"OK, sweetie," she said. "Tonight is going to be something totally different for you, I'm sure. I'm going to give you a little peek into what my life was like before AJ. I guess I should say, what my life was like, and what it's going to be like for awhile. If you come with me to Tampa, these adventures will become a part of your life, too. Keep that in mind when you make your decision. You'll come to see the reasons that I demand discretion. Also, while you're with me, you'll do as I say. I'll be your Mistress, but I won't ever hurt you physically. You're too important to me for that."
Kendra nodded her head silently, a little nervous with anticipation.
"Alright. I'll start out by telling you about Nick. He's nothing like Kevin. Kevin loves to be dominated, and he obeys very well most of the time. Nick, on the other hand, likes to misbehave, and he requires a lot of discipline. But he enjoys discipline. Very much."
"Mikayla, can I ask a question?" Kendra said quietly.
"Sure, babe. What is it?" Mikayla said, walking to the closet and picking out suitable attire for them for the evening.
"Um, did you ever let Karina do this? Join in on this stuff, I mean? She's been your best friend for so long, I just figured you would have..."
"I did at one time," Mikayla said, coldly. "With Kevin. She was much too harsh with him, so it didn't work out. You just have to base your treatment on their personalities. She didn't have the right intuition."
"Did you and Brian ever..." Kendra started to say, trying to conceal the laughter in her voice. Mikayla turned to her and smiled.
"Not in a very, very long time," she answered. "But... don't let Brian's image fool you. He's an incredible lover. Believe me. He's every bit the gentleman, and when your in the mood for moonlight and magnolias, Brian's your guy."
Kendra laughed and took the patent leather bra and black lace thong that Mikayla handed her. Mikayla chose her own outfit very carefully... a black patent bustierre that laced up the front, a pair of black satin panties, and a patent garter with stockings. She topped off the outfit with a pair of 5" black patent stilettos, which would bring her almost at eye level with Nick... She sat down at the dressing table and pulled her hair up into a twist, allowing a few dark tendrils to fall around her face and neck. Kendra stood back, amazed by Mikayla's beauty, and by the way she carried herself with complete and utter confidence. There didn't appear to be a self-conscious bone in her body. There was a knock at the door, and Mikayla turned to Kendra and gave her a naughty look.
"Show time," she said, rising from her chair and strutting across the room to answer the door. When she opened it, Nick stood on the other side. He saw the setup, and looked at Mikayla. His eyes raked over her body, and a slow, sexy smile came over his face. He started to put his arms around her, but she pushed him back.
"NO," she said harshly. He looked startled for a second, but then cast his eyes to the floor.
"Sorry, Mikayla," he said quietly, falling back into the subservient role he had missed so much.
"Nicky, I didn't give you permission to address me by my name. You will address me as Mistress, and nothing else. You may not speak to Kendra at all. Is this clear?"
"Yes, Mistress."
"Now, come inside and stand in the middle of the room." He did as she asked, standing with his head bowed. Mikayla walked around him, picking up her riding crop from the dresser.
"Kendra, remove Nick's clothing," she said, her voice low and commanding. Kendra smiled and walked over to face Nick. She pushed his shirt up, then pulled it over his head. Mikayla ran her hand up his back and whispered something in his ear that Kendra couldn't hear. Mikayla nodded at Kendra, signaling her to continue. She unbuttoned his shorts and slid her hands down over his hips, pushing his clothing to the floor. As Nick stood there, naked, Mikayla stopped in front of him. She lifted his chin with her hand and their eyes met. They stared at each other for a minute, then Mikayla brought her lips to his in a soft kiss. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment. It had been such a long time since he had experienced her... She broke away from him, running her hand down his soft cheek. He grasped her hand and kissed it, then looked at her with a sly smile on his face. He knew he was going to be punished... She raised her eyebrow at him and slowly pulled her hand away.
"Nick, why do you insist on disobeying me? Against the wall. Now," she commanded, tapping her riding crop on his chest. He turned and walked to the wall, placing his hands against it over his head. Mikayla turned to Kendra and smiled. Kendra watched eagerly as Mikayla sauntered over to Nick. She brought the crop down sharply across Nick's buttocks. The unexpected sting caused him to cry out. She spanked him once more, this time even harder, leaving a deep red mark across his ass. He flinched, but Mikayla saw his erection growing, and she knew he was enjoying this punishment.
"Did that hurt, baby?" she crooned softly into his ear.
"Yes, Mistress," he said, closing his eyes.
"Would you like some pleasure, Nicky? Would that make it feel better?" she asked, running her hand over his stinging flesh.
"Oh God, yes, Mistress..." he said, his voice hoarse whisper. His breathing had become harder and more rapid.
Mikayla turned to Kendra and motioned for her to come to them. She quickly crossed the room and stood behind Nick. He started to turn around to face them, but Mikayla quickly struck his ass with the crop again, and he turned back to the wall.
"Kendra," Mikayla said softly, "Drop to your knees and give Nick oral pleasure."
Kendra smiled as she turned Nick around. Her eyes grew huge as she saw the enormity of his erection. She glanced up at Mikayla, not sure if she could handle him. Mikayla nodded and smiled, and Kendra slowly put her mouth around Nick's hardness. He drew in a deep, raspy breath as she began to slowly run her mouth up and down his shaft. He leaned his back against the wall to support himself. Mikayla allowed him to do this without argument. She grasped the base of his cock and began to stroke as she sucked, making Nick's legs shake weakly. He started to place his hands on Kendra's head, but Mikayla popped his hand with the crop. He ran his fingers thru his own hair and let out a sigh, his stomach muscles tensing. She could tell he was about to come, so she pulled Kendra away.
"That's enough," Mikayla said, placing her hand on Kendra's shoulder. Nick's eyes flew open and he looked at Mikayla, panicked.
"But Mistress..." he started.
"Nicky, move over to the bed," she said, taking his arm and gently leading him. He laid down, as she climbed onto the bed and straddled his chest. Nick's eyes were glazed with passion as he stared up at his Mistress.
"Kendra, come here," she commanded. Kendra obeyed and climbed onto the bed with them. "You have permission to touch us, Kendra."
Kendra smiled and straddled Nick's hips behind Mikayla. Her hands traveled up Mikayla's sides, lightly moving over her breasts to the top of the laces on her corset. Nick's eyes were glued to the motions of Kendra's hands, as she slowly pulled the laces and allowed the corset to fall away. He looked at Mikayla, pleading silently for permission to touch her breasts. Mikayla leaned over him, running her hands down his arms and grabbed his hands. She ran her nipple over his lips, daring him to touch it. He moaned and closed his eyes, but he didn't move. Mikayla smiled and kissed him tenderly. He opened his eyes and smiled back at her.
"Ok, Nicky. You've been good. You're released," she said softly, stroking his hair. He grabbed her and pulled her breast into his mouth, sucking her nipple furiously. Mikayla gasped at the sensation. She had missed Nick, and she wanted so much to have him. But she knew she shouldn't. She shouldn't and she wouldn't. She gently extracted herself from his mouth and climbed off his chest. He whined and reached for her again, but she backed away.
"Nicky, I think you should introduce Kendra to Thor," she said, laughing. Nick gave her a silly look, then a smile, then turned his attention to Kendra, who was still straddling his hips. He put his arms around her waist and rolled over on top of her. She looked up into his beautiful face and stared at those blue eyes... those shiny, impish blue eyes... He pushed her legs up and positioned his hard cock just outside of her body.
"Let me know if I hurt you," he said softly, as he pushed his way inside. Kendra drew in a deep breath and grabbed at the sheets as he entered her fully. She wasn't prepared for this. Mikayla sat back and watched Nick slam into Kendra repeatedly until they both came, and Nick collapsed on top of her in a sweaty, exhausted heap. Kendra began laughing, silently at first, then out loud. Nick pushed up on his elbows and looked at her curiously.
"Um, did I do something funny?" he asked, smiling.
"No, it's just... I mean... you're Nick Carter, forgodsakes. I'm just Kendra from Kansas. This is just... unreal."
Nick laughed and kissed her, resting his forehead against hers and looking into her eyes.
"Kendra, I'm just Nick Carter, some guy from Florida...."
************************************************
Mikayla left them in her room, laughing and talking. She wanted them to get to know each other, and she figured they would talk much easier if she wasn't there. She was extremely turned on by all that had occurred that evening, and she really needed a release. She pulled on her white terry robe around her body and made her way to AJ's. She let herself in the front door, and walked down to his room. When she opened the door to his room, she found him sound asleep. She sat down on the bed beside him, and ran her fingertips softly over his forehead. He stirred, but didn't open his eyes. She leaned down and kissed his lips. No response. She stood and went into the kitchen to get a drink. She glanced over into the living room and saw the two shot glasses on the table. She walked over and picked them up. One was clean, and the other had a few drops of liquid in it. She sniffed it... whiskey. She saw the bottle sitting on the end table and picked it up. Not much gone out of it... but there was lipstick on the rim... She put it back down on the table and sat on the couch. Had he been drinking? Possibly. If so, she would be extremely angry. He had a woman there, that was for sure... he might have even fucked her. Knowing AJ, he did. She felt the familiar sting of hurt returning to her heart.
But no... she couldn't be angry with him... she was the one who had told him that they wouldn't be exclusive. It was her idea. But the thought of him with another woman... the thought of a strange woman's hands on his body... Mikayla felt something she was not used to feeling. Jealousy.
She walked back into his room and laid down beside him. She watched him sleep for a few minutes, then rested her head on his shoulder. He opened his eyes slowly, realizing that there was someone with him. He looked down just as she looked up at him. She smiled sadly, but didn't speak. She wrapped her arm around his chest and held him tightly.
"Hey baby," he said, his voice hoarse with sleep. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I just missed you," she said. "Just wanted you to hold me tonight."
"I thought Nick would be holding you tonight," he said sarcastically. Mikayla sat up and looked at him, shocked that he knew about her plans that night.
"Who told you about that?" she asked.
"Does it matter? I mean, you said we weren't going to be exclusive, so I guess if you wanna fuck around with Nick, you can. I wish you wouldn't, seeing that he's one of my best friends, but you're free to do it," AJ said. He rolled on his side, his back to her.
"AJ, who told you?" she asked again, her eyes narrowing. In her mind, she knew good and well who told him.
"Karina," he said. Mikayla nodded her head silently.
"Sooooo that was Karina's lipstick on the bottle of whiskey in the living room, huh?" she asked quietly. AJ rolled over on his back and faced her.
"I guess so. Baby, I have to tell you something. I know you're gonna hate me, and you'll probably never speak to me again. I, um, I took a drink tonight. Just one, but I know I said I would never drink again. It's so hard. I just don't know if I can stop."
Mikayla stared at him. He could clearly see the disappointment in her eyes.
"AJ, did you fuck her?"
He averted his eyes, unable to answer her. But his silence was answer enough for her. She turned his face back toward her and looked into his eyes.
"Baby, I can't say I'm not disappointed in you. But you're right. I am the one who said we shouldn't be exclusive, so I guess I can't be pissed at you. I guess I'm jealous. Funny, that's the first time I think I've ever been jealous of another woman in my life. Just the thought of your hands on another woman's body... it just burns me up."
"Now you see how I felt about you fucking Nick tonight," AJ said quietly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"But I didn't," she said, bitterly.
"Actually, I was saving myself for you. That's why I came over. Kendra has Nick occupied tonight. If you don't believe me, ask him."
AJ covered his face with his hands. Mikayla stood and went to his closet and changed into a pair of his shorts and a t-shirt. He laughed a little when he saw her emerge dressed in his clothes.
"Shut up," she said, laughing. "You're still in trouble about the drinking, but I've got something to take care of right now. I'll deal with you later."
**************************************************
As she walked toward Karina's room, her strides became longer and more determined. This was going to stop, and it was going to stop NOW. She banged on the door and waited.
Karina answered the door, obviously having been asleep. Mikayla brought her hand across Karina's face in a stinging slap. Karina jumped back, stunned.
Mikayla pushed her inside and slammed the door behind her.
"Karina, I warned you," she yelled, her finger in Karina's face. "Stay away from AJ. Don't go near him. Don't talk to him. Don't look at him. Don't think about him. FORGET THAT HE EXISTS. He's MINE."
"Well he was mine tonight," Karina said under her breath. WHACK! Another slap from Mikayla. Karina looked at her, her eyes glazed with fury.
"Karina, perhaps you didn't understand me the first time. Don't you EVER go near him again, or you will regret it for the rest of your short life. I swear to GOD you will regret it."
"Don't threaten me, Mikayla. Don't forget, I know all of your little secrets, baby. I wonder how AJ would feel if he knew where you met Dominick? And how you got all of your money? And what your life was like before Dom found you?"
Mikayla's glare was like daggers going through Karina's body.
"Karina, if you breathe a word of my past life to anybody, it will be the last breath you take. And you know I'm not just blowing smoke up your ass, girl. Mark my words... it will be the VERY last breath you take. And let's not forget, I know your past, too, and one huge secret of yours that would RUIN your life. So...don't...fuck...with...me, bitch!"
Mikayla quietly opened the door to AJ's room. He was laying on his back with a pillow over his head. She climbed onto the bed and removed the pillow. She could see that his eyes were puffy and he had been crying.
"Kayla, I'm so sorry," he said, closing his eyes. "I'm just so sorry. I know I swore I wouldn't..."
She placed her finger over his lips.
"Alex, stop," she said. "I know you're sorry. I know, baby. If you really think you can't stop, we'll get you help."
He turned to face her, as the tears began to roll down his cheeks again. He nodded his head and swallowed hard. Mikayla bent down and kissed him, then ran her fingers down his cheek.
"You're a strong person, AJ. You have one of the strongest wills of anybody I know." she said, smiling. "I know you can do this. We'll get you all the help you need. I'll be here for you. The guys are here for you. You can beat this."
AJ smiled a sad smile and nodded again.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" she asked, still smiling through the tears that had begun to roll down her cheeks.
He reached up and pulled her down into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and held him until he fell asleep. Once she was sure he was really asleep, she got up and went back to her own house, where she woke Brian and explained the situation.
"Kay, we've got to help him," Brian said, sadly. "He's changed so much lately, and you and I both know why. I mean, he actually HIT Kevin. He's just not AJ anymore."
"I know," she answered quietly. "But now HE realizes it, too. He knows he can't do this by himself."
Together, they made all the arrangements for AJ. They would be leaving the very next day.
************************************************
The next 30 days were the longest, hardest 30 days that Mikayla had ever experienced. AJ had asked that she not visit him while he was in rehab, but he hadn't really given her any reasons why. After he had been there for a week, she received her first phone call from him.
"Hey baby," he said softly into the receiver.
"Hey you," she answered, feeling a lump forming in her throat. She wasn't really sure what to say to him. "How is everything going?"
"I think the worst part of this is over. God, you wouldn't believe how much better I feel already. It's amazing what a few nights of 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep will do for you," he said, laughing a little.
"Alex, how are you REALLY doing?"
He sighed and was quiet for several seconds. "This is hard, baby. It's really, really hard. But I know I can do it. I'm not gonna let you down."
"Don't worry about letting me down. You just get better for YOU, not for anybody else. I'm so proud of you. And I love you so much."
"I love you too, Kayla. Kiss the baby for me, OK? God, she's gonna forget all about me, isn't she?"
"Not a chance. We talk about you every day, and we look at pictures all the time. Like she could forget her daddy, anyway. She asks for her dada every night when I put her to bed. I think she misses you singing her to sleep, cause you KNOW I don't sing."
AJ laughed. It was the first time she had heard him laugh in a long time, and it warmed her heart. She knew he was going to be alright. She had faith in him.
"Well, I guess I need to get to bed," he said. "I love you, Kay. Don't ever forget that. And I'll be home soon."
"Sweet dreams, Alex," she said. "I love you too."
"Hey, what's with the Alex thing?" he said, laughing again. "You never call me that."
"I don't know," she said, smiling. "I just felt like it."
**************************************************
On the day that AJ was to return home, Mikayla couldn't help but feel nervous. What if he felt like SHE was the cause of his problems? What if he decided he didn't want to be with her anymore. What if he had decided he didn't want to be with BSB anymore, and he wanted to leave? Her mind was racing. Her nerves were on edge. She decided to sit out by the pool and try to relax while she waited. As she looked out over the ocean, she allowed her mind to wander. She thought back over the past two years, and everything they had been through. She thought about Karina... she hadn't heard from her since they returned from Jamaica. Mikayla knew she was still out there, and she was probably loving the fact that AJ was having problems. Mikayla shook her head and closed her eyes. Soon, she drifted off into a light sleep. She dreamed of AJ.
**********************************
AJ walked through the front door of Mikayla's house. He passed by Manigo without speaking. Manigo gave him a nasty look, but didn't try to stop him. The first thing AJ did was go to Lyric's nursery, where he found the nanny giving her a bottle. When the little girl saw him, her eyes lit up and she began to make happy baby noises and held her arms out to him. She hadn't forgotten him after all. He smiled and picked her up, kissing her soft cheek and holding her tightly, inhaling her sweet baby scent. He pressed his lips against the top of her head, feeling her soft, wispy baby hair tickle his nose. He looked into her innocent, trusting eyes, and she smiled a huge smile for her daddy. Lyric pulled off his sunglasses and dropped them on the floor.
"Just like your mommy," he said, laughing. He walked over to the window and saw Mikayla... his love... sitting in a lounge chair by the pool. He kissed the baby once more and gave her back to the nanny. As he made his way down the stairs, he glanced into the living room. He noticed that every drop of alcohol had been removed from the formerly well-stocked bar. He smiled and shook his head. She had really prepared for his return.
He slowly and quietly pushed open the French doors and walked out onto the patio. As he approached Mikayla, he could she that she was sleeping. He approached her silently and knelt by her chair. She looked so beautiful... her soft cheek just begging for his touch. He extended his hand and ran the back of his fingers down the side of her face, barely touching her skin. She opened her eyes and smiled. She sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her in a crushing embrace. He returned her hug, as they sat silently embracing for several minutes. Mikayla pulled back and stared into his eyes. The first thing she noticed what the he looked so HEALTHY! No more dark circles around his eyes from fatigue. No more dullness. No more anger. Then she noticed something that had been missing for so long... that mischievous, impish sparkle was back. He was back. Her AJ was back...