High-end real estate is a competitive field.  Having been selling exclusive properties for four years, my girlfriends and I often bet on which clients would put a particular estate into their vast portfolios.  My guessing was generally good but not perfect.  Those who lost bets would have to give up a dare.  And even more audacious, we were allowed to sell someone’s dare to another party, a danger intended to keep us on our toes.

I confess to having been on a four-year winning streak, and maybe I became too boastful.  My name is Anne Montgomery, and many thought I was one of the prettier sales executives, with a graceful figure, nice boobs, long golden-brown hair, and an insolent swagger in my deep blue eyes.  At 27, I was younger than most of the veteran agents.  I had shown the Bradhurst Association a wonderful mansion being offered for sale well below market value and was sure they would buy it, betting my best friend Linda that I’d close the deal.  I was wrong.  At the last minute, my chief competitor from another firm swooped in with a property the association liked better.  I lost my bet.  I could imagine Wanda Manning gloating after the many times I bested her.

Our weekends were always busy with open houses.  Mondays were devoted to contracts.  Tuesdays were about paperwork.  The girls’ night out was on Wednesdays.  By then the hectic pace would quiet down.  I met Linda, who was only three years older than me, at the Blue Duckling, our favorite watering hole just around the corner from the office.  Three other women joined us: Sandra, Judy, and Candace.  The first two were in their mid-30s, generally polite though often jealous.  Candace had been my apprentice until her recent promotion.

“So, Wanda finally snookered you,” Judy said, rubbing it in.  Her green eyes weren’t trying to hide her joy.

“Yes.  Wanda had an unlisted property that she was holding back,” I explained.  “Mrs. Bradhurst fell in love with it and overruled her husband.”

“And you lost your bet to Linda,” Sandra eagerly mentioned, on the edge of her seat.  Her glee was obvious.

“I did, though she hasn’t told me what my dare is yet,” I replied, looking at her.

“It’s going to be a surprise.  A big surprise,” Linda said with a hesitant grin that had me uncomfortable.

“We can hardly wait,” Candace happily smirked.  Five years younger than I, she was still a rookie whom I had tried to help, though I think she took my advice as criticism.

I noticed Wanda Manning enter, 45-years old, tall and immaculately groomed as always, with her supermodel features and elegant chocolate brown suit.  I hoped she wouldn’t notice us, but Linda waved her over.

“Congratulations,” Linda said, standing up to give her a hug.  “That was a colossal sale.  Can we buy you a drink?”

“That’s nice of you,” she agreed.  “Are you sure Annie is okay with me joining you?  After I kicked her ass?”

“You didn’t kick my ass,” I protested.  “You found the garden Mrs. Bradhurst always wanted and convinced their association to buy it for her.”

“Do you think that was an accident?” Wanda said with a wink.  “It’s all about getting to know the client and serving their wants.  Nothing in this business is more important than serving wants.”

“Annie, you do tend to talk more than you listen,” Linda cautioned, and not for the first time.  “Being pretty will only get you so far.”

“I’ve been doing okay,” I replied, impatient with their smugness.

“Well, since you seem to have it all together, is this a good night for our dare?” Linda asked.

“We should talk about that privately,” I answered.

“Fair enough,” Linda agreed.

The group broke up just before eleven o’clock after plenty of drinks.  Wanda had been on her best behavior, less obnoxious than usual.  A longtime veteran agent, she could be overbearing.  The other girls appeared in high spirits, which I didn’t quite understand.  Their sales had been suffering while mine had been soaring.

On the sidewalk, Linda pulled me aside.  “Let’s discuss the dare in the park,” she said, leading me across the street.  It was one of those mile-square parks, with basketball and tennis courts, a golf course, soccer fields, and an outdoor amphitheater.  Tall trees along the meandering running trails made vast portions look like a forest.  We stopped just inside the park entrance near a bench.  It was nearly deserted this time of night on a weekday.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” Linda said.  “You’re my best friend, and I love you, but sometimes even best friends need a wake-up call.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“To go the distance in our business, and in life, sometimes humility is needed,” she answered.  “You’ve been having a problem with that.  I want to help you.”

“I still don’t know what you mean.  What help?”

“Is our dare on?  Are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m ready,” I agreed.

“That’s good.  Take off your clothes,” Linda ordered.

“What?  Here?” I protested.

“You had Judy take off her clothes.”

“At a pool party, in your backyard.  Not in public.”

“It set a precedent.  And you had Sandra streak the gym.”

“Yes, that was funny,” I remembered.  “But again, the gym is private.  People walk around nude all the time.”

“I don’t think Candace was amused when you switched locks on her gym locker,” Linda pointed out.

“She still had her towel,” I responded.  “Am I getting a towel?”

“No, you are taking off your clothes.  Now let’s get this going.”

A dare was a dare.  I knew the rules and never welched, as Linda knew.  I sat on the bench to remove my sneakers and socks.  Linda put them in a duffel bag.  It was a warm night, so I hadn’t worn a sweater.  My blouse went next, and then my slacks.  I got up from the bench, only my bra and panties remained.  

“Can I keep these?” I requested. 

“No,” she answered.

“At least let me carry them,” I asked.

“Stop delaying.  Put everything in the bag,” Linda insisted.  The bra and panties came off, turning my face red as I stood bare-assed before her.  I watched her zipper the bag shut and set it on the bench.

“Happy now?” I asked, holding my arms out.

“Not yet.  It’s time for the handcuffs,” she revealed, dangling them in front of me.

“Handcuffs?  No, no one ever said anything about handcuffs.”

“It will make the game more exciting,” Linda assured me.  I turned around and felt her close the cuffs on my wrists behind my back.  They were double locking.  Where did she learn about double-locking handcuffs?  I was now totally exposed under the park’s nightlights, unable to cover myself.

I had nothing to be ashamed of.  5’8, a hundred and thirty pounds, slim and graceful with nice breasts.  I played golf, tennis, and swam in college, though I've had fewer opportunities for sports these days.  Any guy would want me if I had time for dating.

“Please, Linda, this is going too far,” I said, beginning to whimper.  “What are you going to do?”

“Me?  I won’t be doing anything to you, dear.  You see, I sold your dare,” Linda replied.

“Sold my dare?  To whom?”

“Here she comes now,” Linda said, stepping aside.  Oh, my God, it was Wanda!  She sold my dare to Wanda Manning!  The fucking bitch!

“Linda, don’t do this.  Please don’t do this,” I begged.

“It’s already done.  Don’t you always say a deal is a deal?” Linda replied with a dismissive gesture.

Wanda stood before me with a victorious grin, seeing everything as I cringed.  It was a nightmare come true, naked and helpless, bound to obey the woman who was my greatest rival.  Her hungry hazel eyes roamed over me with pure joy.

“I must say, it doesn’t get better than this,” she concluded.  I felt utterly humiliated.  And betrayed.  I stared at Linda in anguish, unable to tell what she was thinking.  It seemed like she had something to say but couldn’t.  She handed the handcuff key to Wanda and started off.

“Linda, are you going back to your office?” Wanda asked.

“Yes, I need to lock up,” Linda said.  Wanda retrieved the duffel bag and gave it to her.

“Leave Annie’s clothes on her desk,” Wanda instructed.  “She won’t be needing them until tomorrow morning.”  Linda looked shocked to hear that Wanda was going to keep me naked all night, but she didn’t object.  Some best friend she was.

“Oh, one more thing,” Wanda added, looking at me with a devil’s grin.  She opened the duffel bag and dropped the handcuff key inside.  “We won’t be needing this until tomorrow morning, either.”

Linda took the bag with my clothes and ran away into the night.  I think she was crying.

Our walk began before midnight.  The park was emptying out as people had work in the morning, though there were probably still a hundred spread out over the large area.  It felt strange to feel the cement walkway beneath my bare feet.  And sometimes grass.  Pine needles could be a problem.

“First time naked outdoors?” Wanda inquired. 

“No.  In college I was naked on a beach in Spain, and another beach in France.  Friends once stole my clothes while we were skinny dipping at Lake Carlson.  It was hard getting them back.  Even good people can be mean sometimes.  This is my first time naked in a city, though.”

“Well, you look wonderful.  I hope we can make this a regular practice,” she laughed.  “Your tits are just the right size for that tight body.  Nice and firm.  And your butt is perfect.  You must work out.  The wax job is very clean.  It leaves nothing to the imagination.”

I didn’t have much to say about that.  I wasn’t sure of Wanda’s orientation and didn’t want to encourage her, thinking of myself as straight.  Most of the time.  “What are your plans, if I may ask?”

“My plans?  We are going to enjoy this wonderful park together.  And if I’m right about a few things, it’s going to be very educational.”

We began our journey along a winding path through tall trees.  I wasn’t sure how I’d react if someone saw me, and didn’t have to wait long for the answer.

“My goodness, a naked slave and her mistress,” a gray-haired old man said, out walking his labrador retriever.  “A beauty, too.  Did you buy her?  Or did you catch her in the wild?”

“I rented her,” Wanda said.  “Isn’t she something?  Take a look.”

Okay, I saw how this evening was going.

“She has many delectable qualities,” the creepy guy decided.  “Those tits are a dream come true.  So round and squeezable.  Her thighs look like silk.  Ready to be stroked.  And that pussy is heavenly.  Clean and smooth.  Begging to be exploited.  Are you making good use of her?”  It looked like he wanted to run his fingers all over me.

“No, we’re not at that point,” Wanda answered.  “Not yet.”

He was about seventy-five years old, tall but bent, with thin, scraggly hair and wrinkled skin.  His dog looked wonderful, with a rich tan coat and attentive brown eyes.  I had always wished that I could have a dog.  Working 70 hours a week made it impossible.  The old man seemed to take my naked condition for granted, as if it wasn’t the least bit unusual.

This was different for me than standing on a nude beach, or even encountering hikers while searching for my stolen clothes.  We were in my local park, not far from my office, surrounded by busy streets, cars, bicyclists, joggers, and all the evidence of everyday life.  There was no separation from my daily reality to protect me.  My face was turning red, and Wanda was enjoying every moment of it.

I was startled as a jogger suddenly went by, a middle-aged man trying to stay young.  He looked at me briefly and kept going.  Which was insulting.  I believed myself worth more than a glance

“You’ve got a problem with this slave, young lady,” the geezer said.

“What is that, esteemed sir?” Wanda replied.

“She doesn’t have a collar.  No slave is complete without a collar.”  And then, to my utter chagrin, he knelt and removed the collar from his dog!  “Now my Athena doesn’t really need a collar and a leash.  She obeys just fine, like your slave needs to.”

He handed the collar and leash to Wanda, who showed them to me with a horribly diabolic smile.  “Thank you, sir, this is very generous,” she said.  “Come, slave.”

Then Wanda made me stand before the old man while she buckled the black leather collar around my neck.  The leash went in her pocket.

“This is very fine,” Wanda gushed.  “Is there anything I can do to repay you?”

“Too old for what I really want,” the old man said, licking his chops.  “Wouldn’t mind giving her a slap on that nice ass, though.”

“Well, slave, shouldn’t we accommodate this friendly gentleman’s request?” Wanda pushed.

I bowed to the inevitable, turned around, and bent over.  Whack!  He might have been old, but he had a strong swing.          

“What the fuck?” I shouted. “That hurt!”  The old man chuckled.

“Thank you, ladies, this has been delightful,” the rascal said, doffing his hat.  Then he wandered off, whistling for his dog to follow.

“That collar looks good on you,” Wanda said.  “You should make it a permanent part of your wardrobe.”

“I’ll give it some thought,” I replied.

After the encounter with the old man, we reached the amphitheater, where I received a very unpleasant surprise.  One that, in many respects, would change my life forever.  The lights were on, which was unusual for a weeknight so late.  There were six people sitting on the stone benches.  I recognized all of them.  Three were so-called women friends from the office, the other three were their boyfriends.  They didn’t look like they had come to offer support in my time of need.  They were laughing and drinking.  It was a celebration.  Only Sandra came forward.

“Thank you for bringing our slave, all ripe and naked,” Sandra said, as catty as ever.  “We’ll take over now.”

Sandra stepped up and hooked two fingers through my collar.  I was doing everything I could to appear calm, but I was quietly terrified.  Her army wasn’t just looking for a good time.  From their leering expressions, I realized they intended something far darker than that.  Something that would destroy me.  I trembled.

“What do you have in mind for her?” Wanda casually asked.

“That’s none of your damn business, and we don’t want any witnesses, so it’s time for you to move along,” Sandra warned.

“No witnesses?” Wanda said, realizing what I’d already sensed.  She was looking at their expressions, too.  The men were hungry, thirsting for my vulnerable body.  Rubbing their crotches.  The women were anticipating a deep revenge, the darkest of humiliations.  Sandra left no doubt what they intended.  It was getting hard to breathe.  I wanted to run but wouldn’t get very far barefoot.  I was trapped and everyone knew it.  They basked in it.  Savored my fear.  I checked for Wanda’s reaction.  All she had to do was walk away and leave me there.  My whole life was literally in her hands.

“You forget that she is my slave,” Wanda said.  “I paid for her.  If you want to buy her, it will cost you.”

“We’ll give you $100,” Sandra said, tugging on the collar.

“Not enough,” Wanda rejected, slapping her hand away.

“How much?” Sandra asked.

“I want $100,000,” Wanda said.

“What?  $100,000?  Are you fucking kidding me?” Sandra exclaimed.

“That’s my price, and it’s not negotiable,” Wanda insisted.

“This arrogant slut needs to be punished,” Sandra demanded.  “She’s going to get what she’s been asking for.  Over and over, all night long.  We’ve wanted this for a long time and no one is going to stop us.  Do you hear me?  Sell her at a reasonable price or face the consequences.”

“Consequences?” Wanda said.

“That’s right, bitch.  If you don’t like it, we can take you down, too,” Sandra threatened.

Wanda’s fist lashed out so fast Sandra never saw it coming.  She staggered backward holding her bleeding nose.  She would have a black eye in the morning.

“If you wish to punish my slave, we can discuss that,” Wanda said.  “Attempt to intimidate me again, and I will hurt you.  Do all of you hear that?  None of you worms get to fuck with me!  Not now, not ever.”

Wow, and they said I was arrogant.

“What form will this punishment take?” Wanda asked.  “It better not be what I suspect, for if it is, you’re all going to prison.  Every single one of you, for a long, long time.  I will see to that personally.  Perhaps you only wish to spank her?”

Sandra stepped away to consult her partners, a handkerchief over her sore nose.  There was a lot of disagreement.  Some were shaking their heads.  Two men got up and left.

“We would like to do much more than humiliate her, but we don’t want to be arrested,” Sandra decided.  “The punishment can start with spanking.”

“What do you think, slave?” Wanda asked.  “Should I let them punish you?”

I looked at Wanda, wondering what kind of dangerous game she was playing.  She was gazing at me with an unspoken question.  A dare?

“Bring it on, mistress,” I agreed.  And then I turned to Sandra, boldly saying, “You would like to see me fucked before all these people, but you can’t.  So do your worst with the spanking, you sick, spineless coward, because after I’m done fucking you with every client you ever had, there will be no one to protect you.”

Sandra stepped back.  She never imagined I would speak to her like that, for it was so out of character.  I slipped past her, going to my now reluctant audience.  They were anxious.  Scooting back.  I stood before them, naked and defiant, letting them see everything. 

“Take your best shot, you fucking whores.  And when I tell your clients what you did here tonight to a helpless woman in handcuffs, let’s see what they think of you.  When I tell their wives, and their husbands, and their boards of directors what a sick bunch of sadists you are, let’s see how many of them will still do business with you.”

To no one’s surprise, all but Sandra got up and ran.  Humiliating an unpopular co-worker is one thing, seeing their careers go up in smoke is something else.  I had every intention of doing it, and they knew I could.  Even Sandra was having second thoughts, starting to edge away.

 “Get back here, you bitch,” I ordered.  Sandra hesitated before taking a few steps forward.

“Yes?” she asked in a quaking voice.  I turned around and bent over, presenting my butt.

“You’ve gone to a lot of trouble arranging this ambush.  I’m guessing you started planning it days ago after Linda told you what the dare would be.  So go ahead and take a few whacks.  At least you’ll be able to remember spanking my ass tonight while I spend the next twenty years spanking yours.”

Sandra took off.

Once the gang of six was gone, my knees went weak.  I grew dizzy, looking for a place to land that wasn’t cement.  There was a patch of turf where I fell on my butt, the damp grass invading my most intimate areas.  I started crying, and when I tried to stop, it turned into sobbing.  I could barely breathe.

I expected Wanda to be applauding her triumph.  It was obvious that, despite my last-minute bravado, Sandra’s threats had broken me.

Wanda did not hover in victory.  There was no gloating.  I felt her sit down behind me.  Her arms wrapped around my waist.  Her legs encircled my thighs.  She laid her chin on my shoulder.  I found a way to breathe again.

“You may not believe this,” she whispered, “but I did not buy your dare to humiliate you.  Well, maybe a little.  We’ve been rivals for so long, it’s hard to resist.  But I won’t let anyone hurt you.  I swear that’s not what I want.”

“I was so scared,” I whimpered.  “I’ve never been so scared in my entire life.”

She showed me her phone.  The screen read, 9-1-1.  Woman being assaulted.  Amphitheater.  Beeker’s Park.  Code red.

“I was holding my phone behind my back the entire time, my finger on the send key,” Wanda explained.  “If they made a move against you, cops would have been all over this place.   I was never going to let them have you.  Never in a million years.”

“But why?” I asked.  “I’ve taken so many sales away from you.  If Sandra had destroyed me, you’d have the best clients all to yourself.  Isn’t that what you want?”

“Please think better of me than that.  Yes, I’m exploiting your dare.  To have you all embarrassed like this is a thrill.  But I’m not a sick, jealous, demented psychopath like Sandra and her friends.  Women like her disgust me.”

“I still don’t understand,” I said, sniffling.  She wiped my tears and had me blow my nose.  She produced a silver flask.

“Maker’s Mark.  Take a sip, honey, you need it,” she offered.  The bourbon was good.  She had me take a bigger sip and put the flask away.

“This might be hard to grasp, but we’re supposed to be having fun tonight,” she suggested.  “We’re on an exciting dare, in a lovely park, with perfect weather.  Let’s not let a horrible woman ruin it for us.  You are strong.  Very, very strong.  You were so fierce with Sandra that even I was afraid.  Now let’s dry these tears and get back in the game.  We’re not even halfway around the park yet.”

I needed a few moments to dwell on what Wanda said.  As scared as I was, she’d had my back the whole time.  At some risk to herself.  When we stood up, I found my composure.  Wanda and I prepared to resume our walk.

“Wanda, please do me a favor,” I said.

“Yes?”

“Give me a good hard smack on the ass.  I deserve it.”

She did.

I was still pondering my encounter with Sandra when we reached the brightly lit tennis courts.  Coming from the darkened path, I needed to squint.  A couple on the court paused as Wanda and I walked by, surprised to see a naked captive walking side-by-side with an elegantly attired businesswoman.  Then they shrugged and went back to their game.  We were under the glare of the lights when Judy popped up from behind a bench.  She was still wearing her off-the-rack suit from work.  Obviously, I was not.

“Wow, you really are naked, aren’t you?” Judy said with a nasty grin.  If there was a shred of sympathy for my situation, it didn’t show.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I want to know why, if you’re so smart, I have my clothes on and you’re roaming the park in the middle of the night like a shameless slut,” she answered.

“Gosh, Judy, it’s nice to see you, too,” I dryly remarked.  “What brings about the honor of your presence?”

“Oh, nothing.  I just want to see you destroyed,” she replied.

“Destroyed?” Wanda said, stepping into the conversation.

“Linda kept saying this dare is for Annie’s own good, but we all know that’s not true.  In her heart of hearts, even Linda knows this will make Annie a joke in the industry.  Linda has been jealous of her for years, and now she’s finally found a way to take her down without accepting responsibility.”

“Linda says she’s my best friend,” I questioned.

“Best friend?  She wins a dare and turns you over to your worst enemy.  To be marched around naked by a cold-hearted bitch like Wanda.  What kind of friend does that?”

“Hey, you little snip, that’s getting raw,” Wanda protested.

“I don’t care what you think, you mercenary whore,” Judy snapped back.  “You don’t even work for our company.  I’m settling scores with the queen of the roost.  Making sure I get my moment in the sun.  After tonight, Annie won’t even rule an outhouse.”

“You two seem to have unresolved issues,” Wanda said.  “And here I thought you were friends.”

“Annie has no friends, just inferiors to lord over.  Always top in sales.  Always finding the best clients.  Always closing the biggest deals.  We’re lucky she allows us to breathe the same air that she does.”

“I’ve never put any of you down,” I objected.  “I share contacts.  I share field reports.  Whenever there’s a project pending, I’ve always been there to help anyone who wants it.  It’s not my fault you want to go home early and play video games with your fiancé.”

“Well, I guess you won’t need to put yourself out anymore, because I’ve finally got you, you fucking slut,” Judy shouted with glee.

Suddenly, she raised her phone and started snapping photos.  One after another after another, walking around me in circles, getting every angle, zeroing in on my breasts, my waxed pubes, and taking a special interest in my ass where the handcuffs provided partial cover.  I watched her rather impassively, much to Wanda’s curiosity.

“By tomorrow, these pictures will be all over the internet,” Judy bragged.  “You think you’re so high and mighty.  Let’s see how you do when everyone you work with has your naked ass posted on their bathroom walls.”

I could see Judy was really in her element, finally being the one in charge. 

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Wanda intervened.  “You know it will destroy many relationships.”

“What I know is that I’m finally coming out ahead.  After three years of being shown up by this braggart, now I’ll get to crow.”  Judy laughed so maniacally that it made me wonder about her sanity.

“I always suspected that, at heart, you are a chronic loser, Judy.  And now I know for sure,” I said so clinically that there wasn’t a trace of emotion.  “Thank you for the education.  Wanda, we still have a long walk ahead.  Shouldn’t we be going?”

“We should, though I believe there is something about this situation that you’re not revealing,” Wanda replied.

“Your assumption is correct,” I confirmed.

“Would you care to explain it?” Wanda asked.

“It will all become clear in the morning,” I said.  “By the way, Judy, be sure to tell Linda how you took advantage of her dare to humiliate her best friend.  Hopefully, Linda thinks you’re her new best friend.  She is, isn’t she?  Is Linda now your best friend?”

“You know Linda and I aren’t that close.  Why?  What are you saying?” Judy asked.

“Just go ahead and post your photos.  Have your day in the sun.  By tomorrow, it will all become clear,” I answered, starting to walk away.

Judy was getting mad now, and scared.  She couldn’t believe how calm I was.  She put her phone aside to get in my face.

“What are you talking about?  Tell me!  Tell me!” she demanded.

“Loser,” I responded, simply staring back at her.

Getting red in the face, she made a fist as if ready to punch me.  I never flinched, but the blow never came.  Wanda pushed her back and smacked her down.

“You’re not hitting a handcuffed woman on my watch, you fucking little bitch,” Wanda scolded.  “Though I would like to know what this is all about.” 

“What do you have to trade?” I asked.

“Why should I trade anything?” Wanda said.

“Because information doesn’t come free,” I answered.  Judy had stepped away now, hardly an afterthought between Wanda and me.

“I’ll give you a future consideration,” Wanda offered.

“Fair enough.  I accept,” I agreed.

I saw a park bench and took a seat.  Wanda sat next to me and gave me a sip of the bourbon.  It helped settle my nerves.  Judy remained standing, looking increasingly anxious.

“First of all, I may be naked, but I’m not doing anything sexual.  Anyone seeing the photos will know I accepted a dare and was betrayed by my closest friends.  That will look bad for them, especially in the business world where trust is so important, and it won’t really affect me.  I don’t have a boyfriend, and I don’t have a very conservative fiancé.  Unlike some women I know.” 

I gave Judy my most evil stare.

“You will find this interesting, Wanda.  Four years ago, when Judy first joined the firm, there was a pool party at Linda’s.  Where Judy got drunk, fell in the pool naked in front of twenty people, and started going down on a big handsome man she didn’t even know.  While the rest of us watched.”

“You can’t prove anything,” Judy denied.  “There is no proof.  No proof at all.  I would have heard about it.”

“Oh, please, Linda had her security monitors going the entire night.  We’ve watched the footage a dozen times, laughing at how lame you were.  You don’t even give good head.  Then you threw up while trying to do a second guy.  I must have taken a hundred pictures with my phone.  But you see, I never would have used that against you.  You were my friend.  But now you’re not my friend, so the photos are headed for the internet.  Just wait until I post them on the company website, I’m sure Bob will love them.  Bob’s church groups will love them, too.”

“You can’t mean to really do that?” Judy asked.

“Of course I can.  As you say, I’m a cold, ambitious bitch,” I replied.

“If Bob sees those, he’ll break off our engagement,” Judy realized.  “Oh, please, Annie, don’t do that.  I was only kidding.  I never would have posted those photos.  Look, I’m deleting them.  I’m deleting them all.”  She was frantically pushing keys on her phone.

“Don’t bother,” I said.  “You made the rules; now you get to live by them.  What you didn’t get is that I have nothing to lose here except my dignity.  Which I will earn back.  You never should have fucked with me in such a personal way.”

“Are you really going to post those photos?” she said, breaking down in sobs.  She sank to her knees.  I watched her without compassion, unmoved by her sudden remorse.  Interestingly, as Wanda witnessed the dramatic scene, she showed no interest in Judy.  She was watching me.

“Is there anything I can do?  Anything I can say?” Judy begged.

“I’m tempted to tell you to strip naked and take my place in these handcuffs,” I replied.  “But you’re not worth that much effort.  So, crawl home on your belly and wait to see what I do. Maybe I’ll give your whimpering some thought.”

“Please do.  Thank you, thank you,” Judy cried.

“I said to crawl home!  Crawl home now!  On your belly!” I shouted.

Judy dropped to the ground and did what she was told, slithering on the dusty cement walkway like a snake until she was out of sight.

“Are there really photos?” Wanda asked.

“Linda erased the security footage last year.  I don’t have a hundred photos, but I do have ten or twelve.  Judy vomiting in that guy’s lap with his boner sticking up is the best one.” 

Wanda laughed, her vivid eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Are you going to post the picture?” she wondered.

“Probably not,” I said.  “I like to beat people fair and square, not with dirty tricks.”

“Do you have dirt on all of your co-workers?”

“I like knowing I can protect myself,” I confessed.

“Your walk still has a mile to go,” Wanda warned.  “Need a slap on the ass to get you going?”

“There’s nothing like a good slap on the ass to get someone going,” I acknowledged.

Just as we started up again, the couple playing tennis decided to wrap up their game.  I saw the light go on in Wanda’s head.

“Let’s have some fun,” she announced.  I doubted I would find it fun.  She led me over to the brightly lit court.

“Good evening,” Wanda said to them.  “May I ask a favor?”  They were shocked by the well-dressed woman and her naked companion.

“You make an unusual couple,” the man said, admiring my graceful, uncovered body.  The handcuffs behind my back made my breasts look larger than they were.  My other attributes were on full display.

“Oh, my girlfriend loves this,” Wanda replied.  “And she wants to play a game.  May I buy a racket and your bucket of tennis balls?”

“Buy a racket?” the woman asked.

“I’ll give you $500,” Wanda offered.  Both rackets were instantly presented.  “No, no, I only need one.  My girlfriend isn’t able to swing a racket at the moment.”  The couple laughed as the woman surrendered her racket.  Wanda paid them in cash and watched them take seats in the bleachers.

The tennis courts were surrounded by ten-foot-tall chain-link fences.  After I entered, Wanda padlocked the only gate, making escape impossible.

“I know you don’t plan to run off,” Wanda explained.  “But the idea of having you locked in this giant cage under these glaring lights is too much to ignore.  And you are so pretty.  I wish there were people to watch our match.”

“A little one-sided, don’t you think?” I said, though secretly, I was finding something exciting about it.  I imagined a large crowd watching us while I was penned in, unable to avoid their stares.  My entire body available as a feast for their eyes.  Wanda put me on one side of the net and took up her racket and bucket of balls on the other.

“Okay, this is how the game works,” she announced.  “Linda never specified how long this dare would last.  It could be for an entire day.  So, I’ll give you a break.  For every ball I hit you with, it counts to my advantage.  For every ball you dodge, it’s your advantage.  If you dodge more than you are hit, the dare ends at dawn.  If I win, the dare lasts until tomorrow night.  I know a nightclub on the waterfront that will find you entertaining when I bring you in naked on your leash.”

“A nightclub?  Like this?” I yelped.

“It’s a very exclusive establishment.  Very big on leather,” Wanda replied.  Like many in my field, I had heard of the Rabbit Club.  And its high-end clients.  Even led in on the end of a leash, it might be a way for me to make new contacts.

“You have my attention,” I answered.

“There are twenty-three balls,” she said with a smile.  “Is it a deal?”

“You have me naked and handcuffed in a giant cage.  Does my opinion matter?”

“Yes, your opinion matters.”

“Okay, let’s do this,” I agreed. 

And then we heard noise from outside the court.  Shuffling and whispering.  Faces watching from the shadows.

“Oh, look, you have a fan club,” Wanda reported with delight.

We noticed several park-goers taking seats on the benches to watch.  They were waving to others and texting.  Hopefully there would be no cameras.  Park rules imposed serious fines for photos taken without permission.

Wanda was known as an excellent tennis player, and I was no slouch.  The first ball came whistling by and I turned sideways, letting it miss.  The second missed, too.  The third, fourth, and fifth hit me on the leg, shoulder, and back as I dashed around, weaving and ducking.  And then another miss.  It was kind of fun, like dodgeball only at a higher speed.  I learned to shift on my bare feet across the green-painted asphalt, crouching and jumping.  One ball came close enough that it would have caught my pubes if I wasn’t waxed.  It counted as a miss.

The contest came down to the last three balls.  Three more hours of captivity, or twenty.  We were both breathing hard, though I more so, doing most of the movement.  I watched her eyes, anticipating her angle of attack.  She watched me watching her, seeking to overcome my defense.  Our crowd had grown to fifteen or twenty, popping beers and placing bets.

She raised her racket and struck the ball with great force.  It was headed for my thigh.  Was I too tired to dance aside?  No, I lifted my leg, letting it pass underneath.  Two to go.  Wanda concentrated, studying like a hawk.  But I felt confident that I knew her moves now.  I jumped aside as the racket was in motion, and the shot missed by several feet.

“That’s twelve misses.  You win, Annie.  Congratulations,” she declared.

“You have one ball left,” I mentioned.  She looked at me in surprise, and then with a smile.  The racket went up.  I deliberately turned my backside into the flight, letting the ball bounce crisply off my ass.  It made me jump.  Our audience cheered.  Wanda unlocked the chain-link gate and led me out, where an enthusiastic group of sports fans came forward offering refreshments.  A nice old man held my beer up for me.  Some dribbled down my chin.  And other places, inspiring good-natured chuckling.  Wanda left the racket behind as we resumed our walk.

“I must say, you’re being a terrific sport about all this,” she praised.

“Hey, we’re here to have fun,” I replied.      

Wanda and I walked back towards my office and my clothes, meeting joggers, dog walkers, and an amused cop.  Wanda said it was a sorority initiation, which he didn’t believe for a minute, but he got a good laugh.  I was getting comfortable with the nudity.  I even kind of liked it.

Then we saw two familiar people approaching.

“My, my, isn’t that Carl Smithers, your office manager?  And your former apprentice, Candace?” Wanda observed.  “What are they doing together?  Out here?  At this hour?”

I had a good guess.

“Wanda, I’m calling in my consideration,” I announced.  “Do you still have that leash the old man wanted to use on me?”

“Of course, it’s a delightful souvenir of our adventure,” she answered.  “Am I to lead you back with it?”

“No.  I want you to attach the leash to my collar and tie it around the sprinkler pipe.  Then hide and use your phone to record everything that happens.”

“Are you expecting something fun?” she asked.  “Is it something I will enjoy?”

“Fun?  No, it won’t be fun.  But you will enjoy it.  I can promise you that.”

Wanda hurried to follow my instructions, looping the leash around the sprinkler before disappearing into a clump of bushes.  I could tell she was there, but it might not be obvious to anyone else.  Smithers and Candace arrived a moment later.  He was in his fifties, prematurely gray and balding, with a pointy nose and a bad suit.  Candace was her usual perky bleach-blonde self in a yellow summer dress, her light blue eyes dancing with relish.

I almost felt bad for them.  Here I was kneeling in the grass by the side of the walkway, completely naked and handcuffed, tethered to a pipe, vulnerable in every possible way.  And yet, as they approached me thinking themselves predators, they had no idea what was coming.  They were walking right into my trap.

“Ah, what do we have here?” Carl said.  “A properly humiliated slut?”

“Please, Carl, please let me go,” I begged, loud enough that Wanda’s phone would pick up everything.  “My clothes are in the office with the handcuff key.  I want to go home.”

“What do you think, Candy, my dear?  Should we let her go?” Carl asked.

“No, we should have some fun with her,” Candace replied with a churlish temper.

“Please, Candy, why would you want that?  I’ve always been your friend,” I said in pitiful distress.

“You’ve been standing in my way too long,” she answered.  “Whatever I do, your shadow hangs over me.”

“Even when you’re in Carl’s bed?  Isn’t he keeping his promises?” I asked.

“What do you know about that?” she said in surprise.

“Because when I first joined the agency four years ago, Carl said I had to sleep with him if I wanted my own territory.  Which I did.  And four months later, when I started getting big commissions, he said I’d need to sleep with him again if I wanted to keep my territory.  Isn’t that right, Carl?”

“You wanted it as much as I did,” he answered with a mean laugh.  “It’s not like you ever did anything for me.”

“I let you have a percentage of my commissions,” I said.  “And I never told your wife.”

“No one cares what that dried-up old cow thinks,” Candace said.  “She may be the sister of Carl’s boss, but that doesn’t mean anything to us.  And I’m tired of your dirty mouth.  Let’s wash it out.”

She went to the sprinkler control and turned on the faucet.  The rotating head started spraying water, turning slowly until reaching me.  I was soaked from head to toe.  It was cold enough to make me shiver.  The sprinkler completed its 360° turn and then soaked me again.  Candace was having a good time, standing back from the spray.  My wet hair was soon lying flat around my head, streams running down my breasts into my crotch.

“I’ve wanted this for so long, and after we’ve gotten rid of you, Carl is giving me your territory.  By this time next year, I’ll be in charge of the whole department,” Candace bragged.

“Get rid of me?” I innocently asked.  Carl turned off the water so he could get closer, staring down at me with ruthless dominance.  But careful to keep his pants out of the wet grass.  What a wimp.

“Do you think you’ll have any credibility after this?” Carl said.  “We have this planned perfectly.  Linda may have thought this was for your own good, but after seeing what we’re doing to you, she’ll need to stay quiet or be called an accomplice.  And she’s just enough of a coward to do what we say.”

“A plan?  You planned this?” I goaded.

“We knew Wanda would humiliate you if she got the chance.  She’s a sneaky, conniving trailer trash whore without a trace of ethics,” Carl explained. 

Did I hear the bushes rustle? 

“Sandra is going to give you a whipping in the amphitheater and make you perform sex acts before her audience.  By now, Judy has a trove of naked photographs that we’ll share on the company website, and those will gradually spread to your clients.  You’re done in this business, and my new love will take your place, standing loyally at my side.  Won’t you, Candy?”

“You know I will.  Always and forever,” Candace affirmed, hugging his arm.

“But I’m your best agent.  Top sales three years in a row.  Number one in the region,” I pleaded.

“That was fine when you still needed me, and I had some control,” Carl explained.  “But you’re too powerful now.  You might even get me replaced if you wanted.  I can’t take that chance; my finances are too precarious.”

“How many women have you done this to, Carl?  Women like me.  Made us sleep with you to keep our jobs, and then cast us aside?”

“Not that you can prove anything, but I have one or two every year.  But none so thrilling as young Candace here.  A steaming hot girl-thing in my bed has made me feel young again.”

“And Candy, you’re okay with this?  Helping to destroy me after I shared my territory with you?  Provided guidance?  Even helped you pay rent?”

“What you taught me is that nothing should stand in my way of reaching the top.  I was your apprentice, and now I’m the master.  You’re nothing but a washed-up slut, so gullible that you think you have friends.  That’s the biggest joke of all.”

I stood up, letting the water run down my naked body.  I wasn’t shivering anymore.  My shoulders were squared, chin out and head held high.

“Do you think we have enough, Wanda?” I asked.

“We certainly do,” Wanda said, emerging from the bushes still recording everything with her phone.  “I have a new love kitten who needs a good job.  Taking Carl’s position as office manager in your company will be perfect for her.  Pam has a little sister who can replace this street hooker you called an apprentice.”

Needless to say, Carl and Candace were shocked.  Wanda looked so prim and proper in her chocolate brown business suit, with the eyes of a shark closing in for the kill.

“Wanda?  What is the meaning of this?” Carl lamely asked.

“You’ve been messing with my slave, Carl.  I don’t appreciate that,” she replied.  “And if I’m not mistaken, I think Annie has a few unpleasant surprises for you.”

My enemies looked at me, no longer seeing a cowering victim.

“Here’s a newsflash for you, Carl,” I said.  “Sandra and her gang-bang army chickened out.  They’re gone.  Judy didn’t do any better.  She had a change of heart and deleted her photos.  The last time I saw her, she was crawling home on her belly.  You might want to give that a try.

“As for current events, it’s clear to me that you didn’t read article 42 of our contract.  The commissions I’ve been sharing with you these last three years are classified as loans, payable on demand.  And I am now making a formal demand you repay them or forfeit your collateral.”

“Repay?  That could be a hundred thousand dollars,” he protested.  “I just remodeled my kitchen and bought a summer cabin.  My wife’s mother has medical bills.  I can’t raise that kind of money on a moment’s notice.”

“You should have thought of that before signing the contract,” I advised.  “A deal is a deal.  My lawyer will be in touch with you Monday morning.  You had better tell your wife she’s losing the house.”

“This isn’t legal,” he denied.

“Wanda, will you act as my witness?” I requested.

“Even though I’m a sneaky, conniving trailer trash whore without a trace of ethics?” Wanda replied, smirking at Carl.

“I’m not prejudiced,” I answered.

“Will you help my new girlfriend get Carl’s job?” Wanda replied.

“I think we have a deal,” I agreed.

Wanda came forward to remove the collar from my neck.  She was right, it would make a good souvenir.  I planned to hang it above my desk.

“As for you, Candy darling, you are no longer my apprentice, which means you will no longer tap my leased properties for extra income.  You are on your own now.”

“But Annie, those leases are 50% of my income.  I won’t be able to keep my apartment,” she lamented.

“Maybe you and Carl can work something out after the divorce,” I suggested.  “The local trailer park has vacancies.”

“This is all a bluff.  It has to be,” Carl said, getting huffy.

Wanda raised her phone and pressed a key.  “Just so you know, Carl, your wife and I have been friends for years.  I just sent her everything you said here tonight.  And I’m sure your company’s HR department will have lots of questions for you.”

Then Wanda got pixyish.  She reached for the sprinkler control as if to turn it on.  Our companions ran off into the darkness.

“Annie, I must say, when you promise delicious entertainment, you certainly deliver.”

We finished our walk around the park, stopping across the street from my office.  I didn’t know if Linda had left the door locked, which would make reaching my clothes difficult.  Wanda offered no help on that score.  We took seats on a bench, only minutes from sunrise.  Delivery trucks and early morning buses filled the street.  I remained naked, not caring who saw me.

“I know this has been a rough night for you,” Wanda said.  “You’ve come through it like a trooper, as I knew you would.  Can I tell you a secret now?”

This caught me by surprise, but that was nothing new at this point.

“Please do,” I answered.

She leaned over and removed the handcuffs.  I rubbed my wrists.  Apparently, she had palmed the key and kept it in her pocket all along.  She took the flask of Maker’s Mark from her bag.  After taking a snort, she gave the flask to me.  I sipped.

“Tonight was never about you,” Wanda explained.  “It wasn’t about humiliating you, though I must confess, that was an awful lot of fun.  This was about showing you who your friends really are.  And a proposal.”

“Okay, you have my attention,” I said, for her demeanor had completely changed from evil enemy to eager confidant.

“I’m starting my own agency, and I want you to come in as my partner.  I’ve been thinking about this for a while now.  With my contacts and your aggressive personality, we’re the perfect fit.  I’ll arrange the financing, we’ll poach the best clients, get filthy rich, and ruin those snotty bitches who aren’t worthy to lick your boots.”

Needless to say, I was astounded.  And intrigued.

“Is this for real?” I had to ask, aware that she was dressed and I was sitting next to her nude.

Wanda shifted around and got on her knees before me, hands on my bare thighs.  It wasn’t a sexual gesture.  She was humbling herself.  I could tell by the earnest expression in her eyes that this was no joke.  Money was too important to both of us to screw around like that.

“I set it up so you would lose the bet on the Bradhurst deal,” she admitted.  “And tricked that dumbass Linda into selling me your dare.  None of this happened by accident.  And then I encouraged those silly females to tease you, so you would see who they really are.  Though I swear, I had no idea how far Sandra would go.  Thank God I was ready for her.  As for Judy and Smithers, you didn’t even need my help.  You squashed them like bugs.”

“You and I have been rivals.  Bloodthirsty rivals,” I said.

“Which is why you know you can believe me.  We’ve never bothered to hide our true feelings.  That will be our strength now.”

“What did you offer Linda?” I sadly inquired.

“I told her it was for your own good, and then added two strong sales leads and a trip to Bermuda with her boyfriend.”

I prided myself on my sales ability, but Wanda was no amateur.  I thought of the night’s events, and more.  Of the many slights over the last few months by my co-workers.  Their jealousy.  The plotting behind my back.  Linda’s betrayal.  It wasn’t a hard decision.

“Wanda, are you sure about this?  Is this really what you want?” I asked.

“This is really what I want.  I want it bad,” she answered.  I leaned over, brought her back up to sit on the bench with me, and took hold of her hands.  I kissed her fully on the lips.

“I’m not a lesbian, so this isn’t anything more than a kiss,” I explained.  “But I’m totally onboard.  I’ll give you everything I have, and you won’t ever be sorry.”

Wanda had the biggest smile.  “We’re going to conquer the world,” she promised.

“Can I have my clothes back now?” I asked.

“Oh, let’s not spoil the evening,” she answered with a gentle smirk.

I was out of the office for the next few days, staying busy in the field.  Wanda had the incorporation papers drawn up, we met with our lawyers, and we signed the contracts.  Everyone agreed our new agency was going to take off.  I gave notice the next morning and started cleaning out my desk.

“Hi, Annie, I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Linda said as if we were still friends.  “Did you hear about Carl?  He was summarily fired yesterday.  Lost his pension and everything.”

I wasn’t inclined to say anything to her.  We hadn’t spoken since that night.

“Look, I know you’re still mad, but it was for your own good,” she insisted.

“That part is true.  This is working out very well for me,” I agreed, keeping my awards but not much else.  I found a framed photo of Linda and I together at her 28th birthday party, gazed at it for a moment with great sadness, and dumped it in the trash.  She was shocked.

“I don’t get it.  What’s with the box?  What’s going on?” she asked.

“Wanda Manning wants to say thank you, Linda,” I responded, closing the box and getting ready to leave.  “We’ve gone into business together.  We are going to steal all of your best clients and make you the joke of the industry.  Wanda says she never could have pulled this off without your help.  We probably won’t have time for Bermuda this year.”

Linda’s face went white, suddenly realizing I was onto her.  She glanced at the desks where Sandra, Judy, and that twerp Candace were sitting.  They had heard everything.  None of them looked amused now.

“Please, Annie, I’m sorry.  But we’re still friends.  Right?  Best friends?” Linda said, tearing up.

I gave her a soft kiss on the cheek, sighed, and walked out the door.