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"Oh, honestly" Thunder boo on the grass like little explosions Beth took the chair "Are you always this persistent?"

Jessica laughed "This is nothing You should see me when it comes to travel expenses or office supply receipts I can be a real bitch Speaking of which, Nolan said youout how to open a nursery"

Beth felt her breath stop as her heart bobbed in her chest like a top-heavy flower Nolan believed in her, believed she could do this Could she? Yes Yes she could She put her hand over her jittery heart and ju to help?"

"You bet Planning is free" Jessica held up a finger "However, after your place is up and running, I’ll be your accountant, and you’ll have to pay me And have to keep your receipts in order, and your expenses written down, and--"

Beth laughed "Do you nag Master Z like this?"

"God, no" Jessica rolled her eyes "The last time I tried, he was al that--I ed s inon the floor while he finished his damned book"

"Oh My"

"Yeah" Jessica scowled "I came so many times that I couldn’t stand up when he released me And that was so unfair We’re not in a twenty-four hour ht? And then I almost broke my hand when I hit him; his muscles are harder than rocks"

Beth tried She really did try A snicker escaped, then a giggle, and when Jessica looked at her in disbelief, she roared with laughter The little blonde accountant always looked so put-together and conservative Reserved The thought of her, naked and punching Master Z, sent Beth into an unstoppable fit of giggles

"You are cruising for a good slap, girlfriend" Jessica huffed, then grinned "You know, there’re very few people I could tell that to and have the the cops Or mental health" She paused and narrowed her eyes at Beth "But next tih, you die"

"Of course I totally understand," Beth tried to sles with Coke and choked instead "I’ somewhere in the forest, followed by a roll of thunder The rain increased, and Beth tipped her head back to watch the downpour, reveling in the noise and the drop in temperature

"Well, look e have here" Master Z walked up behind Jessica and pressed a kiss to the top of her head

Startled, Beth gasped, then relaxed, realizing that the rain had covered the sound of his footsteps

He looked at her and frowned "Why aren’t you working?"

Dear Lord, he thought she was being lazy Disht the laughter in his eyes She spared a thought of pity for her friend This Dom had a positively evil sense of humor "Well--"

"Looks like the rain drove a rabbit onto your patio, Z I’ll catch her for you" And two big hands reached over Beth’s shoulders, slid down into her low-cut top, and caught her breasts

Fear ripped through her and choked her breath She tried to leap away and was yanked back against the chair A war voice said, "Relax, little rabbit"

Master Nolan She knew he’d be here Heart haed to ease back, not that she’d have been able to go anywhere with his ar her to the chair He bit her neck, kissed the tiny pain, and his hands ran over her breasts

Nolan nibbled her neck, tasting salt, shtly scented with strawberries She wore a gold tank top under denim overall shorts He’d never stripped a woman out of overalls; looked like fun He cupped her perky little breasts in his hands and felt her nipples pebble to taut points Damned shame to have to be polite and release her

Under his hands, the thudding of her heart eased as she got over her fright One terrified little rabbit Anger ran through hiive to ht this woman to be afraid