Hanky Spanky: Erotically Bound, #2

By Francesca Hawley

Curious Sub seeking the perfect Dom…

Karen Eckberg has spent months in front of a webcam, writhing and moaning, dutifully performing to Master Lars’ voiced commands. She’s sexually alive for the first time in her life but when her perfect Dom turns out to be none-other than her high school crush “Aw Shucks” Andy Larson, life takes an even more sensual turn than she’d ever expected.

Karen is everything Andy Larson has ever wanted in a sub, achingly responsive and eager to please her Master in every way. Unfortunately, their red-hot affair both in and out of the dungeon draws unwanted attention from his possessive ex-wife fueling Andy’s protective streak.

And now there's no safe word that can protect Karen from a woman scorned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Francesca Hawley Romance
• Release date: Mar 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519996299

Francesca Hawley

Hi. I’m Francesca Hawley and I’m a fat chick. A woman with dangerous curves just like my heroines. Many people don’t like the word, “fat” but I do because it’s the truth and I’ve learned to own it. I am a fat chick and I always will be. When I first began to read romance, the heroines were all thin. I kept wondering, where were the fat heroines? I wanted to read about a fat chick who loved herself—or at least learned to love herself—and a hot alpha hero who liked her jiggly bits just the way they were. Since I didn’t find many big girls to read about, I decided to write about them, so Francesca Hawley – author of Romance with Dangerous Curves was born. In a Francesca Hawley romance, my readers will find authentic, sensual, fat heroines who love and are loved by their intense, passionate, and seductive Alpha heroes. I hope you enjoy their dangerous curves just as much as their hunky heroes do. Web site: http://www.francescahawley.com Blog: http://www.francescasmindstream.blogspot.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/francesca.hawley Twitter: https://twitter.com/francescahawley Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/francescahawley Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/FrancescaHawley

Book preview

Hanky Spanky

Chapter One

He’s watching you again.

He who? Karen Eckberg faked an innocent expression to her friends Hannah and Inga.

You know who, Hannah nudged her, laughing.

Damn but that Andy Larson is gorgeous. Inga sighed, If you don’t want him, I’d take him.

"C’mon Inga, I’ve known him since high school. As gorgeous as he is, Aw-Shucks Andy is boring. Blander than custard and more vanilla than a vanilla bean."

What the hell had she been thinking? Carlson’s Bar on a busy Friday night at the end of June wasn’t the place to ask a favor of her two closest friends, Inga Jacobson and Hannah Lindsey. The dance floor was packed as couples gyrated to blaring rock music but the thunk of pool balls managed to rise over the din, even as some half-drunk guys at a nearby table started singing along with the latest song introduced by the DJ. Karen rolled her eyes as the waitress delivered their pitcher of margaritas. Thank goodness for that. She needed a little bit of alcoholic courage right now.

Inga eyed him, Andy doesn’t strike me as custard, he seems more like a decadent chocolate mousse to me.

Karen laughed, but she couldn’t keep her gaze from traveling across the bar to watch him, too. She licked her lips as he bent over to shoot a ball into the corner pocket. What a fine ass. Firm. Round. She’d be willing to bet a quarter would bounce off his perfect glutes.

Did he ever find out it was you who gave him that nickname? Hannah asked as she poured them each a margarita.

If he knows, he’s never said and if you tell him, you’re dead. Remember, I know a lot of your secrets too.

Hannah chuckled. The hazards of being best friends since high school.

Inga grinned at them. It was hard to move to such an insular small town after Goose and I got married, but I’m lucky I found the two of you.

Yah. We rock. Hannah teased.

Inga ran her fingers through her spiky red hair and stretched her lithe body. Karen envied her. When Inga moved like that, every man in the room turned to look. Men around here didn’t notice Karen though. When a woman was a size 20, being ignored was sometimes par for the course.

Inga grinned at her. So why did you name him Aw-Shucks?

"Cause he’s one of those guys who will shuffle his feet, look down and say Aw Shucks, Ma’am when he’s embarrassed or feeling shy."

He’s so handsome though.

Should we tell Goose? Karen teased.

He already knows. Makes him laugh.

Andy’s hot, but I need an alpha in my bed. She looked around the bar at the men who were swigging cold beer as they played pool and told tall tales. She sighed. And there isn’t a single one around here. God knows, I’ve looked.

Alpha or abusive? Hannah frowned, tapping her fingers on the table.

Very funny, Hannah. When I say alpha, that’s what I mean. Karen leaned forward looking around to make sure no one could overhear. "I want a dominant man. Someone commanding."

Commanding how? You make comments like this but you’re so vague.

I’d like a lover to know what he’s doing, Karen felt heat creep up her cheeks. And who knows, I might like to be spanked or something.

You’d really like being spanked? Inga asked, her hazel eyes wide, It sounds so kinky.

It is. That’s why I’d like it. Karen sighed, closing her eyes.

She wanted a take charge kind of guy like her last boyfriend, but this time she wanted a real Dom and not a wannabe. Someone who would give her more than just a hot spanking. She wanted a man who would and could take care of her. Be there for her when times got tough. She was tired of always being the one people ran to when they needed a strong shoulder to lean on.

I’ll never understand you, Karen, Hannah growled.

Karen frowned at her best friend. If she hadn’t promised her new Sir she’d set up safe calls for their night together, she wouldn’t explain any further because she didn’t want to put up with Hannah’s attitude.

Last night though, Sir Lars made it clear that unless she set up safe calls he wouldn’t meet her. After six months of emails, online chats, and having him watch her through her web cam, she needed him. His commanding voice. His fierce touch. So here she sat, fighting to get up her nerve to confide in the only people she felt she could ask to do this for her.

Are you okay? You look like you’re in pain. Hannah’s question brought her out of her reverie.

Sorry. I’m fine. She had to get a grip or her friends would think she’d flipped out. Karen looked into the faces of her two dearest friends, and bit her lip. I need a favor.

Hannah raised her brows. You know we’ll do anything for you, hon. Is everything okay at the diner? Do you need a loan?

I’ll get by. I admit things are tight, but I'm not asking for your money. Thanks for the offer though. Karen wiped at her eyes. She had the best friends in the world—even when they were being pains in the ass. No. The favor is something else.

Just name it, Inga assured her, patting her arm.

I’ve met somebody.

One of these alpha guys? Inga asked, raising her eyebrows and leaning closer.

Oh yeah. Karen licked her lips.

Just thinking about her exchanges with Sir set her clit to throbbing. He’d accepted her—all of her—from the moment they had met online. He even liked her big ass which was unusual for the men she knew.

Her Sir's acceptance of her body felt right and his encouragement and support with regards to her mom's recent death made her trust him. She'd shared more of her life with him that she had with her last boyfriend. Now, she wanted more than an online connection. Karen wanted a physical relationship. She wanted him to control her. To please her and to punish her, too. Things she'd only fantasized about when she'd been in a relationship with Tyler, her ex. Tyler, who completely abandoned her when her mom had died and she moved back home to take over the diner.

Hey, where'd you go? Hannah asked, nudging her.

Sorry.

"So what's so great about this guy?"

He just...takes command. He's amazing.

Amazing? Define amazing.

Karen shifted in her chair and closed her eyes. How could she explain what it felt like when he gave her commands? It was hot. But there was something deeper inside her that responded to him.

She hadn’t had an orgasm in a week because Sir Lars forbade it even though he’d ordered her to masturbate every night this week while he’d watched with the web cam. Even begging hadn’t gained his permission for an orgasm and she’d begged loud and long last night. Obeying his orders had become addictive. So addictive that she couldn’t wait to experience whatever he dished out.

Seeing him. Feeling him. Tasting him. Oh God, she longed for it and for him. When they’d set up the meeting for tomorrow, he’d delivered clear instructions that she was not allowed to climax until they met in person. Last night he’d promised that when they finally saw each other, she’d feel the sting of his palm against her wide, round ass and she couldn’t wait. She looked up to find her friends exchanging glances.

She's gone again, Inga murmured, bringing her back to the conversation. She blinked and blushed when she realized she was the center of their attention.

That's twice in less than five minutes, Karen. Hannah crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes. You better explain. This someone...is he a man who wants to hit you?

Damn. She’d known Hannah would be a problem. Her best friend didn’t understand the BDSM lifestyle, and given her family history, if someone hit you then he was abusing you. Period. End of sentence. Of course, it didn’t help that she was a cop. Cops didn’t trust anyone.

Hannah, Karen spoke in measured tones. This is a consensual agreement between him and me. We set up safe words and he stops if I tell him to.

Yah, right. Hannah snorted, tapping her foot against the table leg. Inga’s gaze darted back and forth between them like a spectator at a tennis match.

So explain what's going on.

There’s a protocol, Karen rolled her eyes at Hannah. The protocol is SSC: safe, sane, and consensual. He’s even given me references of women he’s been with and I’ve talked to them. They assured me he was a great guy.

Too easy to set up, Hannah objected.

That’s why I need the favor. I’m finally meeting him tomorrow night.

Hannah raised her eyebrows. Where?

"Erotically Bound. It’s a private club."

What kind of private club and where is it?

She bit her lip. Karen had to come clean or Hannah would never help. It’s a BDSM club in the Cities.

"You’re going to Minneapolis to meet him?"

Hush. Karen looked around to see if anyone was paying attention. People are going to hear you.

I don't care. Your safety is more important.

I’ll be fine. However, I want to set up safe calls with both of you. Each of you will call me once or twice during the evening. If I don’t answer or I say a key phrase then you know to call the police for help. I'll make sure you have the address of the club.

Safe, sane and consensual, my ass. Hannah growled. It may be consensual honey, but there’s nothing safe or sane about this.

Damn it. Karen shook her head. I knew I shouldn’t do this but he told me I had to.

He did? Inga asked. "This guy actually said you should do this?"

Yes. He won’t meet me unless I set up the safe calls.

Hannah cocked her head, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. He told you to check in with people during your date?

Yes. You see? He’s not some demonic, psychopathic serial killer. He’s just a guy who’s into kinky sex.

So when do we call you?

I’m supposed to meet him at the club at 7 p.m.

How long will you be out together? This isn’t like dinner and a movie.

Of course not. He said we’d finish our date at midnight.

Midnight? Hannah continued to tap her toes against the table leg. That’s five hours. He could do a lot of damage in five hours.

Or give me a lot of orgasms.

That’s what this is about? Coming? Hannah snorted.

Well, not entirely.

Why doesn’t he just take you out on a regular date? Inga asked.

Karen bit her lip. He’d actually suggested they start slow, but she’d wanted more and had told him so. He’d already seen her naked through her laptop’s webcam. He’d watched her masturbate. Through his instruction, she’d had her first g-spot orgasm coming more powerfully than she ever had in her life. Afterwards, she’d been embarrassed because she’d come so hard she squirted, but he praised her for letting go and trusting him with the gift of her orgasm. She longed for him. To have him tie her up and drive her crazy until he finally allowed her to come.

I want more. I’m the one who’s been pushing for an intimate date.

Predators are good at making you think it’s your idea. Hannah pointed out.

He’s not a predator. He’s special. I’ve never known anyone like him before.

So how long have you been talking to him online? Hannah continued to grill her like she was questioning a suspect.

Six months.

Since your mom died?

"Yeah. I moved back to Larson and then I found him. It's crazy."

It's suspect.

Oh Bullshit. For once quit being a cop and be happy for me.

Be happy?

I finally found someone who interests me and now I want to meet him in person.

So go to a movie with him. Just don’t let him tie you up and beat the crap outta ya.

Hannah, it isn’t like that.

How do you know? Have you had any other...guys like him? What do you call them? Hannah leaned close, her gaze severe.

Karen felt her cheeks grow hot as she had to admit the truth. Doms and no, I haven’t. Not really. Tyler was a little dominant, but when he dropped me after Mom's death, I decided he wasn't the real thing. She shrugged. I've wanted to have a Dom in my life for a while now, but where around Larson, Minnesota am I going to find one?

One what?

Oh, God. It was Andy. Nothing. Just girl talk. Did you need something? Damn him, he always managed to move so quietly. She hoped he hadn’t heard anything important...or incriminating.

Yes, I need something.

She looked up into his smiling blue eyes, clenching her toes to hide any other reaction to him. His eyes were uncharacteristically intense. She didn’t think he was capable of looking at anything but his sugar beet fields like that.

Well? What do you need?

You.

Karen sat up, her jaw dropping open. What?

I want to dance.

Why did she have to feel disappointed? She should know better by now. He’d never shown one iota of interest before, so she shouldn’t hope for anything now.

No one’s stopping you, Andy, she raised her brows and waved him onto the floor, using sarcasm as a weapon and a defense.

His eyes darkened and his lips tightened. I meant, would you dance with me?

Me? Shit. Her voice sounded breathy and excited and it had always been like this for her. Her belly dropped and filled with butterflies. She’d always wanted him and maybe she always would, but she had her Sir to think of now. She cleared her throat, determined to sound in command. "You want to dance with me?"

He just nodded and held out his hand. His very large, long fingered, work callused hand. God, she loved his hands. Her nipples tightened so painfully she wanted to cuss.

"Yes, you."

Go on, Karen. He won’t leave until you do. Hannah grinned. You’re one stubborn Swede, Andy.

Yah. That’s what I am all right, he replied in a lilting faux-Swedish accent.

Right. Let’s get it over with then. Karen stood and took his warm hand, reluctantly.

Not only did her belly fill with butterflies as he led her to the dance floor, but now her pussy dampened. It wasn’t fair. She shouldn’t have to fight her lifelong attraction to the favorite son of the town’s founding family on the night before she met her new Sir in person.

She didn’t want a reminder of her past and completely futile infatuation, but here he stood in all his glory. Andy was the image of the All American boy. Well, the Scandinavian version anyway. Short, wheat blonde hair, sky blue eyes and a ready smile. They stopped on the dance floor and stared at each other.

Well, come here then, he grumbled, pulling her into his arms and gazing into her eyes. His deep voice turned her on, damn him.

She tried to maintain a physical distance between them as they started to rotate in time to a slow song. Being the strong, silent type, he didn’t say anything else, yet the silence wasn’t awkward. Karen liked that he listened more than he talked. That he was cautious—as though he measured his words for the impact they had. But he always seemed self-effacing because he had a tendency to dip his head when he was thinking. But seemed was the operative word. His actions disarmed people, made them think he wasn’t all that smart, but she knew different.

Well, aren’t you going to put your arms around me too, Karen?

She blinked and lifted her arms to his broad, muscled shoulders. Unfortunately for her libido, as her breasts pressed firmly to his hard chest her tender nipples chafed against her bra leaving them peaked – taut and needy. He tried to pull her closer, but Karen drew back, trying to ease the torture to her nipples. She was so primed for tomorrow night. So ready for her Sir’s pleasure, and her own, that stimulation of any kind almost hurt.

Andy stroked the small of her back and Karen gasped. His lightest touch went right to her clit, making it throb. Why did she have to want him as much as she had in high school? Andy had been the football captain and an all-around star athlete. Not only that, he had dated then married the most popular girl, Debbie Markham, the head cheerleader. The surprise was the divorce five years later. One day they were together, the next Andy graduated college and came home alone leaving Debbie in the cities. When they split, Karen heard speculation that Andy was gay, but if there was one thing Karen was sure about, it was that Andy Larson was as straight as one of his rows of sugar beets.

Andy leaned closer and she tried to back off again. His breath smelled good...hadn’t he been drinking a beer earlier? She hated the smell of beer, but somehow he managed to smell good anyway. He tugged her against him as the slow song continued to play. His hands cradled her waist, yet she could feel the power in his touch. His thigh slid between hers, rubbing her pussy with every step he took as they slowly turned in a circle on the crowded dance floor.

Her breath caught in her throat and she closed her eyes. The pressure of his thigh drove her crazy and she wanted to thrust against him. He dragged her closer and his hand slid from the middle of her back down the slope to rest at the top of her ass. His hold was firm; commanding.

Where did that come from? She had to stop. Sir Lars would kill her if she came, and she was getting damn close. Sir. She had to think about him. Save her orgasms for him. He was what she wanted in a man.

His Fetlife profile showed a hard bodied, tan man with a flogger in his hand but the photo showed only his bare chest and broad shoulders. Tantalizing her imagination.

After they started chatting online she'd asked to see his face but no matter how often she asked to see what he looked like, he refused. When she consented to turn on her web cam, she asked to see him too, but he said he didn’t have a web cam for his computer. It didn’t matter because his commands set her on fire.

What are you thinking about so hard? Andy murmured, his breath brushing her ear as he leaned close.

Karen shivered. She imagined Andy would sound like that when he was in bed with a woman and the thought tightened her pussy on an imaginary cock she wished was buried inside her. Sir’s cock. That’s right. Not Andy’s. Never Andy’s.

Just stuff.

Stuff? What kind of stuff? You can tell me, we’ve known each other forever.

She leaned away from him to look up into his eyes. We may have known each other since grade school, Andy. But you don’t really know me at all.

Don’t I? He purred and his arm tightened again.

Karen found herself cradled against his body. Touching from head to foot. Riding his muscular thigh. Karen struggled to back away but he was stronger than she was and his forceful grip turned her on even more than she already was. Every time he took a step toward her, his leg prodded her pussy. She tried to fight her reaction. Regulate her breathing, but it didn’t help. Nothing did.

Karen groaned when the song changed to a faster number, because he didn’t let her go. Suddenly she recognized the song. No fucking way. This could not be happening to her, she thought as Madonna started to sing a song begging to be spanked by a Hanky Panky man. Oh, God. She was gonna die. She glanced up at Andy as they danced and something in those usually innocent eyes looked wicked. Amused. Knowing.

Karen turned her head. She couldn’t look him in the eyes as he held her tight against him. She clenched down, trying to fight her arousal as his leg drove against her pussy in time with the faster beat. He squeezed her ass and she gasped, closing her eyes. Why wasn’t she still fighting to get away? She swallowed. If she didn’t get loose, she was going to come and she’d made a promise to Sir.

You know, Karen. I don’t think we’ve danced together since homecoming our senior year, he purred.

Haven’t we? She winced at the breathless quality of her voice as he rocked against her, faster and faster.

Nope. Just when we were crowned homecoming king and queen and we had a spotlight dance.

Karen smiled. She'd always been really popular despite not being on the cheerleading squad and it was something that still surprised her.

I remember your girlfriend was sure pissed, she chuckled.

Debbie expected to be named homecoming queen instead of you.

I got the pity vote.

Bullshit. Everyone liked you because you were nice. Debbie tormented people.

Karen raised her brows. I didn't think you noticed.

I was one of the people she tormented.

You still married her.

He winced, Yeah, and the very last time I let my dick do my thinking for me.. Then he shrugged, drawing her closer and squeezing her ass again.

Her pussy throbbed with need and she whimpered softly. Biting the inside of her cheek, Karen fought the overwhelming tide of climax that threatened her sanity. She had to get away. She had to... So one last time, she tried to get out of his arms but he held her as solid as a rock.

Relax, Karen. I don’t bite. Not hard, anyway.

He cupped her ass, lifting her as he stepped into her just as she moved toward him. The collision broke down her last barrier and she shuddered as release rippled through her. She clutched his firm arms, thrusting against his leg to create a desperately needed friction to prolong her pleasure.

She dropped her head onto his shoulder as embarrassment surged through her in the wake of her release. Embarrassment and chagrin. Andy rubbed his hand up and down her back, as if soothing her, but she wouldn’t be soothed. Shouldn’t be. She’d disobeyed her Sir and now she’d have to admit to him that she’d climaxed without permission. Damn it and damn Andy, too. She stomped on his foot. Hard.

Ow. What the hell did you do that for?

She shoved herself out of his arms and this time he let her go. You need to learn how to dance before you ask me again. You have all the grace of one of your bulls.

Karen shook her head and stalked away. She looked back at him once with a scowl on her face and wanted to kill him. He was grinning and tipped an imaginary hat to her. Arrogant bastard.

Feeling her fight her climax and then shudder against him when she couldn’t hold back any more had whetted his appetite for more. The little sounds she made. God, he loved those sounds and the way she blushed in his arms during the Madonna song told him all he needed to know about how ready she was for him.

Yeah, he was definitely a Hanky Panky man and he could hardly wait to do a little spanky on Karen’s big gorgeous ass. Andy didn’t bother to hide his cocky grin as she stomped back to her table. She picked up her purse and started to leave, but Hannah grabbed her and tugged her back into the booth. Karen swigged some of her margarita then glared at him. He winked at her and she turned away, pursing those perfect lips. God, he wanted to feel them wrapped around his cock. He wanted to stare down into her eyes while she sucked him. While she swallowed his cum. Fuck, he was getting hard just thinking about it. Time to start thinking baseball stats to tame his cock.

Andy waited his turn then took a deep breath as he bent to take a shot at the pool table. Yeah, he’d gotten her good and worked up all week by preventing her from coming so it hadn’t taken much to push her over the edge tonight. Waiting for tomorrow night was a test to his control because he wanted to touch her. Claim her as his which he hadn’t been able to do during the long but pleasurable months of their relationship. Tomorrow night couldn’t get here soon enough. He was almost certain that Karen would submit to him when they met. But it was the almost that drove him crazy.

He glanced over at her. She was watching him and he couldn’t hide a grin. She stuck out her tongue and turned away. Andy laughed. Damn, but she was hot as a firecracker. Not very tall—she barely came up to his chin—but Karen had fit in his arms like she was born to nestle against him.

While they danced, Andy wanted to show the whole bar that she belonged to him. He’d had to fight his possessive streak. Her long wavy light brown hair begged to be petted and when she’d met his gaze with her warm brown eyes he never wanted to look away. Her soft beauty added to her plump spankable ass and curvy frame left him hard as stone every time he saw her.

Andy sauntered around the table to take another shot but kept an eye on his sweet sub out of the corner of his eye. Would she confess she’d had an orgasm without permission tonight? She might forget when she finally clapped her eyes on him. She’d be shocked as hell when they met at the club tomorrow night. Of course, he already knew she’d disobeyed him but he’d enjoy her contrition.

His lips quirked as he leaned over and shot a ball into the side pocket. He glanced over at Karen again, unable to help himself. She was just so fucking sexy. Plump in all the right places and he knew for a fact she had long sensitive nips. Tomorrow night he was going to put clamps on those babies so that the ache went right to her clit while he flogged her...if she didn’t leave the club the minute she saw him, that is.

Karen’s reaction was the only thing that worried him because she’d be pissed, sure that he’d hid his identity so he could laugh at her. But that had been the furthest thing from his mind. As soon as Andy read her profile and looked at her photo on the Fetlife Web site, he’d gotten a hard-on and sported it ever since. After six frustrating months, Andy was as ready to cream as she was. He should have told her who he was months ago, but he knew she wouldn’t have given him the time of day if she knew Sir Lars was Aw-Shucks Andy.

Chapter Two

Karen parked in front of Erotically Bound. The club’s lot was packed with pick-up trucks, Hummers, hybrids, and sprinkled with the occasional sports car and Mercedes. BDSM attracted all types. After grabbing some cash, her id, credit card, phone, and car keys she tucked her purse under the car seat. She noticed there was no one around, so she quickly opened her coat and slipped her stuff into a small black leather fanny pack she wore at her waist.

She tugged at the black leather bustier that pushed her boobs nearly up to her chin making her nipples peep over the top. No matter how she tugged, she was still on display. Her short black leather skirt was just as revealing. It zipped in back so that Sir Lars could unzip it from the bottom and bare her ass without removing the skirt if he wanted, but right now it was zipped. Underneath she wore a thong, garter belt, and stockings. Her clothes were so outside her comfort zone, but this was what her Sir wanted her to wear so she’d wear it. To please him.

Thank God for her rain coat. She wasn’t sure she’d be brave enough to walk across the parking lot without it. She took a deep breath and headed for the non-descript front entrance of the club carefully avoiding puddles from the recent summer rain they’d had. Walking was something of a challenge—rain or no rain. After years of wearing flats, she sported a pair of strappy black stiletto heels that had taken her over a month to learn to walk in.

Karen pushed the door open, not sure what to expect. It looked like the lobby entrance of an upscale law office. Tasteful furnishings and attractive artwork adorned the walls. A man resembling a maître d looked up and smiled welcomingly.

How may I help you?

I’m... Karen cleared her throat. I’m here to meet Sir Lars—as his guest.

Yes, miss. May I take your coat? Karen reluctantly peeled the coat off blushing when his eyes and smile widened. He took it from her and handed her a ticket. Use the ticket to pick up your coat when you leave. Now, please come with me.

He turned to walk briskly down a dimly lit hallway and she rushed to catch up. Damn these shoes. If Sir Lars hadn’t ordered her to wear this pair of fuck-me stilettos she would have worn something with lower heels. The manager paused at another door.

Your instructions are to wait for Sir Lars at the bar. You may order a drink. He’ll join you presently. He turned to walk away.

But where is the bar? She asked, panic rising from the base of her belly. Karen shivered even though she wasn’t cold.

Through the door and to the right. Enjoy your evening, miss.

Karen took a deep breath and looked at the thick dark oak door. It looked like it belonged on a dungeon...but then that’s what this place was, after all. She reached for the door handle then dropped her hand. Was she nuts? Why was she doing this? She could leave right now...but if she did she’d lose something very important. Someone very important. She might have told Inga she wasn’t in love with Sir Lars, but a part of her wondered if she lied. Both to Inga and to herself.

Karen looked at the door again. The only way to find out was to meet him. In person. Tonight. She reached out, opened the door, and walked in. She blinked at the dim red lighting near the bar. As her eyes adjusted, she felt a surge