by K D Grace
When they were done coming, he rearranged himself, pulled her tight against the curve of his body and they slept.
Stella was surprised to find herself at the Pet Shop rather than her own home as she expected. Audrey met her at the van. They watched the handler lead Tino away, grumbling under his breath about his bad karma and misbehaving Pets. Tino kept pulling against the lead, glancing over his shoulder at Stella. When at last he was out of sight, Audrey spoke. ‘After you’re bathed and dressed, the Boss and Ms O’Kelly are here to see you.’
A half an hour later, with Stella dressed in the clean clothes of a Pet about to go to a keeper, Audrey escorted her from the annexe to the main house, a place she had not been allowed access to during her training. The handler led her through the long, dark-panelled hallways to a conservatory full of exotic plants and comfortable rattan furniture. On a sofa that looked out onto the grounds behind the house sat the Boss and Anne O’Kelly. On the coffee table in front of them was a tray with a steaming pot of tea, a plate of sandwiches and another of cakes.
‘Stella, darling,’ the Boss greeted her with a kiss on each cheek and Anne followed suit. ‘We hear Professor was very pleased with you and Tino this weekend. Congratulations on a job well done, dear.’
She couldn’t keep from blushing. How hard was it to allow herself to be endlessly fucked and fondled by Tino while another man watched and wanked? Thoughts of the weekend were enough to cause her pussy to tingle in spite of being very well satisfied.
‘Please, sit.’ Anne said. ‘And have something to eat. You must be famished.’ Anne poured tea and they both made a pretence of eating, but Stella made no pretence at all. She was starving, and Pets never got too concerned with proper tea-time etiquette.
‘You probably wonder why we had you brought here rather than sending you home, Stella.’ The Boss made no effort to explain what he assumed she was intelligent enough to have already figured out, that he and Anne were both involved in the running of the Pet Shop.
There was a long pause before Stella realised she was expected to respond. She was amazed how easy it was to get used to not speaking. She swallowed a mouthful of smoked salmon and cucumber sandwich without chewing. ‘Yes. I do,’ she replied dutifully, her voice sounding strange in her ears after two days of not using it.
‘Anne and I agree that you’ve more than exceeded our expectations in your work at Strigida. Vanguard, as well as the other organisations you’ve had contact with on Strigida’s behalf are singing your praises. But ...’
‘But that’s not why we want to talk to you.’ Anne took over. ‘We hired you knowing full well you’d do a great job at Strigida, just as I’m sure you knew you would, but what you may not know is all the parameters you’re being judged according to and why.’
The Boss took over again. ‘We suspected when we hired you that you had other gifts, latent gifts that even you might not know about, gifts that could do Strigida a lot more good in other ways than you working as my assistant. I don’t have to tell you how important the work Strigida does is. You’ve worked with us long enough to know some of the significant environmental projects we’ve funded and to know how much those projects cost to bring to completion. But no company’s resources are limitless. Mind you, with careful management, Strigida has had the capital to finance a lot of environmentally worthy causes for a good number of years.’ He waved a hand as though he were batting away an insect. ‘I’m not telling you anything that isn’t already on the Strigida website.’ He held her gaze. ‘But there are things that aren’t on that website, Stella, things that you should know. In recent years that capital has increased drastically allowing Strigida to take on projects of a much larger magnitude. That increase in funds has come from one source. It’s a surprising source, actually, one no one ever imagined would generate such a cash cow. The Pet Shop.’
‘What?’ Stella burnt her tongue on a mouthful of tea.
Anne offered her a tolerant smile. ‘I know it’s hard to believe, and an amazing story actually. It all came about by accident.’ She glanced at the Boss as though expecting him to corroborate her story. ‘It happened on a drunken bet, but the money from the bet was pledged for a major project Strigida was working on at the time. The discussion, I believe, had something to do with man’s responsibility toward his animal cousins. Someone brought up the fact that we could hardly expect humans to take care of their wild cousins when they didn’t even take proper care of their own pets. And one thing led to another. Anyway, in the end a bet was made, a bet that certain people, people who had no shortage of funds at their disposal couldn’t resist.
‘The wager was that they couldn’t live like animals – like pets totally dependent on their keepers – for a whole weekend. It went further to predict that their keepers would not be able to take proper care of them for a weekend. The sociology of the whole idea was fascinating, as you can imagine, and the concept too intriguing not to try – especially when money was no object.
‘The rules and regulations were all drawn up, the Pets and keepers all designated, and the experiment took place over a long Easter weekend.’ She chuckled and sipped her tea. ‘You won’t find that story on the Pet Shop website, though I certainly think it should be. As for the sex part of the story, well surely you can see how one thing leads to another when you keep naked humans around the house, naked humans who need bathing and feeding and grooming. Anyway the proceeds from the weekend fattened Strigida coffers, and the bet and the accompanying experiment became gossip, sort of an underground cult, and more and more people wanted to have a Pet of their own for a night or a weekend. They were all willing to pay handsomely for the privilege, all willing to keep it discrete so the service could continue.’
‘But that’s not where the real money comes from,’ the Boss joined in. ‘The real money comes from people, wealthy people mostly, who want to be Pets. They don’t necessarily want to be with a keeper, though a surprising number of them do. But some just want to be Pets, you know, to be pampered and loved and cared for, to be told what to do and not have to worry about any responsibilities. Remember, many of these are very powerful people, people used to being in control, but longing to let someone else take charge for a little while. Of course, by the time the apparatus to make all this happen was set in place, sex was a major component. The Pet Shop Pets wanted a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere where sex would be as natural and open as it is for animals, but they also wanted the pleasures afforded very pampered pets. Voilà! The Pet Shop was born.’
Anne continued. ‘For some the Pet Shop is their summer home, for others it’s a weekend retreat. There are even a few that have taken up permanent residence here at the Pet Shop. And those who want to be Pets without having to service a keeper pay handsomely for the privilege, very handsomely indeed. In a way, it’s like buying in to a very expensive, very exclusive timeshare. And that’s where the serious money comes from.’ She sipped her tea absently. ‘That and good investments, of course.’
‘I don’t see what any of this has to do with me,’ Stella said. ‘I’m not a paying Pet.’
‘It has everything to do with you precisely because you’re not a paying Pet,’ the Boss said. ‘Eight years ago when I could see the Pet Shop’s potential, I realised I wouldn’t be able to run both Strigida and the Pet Shop, so I hired Anne to take over and build the Pet Shop as a business.’ He offered her a confidential smile. ‘A very unorthodox business, of course, and one we’ve had to manage very discretely. But under Anne’s control, the Pet Shop has grown and thrived. In fact, it’s grown so much, and the demand has become so large, that we’re planning to open a North American branch. Since Anne has been in on the ground floor with the UK Pet Shop, who better to be in charge of setting up its North American sister shop.’
‘That being the case,’ Anne said, ‘we need someone to take over the UK Pet Shop when I leave.’
There was a pregnant pause, and Stella nearly dropped her teacup. ‘And you want me to do it?’
>
They both smiled and nodded.
Before she could respond, the Boss spoke. ‘You would continue on at Strigida, as Anne has, in the guise of my executive secretary, but all of your responsibilities would be at the Pet Shop. If you take us up on our offer, your salary will be double what it is now at Strigida with a very hefty benefits package, not the least of which includes unlimited access to any of the keeper-trained Pets.’
Stella’s salary at Strigida was substantial. The thought of doubling it left her breathless. As for access to the Pets, well, there was only one Pet she wanted access to, and she wasn’t quite sure why the thought of being able to have Tino at her command whenever she wanted him didn’t quite feel right.
Stella suddenly forgot about how hungry she was. ‘So all of this has been a test? And offering me Tino in the beginning?’
‘Tino was available,’ the Boss said. ‘And we figured if you would accept our gift, and if you could handle Tino, then you were definitely the right choice for the position. And all of your interaction with the Pet Shop so far has done nothing but confirm you as our choice.’
Silence stretched between them. Outside in the garden an owl trilled. The Boss’s cup clinked as he sat it back on the saucer. ‘Well? What do you think?’
Stella remembered to breathe. ‘Just because I can be a Pet doesn’t mean I can run the Pet Shop.’
‘Of course not, hon,’ Anne said. ‘It was other skills, skills you’ve demonstrated at Strigida that convinced us you could run the Pet Shop. The fact that you have Pet experience, and can handle tough Pets so well, that means you’ll understand the inner workings of what makes the Pet Shop such a special place in a way I’ve never been able to. And frankly, your lack of family who might cause a conflict of interest, along with your noted reputation among your previous employers for being a workaholic were factors in our choice as well.’
‘As for taking the reins of the Pet Shop,’ the Boss said, ‘of course we’ll see to your training. You’ll be working with the best people, and we’ll make sure that you’re not left on your own until you’re ready.’
‘I’m flattered that you’re considering me.’ Stella wasn’t sure that she actually was flattered, but her default was always polite business mode. She took a deep breath, wiped suddenly sweaty palms on her trousers and continued. ‘This is too much for me to take in right now. I didn’t expect this, and I need to think about it.’
‘Of course, of course.’ The Boss offered a reassuring smile. ‘We didn’t expect an answer tonight. We know it’s a big decision, and an important one.’
Anne leant so far forward that her arse was nearly off the sofa. ‘What we need to know is that you’re considering it, Stel.’ Suddenly she sounded like Stella’s friend again. She reached out, took Stella’s hand and squeezed. ‘We need to know that it’s a position you could see yourself in.’
Stella nodded, suddenly finding it difficult to speak. ‘It is. Of course, but–’
‘But you’re exhausted, hungry, and you need some space to think.’ The Boss spoke as though he’d read her mind. ‘We understand completely. When you get home, you’ll find a new password in your email. It’ll allow you access to areas of the Pet Shop website that will answer some of your questions and perhaps help you with your decision. Then we’d like to bring you back here tomorrow afternoon to show you around the place, give you a feel for it – from a non-Pet perspective, of course – and answer any questions you may have. There’ll be dinner and a chance to meet a few of the more senior handlers.’ He made a gesture around the conservatory. ‘A room’s been prepared for you here in the cottage for the night if you’d like, and a limo will take you back to London in the morning.’ He held her gaze. ‘I’m sorry to say Tino won’t be here to share your bed. He’s been called away to other responsibilities.’ She didn’t miss the visible tension in Anne’s shoulders at the mention of Tino sharing her bed. ‘So if you prefer to go home, there’s a limo waiting to take you back. Of course you won’t be expected in the office tomorrow. After all, it’s our fault that you’re getting home late, and you’ll be expected here later in the day.’
Feeling strangely disconnected, Stella chose the latter.
‘I don’t like her connection to Tino and Vincent. We could lose her if she finds out Vincent’s involvement.’ Anne spoke as the limo pulled away taking Stella back to London. ‘God, I told you from the beginning we shouldn’t have sent her Tino.’
‘And I told you, I had no more choice in sending her Tino than you did. The decision wasn’t mine to make.’
‘Lots of decisions don’t seem to be yours to make any more, or mine, and that’s a part of what bothers me.’
‘Annie, darling, Vincent wants Stella to take over the Pet Shop too, remember? That’s why he sent her Tino.’
‘He did want her to take over the Pet Shop.’ Anne shivered and pulled the light cardigan she wore tight around her to ward off a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. ‘But that was before he started wanting her for other things, and those other things have nothing whatsoever to do with business, we both know that. Whatever the relationship is between the two of them, it’s a complication that frightens me, Alan, a complication that could ruin all our plans.’
He slipped an arm around her and caressed the nape of her neck. ‘Are you so anxious to get away from me, Annie?’
She shrugged free of him. ‘Don’t do this, Alan. Don’t make me the villain. This has always been the plan. It’s a part of why I wanted to keep our relationship on a business level.’ She turned on her heels and headed back toward the big house, but he caught her by the arm.
‘Things change, Annie. Plans change.’ He pulled her close and kissed her. When he released her, he offered a tight smile. ‘Don’t worry about Vincent. I’ll talk to him. I’m sure he doesn’t want Stella to know about his involvement in our plan any more than you do.’
‘Oh I’m sure he doesn’t want her to know either. In fact he probably wants her to know even less than I do. I’m just not sure his reasons are still the same as ours. In fact, every time the two of them are together, I’m less and less sure, especially when I see how little control we actually have over the situation.’
As Alan led her upstairs to the suite they would share for the night, Anne found herself wondering about his reasons as well. As he undressed her and explored her, as that familiar feeling of euphoria, the feeling she only had when she was with him, expanded in her chest and filled every cell in her body, for a brief second, just before he entered her, just before he filled her until she was too full to think of anything but him, she doubted her own reasons.
Chapter Twenty-two
STELLA WOULD HAVE NOTICED him standing there if she hadn’t still been ruminating over the Boss and Anne’s proposal to run the Pet Shop as she climbed the stairs to her flat. She had just dug the keys out of her pocket when she stopped short and uttered a little cry.
Standing by her door with his arms folded tightly across his chest was Vincent. He was dressed in jeans and a light cotton shirt. In spite of the fact that he was well scrubbed, the stubble was gone from his chin and his hair was almost manageable, he breathed as though he had been running a marathon. His gaze was hard. His mouth set in a tight line. ‘What took you so long?’
‘The driver took the scenic route.’ Actually, she didn’t know what route the driver took because the windows of the limo had been especially darkened to prevent VIP Pets from seeing where they were. She tried to smile, but she could feel her lips twitch at one corner.
She fumbled with the keys then dropped them, but he caught them before they hit the floor and handed them back to her, moving close behind her like an impatient shadow waiting as she struggled with the lock. He was close enough that she could feel the body heat radiating off him.
‘I wasn’t expecting you,’ she breathed. She was furious at herself that she was nervous; even more furious that it was so totally obvious.
He placed his hand ov
er hers and steadied her. The key slid home and the door opened. ‘Tino didn’t get nearly enough of you this weekend,’ he whispered against her ear.
‘Tino’s not here.’ She shrugged him off and went inside with him right behind her.
She barely managed to shut the door before he pinned her against it and kissed her hard, his tongue slipping between her lips and making itself at home like it owned the place. And her tongue was a willing welcome party. He didn’t bother to pull away as he spoke, just pressed his words into her mouth with little nips and darts. ‘Do you have a problem with that?’
‘What?’ she replied, nibbling at his lip. ‘That Tino takes the punishment and you get the rewards?’ She lowered her hands to his denim-covered arse cheeks and gave them a hard knead, hard enough to make him suck a pained breath. ‘Why should I have a problem with that?’
He let out a low, wicked chuckle and rubbed against her until she could feel the press of his heavy penis through the tight stretch of his jeans. ‘I promise I’ll share with him, 50-50 just like I shared his sore ass.’ He reached to pull her T-shirt off over her head but she slapped his hands away and sidestepped.
‘I’m not your Pet tonight, Vincent. I take my own clothes off.’ She wrestled the shirt off but as he reached for her breasts, she shrugged away and nodded for him to take his off too.
With hands that were suddenly awkward, he fumbled at the buttons. He cursed under his breath then finally gave up and yanked the shirt over his head.
‘And the jeans, take them off too.’ She was already stepping out of her standard Pet Shop-issue trousers. ‘I want you naked and gagging for it just like Tino.’
‘I promise you,’ he said shoving his jeans and boxers down to his ankles in one swift move, nearly tripping himself in his efforts to step out of them, ‘Tino couldn’t possibly want you more than I do right now.’ He reached for her again, but she stepped back, and he cursed out loud.
