Love Slave for Two: Reckoning [Love Slave for Two 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Tymber Dalton

it’s a lovely idea, Sir, and that I would be proud to wear your collar.”
    Tom grinned. “That’s more like it. That’s my good boy.”

Chapter Seven
     
    Nevvie’s nervous stomach early Saturday morning had nothing to do with morning sickness. She managed to down two pieces of toast and some peppermint tea at Andrew’s insistence before she joined Peggy on the porch. Inside, Laurie, the twins, Clay, and Andrew were all trying to keep Adam and Mikey occupied with a new video game.
    “You all right, sugar?” Peggy asked.
    “I guess.” Nevvie leaned back in her chair and propped her feet up on the porch railing. They wouldn’t be able to sit outside much longer. The first of Edgar’s outer bands, robbed of power but still ripe with rain, had already blustered through the area. The overcast skies were already darkening again to the southwest as the next rain band closed in on them. Gusts of winds stronger than the stiff breeze set the pine trees surrounding the property dancing in nature’s own version of a coordinated flash mob. The storm’s track would take the eye across Florida and out into the Atlantic somewhere near St. Augustine. That meant lots of rain and gusty winds for Savannah, but hopefully no flooding.
    “The boys are fine,” Peggy said, echoing Nevvie’s thoughts. “There’s no need to worry about them.”
    “I haven’t received a text from them since 2:00 a.m., when they went to bed.”
    “You know that doesn’t mean anything. They might still be asleep, sugar. Or cell towers might be down.”
    “I know.”
    Inside, Nevvie heard Adam’s excited squeal over leveling up in the game.
    “That was a good idea, getting the new game,” Peggy said.
    “I bought a bunch of DVDs for them, too. I just can’t believe they’re awake this early. It’s unreal.”
    “It’s the storm. They also sense our stress.”
    “I guess.”
    “I actually don’t mind storms.” Peggy’s gaze focused somewhere in the distance. “Whether they’re afternoon thunderstorms or big storms like this.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “They remind me of my place.”
    “Huh?”
    Peggy didn’t respond at first. “We think we’re in charge of our lives. But we’re not. A storm is a good reminder of that. Storms always end. And on the other side, the weather gets better. It’s a fine analogy for life. Some storms just take longer than others. Sometimes, you don’t even realize you’re still in the storm until you happen to look up and see the sky turning blue again.” She looked at Nevvie. “Even Edgar can’t take away the clear blue skies in my life right now.”
    Nevvie reached out a hand to her. Peggy took hers and squeezed. Together, they sat on the porch and watched the weather roll in.
     
    * * * *
     
    Tom lay in bed, his hands laced behind his head, and stared at the darkened ceiling. While he hadn’t fallen deeply asleep, he had managed to nap off and on throughout the night. Every little noise outside had woke him up.
    He didn’t want to put a light on despite the blackness inside the room. He knew from their bedside clock that it was nearly seven in the morning, but the wind still howled outside. They were on the back side of the storm, and hopefully the weather should only improve from that point on, but he wasn’t setting foot outside the house until the wind died down more.
    Tyler softly snored next to him, on his side and cuddled tightly against Tom. Tom wanted to get up, but he didn’t want to awaken Tyler. He knew Tyler hadn’t slept well during the night, and if he got up, Tyler certainly would, too.
    At least it appeared the roof had held. And none of the storm shutters, or the garage door bracing, had given way. But from the leaks around the attic vents, they’d be looking at some roof repairs, no doubt about it.
    I hope the cars aren’t completely trashed. He had no illusions that their vehicles had probably sustained impact damage from debris. He wondered if the glass was intact, or