Avery woke up from the absence of noise as the TV was turned off, having missed the entire movie. She didn't even remember falling asleep. She'd been in Carter's arms, his hands gently travelling her body. Beneath the blanket, he'd massaged her breasts that were still sensitive from being so aroused earlier. Slid across her stomach, where her nerves were still rapidly firing at the smallest touch. Cupped her over her panties in a way that had felt comforting after the force of his thrusts. And somewhere in all of that, she'd fallen fast asleep.
Against Carter. On his lap. She'd been so comfortable held by him after what they'd shared that she'd thought nothing of it, and she was realizing feelings cropping up that she'd never expected to have. Something she'd have to think about later, but consider while in the midst of this "punishment" that was feeling less and less like she was in trouble.
"Sleep well?" Carter asked her as she looked around the room, getting her bearings again.
"Yeah, much better now," Avery responded. It was two in the afternoon, and with the sunlight coming through the windows, she realized they'd been cooped up inside far too long on such a beautiful day. Stretching, she said, "I think I want to get outside for a bit."
"I wouldn't mind going for a swim," Mason said, rising from the couch and stretching out his arms. He saw Avery's halter, then tossed it over with a grin.
"Thanks," Avery said sheepishly as she let the blanket fall from her shoulders and quickly threw it over her head in a bizarre moment of modesty. Once on, she climbed from Carter's lap. "I'll go upstairs, put on a swimsuit."
Carter leaned back with his eyes travelling Avery's body, a satisfied grin upon his lips. He'd had her and couldn't wait to have her again. But with this agreement they'd entered, there was so much he wanted to do, yet he was just home from school for the summer; he had basically nothing for this, not even lubricant. "You guys go," he said, then climbed off the couch. "I'm going to run an errand, won't be gone more than an hour."
"Where are you going?" Avery asked, brows drawn. It was strange, but she didn't really want him to leave.
"Nowhere special," he responded, pulling his shorts on. "Don't forget you're grounded though," he added with a playful wink. "Mason, make sure she doesn't try to sneak out."
Avery rolled her eyes with a laugh. "I'm not going to sneak out," she told him as he gathered his keys.
"I'll be back soon," Carter said.
They split up, Avery and Mason heading upstairs to change, Carter taking off. In her room, Avery began to dig through her swimsuits, of which she had plenty to choose from, living in a house with a pool in the backyard. She'd gone for sexy this morning, one upping Carter's request that she stay in a tank and panties, but that had been in a personal act of defiance; a '
you can look but you can't touch'
that had failed spectacularly, as she'd been far more than just touched on the couch.
Finally she grabbed her black string bikini. It was simple, and while the top was basic triangles with some crocheting along the sides, the bottoms offered a bit more coverage than a few others she owned, though still tied at the hips. She began to remove the halter when there was a light tap on her door, which was cracked.
"Can I come in?" Mason asked, sticking his head in but averting his gaze.
"Sure," Avery responded. Mason looked up before opening the door and walking in. "What's up?"
Mason had never been a good initiator, despite having had plenty of girlfriends in his life. But with Carter out of the house, he'd been about to change when he realized he had a good chance at evening things out, if he could. Which in his mind, did not necessarily mean having sex with Avery. His only goal now was to get her attention, as it seemed she'd formed a bond with Carter that he'd yet to make.
But he absolutely had no idea where to start. Sitting down on the corner of her bed, he looked up at her. It was hard to concentrate on anything, seeing her clad in that halter and panties. "I guess I just wanted to check on you," he finally said, then shook his head as his eyes rolled. "I mean, well . . . the whole thing, I guess. I know you agreed, but . . ." He faded out there, looking up at her helplessly, not really knowing how to finish what he was saying.
Avery sat down on the bed beside him, her lips pursed and head low as she looked at him through her brows. "Thank you, Mason," she said honestly. "I'm fine, though. I know I scared you guys last night, and locking me down here is wayyy less than mom and dad would have done. The turn it's taken, though . . ."
"It's weird," Mason said, somewhat dejectedly.
Avery stared at her hands and shrugged. "This morning while you were in the shower, Carter said something to me," she explained. "Basically that we've always been close, so it didn't need to feel weird or inappropriate just because our parents married. And even you and Carter aren't related." She laughed without humor. "Of course that was when it was just touching. And I've never done anything like this before with
anyone
. Today was only the second person I've ever had sex with." After a long pause, Avery sighed. "But I do deserve punishment and you guys made the rules. You own me until they're home tomorrow, and I'm accepting it."
Mason placed his hand on her thigh. He absolutely was not about to argue that she didn't deserve to be punished, since that was what was the umbrella allowing this all to happen. "It doesn't have to hurt, you know," he said, feeling he'd found his 'in'. She met his eyes. Sliding his hand up her thigh, he took a deep breath and continued. "You said it hurt. I think that was because you didn't have any control over it. And also, once you're more used to it, it won't hurt at all."
