Maria's head snapped up.

“Mistress!" she protested.

“That is not true!

I care for Alex, my master, very much, but..." she trailed off as they bent their eyes upon her. Alex looked surprised by the interruption,

Rachel gently amused.

“You cannot have two masters, Maria," Rachel said. Her voice was kind but firm. "What if our commands to you conflict? That would put you in an impossible situation. I know you claimed me as your mistress Last week. But I did not, in turn, claim you. To my regret." She leaned back in her chair and eyed her son.

“I knew there was something you were keeping from me. I wish you would have trusted me enough to talk about it. A need for control in a relationship is nothing to be ashamed of.

As I know," she grimaced.

Alex shrugged with one shoulder, his face carefully closed.

“It's not something I wanted to discuss, Mom." He let his hand trail over Maria's braid, a casual sign of ownership.

"Indeed." Her voice was quiet. "Still, I think I have a prior claim.

And I did make her a promise," she said. "You will understand soon,

Alex. But my....appetites...have increased lately. Changed. Things I would have never considered before no longer seem so terrible." She stood and walked around the desk, then, shockingly, sat on her son's lap. She sighed contentedly as his arms came around her in startled reflex.

"Did you know, sweetheart, that your sister has the hots for your father? I'm still trying to figure out what to do about that," she said, as Alex shook his head in reflexive denial. "Still," she said, her voice low and breathy, “I've also realized what an attractive young man you are yourself. And why should your father be the one having all the fun?

“I would never dream of coming between what you and Maria have," she continued. As Maria watched, dumbfounded, she looped her arms around her son's neck, her fingers playing with his hair, her body curving against him, warm and pliant. "But I might want to share. Share you both.

“Here is my proposal. Maria will remain your submissive. I make no claim on her personally. However, I would have you both acknowledge me as Mistress of the Household. Which means, Maria," she said, Looking down at her, "That while Alex will remain your master, and I will not override his wishes, I might ask you to share my bed. Or I might ask him to share mine."

“Mom, this is insane," Alex gasped. His hands were trembling where they rested on Rachel's waist, but Maria could sense his fierce arousal. And

Rachel could sense it too, if the way she happily squirmed in Alex's lap was any indication. "What if Dad comes in? Or Sarah?"

"You worry too much," Rachel said, a smile playing across her lips.

“I'LL talk things over with your father. Once I explain the benefits to him, I'm sure he'll come around. And poor little Sarah is so horny she's about to burst. If she doesn't get what she wants from Jeremy, she'll take it from someone else. Maybe her father. Maybe you. Why should we all settle for one lover, when we can have two or three?

“But the only question to be settled here and now is whether you accept my offer."

Alex looked down and met her eyes. His own were adorably confused.

“Maria?”

“I will do as you wish, Master," she said softly. Daring greatly, she looked Rachel in the eye. "But I desire this. Very much. And I think you do as well."

"She is wise, sweetheart. If I might make a suggestion, you would do well to listen to her where matters of the heart are concerned. It seems she has no problem with this arrangement. Do you?"