“No one can know,” I told them. “We still have to keep Gretel safe.” I turned in his arms. “Wait, why was Rufus here?”
Gretel paled.
“He’s invited me to dinner with him and his new wife.” He cast an apologetic look at Gretel. “I can push it off but I can’t decline. It’d cause too much gossip.”
“I understand,” Gretel said, but she curled up tighter.
I held out my hand, and she crawled across the blanket and fell into me. I wrapped my arm around her waist, her head leaning into my chest.
The three of us stayed like that, on the blanket under the tree, at our very own picnic.
“Have you noticed,” Baz said, stroking my hair, “how our pet needs lots of attention, fairy.”
Gretel couldn’t even hide her excitement.
“I need lots of attention too,” I reminded him.
“Oh, I know,” he said with a wicked smirk. “And I know no matter how much I tell you to stop dusting and sweeping you’ll still carry on with the housework.”
“I think you can find a way to reward me.”
Gretel’s eyes danced between us, her brows lifting at our conversation.
Baz laughed. “It’s up to us to take care of Gretel, isn’t it?”
The woman in question bit her lip.
I thought about Gretel’s punishment last night. How I spanked her ass. How easy the three of us worked together, Baz the one in charge, me the little helper, and Gretel our pliant pet.
The wind blew the trees, the birds chirping as butterflies erupted in my stomach.
“We take care of all of each other,” I told them, and as if to confirm it, they both leaned into me.
fifteen
I’d liketo say I didn’t lose my mind. That I didn’t fall headfirst into the madness. But life took a more than pleasant turn.
We still had things to do. A gentleman of high standing, Baz had letters and missives to answer and guests to receive. Gretel and I kept the Manor in order.
At night, we’d fall asleep together, hugging one another close.
We hadn’t gone any further than the night Gretel and I touched one another. A current of tension ran through us all, though, and it spilled over one day.
I found myself in the kitchen, hot and bothered thanks to the heat and the fact that I hated kneading bread. My hair kept falling into my face, not helping matters, when I heard them coming.
First, I saw Gretel, naked and crawling on her hands and knees. Her head bowed. Only her panties remained around her ankles, adding to her slow shuffle.
I never wore mine, but Gretel continued to wear the article of clothing for this particular reason.
Baz walked behind her, admiring her red backside. Already, I saw the outline of his erection, straining against his trousers.
“I just mopped the floor,” I grumbled.
“I’m sorry,” Gretel mumbled, head still bowed. “Baz says you must punish me.”
Baz smirked before placing a kiss on my neck. He leaned against the counter, not talking, but the small smile never left his lips.
“I’m working,” I told him. He pressed a kiss against my skin again. It wasn’t much of an apology for interrupting. But in a louder voice, I asked Gretel, “What have you done now?”