Absentmindedly taking it, she looked it over. "One of your
what
?"
"It's a collar."
"What's it for?"
"I suppose it's different for everybody. For me, it's all about the symbolism it represents. When I wear it, it means I'm Annabelle, and that I belong to Neil."
She laughed out loud. "So, you want me to belong to Neil. That's a bit too kinky, even for me. He
will
need therapy if I do that."
"Funny. And pretty gross, actually."
"Sorry, sweetie. But seriously, why are you handing this to me?"
"I'm letting you borrow it because I'm thinking that, like everything else when it comes to our Thomas men; they're like father, like son... and sometimes, vice versa. Besides, you can't pretend it doesn't intrigue you. I saw the look in your eyes last night. You even showed me your secret closet... the only thing you're missing is that. So...."
"What's that?" Darren asked, pointing to the leather piece in his wife's hand as he slid the van door shut, knowing Ann needed to be hitting the road.
"It's a collar," Betsy replied matter-of-factly, her eyes staring deep into her husbands, looking for a reaction.
"A collar? For what, a dog? We're not getting a dog, Betsy. Geez... I put up a damn fence, and now you want to get a dog?"
"I don't want to get a dog, dear. The only thing this has to do with a dog would be if you want to take me doggy style," she said sexily as she carefully put the strap in place, buckling it snuggly against her elegant neck. Standing there with her hands on her hips, she gave him a playful shrug. "What do you think? Want to take your sex slave for a spin?"
He blinked, looking back and forth between a grinning Ann and a winking Betsy. "You're kidding, right?"
"You've already threatened to keep me captive in the backyard the rest of the weekend anyway. I've just put on my new slave collar."
"Uh, that's
my
slave collar. I'm just letting you borrow it, remember?" Ann teased, while letting Darren know that she used it for the same reason.
"Oh, absolutely, Anna. I'll make sure I send it to Neil when we're done." Turning her naughty eyes back to Darren, she cooed, "So, I'm game if you are. What do you think?"
"Goodbye Ann. Drive safely... let us know you made it," he said hastily, dragging Betsy by the arm just like he did the day Ann showed up with her new hairdo.
His wife let out a now familiar squeal as she lurched forward, his strong grip tugging her toward the garage. Naturally thinking from the way he pulled her that she was in for a repeat performance, she asked playfully, "Dining room table again, sweetheart?"
"Backyard Betsy... now!" he grunted.
Ann called out as she opened her van door, teasing, "You know, if you put something on the ring of her collar, it's a lot easier to lead her where you want her to go."
She laughed as Darren froze in his tracks, hearing what she said, his eyes scanning the shelves in the neatly organized garage, and then toward the pegboard. It was eerily similar to the one her house... one Neil created. Indeed, they were like father, like son in so many ways... including having such incredible wives.
"Rope! I need rope! Lots and lots of rope!"
"Bye Anna!" Betsy laughed, offering a wave of her fingers. "I think it's going to be an interesting weekend!"
"Maybe you should write about it," Ann retorted.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ann was thinking about that scene as she pulled back onto I-70 to head toward Pennsylvania. She checked her mirror, seeing that Owen was already about to fall asleep. On the one hand, she had worried that he might sleep too much on the way home... she had almost five hours to go. On the other, she looked forward to the peace. He'd oddly stayed awake ever since they left Indiana. She thought for sure he'd nod off after having been woken up at a time that was so early for him. And he'd started to between her parents' house and the Thomas home. But the playful interaction with Neil's parents had him up for the morning.
Not that he'd been bad. He'd played with his toys, and he'd been jabbering joyfully the entire way. The music she played for him helped a great deal. But she had to keep checking on him to make sure he was okay, and that grew tiresome, especially since most of the roads she'd been traveling were the two-lane variety. Now with lunch behind them, and traveling at a steadier speed on the interstate, he'd fallen asleep, leaving her to her thoughts.
The vacation had been everything she hoped it would be and more. She'd gotten the new look she was dreaming of. That alone seemed pretty incredible, since she had no idea what she wanted when she left her house two weeks before.
Tina had proven without a doubt that she was a true artist when it came to her profession. Having the guts to trust her friend and go with a look that could have been mocked or ridiculed proved to be the hardest part. It needn't have been. Every place she stopped, she was getting lingering stares, and more than a few catcalls. She loved being ogled. Even some women were doing it, although it was in more of a congratulatory manner. She didn't feel many jealous stares, but she was sure there were a few. If anything, the reaction was shaded more toward envy, with even a few 'good for you for pulling off that look' nods of approval.
Driving with a sleeping youngster, she didn't need to entertain any longer. Out came the children's CD she'd had to endure for the last couple of hours. In popped a soft jazz album, one that she used to listen to when she was pregnant. She knew it would help her mindset, and it was one that Owen would find soothing as he napped.
"I wonder what they're doing now?" she daydreamed, her thoughts drifting to Betsy and Darren, although she was just as curious about Neil and Heather. Could they be doing the same kinds of things at the same time? She hadn't discussed with Neil the details of her friend submitting to him. She only knew they'd kept doing it for a couple of days after they started. He even made Heather call in, taking some paid personal time off of work so she could remain in his control. With it now being Saturday, it was supposed to be their last day together. In fact, the instructions for the sex account game stated that the branches closed for the rest of the weekend at 4:00 PM. She fully expected her to be gone from the house when she came home. Then again, it was Neil, and he was in charge. Maybe he made some special arrangements she wasn't aware of.
It didn't bother Ann if he had. After all, it was just a game. Time limits were always a hassle when it came to sex and their role-playing. Instead of dwelling on a clock, they liked to keep their playfulness on a rather loose schedule. There was no reason to expect that he would be more rigid now just because his focus on that particular game was Heather instead of her. Then again, being a Master was all about discipline, and time management was one of the lessons she'd been taught well as Annabelle. Conflicted, she could see her arrival home happening either way. Heather might be there, and she might not. She decided to plan on her being there, just in case... not knowing what that would even mean, but wanting to be prepared mentally just in case.
It was unrealistic to expect it to mean much though, at least as far as any sexual fun went. Owen would be showing up with her, and he'd be excited to see his Daddy after a two-week absence. There was some family time that was going to be needed. Neil would know that... and want it. Knowing whatever might happen when she finally arrived home was in his control and not hers, her thoughts drifted back to her In-laws.
She chuckled as she drove, thinking of how quickly Darren had a privacy fence put in. When she and Owen left their house mid-Thursday morning after spending the night, a work crew had already arrived. She wondered when he called them. Did he have a friend that did that sort of thing for a living and he called in a favor? Had he had an estimate done prior, and he finally decided the timing was right? Or was it just a spur of the moment decision? It all seemed so out of character for him, and yet there was the crew, working earnestly to erect the fence.
Regardless of the circumstances, the reality of it was that it was ridiculous how soon he reacted to Betsy's challenge when she fucked him in the inflatable pool the night before. All she had to do was hint they could be having more fun like that, and a lot earlier in the day, if he'd finally put up the fence she'd been asking for. Somehow, less than twelve hours later, one was being installed.
When Ann returned on Friday evening with her parents for an end of vacation cookout, she was stunned to see it was finished, the wood already stained in a deep brown that looked magnificent against the landscaping in place. The fence looked like it had been there for years, and it had Betsy grinning from ear to ear. The unmistakable joy in that smile brought Ann's mind back to that moment, and the incredible conversation the two of them shared
that
night. Then again, maybe it was the magazine on the passenger seat that helped conjure up those vivid thoughts.
