The Effing List

by Cherise Sinclair

  “It’s not that.” Valerie motioned toward the building. “Considering Sally’s enthusiasm in decorating, I expected the place to be a giant white starship.”

  “Master Z would have a fit.” Laughing, Linda joined her.

  “So, where’s Sam?”

  “He was signed up for early dungeon monitoring and is already here. And I’m late, since a shipment came in for the store, and I wanted to shelve the stock before I left.”

  “Ah, the joys of owning a business.”

  Linda laughed. “Yet I love it.”

  As they walked up the sidewalk, Valerie smoothed down her very tight dress, started to think about how it showed every bulge, then reminded herself of her goal for the evening. No self-disparaging thoughts or statements.

  Ghost had warned her there would be consequences for any slip-ups.

  In the entry, the slender security guard at the desk had a Vulcan’s pointed ears and wore a Star Trek uniform. He held up one hand in the Vulcan greeting. “Live long and lustily.”

  Linda widened her eyes. “My dear Spock, how your attitude about sex has changed.”

  As the guard laughed, Valerie smiled. When young, she’d watched reruns of the classic Star Trek shows. Later, she and her children enjoyed the newer series and the movies.

  Tonight was going to be so much fun. As she signed in, she told the guard, “Your costume is great.”

  “Thanks.” The slender guard grinned. “The manager gave me tomorrow night off so I can show it off and participate inside. Somehow, he figured out I’m a Trekkie.”

  “Ghost seems as perceptive as Master Z,” Linda said.

  “Love your dress, by the way,” the guard told Valerie.

  “Thank you.” Coming from a Star Trek fan, the compliment meant a lot. “I’m glad it works.” A present from Ghost, the red vinyl dress was skintight through the torso, flared slightly in the skirt part, and ended only a few inches below her ass—because the females’ crew uniforms on the original Enterprise were all about the minidresses.

  The long sleeves ended with narrow, gold wrist cuffs to show her rank as a lieutenant.

  The neckline was so low-cut it had barely left room for the Star Trek delta insignia.

  “You look fantastic.” Linda’s lips quirked. “But if you take a deep breath, your breasts are going to pop right out of your dress.”

  “Great, now I’m going to worry all night.” Valerie tugged at the neckline. “Are you sure it’s Sam who’s the sadist?”

  Laughing, Linda led the way in.

  “Wow, I didn’t expect all this.” A few steps inside the door, Valerie almost got a crick in her neck from trying to take it all in.

  There were aliens everywhere, especially on the dance floor. Some of the Ferengi appeared ready to start an orgy on the spot.

  “This place is packed.” Linda had a wide smile on her face. “Tabitha told me there’d been no theme nights since Z went to Europe. I think everyone must have missed them.”

  The enthusiasm was contagious—as was the sense of welcome. “The club feels different.”

  Linda’s smile widened. “You noticed. Yes, this is what it felt like before Wrecker. Oh, not all the time, but people tended to be…well, friendly.”

  “The bullies made the atmosphere ugly.” Valerie checked out the room. “Because the nice people—like me—don’t realize we have to step up and take them to task, even if it means being rude. I’ve learned something about the dangers of being too polite.”

  “I think we all did.”

  Valerie’s gaze caught on a short brunette. “Is that Sally?” The first scene area past the dance floor was the bridge of the Enterprise. Instrument panels made a semi-circle around the captain’s chair.

  Linda gave a low laugh. “The poor baby.”

  In a short-skirted uniform, Sally was tied to a seat at the navigation station.

  “Stop chattering, ensign.” In the captain’s chair, Master Vance scowled at her, then asked his partner, “What do you think, Mr. Spock?”

  Master Galen stood near an instrument panel. Pointy ears and slanting eyebrows added to his black hair and black eyes made him into a perfect Vulcan. “Captain, I fear Ensign Sally has been possessed by an Organian. According to my calculations, a beating of exactly ten point two minutes should exorcise the alien and drive it back to its planet.”

  Sally squeaked. “Wait. No way—no, Captain! I’m not, you can’t…”

  “I’m sorry, Ensign,” Captain Kirk gave her an oh-so-sympathetic shake of the head. “Sacrifices must be made if we’re to ensure the safety of the crew.”

  Sally was still pleading as Spock and Kirk led her away.

  Another group with what looked like Chekov, Sulu, and Kirk moved in. Chekov’s uniform pants covered a very big bulge.

  “No, no, no,” Valerie murmured to Linda. “I can see Kirk as being a kinky perv, but not sweet Chekov.”

  “It’s mind-bending,” Linda agreed, then motioned to their right. “Those two picked the perfect characters.”

  Mistress Anne was dressed as the Borg queen and wearing a bald cap to hide her hair. She had a grip on Ben’s shirt and was dragging him toward a scene that resembled an evil engineer’s workshop.

  “A man’s pride ‘n’ joys shouldn’t be turned into machine parts,” Ben protested in a low growl.

  “Resistance is futile, boy.” Anne’s smile was evil. “I will ensure your weak human testicles will remain operational for centuries to come.”

  Valerie put her hands over her mouth to muffle her snickering.

  “I’m so glad I’m female,” Linda choked out, then brightened. “There’s my Sam.”

  “Off you go. Tell him hi for me.” Valerie made a shooing motion. “I’m going to check out the rest of the place and let Ghost know I’m here.”

  So much to see.

  Interested glances came her way, adding to her high spirits. Then again, how many of them were simply hoping her breasts would fall out?

  “Nice boots, lieutenant,” one Dom murmured with a nod at her high black boots.

  Pleased, she smiled at him. Maybe her legs had a bit more jiggle than in the past, but they were still shapely.

  And Ghost claimed the jiggle made spankings even more fun for him. How could she argue about that? She’d happily let him spank her each and every day of the week.

  “Valerie, just who I wanted to see.” Kari approached with Master Dan. The hard-faced cop hadn’t dressed in costume, but Kari wore a mini-skirted uniform much like Valerie’s. Only Kari’s clothing wasn’t made of vinyl. “Hey, love the uniform. Can you even breathe?”

  “No. Needless to say, it was a present from the mean manager.” Valerie waved her hands in the air. “Would you believe it’s to remind me he’s the only one who gets to squeeze my—”

  Dan grinned.

  Spit, had she actually said that in front of a Dom?

  “Squishing the girls is really mean.” Kari beamed at Master Dan. “I’m so glad you’re only a bit into the owie stuff.”

  He wrapped an arm around her. “You’re a lucky subbie.” He turned to Valerie. “Think how good it will feel when he peels you out of it.”

  Her face heated. Because he said if she had any dents from the uniform, he’d use clothespins on them. On her breasts.

  She pulled in a breath. “Kari, did you need me for something?”

  Kari nodded. “Did Natalia tell you about her gallery showing at—”

  “Val, babe.” Barry grabbed her shoulder. “Jesus, you look fantastic.” His gaze ran up and down her body, lingering on her breasts.

  Revolted, she yanked free and took a step back. “Did you need something?”

  “You, babe. I need you.” He reached for her again.

  She retreated another step.

  “I miss you. A lot.”

  There were no words.

  “What?” The furious voice announced Kahlua’s arrival. “You’re asking the hag to return?”

  �
�Shut up, slave,” Barry snapped, then his smile returned. The tender, gentle one she had fallen for, had loved. “Come back home, Val. To me. I need you.”

  For perhaps the first time in her life, she studied him with impartial eyes. After being around the Masters, around Ghost, she could now perceive his handsome outer shell covered a weak inner character. He was far more interested in himself than in others.

  He wanted her back…and as long as she provided what he wanted, he’d “love” her. If and when he found someone better, he’d lose interest. Even worse, once again, he’d chip away at her confidence to keep her off balance and from leaving.

  The question wasn’t would she return; it was how had she been so blind for so long? A sense of loss mingled with her anger.

  Because in the beginning, they’d been friends. Sometimes, people didn’t change for the better.

  “You don’t need that old biddy.” Kahlua latched onto Barry’s arm. “You have me. She’s going to be toothless in a year or two.”

  Old biddy. Toothless. A momentary doubt swept over Valerie, then she laughed. “Are you really so insecure you have to keep recycling those pathetic insults? How sad, Kahlua.”

  The young woman stiffened in indignation.

  “You don’t have to worry.” Valerie turned her attention to Barry. “We’re divorced. That’s final, and I want nothing to do with you.”

  “But babe. You love me.”

  “Hmm.” She tapped her chin. “No, actually, I’m in love with someone else.”

  Kahlua sneered. “As if anyone would have you.”

  Another second’s doubt. Was Kahlua right?

  No. No she wasn’t.

  “I would have her.” Ghost wrapped a thickly muscled arm around Valerie’s waist and drew her against his rock-hard body. “I do have her. And I know how to treat the woman I love.”

  Kahlua’s mouth dropped open.

  Barry’s face flushed with anger.

  “Ghost, this is my ex-husband, Barry, and his live-in, Kahlua. Barry, this is the manager of the Shadowlands, Ghost, and our friends, Master Dan and Kari.”

  Barry’s jaw thrust forward—and for a moment, she thought he’d lose his temper.

  But he reined it in. “Yeah, right. Have a nice night then.” He shot her a glare, gripped Kahlua’s arm, and stalked toward the bar.

  “That went well,” Kari murmured. “Not.”

  Ghost eyed Dan. “You let the asshole put a hand on Valerie?”

  “I didn’t realize it was unwelcome until she jerked free. If he’d touched her again, I’d have cuffed him. I wouldn’t let your woman come to harm.”

  “Sorry.” Ghost pulled her closer. “I didn’t like seeing him grab her.”

  “I hear you. Then again, sometimes it’s good to face old lovers and deliver the hard truths.” Dan gave Valerie an approving nod before grinning at Kari. “Right, pet?”

  “Yes, Master.” Obviously irked, the short schoolteacher poked Dan in the side.

  Valerie almost laughed. It seemed she wasn’t the only one who’d had a relationship go sour.

  Ghost kissed the top of her head. “Are you all right?”

  “I am.” She leaned into him. “It did feel good to close the door on the past, but I totally appreciate the rescue. Really. It might have turned ugly.”

  “I can’t think of anything I enjoy more than rescuing you.” His gaze held a warm promise as he cupped her cheek. “Anytime, anywhere. I got you, lass.”

  He could make her heart overflow.

  Unable to speak, she pressed a kiss into his warm palm instead.

  And that earned her a kiss, a long, possessive, hungry kiss.

  When he released her, she took a step back and took a moment to study him.

  He wore black jeans tucked into black boots, and a long-sleeved gold tunic with the Star Fleet insignia. His iron-gray hair and ingrained military posture gave him an authority far more authentic than any actor’s.

  It certainly didn’t hurt that his tunic was tight enough to show ridged abdominal muscles. Mmm. “You look better than Kirk ever did.”

  “Good to hear.” Ghost grinned, then motioned to the room. “Have you all noticed how many sadists came as either the Borg or Klingons?”

  Valerie laughed. “Mistress Anne is a Borg.”

  “And Edward went for Klingon. Interesting.” Dan eyed Ghost. “Considering you’re a sadist, I’m surprised you showed up as Kirk.”

  “It was the deal I made with Z. If I wanted him as Fleet Admiral, I had to show up in a captain’s uniform.”

  “I’d take bets he wore a black dress uniform,” Dan said.

  Ghost nodded. “You’d win.”

  Kari snickered. “He’s all about the black.”

  Seeing the slight quirk of the Colonel’s lips, Valerie asked. “What did you do?”

  “I provided his insignia and medals.” Ghost’s eyes crinkled. “He now has the most colorful chest in the galaxy.”

  Even after the drive home, Barry was still fuming. That fucking bitch. He stormed into the house with Kahlua sulking behind him.

  “Jesus, I need a drink.” Spotting Alisha, he snapped out, “Get me one now.”

  She was too slow, so he grabbed the bottle and poured, then gulped it down.

  Kahlua started telling Alisha about seeing Valerie at the club but changed the story so she sounded like hot shit.

  He scowled. “You acted like an idiot.”

  Her mouth snapped shut in the middle of insulting Valerie.

  “And you’re dressed like a skank.”

  Wailing, she ran into the bedroom.

  Valerie hadn’t looked sleazy; she never did. Even tonight with her tits almost popping out, she was still classy.

  And he’d forgotten how much he liked her big breasts. Real breasts—Kahlua’s cheaply bought bazookas were almost as hard as rocks.

  The sobbing from the bedroom didn’t diminish.

  “Fuck, I’m tired of the noise.” He poured himself another drink.

  When Valerie lived here, the place had been clean. He had a good meal every night. And they had money. “She needs to come back.”

  “Valerie? You asked her?” Alisha asked slowly. “What did she say?”

  “Said no.” His mouth went tight. “She hooked up with the bastard who robbed Wrecker of his job.”

  The asshole had not only taken the manager job, but he’d stolen Valerie. He was in too good at the Shadowlands to be ejected, but if he thought he could keep Valerie… Barry scowled. Not going to happen.

  He needed to find a way to make his wife see reason.

  “So she’s not coming back. You know, that sucks. We’re like really out of money.” Alisha scowled. “The cable got shut off, and I can’t get any of my TV shows.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s sad shit, ’cause I don’t have any money coming in right now.” Another contract had been broken because he’d fallen behind on getting the work done. And his insurance was raising his rates because there’d been too many accidents at the job sites. They said he was negligent.

  Barry eyed Alisha. “Maybe you should get off your ass and get a full-time job, huh?”

  “And maybe you should stop drinking, so you can bring in what you used to. Valerie was right.”

  Rage rising, he slapped the sneer right off her face.

  “Or maybe not.” She walked away from him and into the bedroom.

  After repairing her tear-streaked makeup in the Capture Gardens’ side entry, Natalia followed Olivia through the clubroom. Her legs felt wobbly.

  How many orgasms had the Mistress given her after giving her a ring? Wasn’t it awesome Natalia had been allowed to give her fiancée almost as many?

  Fiancée. What an amazing word. Happiness fizzed in her veins.

  “Mistress, I totally deserve a strawberry daiquiri.” Natalia gazed up at Olivia through her dark lashes. The Mistress was always teasing her about her puppy-dog eyes. She should put them to use. “Puh-leeze, Captain Janeway?�
��

  Olivia touched her cheek with such gentle fingers Natalia’s heart simply melted. “I believe we can accommodate you, Counselor Troi.”

  Josie wiped the bar top in front of them. “Captain Janeway, it’s good to meet you. I’ve been an admirer for years.” Observing appropriate protocol, the bartender only smiled at Natalia. “What can I get you two?”

  Natalia settled onto a barstool and folded her hands on the bar…because she couldn’t help marveling at her amazing engagement ring. Small diamonds swirled around a deep red, round-cut ruby. The combination was so much warmer than a plain diamond solitaire. So very perfect.

  “Oh, my sun and stars, Natalia!” Totally abandoning D/s protocol, Josie grabbed Natalia’s hand. “What a gorgeous ring! Are you two engaged?”

  Olivia grinned. “Yes, we are.”

  Josie’s delighted scream caught everyone’s attention. “Mistress Olivia and Natalia are engaged!” Then she winced. “Uh, sorry, Mistress Olivia, I shouldn’t have—”

  “It’s good,” Olivia said, cutting her off as club members surrounded them.

  “Do you have a date picked or any plans?” Josie asked. “Will you have a big wedding? Natalia’s family lives in Tampa, right?”

  Natalia grimaced. Her family? Talk about awkward with a side-helping of ugly. Maybe she and the Mistress should have discussed this while they were outside. “Um, we’ll probably go with very small and private.”

  Olivia turned and gave her a long perusal. “I rather thought you’d want a big, splashy wedding.”

  The Mistress had remembered.

  On their first evening at Olivia’s, they’d been in her pool, sharing a giant inflatable lounger, drinking wine, and describing their childhood dreams. Natalia said she’d wanted the white gown, friends and family, the walk down the aisle. The whole spectacle.

  The dream had died the day she’d introduced Olivia as her girlfriend. That was when her family realized she wouldn’t accept their choices for her schooling, her career…or her partner.

  Natalia shook her head. “We don’t need a bunch of people there.”

  “Girl.” The Mistress’s hand closed over hers. “We’re going to talk about this some more. Don’t think we won’t.”