Inside was a flat box, and when she opened it she found a slim crystal and leather collar, with a small crystal bell. With a squeak she scrambled acro...s to him, turning her back and lifting her hair. He reached down and slipped it around her neck, fastening it so it was not too tight. As soon as his hands had finished she jumped up and went back to the mirror, the bell making soft tinkles as she moved. She preened in the mirror, turning this way and that to admire the collar (and make the bell. I danced with the wind in my hair and the windows down and the sunroof open, as we passed a blunt and sped recklessly the short distance to the gas station.In the parking lot, with the music turned down, we exchanged flirtatious words and a deep kiss, as he slid out with something tantalizing and sexy on his lips.While he was gone, I freshly reapplied my blood-red lipstick.When he returned to the car, I smiled as his eyebrows rose at my fresh face. He complimented me, and I let his warm. .. "I mean, while I might not have gotten around to telling you about this, you ought to know that one of my favorite fantasies takes place in a rustic cabin - You know, that's looks a lot like this one. - on a bearskin rug, that's situated right in front of a roaring fire. "Damn!" Joe teased back. "And, here I just took my bearskin rug to the taxidermist to have it dry cleaned!"*** It was a great weekend for the two of them. Joe, after a brunch that Saturday, took Beth to see a secluded. "Yes. Whoever you pick, there are going to be rumors that you're romantically linked. There always are. And we don't need any of the sort of rumor that will come if you pick a man."Corvus shook his head. "Why don't I know any of this yet?"Lucretia shrugged, gold, lacquer, and enamel clacking together. "I thought your media relations director was briefing you on all this. You've been spending an awful lot of time together."Corvus lowered his eyes and Lucretia rolled hers. "For Elysium's sake,.