Bethany Sutton Epilogue

A/N: I hope you have enjoyed reading this story as much as I have enjoyed telling it. I hope you find the ending satisfying! Happy reading, my friends.

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A Year Later

The waters of Glory Lake sparkled like diamonds in the afternoon sunlight.

Beth stood on the front porch of the sprawling log and glass house she and Daryl now called home. Construction on the place had only completed a week previously. She’d only finished cleaning the mess from the house warming party that morning. Now she was taking a break by enjoying the view of the water through the trees. A quick ten minute walk down the dirt path and she would come out at the dock where Daryl kept his speed boat.

The man himself came onto the porch with two cups of tea in hand. He passed one to Beth before they both took a seat on the porch swing. She leaned into him and breathed in the scent of his aftershave and the faint smell of sweat that clung to his skin.

“Hershel called. He says hello and to tell you he’s got a new lady friend.”

“He does?” Beth said, smiling. “Who is it?”

“Ms. Powell from next door.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. I was worried about him being lonely now that I live here and Maggie lives in Chicago with Glenn.”

Daryl stroked Beth’s hair back from her face. “You homesick?”

“A little, but I’ll adjust. I’m happy anywhere as long as I have you.”

They drank their tea in comfortable silence. Beth was going to suggest they go inside when Daryl kissed her and stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“To the woods, further back on the property. I’ve got some finishing touches to put on the gazebo.”

“I’ll come help.”

“Nope. I’m working on a surprise.”

“You remember?”

“How can I forget our first anniversary?”

He headed down the steps and hopped onto the ATV. Beth watched him drive off around the side of the house before heading back inside. She still had two guest bedrooms to finish putting together and that would take all day and probably a good chunk of time into tomorrow.

…

When eight p.m. came around she was sitting on the couch, curled up with a good book and waiting for Daryl to come in so she could start dinner when her phone alerted her to a text. She looked down at the screen.

Go with the women. Happy anniversary xoxo

Beth frowned. “Go with the women?”

The doorbell rang at just that moment. Beth dog-eared the page and went to answer the door. She was shocked to see two women, probably in their early to mid thirties, dressed in skimpy Romanesque slave outfits. Behind them, on the path that lead around the house and into the woods of the property, was a horse drawn wagon covered with red and gold cloth and driven by a man also dressed as a Roman slave.

“Domina. We have come to collect you for your evening meal.”

Beth barely suppressed a giggle. “Okay.”

She pulled the door shut behind her and followed them to the wagon where the male slave pulled open the door and ushered her inside. She found a padded bench seat decorated with scarves and she was surprised by how soft it was when she lay down. The women rode at the back of the wagon and Beth didn’t argue when they removed her sneakers and socks.

The ride was a fairly short one. When Beth climbed out her breath was stolen by delightful surprise. A short rectangular pool had been built into the ground and it was surrounded by flowers, including her beloved mums. Two more women and another man were dressed as Roman slaves. They lounged by the pool but the gazebo drew Beth’s attention. It had been draped with white silk curtains pulled back to reveal that a round pile of gold and purple pillows formed into a bed.

“Domina,” said one of the women. “Please allow us to bathe you.”

Beth nodded, going along with the plan. She could use a bath considering how hard she’d worked and sweated during the day. The women pulled her clothes off while the male slaves were careful to occupy themselves with turning meat and vegetables on the spit.

Beth was surprised by how warm the water was when she stepped into the shallow pool. The women had poured rose scented bath oils into the water and sprinkled petals over it. Now three of them stood with large brass jugs of milk that they added to the water, turning it white. They ran their hands over her body, cleaning her of the dust and sweat that had accumulated on her skin. They washed her hair and massaged her shoulders. She found herself so relaxed she almost regretted it when the bath was over.

Daryl was nowhere in sight and she wondered where he was. She stood and the women poured warm water over her to rinse the milk bath from her skin. When that was done they gently patted her dry and began to dress her in a beautiful purple and green gown befitting a Roman lady. They dried her hair and took time to brush it until it glowed before coiling and piling it elaborately atop her head. Some of the servants moved about as her hair was styled, lighting torches set into the ground to illuminate the bath and the gazebo in the gathering darkness.

“Domina, if you will,” one of the male slaves said.

Beth was led to a stone bench laid with pads. She reclined on her right side and waited to see what would happen next. A slave girl placed herself beside Beth and began to feed her grapes while another filled an ancient looking gold goblet with wine.

That was when she finally saw Daryl. He emerged from behind the gazebo and her mouth literally fell open. He was dressed as a gladiator, and he wasn’t alone. Another man was also dressed as a gladiator and they were armed with swords.

“These men will fight for your entertainment,” the slave said, “and the right to make love to you.”

Beth knew who she wanted to win. She expected some kind of amusing play but when the swords began to clash the fight looked real. She was even a little alarmed by how viciously Daryl and his opponent went at one another. She was impressed with his skill with the sword. He’d been taking some kind of lessons all month without telling her and now she knew what those lessons were.

“Daryl!” she said, sitting up, forgetting that it was a staged event, when his opponent managed to knock him to the ground and put the sword to his throat. Her hands went to her mouth and she had a momentary flashback to when she’d watched him get shot. Her stomach clenched tightly until he kicked the blade from his opponent’s hand and swept his feet out from under him.

With a quick flick of his sword he drew blood from the man’s torso. The cut was shallow but it was real. The man held up two fingers, pleading for mercy.

“Shall I spare him, Domina?” Daryl asked.

Beth nodded quickly.

Daryl stepped back, away from the man and shoved his sword into the dirt. He was filthy and sweaty and damn if he didn’t look good enough to eat.

“What would you have of the victor, Domina?” one of the male slaves asked.

Beth stood and approached the gazebo. “Bring him to me.”

Two male slaves led him to the gazebo and then lowered the curtain, leaving her and Daryl alone. Candles had been lit to illuminate the inside of the wall.

“Daryl…”

“Domina,” he said, playing the part.

“You remembered the gladiator fantasy. You brought it to life.”

He reached out and pulled her to him, pressing her against his body. He was lean and hard and muscled, and she ran her hands up his chest.

“I would do anything for you.”

“I love you,” she whispered, her lips pressed lightly to his.

“And I love you.”

“Show me how much you love me.”

His hands were firm when they lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he lay her down on the soft pile of pillows. Under Daryl’s expert touch the dress came unraveled. He opened it like a precious gift and left her naked before him. He loomed over her, his lips light as feathers as he brushed them against her neck, down the soft skin of her throat and teasingly over her breasts. He suckled her nipples gently, hardening them until it was almost painful.

The ‘slaves’ outside the gazebo went forgotten as Daryl’s lips traveled down the soft plane of her belly. He hesitated, his breath hot on her center before his tongue darted out to lightly lick her.

“Oh, Daryl…” she breathed.

His tongue made firmer contact with her swollen, aching clit, circling her, drawing it in. She felt the light moan from his lips all the way to the core of her being where a sweet ache began to develop. His fingers, strong and thick, slipped into her wet warmth where he hooked them and began to finger her.

“Harder,” she breathed.

Daryl was only too happy to oblige. He found her spot and massaged it, his mouth attacked her clit as mercilessly as he’d attacked his opponent. Beth was uncaring of having an audience as her cries filled the balmy air inside the gazebo as she came around Daryl’s fingers.

Normally she was left boneless after she came. Tonight Beth had an energy inside her that galvanized her to action. She gripped Daryl by his shoulders and pushed him onto his back. With his help she removed the subligaria that covered his loins, freeing his proud erection. She wanted him in her mouth and she took him quickly, urgently, suckling him. His own moans were deep and insistent as her head bobbed in the candlelight, driving him ever closer to climax.

He suddenly gripped her arms and hauled her the length of his body. Beth straddled Daryl and placed him at her entrance. Their eyes were locked as she slid onto him. She knew he was close. She knew he wanted to finish it inside of her. She squeezed him tight as he thrust upward and into her, his hips pumping fast, hard, until he came, deep and hot and thick inside of her.

Beth collapsed beside him, breathless, sated, and at last with that glorious boneless feeling that he always left her with after sex. She rolled to her side and put a hand on his chest, feeling his heart thunder beneath her hand. He kissed her forehead and lazily stroked her back as they caught their breath.

“Where did you find the ‘slaves’?”

“They’re old colleagues from the business,” he said. “They won’t be bothered by the racket we were making.”

“Mmm…They’re very believable actors.”

“It’s their job to be. Do you want an orgy?” They’ll give us one as entertainment while we eat.”

Beth giggled, unable to stop herself. “Hell yeah I want an orgy. I’ve always wanted to witness one but never thought I’d have the opportunity.”

“Your wish is my command, Domina.”

Daryl clapped his hands the curtains parted. They had a clear view of the bath and the yard.

“We’re ready to eat,” Daryl said. “Pleasure us with a display of love.”

Two women began to serve the food. Once Daryl and Beth had their plates, they watched as the slaves began to peel off their clothes. They were obviously professionals at sex and putting on a good show. Beth watched in fascination as three couples began a raunchy display of debauchery that Beth couldn’t have thought up in her wildest dreams. The thing was they seemed to honestly enjoy the sex, and the act of putting it on for Daryl and Beth’s entertainment.

After the orgy, after the food was eaten and Beth had her fill of both food and wine, and she and Daryl had enjoyed another bath, they returned to the gazebo and she ordered the curtains closed again. It was late, nearing midnight, and she was ready to sleep. Daryl pulled her close and she felt his breathing evening out when one of their servants opened the curtain.

“Pardon the interruption, Dominus, but you have a phone call.”

He handed Daryl his cell phone, which looked and felt wildly out of place for the theme of the evening. He looked at the screen and sighed.

“Archer here. Hummingbird is with me…yeah…Understood.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Ringleader. We’ve got an extraction.”

“Who?”

“Viper and Samurai are in a tight spot in Miami.”

“Oh, joy.”

“He’ll be here in ten with a copter.”

“We can’t go dressed like this.”

“Well, he told me we may be needed so…”

Daryl peeled back some of the pillows to reveal two sets of clothes. All black, combat ready clothes, with boots, and guns. Daryl’s compound bow was also there. They quickly dressed and even though Beth was bone tired adrenaline spurred her on. A helicopter arrived and Daryl gave orders for the ‘slaves’ to clean up and then they could head out. Their payments would be automatically transferred.

“You made the evening magical, guys. Thanks.”

They nodded but looked confused when Daryl and Beth rushed to the helicopter that T-Dog was piloting.

“Hop in guys. We’ve got a hot one,” T-Dog said.

Rick was in the back seat. He saw the naked slaves and Beth’s Roman style hair and shook his head.

“I don’t wanna know,” he said.

Beth and Daryl fastened their seatbelts and she watched the ground recede into darkness as they lifted off and started south to Miami. Rick briefed them on the situation and Beth made sure her gun was loaded.

“You ready for this?” Rick asked.

Beth squeezed Daryl’s hand. With him by her side, she could face anything.

“I’m ready,” she said, as she gripped her gun and flicked the safety off.

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