"Ohhhh…"

How the liquor burned down her belly, making her feel so soft, so warm all over. She walked slowly to the sofa, settling her ass down in the soft cushions and closing her eyes.

Maybe that was the way she would have to stay: drunk as a Lord to keep men from touching her as Joe had done.

Another sip, another feeling of relief washing over her. Already the tensions of the afternoon were leaving her. There was some noise in the kitchen. Had Christina come home early? No, of course not. It was Pardner, pushing his dinner dish around. Where was that food?

About to put down her drink, Barbara turned her head and saw the playful two-year-old German Shepherd come trotting into the living room. She again stretched out her hand to pet him, forgetting momentarily about the incident on the porch. The dog hadn't forgotten, however, and immediately thrust his snout between her knees.

"Oh!"

Barbara jerked back, her drink spilling all over her dress and the couch.

"No! Bad dog!"

She slapped down at the animal, her fingertips brushing the dog's big snout. Pardner backed away, his powerful body arching down while his bushy tail stood straight up in the air.

Those black eyes were glistening, glittering with excitement while his jaws opened.

"Ohhhh…"

Barbara scooted back on the couch, curling her fingers and digging her nails into the soft material. She stared at the double row of pointed teeth, the way they glistened with his spittle while his pink tongue lolled out from one corner of his mouth. He was growling, that soft, smothered growl of a coming attack.

"No, Pardner, no… come on, boy, leave me alone," Barbara said in a shaky voice, her thighs tingling more than before while her scalp itched and crawled with terror.