I carried Peggy out to the corral where the horses galloped and frisked about."They're so pretty." she said softly.I reached out and linked with them,...feeling their powerful muscles, their strong heartbeats, their enjoyment of the world around them. I felt the comfort they got from being close to the others. The two youngest were excited and happy; jumping and kicking every few steps, nipping at each other as they played.I sent them feelings of calm, strength, security, and acceptance. As a. The talon-like claws at the end of each tentacle ripped through her dress, slashing open her bra and skin with one quick tap.She let out a scream, more in terror than pain, left only in her cotton panties. Two tentacles curled around her calves, their spikes scraping against her skin. She tried to hit at a spongy opening of flesh, only to have her hands caught and coiled like handcuffs by the alien."All hail Dagoth, Defiler of Worlds."The pointed tentacles pried her legs apart, curling around. It was a room of modest scale, dominated by a low, massive table. The sight of the straps, locks and whips already arranged on the table produced a shiver of delicious anxiety. She even dared to pick up a small whip and examine it, trying it on her own body. It was her first transgression.And quickly observed by the sternly handsome man who had silently joined her in the chamber. She felt his solid grip on her arm as he took the whip away. From then on, all power was his. She did her best to be. ”We left Carmine’s Cucina and I walked Kate back to work at the Art Museum. I’m not sure how it happened, but somewhere along Second Avenue, Kate’s hand slipped into mine as we walked. We talked about what was happening in our lives, how exciting and overwhelming the conversation with Clarice was, and even about the upcoming birthday party for Damon on Saturday.“Um ... I have a question,” Kate said. I was getting used to the fluctuation between Kate the confident negotiator and business woman.