Bells and Chains (Operation Reindeer Retrieval Book 7) Read online

The chestnut looked over at them, and she snorted at the unlikelihood that the woman who was stroking Titan’s chin was a reindeer.

  Doni grinned. Animals knew her the moment she touched them. When she was on the chestnut’s back, the horse would know what she was.

  Bern passed her with armloads of leather. The saddle had a number of small holes in it, and she had the sneaking suspicion that those holes had a purpose she didn’t want to know about.

  He put on the saddle blanket and moved around the horse with competence. The lady he was putting the saddle on remained steady and held her head high. She glanced over at Titan.

  Doni caught what passed between them, and her knees buckled. Apparently, the chestnut was going to be carrying the elf lord and his woman. She was very proud of herself. Normally, Titan did that particular job.

  Doni leaned against Titan and breathed magic into him. His pain receded, and he pranced in his stall.

  “Easy, lad. You will have to get your clean bill of health from the vet. I just want you to have a pain-free day.” She spoke softly and pressed her forehead to his.

  He gently pressed back, and she smiled as she stroked his neck one last time.

  “Good, Titan. Behave.”

  Bern looked toward her. “Are you ready to leave your lover?”

  She winked at the horse and swayed toward Bern. “Yes, but you had better make the parting worth the while.”

  Her mind was startled at her sudden playful tone, but it was the exposure to beasts. They brought her impulses closer to the surface.

  Bern led the horse out of the stable, and the moment they were outside, he paused the horse and offered her a hand up into the saddle.

  She looked at his hand, and she bent her knee. He lifted her up with one hand, and she settled on the saddle.

  “What is this lady’s name?”

  “Artemis. She and Titan are slated to bring a new foal into the world the next time she goes into heat. I believe they will be an excellent match.”

  He swung up behind her and settled against her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

  She could feel the hard muscle of his thighs bracketing hers as he flexed and Artemis stepped forward.

  Doni reached out and touched the horse’s neck. She felt the jerk in response. She silently confirmed that Titan had not just been trying to impress her; Artemis did have a reindeer on her back.

  “What did you do?” Bern’s arm was around her waist as Artemis walked through the snow and headed into a forested area.

  “I simply touched her neck. Perhaps my hands were cold.”

  “You have ridden before?”

  She held in her snicker. “Once or twice. It really is like riding a bike that moves on its own and eats shrubs.”

  He chuckled, and Artemis moved with more speed.

  Elf lord. What the hell was an elf doing running a sex club in the middle of nowhere? Doni kept her back ramrod straight as they trotted through a natural archway and into exactly what she had in mind.

  The trees bent and arched together into a separate world that could very well hold elves as well as any number of magical creatures.

  “How long have you been running this establishment?”

  “It has been in my family in one way or another for generations.”

  She tried not to grin. For an elf, that could be one lifetime or even less.

  They continued until they were in what Doni could only think of as a snow globe. The trees were heavy with snow and everything gleamed and glittered.

  “I can definitely work with this.” She chuckled, and the thick blanket of snow absorbed the sound.

  “Well, I had a feeling that this would be your element.” He tightened the arm he had wrapped around her waist and pulled her tightly against his torso.

  Doni smiled. “Are you calling me an ice queen?”

  “No, I just think that you have been around your share of snow.” His breath was warm against her ear. “You have a plan for this location?”

  “I think it can make a rather fun destination for your club participants. I have a plan.”

  “Excellent. Why don’t we discuss what is plausible and what is not over some tea?”

  “It sounds nice.”

  “Good.” He turned the horse and Artemis took the hint from her rider and thundered back toward the stable at a slow gallop.

  Bern held her, but as she couldn’t brace herself in the stirrups, she was ground and slammed against him with every thudding step. Her butt had intimate knowledge of the dimensions of his groin and thighs by the time they stopped in the yard outside the stable.

  He dismounted gracefully and held his arms up to her. She gave in to her impulse, and after she lifted her leg up and over Artemis’s neck, she slid into his embrace. He set her on her feet and appeared to be in no hurry to release her.

  Doni looked up at him and finally cleared her throat. “I think you need to take care of Artemis and then you did promise me tea?”

  His grin was unmistakable as one of a male who had been slightly diverted, but would remember where he had left off.

  Doni smirked and stepped away the moment he let her go.

  Artemis tried to butt her with her head, but Doni merely gave her a light stroke on her neck and told her to be nice to Titan. The bit of magic that Doni had offered him would make something impressive in his offspring. Artemis wanted to be his next mate.

  Doni followed Bern and the horse into the barn, and she paid court to Titan as he watched the master of the property take care of Artemis.

  “I am guessing that the subs come by and brush them down?”

  “And feed them. There are six household volunteers at any time. The stable is a rather choice assignment.” He pulled the saddle and all the strapping from Artemis.

  When he left the stall, Doni took his place and brushed the horse down, thanking her for her service with every stroke.

  Artemis was gleaming when she finished and Bern was watching.

  “I am thinking that you have been around horses more than just once or twice.”

  She shrugged and set the brush and curry comb back on their shelf. “You would probably be right.”

  She dusted her hands off and smiled, picking up her notepad again. “Back to the house?”

  “Yes. We will go over some of the ideas that you have, and I will try to answer any questions that might have come up.”

  She nodded, checked her wrap and took his arm again. “Lead on.”

  Bern walked her back through the stable, she waved at Titan as she passed and, as she glanced back, Artemis was staring at her with wide eyes.

  “What did you say to Artemis while you were grooming her?” Bern asked it quietly.

  “Oh, we just had a girl-to-girl chat.” She smiled.

  “With a horse?”

  “Oh, yes. Horses are exceptionally chatty. She is very proud of being your backup mount when Titan is off duty.”

  They were halfway to the manor when she said, “Artemis enjoys carrying the elf lord of the manor around.”

  Bern stumbled and then righted himself. “You are joking.”

  “No. I am very serious. Titan agreed. You are their elf lord, and they are proud to carry you.”

  He turned to look at her. “Do you believe in elves?”

  She grinned. “I do. I also believe in magic and Santa and the joy of the season.”

  Bern raised his hand, as if to touch her face, and then, he seemed to recall that they were working together. “Right. Well, if you trust what comes from a horse’s mouth, you have more faith in whispers and rumours than I do.”

  He turned, and they resumed their walk to the manor. The subs engaged in the same routine, taking their outerwear and cleaning their footwear.

  “We will have tea in the morning room.” Bern spoke absently, as if completely used to the human furniture that was bustling around them.

  Bern led the way o
nce again, and soon, she was being offered a chair and a view of the grounds through a huge bay window.

  The horses were playing tag in a distant field, and the light was relentlessly making its way across the snow.

  “This is quite the establishment.” She smiled and looked out over the grounds. “You don’t fence in the horses?”

  “They are enclosed by the same wall that keeps out the curious.”

  “About that, is that a legal wall?”

  He grinned. “The wall has been around a lot longer than the zoning. This club is necessary to many, and it is protected by those who value it.”

  “That makes sense. Well, I have a few questions for you.”

  He inclined his head. “Proceed.”

  The subs came in; one carried a bowl, a water pitcher and had folded linen over her arm. The male carried a wide tray and a plate tower covered with treats.

  He moved with precision and set out the tea on the table, while the young woman put the bowl on the counter, tucked Doni’s hands into the bowl and poured the warm water over her palms. Doni scrubbed the flecks of hay and bits of grime off her palms and out from under her nails. Another surge of water and she was clean. The sub blotted her hands and smiled shyly. “All done, Mistress.”

  The sub moved to Bern, and his hands were treated to the same ablutions.

  When they were both clean and dry, the tea was set and the cups had been poured.

  The subs retreated; the young woman removed the basin and pitcher and the young man knelt next to the door.

  Doni lifted her tea and sipped. She smiled, and the young man’s shoulders relaxed.

  “So, he guessed correctly. Excellent. Alec has a skill for gauging the way a client would enjoy their tea.”

  “He guessed very well. I don’t normally take milk in my tea, but it suits this blend.” Doni took another small sip before eyeing the tower of sandwiches.

  “So, Bern, am I allowed to bring in assistants to help me set up?”

  He smiled and shook his head. “No, but I have access to up to eight subs that will do exactly what you want, when you want and how you want it. They can be here with an hour’s notice for as long as you need.”

  “Will meals be arranged for them?”

  “Of course, and for you as well.”

  “If I give you an equipment list, can you have it here?”

  “We probably already do, but I can have it ready for you to work with. I just need an email and you can send me a list of what you need and where you want to work.” He reached into a shirt pocket and provided her with a crisp and heavy business card. It had his name embossed, his email address and his direct line.

  “Here is everything you need to get in touch with me. You already know where to find me.”

  She tucked the card into her notebook. “Are you interested in my plans so far?”

  He nodded his head. “You have the budget and you know the timeline. The sooner that we get this started, the better. I can tell by the gleam in your eyes that there is something special planned, so I am giving you free rein to do so.”

  She picked a sandwich and nibbled at it. “I just have one additional request.”

  “Name it.”

  “When the subs work with me, can they wear something a bit more practical? If we put down any pine boughs, they will get all scratched up and rashy.”

  There was a slight exhalation from the corner where Alec was still kneeling.

  “We can’t have that. Yes, they will be in jeans and t-shirts while they are assisting you.”

  “Excellent. Well, in that case, I guess I have seen everything I need to see.”

  “Good. Sit back, relax and have something to eat. You are looking a little pale.”

  She grinned. “I always look pale. My team and I rarely get to hang out and tan.”

  She finished her sandwich and waited for her host to take a few of them.

  He stared at her, she stared at him and finally he asked, “Aren’t you going to have any more?”

  “Not until you do. Eating the entire tower is a possibility, and I don’t want to insult my host.”

  He smiled and took his plate, loading on a selection of sandwiches and pastries. “There. Have at it.”

  She grinned and took three small sandwiches and set them on her plate. Her bites became less delicate and more aggressive as she worked at filling her belly.

  The tower was taken down as he asked her polite questions, and she answered every time her mouth was empty.

  All too soon, the tray was empty and the last fleck of cream had been licked from her lips. She sipped at her third cup of tea and sighed happily. “Well, thank you very much for the food, Bern. I will be in touch in the morning with a tentative schedule.”

  He grinned. “You are going to eat and run?”

  “Well, I will drive at a safe and moderate pace. Safety is key, after all.” She winked.

  Bern snorted and set down his cup. “That is our motto.”

  They got to their feet together and he led the way through the halls once again and she was soon being eased into her coat with her bag being held by the young sub who had first met her at the door.

  “Your car is waiting. It was a pleasure meeting you, Doni. I look forward to seeing you soon and hearing your plans for this place.”

  She reached for his hand, and they gave the time-honoured contact for hello and goodbye. “It was nice meeting you as well. I will be in touch.”

  He nodded, and the sub handed her her bag. She slipped it over her shoulder and headed outside where cars were being discretely parked by valets in leather and one of them was standing next to her car.

  Doni smiled as she came up next to her vehicle, and she said, “Thank you. I guess this beats the servants’ exit.”

  The man opening her door grinned. “That requires a shift in wardrobe.”

  She still had a smile on her lips as she drove away from the manor. This was going to be a very fun client.

  * * * *

  Bern looked at Artemis, and he shook his head. “You certainly were chatty today, weren’t you?”

  She lowered her head in apology.

  “She can talk to you? Directly speak with you?”

  Artemis lifted her head and nodded with excitement.

  “Well, I can’t fault you for that. Just remember, I am only here on Santa’s sufferance. He has given me this place and time with the humans in exchange for watching them. I like it here.”

  Artemis shook her head again.

  “Yes, I know I am supposed to seduce her into returning to the workshop, but now that I have met her, seen her, I am not sure that I want that for her.”

  Titan whinnied from the other stall.

  “No, I can’t just mount her and convince her that way. It doesn’t work that way in the human world. You need agreement first and hormones second.”

  Titan blew and shook his head.

  “Yes, I know it is foolish, but that isn’t the way things are done. If she is playing human, she needs to be courted in the human way.” He chuckled. “Fortunately, we are surrounded by humans with alternative mating dances. This is going to be fun.”

  The rest of the horses bobbed their heads in agreement. Bern’s excitement was contagious; it was what made him an excellent host for the club.

  * * * *

  Doni worked on her plans into the night. She drew up the schematic and started calls for the supplies she needed. Everything was given a rush order.

  She kept Bern apprised of her progress, and three days after their first meeting, she was ready to return to the club in order to start the setup.

  She called Bern, and he answered with a smile in his voice. “Doni, I have been waiting for your call.”

  “You have no idea how relieved I am. I have enough supplies here to complete eighty percent of the job, and the rest comes in tonight.”

  “If you wanted to get starte
d, I can have the subs here in an hour.”

  “It can wait until morning, but if you can arrange to have them there at nine, we can get started and have you set up in less than forty-eight hours.”

  He sighed. “As you like. I will have eight of them ready to serve you with all of the ladders that you requested.”

  “Excellent. I will be there just before nine. See you tomorrow.”

  “See you tomorrow, Doni.”

  She hung up and smiled. She was looking forward to this assignment with as much enthusiasm as she had for the gingerbread village she had installed in a mall.

  Doni wandered into Jake’s office. “Have the bills started coming in?”

  Jake had a high blush as was normal when they discussed the club. “Yeah. That was quick work.”

  “Yeah, I am a master of the google search. I will be out of the office tomorrow. I am going to be on site at the club for the next two days.”

  “Okay. I will make sure you still get paid.” He winked and waved farewell.

  “You do that. I am pretty sure that I could arrange something special and none too pleasant with the club, if anything goes wrong with my pay day. What I am planning is going to definitely bring the joy of the winter holidays to the club.”

  “I have to say, the folks at the club are excited. Nothing like this has ever been done before.”

  “Well, I hope to do the anticipation justice. With that in mind, I am heading out early to verify the supplies I am loading into the trailer as well as my car.”

  She gave him a wave and headed out, grabbing her bag and leaving the building, climbing into her car to drive to the climate-controlled storage unit that the company used for just this sort of thing.

  Doni took out her clipboard and ran through her supplies, hoping that her bravado was earned. She took a lot of pride in her work, but these arrangements had to be suitable for a wide variety of clientele, all in the same facility. She had her work cut out for her.

  It was a warm day for the depths of December. The eight subs were waiting for her. They finished lining up as she pulled in front of the manor house, and she was laughing as she parked her car.

  Doni got out of her vehicle and inclined her head. “Thanks for coming out, number One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Eight.”