“Go on. Do your punishment, then you’ll get a reward.”

She smiled and turned the page.

There was a picture of her tenth birthday party. Her siblings were all around her, staring at the candles. Winter’s baby brother had blown out most of them, and he’d spat a bit when he had. Nasty. She’d been allowed to invite two girls from class, and one of them hadn’t shown up. The other one thought her family was weird and never visited again.

“Your family threw you a big party.” Saya sounded impressed.

“No. That girl was the only guest. The rest are my sisters and brothers.”

“Oh, I didn’t know you came from a full-quiver family.”

Winter shrugged, always a bit embarrassed when it came time to confess. “I didn’t. My mom just likes children – and now grandchildren.”

“Your dad doesn’t share her enthusiasm?”

“Which dad?” She laughed. “I’ve had a few.”

“That happens sometimes.” Saya leaned sideways and bumped shoulders with her.

That was it? No incredulous stares or rude comments?

“She’s not easy or anything. She just has no time for men that don’t pull their weight. I think of her more like a spider, except she just kicks husbands out and friendzones them, instead of killing and eating them.”

Saya smiled, turned to the next page then stuffed her fist partway into her mouth. Her shoulders shook and a giggle bubbled up that she seemed helpless to suppress.

“It’s a good thing I’m never going to run for congress. Youknowthis picture would become a Facebook meme that would spread across the universe in twelve seconds flat.”

Saya’s laugh burst out from behind lips that could no longer contain it. Watching her lose control of it triggered Winter, too, and she laughed until her stomach hurt.

It took a few minutes to settle down again, but when she did, Saya leaned closer and toyed with Winter’s hair.

“How do you get it so smooth and white?”

“I’m pretty pale blond, naturally, and my hair is poker straight, so it’s not hard to do.” She wound one of Saya’s curls around her finger. “I’d love to have hair like yours. It’s so pretty.”

Saya snickered. “I can’t imagine you having hair that made you look like a baby doll. The first time a creepy old man offered you money to call him Daddy, you’d end up in jail.”

“Fuck. I was really hoping you’d call me Daddy. I guess that’s out, then.” Winter smirked. “Guys really do that to you? That’s just fucking creepy. I mean, if people are into the Big/little thing I have no issue with that, but having strangers offer you money when you’re not looking for clientele is pretty rude.”

“Yeah. It even happens to me at the mall sometimes. Master teases me that it’s my burden to create this terrible lust in men. It was creepier when I was a teenager, though, because I didn’t know how to handle those situations. I really don’t get it. I’m not particularly attractive, so why me?” Her soft brown eyes were honestly confused. She wasn’t fishing for compliments like some girls did.

Winter tucked a curl behind Saya’s ear and took the time to examine her features. Big eyes, bow lips, small nose, the riot of hair. None of these were particularly striking on their own, but together they spoke of an innate sensuality and vulnerability that many menwould find irresistible. Saya was like the opposite of a porn star. She gave the impression that if someone said “oral sex” in front of her she wouldn’t know what it meant, but that you’d kill for the chance to teach her.

“You’re beautiful, Saya. The kind that make-up can’t fake for girls like me. I’ve never looked as sweet as you.”

“You think I look sweet?” Saya moved closer, her teeth tugging at her bottom lip again.

It was nice to know that the lust between them was a two-way street.

Winter leaned in and whispered. “You’re a juicy morsel just trying to get to your Granny’s.”

“Golly.” Saya’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “I’ll have to make sure I walkrealslow then.”

A low rumble of frustration rose in Winter’s throat. She’d love nothing better than to roll around in bed with this girl all day. “Let’s make coffee for the men before I start trying to figure out the best ways to give you screaming orgasms.”

“Aren’t we supposed to practice for our gig?” Saya feigned shock.

“Hmm. Right. Maybe I’ll just start turning you on now and get the guys to help me keep you that way until we go on tonight.”