Servicing the Target (Masters of the Shadowlands #10)(32)

Yet—although she’d attended her friends’ birthday parties—she’d never thought they’d throw one for her. But they had.

She wrapped her arms around herself, so filled with the warm ‘n’ fuzzy feelings—as Gabi would say—that she had trouble containing them all.

“Hold’em up, ladies. Who’s empty?” Sally emerged from the kitchen. Holding a pitcher of margaritas, she topped off any needy glass on her way through. “I have another Coke for you, Anne.”

“Thank you, Sally.” She pushed herself up to accept the can, heard an “ooof” from Olivia who sat beside her, and realized her support was the Domme’s stomach. “Oops. Sorry.”

“If you were a subbie, I’d make you regret that. I think you took out my liver—despite the ample padding I have around it,” Olivia said in her crisp voice. Her gaze swept over Anne. “I don’t know how you stay so slender.”

“I still can’t believe she’s thirty-five,” Sally said. “I’ve always wanted a body like yours, Anne. We probably weigh the same and I’m four inches shorter.”

“Try getting a job where you have to keep up with walking, talking testosterone-factories.” Anne held up an arm and flexed her biceps. “But see? I have muscles.”

“Oooo’s” and “aaaaahhhh’s” filled the room.

Her mock-indignant glare had no effect. “I’ll have you know it takes work to maintain all that is me.” She gestured to her lean, mean fighting machine…and earned a barrage of popcorn. “But honestly? It’s only because being slower or weaker would put my teammates at risk.”

“I hate sweating. I think I’d rather have a few extra dimples around my hips. Besides, Galen appreciates them.” Smiling, Sally turned toward the massive U-shaped sectional. “Anyone else?”

On the right end of the sectional, Uzuri pointed at the television screen. “I keep forgetting to drink. Just look at that man.”

After the arrival of “meat curtains,” and the competition for worst penis slang, porn had been supplanted by classic chick flicks. Anne turned to see Patrick Swayze showing Jennifer Grey how to dance. Mmm-mmm-mmm. “Now that is one yummy boy. Makes me want to get out my cuffs and collar.”

Dominating someone with that bottomless self-confidence would probably be similar to doing a scene with Ben…and was incredibly tempting.

Next to Uzuri, Sally heaved a lusty sigh. “I bet Swayze could’ve taught even me to dance.”

“Doubtful,” Kim said judiciously, “although, at least, you’d have enjoyed failing.”

“Oh, rude!” Uzuri threw a kernel of popcorn at her.

“Hey, no throwing the popcorn.” Sally shook her head at the floor, littered with popcorn, chips, and colorful pillows. “Galen’s going to kill me when he sees this mess.”

“You shouldn’t have put on that really bad movie if you didn’t want popcorn thrown at the screen,” Kim said in a righteous tone.

“You diss my porn, foolish woman? I’m going to tell your Master Raoul what you called his cock.” Sally hummed “Puff, the Magic Dragon.”

Linda choked on her drink. Uzuri snorted. Anne and Olivia laughed.

Kim’s mouth dropped open. “You wouldn’t.”

Sally hummed louder.

“Hey, it’s my turn to make Anne a toast.” Beth put down the recliner section of the couch and struggled to her feet, swaying slightly.

“I don’t know what you’re going to toast to, Beth.” Anne smiled up at the slender redhead—one of the most courageous women she knew. Actually, she was proud to call each and every one of the women in the room a friend. “So far, I’ve been wished a long life, wealth, happiness and”—she grinned at Sally—“and great, inventive sex, at which, just so you know, I’m already superb.”

Sally threw a popcorn at her.

“You threw popcorn!” Uzuri eyed Sally narrowly. “I’m going to tell your Masters. They’ll have you cleaning the place on your hands and knees.”

“Naked,” Olivia contributed.

“Oh yes. Definitely naked.” Kim waggled her eyebrows. “Master R has a very…aggressive…reaction if I get naked to scrub the floors.”

“Really?” Sally’s response was so intrigued, everyone laughed.

“Ahem.” Beth lifted her glass. “To Anne. May you find your ultimate man and may his needs match what you want to give, and vice versa.”

“Man?” Kim grinned at Beth. “Girlfriend, haven’t you noticed Anne prefers pretty boys?”

When Beth hesitated, Anne said warmly, “That was a lovely blessing. Thank you.”

Beth dropped onto the couch with a bounce and put her feet back up. “Nolan said Anne played with Ben, and he’s sure not a boy.”

No, he certainly isn’t.

“I’m still surprised that Z didn’t kill you for messing with his guard,” Olivia said. “But, since he didn’t, will you be taking Ben on as a slave?”

Sally planted herself on the arm of the sectional beside Uzuri, looking expectant. Linda leaned forward.

“What a nosy bunch. I should string you all up to a cross and beat on your butts for a while.”