The next morning, we had a quick breakfast and then drove to the airport in silence. I kissed him good-bye and cried all the way home.********The firs... few days passed slowly. Dave and I talked as often as we could, but I was miserable most of the time. I tried to stay busy and spend more time with the girls I knew at work, but I wasn't very good company. All I could think of was how much I missed Dave.Then I got a call one night from Dave's mom, Irene. She said she figured I was lonely and. "Part of me wants to flee, but this is my home. I hope you will still visit. I enjoy our," she paused, "cryptic chats." Luke grimaced, but nodded, "I will." His voice sounded sickeningly hollow. So that's what I am. A cryptic conversationalist. Gemma had said as much, too. He was about to embark on his usual thought stream of why nobody 'got' his romantic side when Alexis leaned in and kissed him. Not just a peck as usual, but warm, sensuous lips against his. A fleeting second, maybe two,. I got out the spreader bar with its ropes and the ankle cuffs. I went behind her and wrapped the cuffs around her ankles and velcroed them in place while I explained. “These cuffs are to protect your ankles so I don’t bruise you. This bar is to hold your legs open. Lean against me and step one foot through the loop of rope, then the other.” Jess did as I said and I wrapped the ropes around the bar and her ankles until she was securely fastened. I tied the ropes off on the bar and then. Of course it would never do to let the boys realize this. At least not quite yet. Grasping her belt buckle and pulling the belt from her jeans, Karen doubled it over in her hand and shook it at the two terrified boys. “Strip!” she commanded! The boys looked at each other not knowing what to do. “If you don’t strip this second you are going to be very, very sorry.” Karen threatened. Slowly the boys skinned out of their T-shirts, kicked off their shoes, and.