It didn’t take Abby long to realize Jack wasn’t the only one she’d hurt. Sam was distant. He’d been like this since they’d left the dining room. He’d smiled at Jack, but the minute they were away from him, Sam had turned into a robot. He had mechanically washed her in the shower and brushed out her hair after drying her off. He’d said not more than one or two words to her, and those had been orders.

Sam had taken her into the playroom from the master bath. She thought the door went to a closet, but had been surprised when Sam opened it and turned on the lights. Two of the walls were lined with floor to ceiling mirrors. There was what looked like an examination table from a doctor’s office, complete with stirrups, and several places in the walls and the ceiling where a submissive could be bound.

Her first thought on entering the playroom was that it was remarkably clean and cozy for a dungeon. She couldn’t hold in her second thought. “What the hell is that?”

“It’s a whipping bench.” Sam touched the device lightly. “Your chest goes here.”

There was a padded board in the middle that formed the center of the bench. It looked like it would run from her head to just above her pelvis. It was tilted slightly at a downward angle so her head would be lower than her ass. She was sure it put her in the perfect position to receive Jack’s discipline. It didn’t take Sam to tell her that the four smaller padded boards were for her arms and legs. These boards were equipped with restraints that Sam would use to bind her down. She would be completely vulnerable.

Sam started to smile, showing his even white teeth, but quickly shut it down. He indicated a flat, padded bench close to a sink. It was covered with a crisp white sheet. “Go lie down, face first.”

“Sam.” She let the ache in her heart bleed through to her voice. “Sam, please.”

His face was harsh as he turned back. “Am I not even worth obeying?”

She gasped, and her arms went around Sam’s naked chest. “How can you say that?”

He stood rigid in her embrace, and she wondered how she was going to reach him. “I can say that because you’re not on the table.”

Reluctantly, she let him go and walked to the table. She lay down on the warmed sheet that covered the comfortable massage table and placed her head in the padded slot designed to let her breathe. She was quiet and entirely subdued as Sam poured warm oil onto her skin and began to rub his hands down her back. He started at the base of her neck and ran his thumbs on either side of her spine.

She didn’t resist him in any way, but she took no pleasure from the ministrations, either. All she felt was a crushing guilt. She had screwed everything up. She thought she was doing the right thing. Protecting them had been all she could think about.

“Relax.” Impatience bled into Sam’s tone.

“I’m trying.” It was impossible when she couldn’t figure out how to heal the breach between the two of them. She was willing to do almost anything.

Suddenly, it seemed like too much. Despite her success in forcing people to let her into their stores, she knew it would be a fight to make a place for herself here. And now, with Sam angry and unwilling to speak to her, she had doubts as to putting herself between Sam and his best friend. They had been together for so much longer. It wasn’t fair for her to come between them. She had been the catalyst for Jack changing the rules, and Sam was obviously not okay with that.

“You’re crying.” It sounded like an accusation to her ears.

“No, I’m not.” As she said it, she couldn’t stop a sniffle.

“Damn it, Abigail. I feel your tears hitting my feet,” Sam complained.

“I’ll stop.”

Sam sighed, and he knelt down. His face was suddenly in view, his head at an awkward angle as he looked up at her. “Why are you crying?”

“You’re mad at me, and I don’t know how to make it up to you.” She pushed against the table, forcing herself up. “I got you in trouble with Jack.”

Sam got to his feet again. “I got me in trouble with Jack. I left you alone. He gave me explicit instructions, and I didn’t follow them. I’m upset with myself.”

“I’m not…” She quickly closed her mouth when she realized what she was about to say.

“If I were Jack, you would be over my knee right now.” His entire body was tense.

“I’m sorry.” She was pretty sure she had said those words about a hundred times today. It had been her day for fucking things up. She reached out and ran her hands along the cut plane of his chest. “I’m not used to anyone caring about me the way the two of you do. I’m used to being the one to bear the burden. It’s my fault, too, you know.”

“How do you figure?”

“I knew Jack didn’t want me to be alone,” she admitted. “I could have, should have followed you. I walked into that café. The minute I saw Ruby Echols sitting there with her cronies, I should have marched back out and stayed with you. I can’t win with her. It doesn’t even pay to try.”

A slow smile started to cross his face. “Put like that, it does seem more like your fault than mine.”

“Sam,” she said, trying to pull him close. “I love you. I really do, but if I’m coming between you and Jack, then I should go. I don’t want to break the two of you up.”

 Sam’s blue eyes went wide. “I was thinking the same damn thing except that I should leave.”

“What do you mean?”

He glanced down for a moment, and when he finally met her eyes, he looked bleak. “I want a true threesome.”

He stood there, seemingly waiting for her shock and dismay.

The truth hit her with the force of a two by four. It didn’t bother her. It made sense when she thought about it. “You want Jack.”

He nodded slowly, as though admitting it made it real and something they had to deal with. “I want Jack, and I want you. I know what that makes me, but I can’t help what I want. It’s just gotten stronger since we met you. I want the three of us together in all ways. Jack loves you like he’s never loved anyone else. I’m going to freak him out and upset you. Maybe it would be better if I left and let you and Jack have a normal marriage.”

“I don’t want a normal marriage.” She spread her legs, completely heedless of her nudity as she pulled Sam in and wouldn’t take no for an answer. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his chest. “I want you and me and Jack.”

He finally gave up part of the fight. He relaxed in her arms. “Baby, think about it for a minute. I want to make love with Jack. Real-live gay sex.”

Yep, she searched her mind and heart and not a single word of that upset her at all. It felt right, as though there had been a tiny piece of them that was slightly out of place and now they were perfect. “Do I get to watch?”

“Abby?”

She shrugged and snuggled closer to him. He was hard, and she almost had him where she wanted him. “It’s not gay if a girl watches.”

All her worry had flown away now that she understood the problem. It wasn’t a problem at all in her mind. It was more like wish fulfillment.

“I think most of the planet would disagree with you,” he said ruefully, but she noted he was pressing himself against her now.

Abby tried to keep her breathing under control. She wiggled, and the head of his dick hit her clit. Just a bit more. A couple more strokes and she would be in a good place. “Who cares what the rest of the planet thinks? We’re involved in a committed ménage à trois where, apparently, two of us are sexually submissive to the dominant male. Oh, and I spent most of the day walking around with a plug stuck up my ass. What’s a little gay sex? It’s practically the most normal thing we’ll do.”

Sam’s smile was completely awestruck. “You’re actually fine with this?”

She nodded quickly, wanting to soothe his fears so she could get back to her subversive plan to come before Jack got here. “As long as I get to watch.”

He beamed down at her. “You are one righteous pervert, Abigail-almost-Barnes.”

“I’m fine with that.” There was no shame to be had. She was doing terribly dirty things with men she loved and trusted and was willing to commit herself to. She didn’t see anything wrong with it. Now all she had to do was get him to stroke her one more time with that hard cock of his…

He took a forceful step back. “You’re also going to get me in a shitload of trouble. I know what you’re trying to do. Jack said no orgasm for you.”

“But, Sam!” She had been so close.

“No,” he said firmly. “And now you spent all your massage time trying to tempt me into disobeying Jack. Not happening, baby. We have exactly five minutes to get you ready. Go lay down on the bench.”

She pouted but got down. It was obvious he was beyond temptation now, but at least the haunted look was off his face. She went on her tiptoes and lightly kissed his full lips. “I love you, Sam.”

“I love the hell out of you, Abigail,” he replied with a ready smile. “As for the rest of it, we’ll see. I don’t know how Jack will handle it. I don’t know if that’s what he wants.”

“I’ll handle Jack.” She was looking forward to it. “We just have to take it slow.”

She walked over to the whipping bench and settled herself down. The bench narrowed a bit in the middle. She discovered her breasts hung over either side and her pussy was left on the edge of the bench.

“Damn, you look so fucking hot, baby.” Sam worked the leather straps over her wrists. He made sure they were tight but comfortable. He moved to her ankles, and before long, she was bound completely. It should have made her feel frightened, but instead all she felt was a hum in her pussy as she anticipated what Jack was going to do to her.

Sam stood up and ran his hand down her spine. When he got to her ass, he parted her cheeks, and she felt the cold spurt of lubricant. She sighed but made no protest. She had just gotten the plug out. Suddenly, she felt something warmer than the hard plastic of the plug. His fingers played with her anus, gently probing. He pushed against the resistance, shoving his thumb in to the first knuckle and rimming her.

She gasped at the prickles of sensation she felt all along her spine. It wasn’t exactly pain, but the fine, hard edge of it was there.

“Your ass is so pretty.” Sam continued to work his finger into her. “I can’t wait to fuck it.”

“Neither can I,” a deep voice said.

She turned her head as much as the bench would allow and saw Jack standing in the doorway. He was still in his jeans, but his shirt and shoes were gone. His hair was wet from a shower, and he looked at them with deep approval in his emerald eyes. His body was tall and lean from years and years of hard physical labor, and his shoulders broad and muscular. She sighed at how beautifully masculine that body was.

“This is what every man wants, isn’t it? He wants to walk in and find his best friend finger-deep in his fiancée’s ass.” There was a smile in his voice.

Rather than pulling out, Sam shoved his thumb in farther and rotated it. Abby groaned, not sure whether it was pain or pleasure. “She’s going to be so tight.”

“Yes, she is,” Jack said. There was a wealth of satisfaction in his tone. He watched them for a moment. He seemed to silently enjoy the scene as Sam worked her ass, gently stretching her. Finally, he spoke again. “Has she been a good girl?”

“Nope.” Sam pulled his thumb out. She felt him step away and heard the sink in the background running. “She tried her damnedest to rub herself to orgasm against me. She was like a cat in heat.”

“And did she succeed?” Jack’s voice was a silky threat.

“No. She only managed to work herself up.”

Jack walked up behind her, admiring Sam’s handiwork. Abby discovered that she could easily watch him through the mirror to her left. She was small and vulnerable, spread and bound for him. She found the picture they made extremely arousing. Jack shoved two fingers roughly up her pussy. He slid them back and forth in the warm wetness he found there.

“Nice,” he said approvingly before pulling out. He didn’t touch her clitoris at all. She moaned in frustration and felt a sharp slap to her ass. “I said no noise, Abigail.” Jack walked around to her head and gracefully knelt beside her. His face was very serious as he looked at her. “I’ve decided against the gag. I want you to be able to respond when I require it. Give me your word you’ll do your best to stay quiet and still while I discipline you.”

“Yes.” She studied the hard, beautiful planes of his face. His pitch-black hair was wavy and just long enough to start to curl. She knew he would cut it soon, but she intended to talk him out of it.

Jack’s eyes widened in expectation. “Yes, what?”

“Yes, Sir.” The rules seemed to be different in this room.

She breathed out as she saw a flash of anger cross Jack’s face. “My name is Jack. Sir is something you call a Dom who hasn’t bothered to give you his name. I am not Sir, nor am I Master. I am Jack, and I am the only Dom you’ll ever get, sweetheart, so I expect you to use my name.”

“Yes, Jack,” she said sweetly to placate him

“I don’t scare you at all, do I?”

“I love you,” she said.

He leaned over and kissed her cheek before standing back up. “Remember that,” he warned her. “Give me the crop, please. The narrow tip, I think, for this first time, and while you’re there, Sam, you can get the leather whip as well.”

She heard the closet door open.

“Do you think she can handle the whip?” Sam didn’t sound like he thought she could.

“No.” Jack’s voice was steady. “Her skin is delicate and sensitive. I have no intention of raising welts. I want her bottom hot and pink. That’s all. The whip I intend to use on you. And that’s an extra stroke for questioning me.”

There was a short pause, and she really wished she could see the look on Sam’s face. “All right.”

The closet door shut.

“You can walk out at any time,” Jack offered. “I won’t hold it against you, and I won’t shut you out the next time we decide to play with our wife.”

“I’m not leaving.” It sounded like it was the farthest thing from Sam’s mind.

She sighed as Jack’s hands stroked her bare ass. “You are so gorgeous like this, sweetheart. You tempt me very much to forget this punishment and move on to the part of the evening when I sink my cock into you.” His hand found her pussy. “Unfortunately, I cannot allow what happened today to pass.”

She gasped as the crop smacked her ass. Tears blurred her vision as the pain struck her with a ferocious heat. Jack wasn’t playing this time. She sank her nails in the leather-covered restraints. The crop came down again, and she swallowed the pain.

“You don’t love me?” Jack threw her lies back at her. “Was that a lie, Abigail?”

“Yes, Jack.” She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

Smack. She breathed through the haze of pain. Her entire backside was on fire. She caught sight of Jack in the mirror. His face was grim as he pulled the crop back again.

“You don’t want me anymore?”

Smack.

“You don’t want to live this freaky life?”

Smack.

Of all the things she’d said to him, that had been the one calculated to hit him where he was vulnerable.

“I do,” she said shakily. “I want it so badly.”

Jack thrust his fingers back into her pussy, and the pain turned into sharp pleasure.

“Your pussy sure says you do, darlin’.” His thumb slid over and around, and she started to build rapidly toward a stunning peak. It was so close. He pulled out, and she stopped herself from begging him not to. She wanted him, needed him. “Your pussy doesn’t lie to me. Too bad your mouth doesn’t have the same sense.”

Thwack.

He was alternating cheeks, never hitting the same spot twice. Each time he struck, the pain bloomed, and then Jack gave it a moment for the sensation to radiate into heat and something resembling pleasure.

“Are you ashamed of what we do?” The question was flat and calm.

She knew a wealth of fear lay behind his calm facade. She wished she could take away the doubt she’d placed in his heart.

She laughed through the pain. If there was one thing she knew, it was that she wasn’t ashamed of them. “No, I am not. I love what we do.”

Jack put the crop down, and his hand slapped between her legs. He smacked her pussy hard, and she screamed at the sensation. It was wicked pain and insane pleasure bound together. He smacked her sore ass again with his hand, but this was different. It was just a tap, followed by Jack rubbing her gently. Now that he was done, she felt sore but strangely peaceful. She felt his worshipful kiss on the small of her back.

Jack got back down to look at her. She could see the love shining in his eyes. “Abigail, this is the way things are going to be. You will live with us here. You will marry me legally and take my name. You will consider yourself also married to Sam, and you’ll honor your vows to us. You won’t lie to either of us again. You won’t ever attempt to walk out again, not for any reason. You will give yourself to us, body and soul. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Jack, I promise,” she agreed with a contented sigh. She felt like she was floating.

“I love you.” He kissed her tenderly and then got to his feet again. “I will always take care of you. Everything you promised me, I promise you, baby. You won’t regret it.”

“I know.”

She wouldn’t. He’d promised, and Jack kept his promises.

 

* * * *

 

“Your turn, Sam,” Jack intoned darkly.

Sam nodded, the only thing he could think to do. This was new. Totally new, and he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to react. Was he supposed to pretend to be scared or like this whole thing was distasteful? Because he wasn’t sure he could do that.

He was naked so he couldn’t hide his reaction. His cock was standing straight up. Jack had the leather whip in his hands and a small smile on his face.

At least he wasn’t frowning. He could handle Jack making fun of him, but not looking at him like Sam had disappointed him.

“Do you want me to let Abby up?” He tried to figure out where he should go. Was he supposed to get on the spanking bench now? This was a turning point and he didn’t want to screw it up. All of his adult life, he’d wanted to try this. He’d certainly had offers, but the truth was he’d only ever wanted one Dom in his life.

He stood behind Abby, fascinated with the pink skin of her ass. It was beautiful and he wanted to touch it, but he held back. Jack hadn’t given him permission.

“No.” Jack motioned for him to stay where he was. “I think she’s in the perfect position for you. You’ll need something to hold on to.”

Sam felt his heart start to race, and lust was pounding through his system as he looked between Jack and their gorgeous, generous bride-to-be.

“Seriously, Jack? I thought this was punishment.”

“It will be,” he promised. “But what you did was dumb. What Abigail did was cruel and counter to everything it means to be married. She also took her punishment with incredible grace, so I find myself in a more forgiving mood when it comes to you. Assume the position now.”

He moved forward, placing himself squarely between Abby’s bound and spread legs. So good. She felt so good as he pressed his cock deep into her soaking wet pussy. A deep groan stuck in his throat as he sank into her inviting warmth. He was gentle with her pinkened backside as he tunneled in, but there was no question the signs of Jack’s discipline made him hard as hell. He worked his way in to his balls and held himself against her. Abby’s sweet pussy clenched around him, but she was quiet. He looked at her in the mirror and could see the effort she was going through to follow Jack’s instructions.

“Hold still, Sam,” Jack ordered. “Let the whip direct you. Don’t move on your own until I give you leave, understood?”

“Yes.” Sam’s voice sounded deep and a bit foreign to him.

The picture of the three of them in the mirror was one of the most erotic things he’d ever seen. He couldn’t stop looking at it. Abby, beautiful Abigail, bent over accepting him and Jack…Jack was everything to Sam. He had waited so long to have this, to be in the middle.

The first lash stung and shoved him forward. He hissed instinctively at the delicate pain. Abby whimpered as her pussy tried to suck at Sam’s cock to keep him there, but the motion of the whip pushed him forward and then allowed him to pull out.

“I have been indulgent,” Jack was saying as he applied the lash.

Sam’s hands tightened on Abby’s waist as he drove in again, caught deliciously between her hot cunt and the lick of the whip. He let his head fall back, giving himself over to the mindless sensation.

“It occurs to me that if this marriage between the three of us is going to work, I have to curb some of your more impetuous tendencies.” Jack cracked the whip again. “When I am not around, you’re responsible for her.”

“Yes, Jack.” He tried to focus on anything but the pounding need to come. Abby’s pussy felt like a hot furnace, and it was taking everything he had not to pour himself into her. The lash hit again and Sam groaned, allowing it to push him deeply into her channel. Sam pushed slightly against Abby’s hips and pulled his cock almost all the way out, waiting for the next strike.

“You’re responsible for her happiness and her safety,” Jack continued. “If I am not around, I expect you to see to her needs before your own. You left her alone today, despite my instructions.”

“Yes.” He’d fucked up. It had weighed him down all night. Now, though, the guilt was leaving him. It seemed to float away as he was driven back into Abby’s body. There wasn’t room for guilt anymore. There was just sensation and passion and sweet emotion.

“You will follow my instructions to the letter from this day forward or you’ll find yourself right back here,” Jack promised.

Sam wasn’t so sure here wasn’t his favorite place in the world, but he didn’t like the idea of letting Jack and Abby down. He did like the idea that he was responsible for her happiness. It made him feel worthy and that he had a place in the world. He wouldn’t do anything to betray the trust these two precious people had given him.

“I promise. I promise both of you.”

Jack took a step back and sighed. “Go on then, Sam.”

He couldn’t contain his lust any longer, and he pounded forward as Jack walked around to the front of the bench and roughly shoved his jeans down his body and onto the floor. Sam realized quickly that Jack might have been calm, but he was anything but unaffected. His cock was huge and hard as he stroked it and got it into position. Sam fucked Abby’s pussy as Jack’s cock found her mouth.

“Open,” Jack commanded. Abby’s lips parted, and Jack’s cock began to disappear. “Let me use your mouth, sweetheart. You relax. This won’t take long.”

The thought of Jack throat-fucking their gorgeous wife made Sam crazy. He pounded into her. Jack held her head in his hands and worked his cock in and out in perfect time to Sam’s thrusts.

“Breathe through your nose.” Jack’s voice was low and guttural. “I’m almost there. You feel so fucking good. Swallow me, Abigail. Swallow everything I give you. Don’t you lose a drop of me.”

Sam thrust in to his balls as Jack’s head dropped back. Jack groaned, and he held her still for his orgasm. His big, strong body shook from the force of his seed jetting from it. The sight triggered Sam’s orgasm, and his release shot from his balls like a rocket deep into Abby’s warm, willing pussy. Every muscle he had relaxed as the orgasm left him languid and sated and blissful. He was completely satisfied until he heard a soft cry from Abigail.

Jack got to his knees, tearing at the restraints holding her arms down. He looked up at Sam.

“Get her out of this, now,” Jack ordered, his voice hoarse.

He immediately got down and quickly worked the straps that held her ankles. She was free in seconds, and Jack was hauling her up. Sam was terrified because Abby had tears running down her face.

“Baby, you can cry.” Jack’s face was grim as he pushed back her hair and held her gently.

Abby, given permission to let go, sobbed against him, holding on to him like he was a lifeline.

Jack looked completely helpless for once. “Where does it hurt?”

She shook her head.

“Abby, please,” Sam begged. Had he been too rough with her? “You have to tell us where it hurts so we can fix it.”

Abby looked up at him, tears pooling in those big hazel eyes. He felt his heart seize at the thought that they had really hurt her.

“Too much,” she managed to hiccup out between sobs. “Too much everything.”

Jack got up, his body not straining at all under her weight. He moved swiftly to the massage table and laid her down. “Sam, get the salve and warm water. Abby, I’ll run a hot bath for you. I’ll take care of you.”

“I know,” she cried. “I’m so sorry I tried to leave. I love you so much. I never loved anyone…”

Sam handed Jack the items he’d requested. He breathed a small sigh of relief when he realized the problem had nothing to do with physical pain and everything to do with the overwhelming emotion between the three of them.

He leaned over, and his hands tangled in her hair as he held her close. “I love you, Abby. We’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry about the town or the Echols family or anything else. We’ll take care of it.”

He kissed her and stood back. She relaxed back against the plush massage table. Jack used the warm washcloth to tenderly wash between her legs.

She sniffed as she looked up at them. “Are you going to take care of me?”

There was a certain pleading heat in her voice that made Sam smile. “I don’t think she’s talking about a bath, Jack.”

Abby wanted to come. Sam wasn’t so sure her punishment was over yet.

Jack smiled down at Abby. “Just what do you need me to take care of? You did a good job, Abigail. You made up for what you did. I’m feeling indulgent. What would make you happy?”

Sam was ready to make her happy. A few orgasms should do it. He prepared himself to give it all to her.

“Kiss Sam,” Abby requested, quietly looking between the two of them.

Jack’s emerald eyes flared in surprise.

Whoa. He took a step back. This wasn’t what he expected. He’d talked to her because he had to talk to someone. He’d never expected her to push it this way. Nope. There was no way Jack was going to do this. A fine tremble started in his hands.

What would it be like? What would it feel like to submit to Jack sexually?

“You want me to kiss Sam?” Jack’s lips had quirked up slightly.

He didn’t sound like a man who intended to say no. He seemed more amused than offended. Okay. Way more amused and not offended in any way. Sam swallowed.

Abby sat up. If her bottom was sore, it didn’t seem to bother her. She looked between the two men and sighed, a dreamy look coming over her face. “I do. I want you to kiss Sam, and I want to watch.”

Jack looked from Abby to Sam. He winked at Sam. Sam felt something deep inside him ease. Jack wasn’t going to reject him.

“Will that get you hot, baby?” Jack asked.

“Yes, Jack,” she replied with a happy sigh.

He looked over at Sam, serious all of the sudden. “I won’t do this without your permission.”

Damn it. The man couldn’t just take him. Of fucking course not. “I mean, if Abby thinks it would be cool, I don’t have a problem with it. I…I’m good with kissing. Girls do it all the time.”

“Is that what you’re going with? All right. We’ll start there then.” Jack shook his head with a rueful laugh. “Come here, Sam.”

His cock twitched. He couldn’t help it. He was sure Jack noticed it, too, but was politely refraining from commenting. Sam fought for each breath as he put one foot in front of the other. He had to think about it, otherwise he might have tripped. Awkward. He was so awkward, but there was no way he was backing down.

He was slightly shorter than Jack. This close, he had to tip his head up a little. Jack radiated authority. It practically pulsed over his skin. Jack brought his hands up to cup Sam’s face and pulled him in.

Their lips met roughly. There was nothing at all feminine about the kiss. Jack was rough and masterful. It was so different than kissing a woman. There was nothing gentle about it, and that spoke to him, too. Jack’s tongue plunged in, invading and conquering. Sam fought back. His tongue met Jack’s in a rousing duel.

This was what sex would be like with Jack. It would be a fight to get Sam to submit on every level. He didn’t think it was a fight he could win, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to. Sam let his hand touch Jack’s perfectly cut chest. He had never wanted a man before, but he’d always longed for Jack. He was breathless by the time Jack pulled away.

Sam noticed Abby had enjoyed the show. Her fingers were slipping in and out of her pussy.

Jack’s hand shot out and slapped her hand away.

“Not on your life, sweetheart,” Jack growled. “You got your wish. The rest of the night is for me and Sam. Take her to the bed.”

Sam picked her up easily.

“Thank you, baby,” he whispered as he carried her out of the playroom and through the master bath. She had made that moment with Jack possible.

He tossed her gently on the big, soft bed and looked forward to the rest of the night.