High Stakes Chattel by Andie Blue

up to his waist and she had no idea whether he wore anything at all beneath it. She swallowed dryly, stricken by the sight of him.
    “Samantha,” he murmured, obviously surprised to find her there.
    She drifted toward him and sat down on the edge of his bed. They stared at each other for a moment and then she leaned forward, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him, trying to show him how very much the last few weeks had meant to her. This kiss was completely different from the others they’d shared, filled with sweetness and emotion.
    “Please don’t do this to me , Sam,” he whispered, pulling slightly away.
    She was surprised by his use of the nickname her family had given her and how right it sounded coming from his lips.
    “ I’ve tried so hard to resist you. It’s not only that I don’t want to take advantage of a woman seeking my help. I also don’t want to complicate things and give you expectations for a future between us.” His eyes pleaded with her. “Don’t you see that I can’t be what you need?”
    “What do you think I need?” Sam antha fought to keep emotion out of her voice.
    “Not to be someone’s mistress . Or, to be married to someone who spends the majority of his time working. It would only end in bitterness when I want to work and can’t give you the love and attention you want.”
    Just the mention of the word marriage made her heart skip a beat as she pictured it.
    “ You deserve so much more than that.” He squeezed her hand. “And you deserve the chance to make your mark in the Chattel tournament. If any woman can do it, it’s you,” he said as he squeezed her shoulders.
    She smiled, trying hard to hide her disappointment. “You’ve already given me enough,” she said. She needed to stop pining for this man who was so far above her station. Obviously, she wasn’t good enough for him. The rest of his excuse sounded like hogwash.
    She collected herself and lifted her chin. “Thank you for helping me. I will think of you often.”
    He lifted his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll think of you, too.”
    Biting her lip, she slid off the bed and strode to the door, determined not to look back. But when she reached her room, she cried herself to sleep.
     
    ***
     
    When Samantha returned home, she found her mother resting so she went into town to speak with Jolene. After everything that had happened, she desperately needed her best friend’s advice.
    Once they were comfortably ensconced in Jole ne’s parlor, she told her everything. Well, almost everything. She left out the naked spanking part, unable to even imagine admitting such a thing to her friend.
    “Oh , my goodness. I’m not sure whether to think of him as a villain or a Greek God,” Jolene said, her eyes wide. “So, is that it? It is finished between you?”
    “Yes, ” Samantha admitted regretfully. “It’s finished.”
    “ Not to worry, Sam, you will find someone less complicated who would rather choose you over work. It’s only a matter of time. Before you know it, you’ll be madly in love. Probably with some Chattel expert that you beat at the competition.”
    Samantha smiled at her friend’s optimism. Jolene was right, she deserved more.
    “Now, let me show you the disguise I’ve come up with for you to wear to the tournament,” Jolene said, obviously trying to cheer her by changing the subject.
    Jolene was not only a schoolteacher but also the designer for all the village plays, creating amazing costumes that transformed the actors into their subjects. She was famous for taking material scraps that should be garbage, adding a little artistry and turning them into magnificent creations.
    Glad to have something else to think about, Sam joined her friend in her bedroom, and dutifully tried on the boy’s outfit Jolene had created. After Jolene adjusted the fit of the loose trousers, she also put on the long coat, mustache, spectacles, and cap.
    Jole ne clapped her hands