Only the storm remained in place; and would for the next ten hours. The condo was well built, and perfectly capable of resisting the storm and althoug... each of them awoke at one time or another, they all went back to sleep and slept soundly.Around five in the morning, with the storm still howling, and heaving torrents of water against the building, Bernie woke with the realization of a body pressing against her. She opened her eyes to find Eddie lying next to her. At first, she forgot where she. If you really love me as your only daughter—”“You’re not my only daughter.”“—As your favorite daughter—”“Hmph. Well, fair enough.”“—You’ll stop tormenting me and just let me have the car, just this once. Puh-leeeease.”“Can’t help you, kiddo—I need to go. Mr. Daniels called, he’s coming in late today. So, now I need to head over, unlock all the doors for everyone, and corral all of the stagehands. Why don’t you try and call Rebecca?”“I did call Rebecca,” Emily muttered. “She’s still at work,. .....so what? Isn't that what you really want anyway? You're not a nudist, Danae, you're an exhibitionist. You get turned on by knowing others can watch you in the buff. Now, open up those fucking shades!" The next weekend came and went, but I didn't encounter Ashleigh. I obeyed my rules and was always naked in the apartment, and I kept the front shades open all the time as well. Then one night as I came home from work, I found Ashleigh sitting on my couch as I walked in. We didn't exchange. She stood in a swift lithe movement going behind me and in secondsunhooked a link holding my cuffed wrists together while still leavingthe cuffs locked in place around them.With my hands finally free I instinctively tried to hold the leashagain, anything to ease the effect of the chocking collar as my legstired and trembled in pained exhaustion.As she released the leash from its ceiling pulley, I almost collapsedin a blubbering torment and then undoing the shackle without a word shestarted for.