Page 42 of Rut Bar

“That’s fine. Anthony and I will discuss how we’re going to handle this when we’re not all together. Is that still okay with you?”

I wait for the first inkling of horror or regret on his face, but there’s only a dreamy smile. The tension in my shoulders bleeds out. “Good night, pet. Text me when you get home so I know you’re home safe and text me first thing when you wake up.”

“Okay, Miss Vee. Good night.” Jamie stands and closes my door for me, then watches me pull out of the parking lot so I can head home.

I can’t believe we’re doing this.

It’s crazy. Stupid. Reckless. But I can’t stop smiling while I drive.

ChapterEleven

VERONICA

I gothrough my routine in a daze as I get home and I plug my phone onto its charger and strip so I can take a shower. I check the fridge as if groceries have suddenly bought themselves and been magically put away. Its meager contents haven’t changed since last night.

I really need to get to the store, but with my heat coming there doesn’t seem to be much point. It’s not like I’ll eat while I’m delirious. Takeout and breakfast items will have to hold me over for a bit until after it’s over. I eat dry cereal because my milk is spoiled, and then I shower. The plastic half-gallon jug makes glugging sounds as I dump its soured contents down the sink and toss it into my recycling bin.

When I’m cleaned and dressed in my softest pajamas, I slip into bed and punch the pillows into place. It takes a few minutes to get comfortable and I have that vaguely restless sensation growing under my skin again. It will only get worse over the next few days. I’m not at the hot and scratchy stage yet, but I can’t get comfortable either.

An orgasm usually helps. I drag my wand from the nightstand and pull up my favorite site, finding a video that’ll do. Five minutes later, aftershocks spasm through me and dopamine floods my brain, smoothing out my jagged edges. Heaviness presses me deeper into my nest and I shut my eyes, curling up on my side.

My phone dings when I’m on the cusp of falling asleep.

Who the fuck is texting me at this hour?

And then I remember. I smile and unlock my phone, but instead of a sweet good night message from Jamie, it’s a photo of him with his mouth full of cock and a familiar, tattooed hand smoothing his blond hair out of his face.

Anthony

Jamie would call to say good night but his mouth is busy keeping my cock warm for you

Veronica

What a thoughtful pet

That was my exact thought

Good boys deserve treats, don’t you think?

What sort of treat did you have in mind?

The breakfast of champions. Come to work early if you want to come.

Good night

Good night baby

I don’t confirm if I’ll be there early because I haven’t decided yet. The obstinate part of me wants to stroll into work fifteen minutes late to prove a point. But isn’t that biting off your nose to spite your face? Will losing an orgasm be worth the pettiness of resisting what’s becoming inevitable?

I’m still deliberating the pros and cons when I fall asleep. My phone’s text message chime wakes me at the ass crack of dawn, and I blink, bleary-eyed, as I try to focus on anything but the insides of my eyelids.

I grope for my phone and read the time. It’s half-past six.What in the actual fuck?

Jamie

Good morning

Veronica

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