip was as good as gone. Todd smiled all the way out to the field, where several of his teammates were getting ready for batting practice. Spying Jason Holder, he headed toward him.

“Hey,” Jason said, glancing his way then continuing with his stretching exercises.

“How’s it going?”

“Not bad. I’m looking forward to the season starting, but I wish we didn’t have to begin on the road.”

“I hear ya. Wanna bet on how many rain delays and how long they’ll be?”

“In Seattle?” Jason sounded indignant. “Not on your life.”

“Didn’t think so. I might have some good news that will make you forget all about rain delays and road trips.”

“You don’t say? Spill, Stevens. I could use some cheering up.” His wide smile belied his words.

“Our mutual un-friend might be going to San Diego soon.”

“That is good news.”

Todd shrugged then lifted his right arm over his head for a stretch. “Depends on a lot of things, including how well Connelly can sell the bastard to the competition. I’m betting he’s going to give it all he’s got though.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I told him he could have our mutual un-friend or me, but not both.”

“Shit.” Jason stopped in mid-stretch to look at Todd. “Seriously? Man, that took balls.”

“Not especially. I had nothing to lose. If they choose the other guy, I’ll retire. I can afford to buy out the rest of my contract.”

After staring at Todd for a few seconds more, Jason resumed stretching. Todd waited until the man was bent double in a toe-touch to drop his other bombshell.

“I collared Brooke last night. Asked her to marry me, too.”

Jason jerked upright. “Holy shit, Todd. Why didn’t you lead with that?”

Todd smiled. “Thought I’d save the best news for last. She said yes.”

“Congratulations, man. That’s the best news I’ve heard since Carrie said yes to me. She’s going to be crazy happy about this, you know? She’ll probably want to throw a party for you two or something.”

“That’s good. I’m sure Brooke would be okay with that. We’re picking out a ring after the game.”

“So you decided to let her choose her own? Smart man. It can’t be the wrong one if she picks it out herself.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured. I chose the collar though. You should have seen her eyes when I showed it to her. I did good, I think. She cried.”

“Happy tears?”

“Yeah, real happy ones.” He’d never forget the look on her face when she saw the collar or the wonder in her eyes when she first touched it after he’d fastened it on her neck. Or the way she’d looked wearing it when he claimed her body a few minutes later. Just thinking about her had him getting hard. He had a game to play, so he switched off the carnal thoughts. “Expect something to happen in regards to the other matter after today’s game.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

“There.” Todd put the lid back on the last of the lip balm containers. “This is going to be fun.”

“You aren’t really going to tell them the drinks are on Brooke, are you?” Brooke asked.

Her Master gave her a leering smile as he wiped his hands on a towel. “Of course, I am. What fun would it be to cover you in alcohol-laced goo if I couldn’t make jokes about it?”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” She gazed at herself in the bathroom mirror. Arms held aloft to keep from smearing the flavors that covered her from forehead to toes, she felt like an idiot wearing the party store bridal veil over a high ponytail.

“I hate getting this stuff all over my collar.” Todd had done a good job of working around the simple metal band. She wished he hadn’t insisted she remove her engagement ring, but it wasn’t safe to wear for this portion of the party.

“It’ll come off when you shower afterward.”

Todd had been thorough in preparing her body for the first event of the evening, coating every nook and cranny, as they say, nearly driving her to orgasm in the process. The anticipation of her three favorite people in the world, well, two favorites and one to whom she owed an apology, licking her clean was ramping up her arousal.

“You’re being a good sport, slave. I can hardly wait to taste you right here.” He poked a finger at a ticklish spot on her ribcage making her jump. “You’re going to squirm like a stuck pig.”

“That’s cruel, Master.” But, God, she could hardly wait.

He tossed the towel on the counter and motioned her toward the door. “Get a move on. They’ll be here in a few minutes. I need to get you strung up.”

The doorbell sounded just as he finished securing the chain apparatus holding her hands high above her head so only her toes touched the floor. “They’re here.” He stood back to admire his work. “Stunning, babe. I get first taste though.”

Closing the distance between them, he pressed his lips to hers. His tongue made short work of the balm on her lips, dipping inside to share the flavor with her. She groaned, trying to take the kiss deeper.

“God, you taste good.” He pulled a small tin from his pocket. After replacing what he’d licked off, he returned it to his pocket. “I’ll be back in a minute. Don’t go anywhere.”

She stuck her tongue out at him as he winked then left her hanging from the playroom ceiling.
He’s having way too much fun at my expense.
She closed her eyes, taking the few moments alone to mentally prepare herself for the evening ahead.

Tonight was all about thanking the two people who had made tomorrow’s wedding possible—Mistress Lola and Frank. Without them, she was certain her relationship with Todd would have crashed and burned by now. It had taken her a while to see how vital Frank’s role had been in the process, but she’d eventually concluded that his heart had been in the right place. He had shown her how much more she could do for her Master on a daily basis. Implementing some of that routine into her life with Todd made a big difference. Even though their daily life was anything but routine, the rituals they’d decided on could be adapted to whatever time schedule was forced on them by Todd’s career.

Her Master had consulted her on tonight’s activities, and together, they’d decided on ways to thank their mentors individually and collectively.

The low murmur of voices down the hall signaled the arrival of their guests. Soon, Todd would serve her up as the cocktail hour. If it weren’t for the overpowering smell of the goop coating her skin, she was certain she would scent her arousal. She couldn’t wait to get on with the multiple orgasms her Master promised her tonight.

“Babe, our dinner guests have arrived.” Despite a sudden bout of embarrassment, Brooke tried to twist around to greet the newcomers but couldn’t quite make it happen. They came to her instead.

“Brooke.” Mistress Lola offered a genuine smile as she took in her hostess on display. “You are beautiful as always. Thank you so much for having us over tonight.”

Brooke’s skin heated under her guest’s scrutiny. She forced herself to smile. This must be the strangest dinner party ever.

She hadn’t seen either one of her guests since she and Todd had left Arizona back in March. She tried to inject a little normalcy into the meeting. “Thank you for coming. I’ll warn you though, July in Dallas isn’t much cooler, if any, than Phoenix.”

“She’s got that right,” Frank said. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Brooke. And congratulations on dragging this one—” He gestured to her Master. “—to the altar.”

Her skin heated even further. “If Master had his way, he’d drag me down the aisle in chains.”

“Damn straight I would, but she promised she won’t leave me standing there all alone. She knows I won’t beat her if she does a no-show.”

Their laughter relieved some of the tension in her body. “He promised me he
would
beat me if I’d showed up. How could I refuse an offer like that?”

After the laughter died down, Todd held his open hand out in a welcoming gesture. “Drinks are on Brooke. Literally. Help yourself.”

“So that’s why she’s coated in goo,” Mistress Lola said, approaching. “I want the first taste.”

Brooke pressed her lips together as the woman’s tongue swiped across her nipple. “Mmm. Delicious. Frank, you’ve got to taste this.” Her mouth closed over the taut peak. The erotic stimulation made Brooke’s pussy clench. She bit her lower lip to contain a groan.

“Damn, that’s hot,” Frank said before taking her other nipple into his mouth.

Brooke closed her eyes, certain that if she looked down on the heads nestled at her breasts, she would lose what control she had over her body.

“Don’t even think of coming, slave, until I tell you to.” Todd circled around to lick a spot below her ear. “I want this to last a very, very long time.”

Easy for him to say. Brooke writhed and moaned as the three of them cleaned the goo from her body, one lick at a time. The only way she would survive was to go to that place in her head where pain and pleasure were one. Opening her mind to accept the overwhelming sensations, she drifted into subspace.

She heard their words of praise, could feel their warm breath and rough tongues on her skin as they slowly worked their way toward her core. Their enjoyment fed her pleasure until the ache between her legs became painful enough the shallow level of subspace did nothing to help.

“Please,” she begged. “I need to come.”

“Shall we let her?” Todd asked his companions.

“Why not?” Mistress Lola said. “She’s been good.”

“Can I do the honors?” Frank asked.

“Be my guest,” Todd said. He directed Mistress Lola to support one of Brooke’s thighs, while he braced the other, spreading her wide.

Brooke didn’t dare watch. She felt Frank’s breath on her pussy. She’d shaved it bare for him. She barely had time to wonder if he noticed before he said, “A kiss for the bride.” Then his mouth covered her, his tongue swiping through her swollen folds on a mission to destroy her control.

Unintelligible sounds came from her throat. He was good. He knew every place to touch her to drive her out of her mind. His expert attention to detail brought her up from the depths of subspace into reality. She wanted so badly to come, but he was too skilled to let her off easy. His tongue flicked her hood, teased at her clit before dipping lower to enter her throbbing slit.

Thighs propped on the shoulders of his cohorts, she tried unsuccessfully to press closer, to force him to end the torment. She should have known he wouldn’t be rushed. He was a sadist after all.

She cried out in frustration.

“If she does that again, Todd, spank her.” After issuing his order, Frank returned to kissing the bride.

And, oh, what a kiss it was. She couldn’t remember ever being kissed so thoroughly. His tongue was everywhere, lapping, teasing, plunging. Brooke choked back the curse poised to leave her lips. A blow to her ass would send her over the edge, and she didn’t have Master’s permission to come yet.

“You about done there, Frank?” Todd asked. “I’m getting hungry.”

The man paused long enough to say, “Forget dinner. I’m happy with pussy.”

“The rest of us want food, man. Finish her, or I’ll do it myself.” Brooke almost fainted with relief when her Master said, “Come for us, slave.”

She needed no further coaxing. The moment Frank closed his lips over her clit and sucked, she came in a violent rush of spasms that racked her body. Through it all, Frank was there, lapping at her pussy as if she were an endless cocktail.

When her body finally quieted, he sat back on his heels. “Damn, she’s sweet.”

“That she is,” her Master said, easing her leg down. Mistress Lola followed his lead then the three of them released her from her bonds.

Master Todd directed their guests to the den to wait while he carried Brooke to the bedroom.

“That went well, don’t you think?” He propped her against the bathroom counter while he adjusted the water temperature in the shower.

“It did. Thanks for letting me come. I don’t think I could have lasted much longer.” Her legs trembled as she stepped into the glass enclosure. The hot water and soap felt like heaven as it washed away the stickiness and fatigue.

“You ready for the appetizer?”

She let him wrap her in a towel as she stepped out. “I’m good. I’m getting my legs back under me.”

“You don’t need your legs, just your knees for this one.” She smiled at her Master’s teasing tone as he dried the moisture from her skin, taking extra care to see to the crevices between her legs.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Sir?”

“I am. You know I love watching you with other people, especially ones I know will give you pleasure.” Having finished drying her, he tidied her ponytail, reattaching the veil he’d removed before she stepped into the shower.

“I love to give you pleasure,” she said, catching his burning gaze in the mirror.

“You always do, Brooke.” His big hands on her shoulders gave her strength. “I can’t wait until the main course.”

Her pussy warmed thinking about that portion of their evening. “I can’t either. You sure you don’t mind not being the appetizer?”

“Not as long as I get the main course, babe. You know that. Here.” He reached for the engagement ring she’d taken off earlier. “Put this back on. I want to see it on you for this next course.”

She trailed behind her Master as they returned to their guests. They’d made themselves at home, snacking on the cold appetizers left out for their enjoyment. Upon entering the room, Brooke made her way to Frank, dropping to her knees at his feet.

“Sir, I owe you an apology. I should not have run out on your lessons the way I did. My actions were wrong. I did not see it then, but time has shown me you taught me many valuable things that I have since used to enrich my Master’s life. I’m truly sorry for causing you to worry. With my Master’s permission, I’d like to show you my appreciation for the time we spent together.” Before he could answer, she continued. “And I’d like to thank you for the splendid orgasm you just gave me. It was beyond incredible, Sir.”

“You’re most welcome, slave. I’ve never tasted a more delicious cocktail, so I have to say, the pleasure was mine.”

“Might I return the favor, Sir?”

“This is okay with you, Todd?”

“It is, Sir. My slave wishes to make amends for the way she treated you earlier this year.”

“Then, by all means, make amends, slave.”

He settled low in the chair, allowing Brooke better access. She traced the line of his erection through the soft fabric of his slacks before freeing him. He’d taught her the importance of taking her time, paying attention to the details of her Master’s pleasure.

Wrapping her left hand around his shaft, she stroked him from root to tip slowly, earning a hissed surrender to her touch. As she bent over him, her short veil fluttered over her shoulders, creating a private niche where only the two of them existed.

His taste was familiar and not at all unpleasant. Beneath the fragrance of some manly soap was his unique, musky scent. He cursed again when she licked a dot of pre-cum from the broad head. The diamond on her third finger flashed in the light from the table lamp, a reminder of how much she owed this man.

Without his training, she might not be marrying the man of her dreams tomorrow. She’d always be grateful for the role he played in helping her achieve the state of slavery she now enjoyed with her Master. With that in mind, she relaxed her throat, taking him deep. Patience rewarded her with an impatient lover. He cursed then he slid his hand beneath the veil and tried to control her motions.

She enjoyed being in charge of someone else’s pleasure. As a slave, wasn’t her duty to perform her tasks as best she could? Eager to prove she’d learned her lessons well, she refused to be coerced into a quickie. They had all night, and she wanted her guests to leave satisfied.

Grinning inwardly, she applied herself to the task of satisfying her former trainer.

When she could no longer prevent him from coming, she reached for his sac. As a sadist, he should appreciate a little bite of pain. Tugging carefully, she scored her nails over the sensitive skin. He cursed loud and long as his body responded to the stimuli, spurting hot streams of cum down her throat. Brooke swallowed every drop then used her tongue to capture any wayward drops.