Mr. Masters (Mr. 1)

The movie ends and he jumps up. “I’m going to shower.” He disappears up the stairs without another word, leaving me to shake my head.

I help the kids with their new pet routine before bed, when my email suddenly pings.

Julian Masters

Requests the company of

Bree Johnston

Occasion: Situation inspection.

Date: 31st May

Time: 7 PM

Place: Room 612, Rosewood London

Dress code: Bondage

My eyes widen.

Bondage?

What the fuck?

Chapter Fourteen

I wake to a bang on the door, and I jump, startled.

“Brell, come quick,” Sammy’s panicked voice calls through the door before I hear him tear down the hallway.

Huh. I frown as I look around the room. What’s going on?

Then I hear Julian’s voice bellowing throughout the house.

What’s going on out there? I grab my robe and throw it on before I open my bedroom door.

“You can’t be serious?” I hear Julian yell. “This is fucking unbelievable.” Shit, he’s cursing in front of the children. What on earth is the matter? I run up into the house and my eyes widen as soon as I step foot inside.

Julian, Willow, and Samuel are all standing frozen still as they survey the damage.

The puppy has ripped open the two bean bags and there are tiny beanbag balls spread all over the house.

My mouth falls open as I assess the damage. The entire living room is in disarray. The cushions are on the floor, not on the sofa where they should be. The pot plant has been chewed to within an inch of its life. It now has no leaves left and is turned on its side. The tiny beanbag balls are spread over the floor like thick snow, even covering the floor throughout the kitchen and dining room. There are even skid marks where she has been running and sliding in them. My eyes rise to find Sammy and Willow, who are standing with wide eyes in silence, horrified and clearly unsure what to say about the catastrophe in front of us. The cat appears through the white snow covered in the white balls, hundreds of them now stuck to his fur.

I can’t help it. I put my hand over my mouth and burst out laughing.

“This is not funny, Miss Brielle,” Julian barks.

I belly laugh even harder, picking up a handful of the white balls before I throw them at Willow and Samuel. “Look! It’s snowing.”

The puppy comes running into the room like a rock star, diving into the white balls at full speed.

"That dog is a damn menace," Julian growls. "Look at this place! It's completely destroyed."

“She’s just a little baby.” I laugh and I dive into the balls beside her. “You’re a naughty puppy.” She jumps on me and starts to paw my hair. “Get down here, you two, and play with your baby.”

Sammy and Willow exchange looks, and then Sammy dives onto the floor without a care in the world. It isn’t long before Willow bursts out laughing and falls down beside us. The puppy goes ballistic, barking and growling as it gets excited with us playing with her. I throw some white balls over Willow’s head. Then I lie on my back and move my hands and feet. “Look, make a snow angel.” I laugh.