by A R McKinnon
"Of course, it's punishment, darlin’. But you're right, I should have explained that before we started. You were sick and you never told me. You left the hospital against medical advice. We're in a relationship, only I feel like I'm the only one having it here."
Lucy was stunned. She felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room and her chest was being crushed under the excess pressure. It was the second time he’d mentioned them in a relationship.
"I didn't know. I mean you never said anything."
"Well, this isn't like high school where you wear my letter jacket and we go steady, darlin'. I’ve finally broken you of sneaking out most Sundays. You're here almost every night, even though the commute into the city for work is a bitch. We're keeping things quiet. I haven't brought you home to mom and dad, but I assumed we'd progressed beyond weekend fuck buddies at this point." Grayson chuckled, and Lucy felt her face heat with embarrassment.
"I don't want to use my safe word." She told him again, burying her face into the pillow in front of her. It was a cowardly thing to do. She knew it. Grayson probably did too, but she wasn't ready to examine her feelings too closely.
So, she buried her head hiding her expression and prayed he'd let her get away with it.
***
THE MOOD WAS dead, but seeing Lucy hide like she was Grayson knew he had to bring things back to familiar ground for both. The problem was they'd spent too much time talking and if he started again at the intensity where he'd left off it would just hurt, and she wouldn't enjoy it at all. So, he started again sensitizing her skin before moving to harder contact. This time when he spanked her with the paddle she wept, and her skin was hot to the touch.
Grayson couldn't wait to feel that heat against his own skin. He tore another condom open with his teeth and quickly sheathed his cock.
"I need you, darlin'. Are you doing okay? You still with me?" Grayson propped her hips higher preparing her for his entry.
She gave a little snuffle though her tears but managed a nod. "Yes." She gave a little wiggle and it was all the encouragement he needed.
He lined the head of his penis up with her entrance and thrust into her. She cried out as he slammed home and he groaned. He was concerned for a moment that he'd been too forceful, but she rocked her hips back to meet him, and his concern fled.
The only thing left was the animalistic need driving him to fuck her, to possess her in the most primal of ways. Driven to claim her in, contrast to her denial of their relationship. He thrust into her again and the heat of her backside seared his groin. He angled his body to rub over her g-spot.
She let out a shriek and he knew he'd hit the right spot. Grayson did it again and again, ramping up the friction.
Lucy came in a wet gush with a high-pitched cry that echoed off the bedroom walls around them.
It wasn't enough. Grayson tore himself from her and flipped her to her back. He knew she would feel the texture of the sheets on her sensitized back and buttocks more acutely, but he couldn't pull back to ask if she was alright. Instead he spread her legs apart and rammed his hard length back inside her.
She came again, their eyes connecting and despite the maelstrom of passion consuming them both, their gaze was calm, almost serene. It did little to harness his lust. He was a man possessed. Only when she'd climaxed a third time did he finally allow his own release.
Grayson shifted his weight to avoid crushing her much smaller frame. He knew he needed to move, so he could assess any damage to her body from the flogging and spanking, and provide the after care that she needed but his legs were jelly.
"Wow, that was - intense." Lucy mumbled, making Grayson chuckle. She squirmed beneath him and he finally managed to pull out of the warm wet clasp of her body, swaying only slightly when he stood.
Grayson made his way to the bathroom to discard the condom and get a damp cloth to clean them both up.
Fuck! He took a deep breath, unable to believe what he was seeing. Carefully he removed the condom and swore again. The damn thing had ripped FUCK! This couldn't be happening.
He returned with the cloth, his heart thundering in his ears, feeling lightheaded. He sat down on the edge of the bed, hard his knees buckling from under him.
"What's wrong?" Lucy's voice still had a sated, sleepy quality and Grayson wished he could rewind time and return to that happy place with her.
"Lucy, the condom broke." Her face drained of color and she bolted upright in the bed, any afterglow from their love making vanished and he knew he should have broached the subject more gently.
“THE CONDOM BROKE”... a million things went through her head with those three words, and she couldn't help the panic that gripped her.
"Okay, well I'm on the pill. It isn’t ideal but it's not the end of the world." She tried to be a calm rational adult, and then a thought struck her. He was the owner of a sex club and had way more experience than she did.
"I get tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections. It's part of the club policy." He said as if realizing her rising panic.
"Okay great then let's just get cleaned up and then we'll go from there." She headed to the bathroom on wobbly legs. "I'll take this one if that's okay and you can take the one down the hall?" She posed it as a question, expecting him to protest, but he didn't.
Lucy padded into the bathroom and closed the door before leaning back against it, letting out a shuddering sigh.
She ran the water in the shower and stepped under adjusting the heat level when it stung her skin. Maybe she shouldn't have kicked Grayson out of his own bathroom, but she needed time to think. Not just about the broken condom; she felt better knowing that he was tested regularly, and she took the pill religiously, but she also needed to think about what they had just done.
It was by far without question the most intense sex she'd ever had. She felt raw and exposed as if he could see into her soul and it had scared the shit out of her, because it was becoming clear that what she felt for Grayson wasn't just sexual chemistry. She loved him.
***
She couldn't possibly love him. The man standing in front of her was not the same one he'd been a few days ago when they'd had their condom mishap. This version of Grayson was cold and distant. She felt like he'd actively tried to push her away for the last four days claiming he was busy every time she suggested they get together.
Finally, she'd taken matters into her own hands and shown up at his place. To be fair there were dark circles under his eyes attesting to his lack of sleep and things did seem busy on the property. He did tell you going into this that there would be times he'd be too busy to see you. She hated the truth her subconscious reminded her of. It made her feel guilty, but still she couldn't shake the feeling that his distance was deliberate. Grayson invited her inside, but his actions were still careful. He sat with her on the sofa barely touching her. Lucy almost felt like they were strangers, and it was only when he'd seen the evidence of their play on her body that his demeanour changed. The sleeve of her oversized cotton t-shirt had slipped low, leaving her spaghetti strap camisole underneath the only protection against his gaze.
Grayson scooted closer, slipping his finger under the cotton to expose more of her creamy flesh.
"Strip."
"What?" Lucy's voice wavered slightly at his one-word command.
"Stand up and take your clothes off Lucy. I want to see."
Lucy sucked in her breath and slowly stood. She didn't want to reveal the bruising. She feared it would make him angry, but she knew if she didn't do what he asked now it would change something between them, and the explosive dynamics and sizzling chemistry they shared might be damaged beyond repair.
She let the t-shirt and camisole fall to the floor at her feet, and when she paused Grayson insisted, "All of it."
Heaving a low exasperated sigh, she unbuttoned her shorts, and not wanting to drag out any more suspense she pulled off her shorts and panties with one quick tug.
The sharp inhala
tion he gave was deafening in the quiet living room and Lucy tried to spin around to face him.
"God darlin', I'm sorry! I didn't realize you'd bruise so badly." The sorrow in his voice ate at her. He placed gentle kisses along the length of her spine pausing to fleck his tongue into the impressions of her tailbone.
Tears sprang to her eyes as he continued to worship her with his mouth. She tried to turn again but still he held firm placing a kiss on each cheek before allowing his tongue to trail lightly along her cleft.
It was Lucy's turn to suck in her breath, as she felt his velvet soft tongue brush against her tightly puckered entrance. She felt like she'd been dipped in steamy hot, and icy cold water simultaneously.
"It's not that bad, really." She tried to reassure him, but she knew the bruising did look bad. It spanned the length of her back, but her buttocks bore the brunt of the bruising.
"Damn it. I should have taken better care of you." Grayson pulled her into his arms and held her close and the distance she'd felt slowly melted away.
"If I'd known this would be your response, I would have mooned you days ago."
Grayson chuckled at her attempted humor, but Lucy could still see the sadness lurking in his gaze.
"Honestly Grayson it's just because I'm so fair. It really doesn't hurt that much." She was glad she didn't have to lie to him about it. She was a terrible liar and he would know instantly.
He kissed her tenderly and the tears were in her eyes again threatening to fall. She realized that she'd missed him. Missed this kind of closeness that they had cultivated together.
"You don't understand, but if I'd been paying attention instead of worried about the condom having broken, I would have spent more time taking care of you afterwards like I'm supposed to. In the club I lecture would-be doms about shit like this all the time, and then when it matters, I screw it up."
"Can we just forget about it? Can we just do something mundane and forget about all the tension and drama?" She snuggled into his embrace, sighing when he tucked the throw blanket from the back of the couch over them, refusing to relinquish his hold on her.
THERE WAS NO doubt about it he was an asshole of the highest order. At least that's how he felt. If he was totally honest with himself, he could admit that the idea that they could be accidentally pregnant scared the shit out of him. A baby didn't fit into his life. He couldn't imagine what kind of microscope he'd live under when people realized how kinky he liked his sex.
Lucy had come to mean more to him than he'd ever thought possible. When he pursued her at first, it was the thrill of the hunt, as clichéd as that may be- but as they'd continued to see each other she'd wormed her way into his heart, and warmth spread through Grayson at the thought of her ripe with their child.
That still hadn't stopped him from putting a bit of distance between them as he tried to deal with his turmoil and everything that had been going on with the ranch.
Accidents were continuing to happen at an alarming rate and while so far things had been contained to broken fences, broken equipment and a few escaped animals Grayson had needed to step up security.
Add to that stress, the fact that the resort people were on his case again and his family situation hadn't improved, and he was spread thin and ready to snap.
He hadn't broached the subject of the letter his mother had written him with Lucy. Grayson mulled over the idea as he mucked out the horse stalls, his hands often stilling as he was swept up in thought. Grayson wasn't sure he wanted to go see his family, but that's exactly what the letter had requested.
Susan Witter had pleaded with her son to come see them. She had claimed they were ready to listen to his explanations about his lifestyle without judgement. She'd told him he was welcome to bring a girlfriend, if he happened to be seeing anyone, but Grayson had no desire to provide explanations about how he chose to have sex. He was a grown man and he didn't owe an explanation to anyone. He threw the rake and it gave a loud bang against the barn wall startling the horses.
"Shit!" he cursed before reaching to smooth his hand down the neck of the horse in the stall next to the one he'd been cleaning.
Could he bring Lucy to meet his family after not seeing them for so long? Not with the way her skin was showing all the bruising. They'd take one look at her and think the worst of him. Each mark would just solidify every horrible thing that Julia had ever told them. Hell, he knew he wasn't an abusive asshole and still he felt like a prick.
If he wasn't so caught up in his fear, he would have iced her down reducing the chance of bruising. He would have given her the after care she deserved, but he'd been blinded. Only her reassurance that she was on birth control and her confidence had kept him from full blown worry.
Before he could second guess himself Grayson pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialled Lucy's number.
"Grayson?" she asked, having picked up after the third ring. She sounded surprised to hear from him which didn't shock Grayson since he never phoned her during business hours.
"Am I interrupting, Lucy?"
"No, well yes, work, but if I'm quick it shouldn't be a problem. Is everything alright?" she asked, and Grayson could picture the way her eyebrows drew together when she was concentrating.
"Would you go with me to a family dinner tomorrow? I'm sure it will be uncomfortable, so I understand if you'd rather not come."
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
UNCOMFORTABLE WAS AN understatement. Grayson's mother opened the door when Grayson rang the bell, and while Susan was polite it was definitely strained, and her eyes never strayed far from Lucy.
"Mom this is my girlfriend, Lucy Blake." Grayson made their introductions quickly, and Lucy hoped that meant they would move out of the doorway soon. The apple pie she was holding was beginning to feel like it weighed a ton and she feared her hands would start shaking.
"Does he beat you too?" The pointed question came from inside the house. Lucy felt her cheeks go hot and knew she was a bright shade of red with her blush. Grayson had gone still beside her and she could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.
"Tessa!" Susan scolded. "Hush up now." Susan turned and gave the petite brunette at the foot of the stairs a scathing look before turning back to Lucy and Grayson. "Where are my manners? Please come in." Grayson's mother finally moved out of the doorway and allowed them inside.
"So, does he?" Tessa asked again, as soon as Grayson's mother was out of earshot. Lucy glanced up at Grayson uncertain how to respond, sure that his jaw would snap any second he was grinding his teeth so hard.
Grayson was glaring at his sister. It was easy to see the striking resemblance between Grayson and his younger sister. They shared the same eyes, and unless Lucy guessed wrong, there was a time that Tessa thought her brother hung the moon.
"Only when I ask him to." Lucy kept her tone light trying to diffuse the tension in the room, but it was clear Tessa didn't find Lucy's comment amusing.
A loud cough had Lucy blushing again as Grayson's father came down the hall, clearing his throat in such an obvious manner that Lucy realized he had to have heard at least part of their conversation.
"Maybe this was a bad idea." Grayson muttered under his breath, as he wrapped his arm around Lucy in an unmistakably possessive and protective gesture. Lucy tried not to flinch against the pressure he exerted as he squeezed her.
She hadn't lied when she told him the bruising didn't hurt that badly, but he also hadn't been squeezing her at the time.
"Oh, for heaven's sake let them in the door. We invited them. It’s not like they came unannounced." Grayson's mother said poking her head around the kitchen door frame.
"Dad."
"Grayson."
Lucy waited for the introduction, but they remained silent like two predators sizing each other up. She stuck her hand out and introduced herself to break the tension. Grayson's dad stared down at her hand for several seconds before taking it in his own and giving her hand a firm shake.
"John Witter,"
he said, keeping his grip on her hand. He turned her wrist over in his grasp studying the faint mark left from where Grayson had bound her wrists. She gave a quick tug on her hand while she introduced herself forcing him to release her.
"And, you must be Tessa, it's great to finally meet you." Lucy turned her attention to the younger woman who sniffed, raising her nose in the air. Her reaction caused a snarl to rise in Grayson's throat, and Lucy started to wonder if coming to dinner had been a good idea for either of them.
***
Once dinner was served things settled down into more of a relaxed rhythm, though the atmosphere was still strained, the five of them trying to make polite small talk. Tessa didn't do much talking instead she sat pushing her food around her plate and glaring at her brother.
"The development company called again this week wanting to buy out my portion of the property." John announced around a bite of pot roast, and Lucy felt Grayson tense.
"Are you going to sell?"
"It's a lot of money they're offering, and I still feel we should do the right thing.” John's voice trailed off as he shot Lucy a sidelong glance. "Perhaps it'd be better if we didn't discuss this now."
"Would it influence your decision to know that Julia is with the land developer now? Does that still make you think you should do the right thing?"
"I really don't think this is proper dinner conversation. Why don't you boys go on into the den and we'll clean up here." Susan offered, making Lucy want to clutch at Grayson's hand.
He gave her a questioning look, and she squared her shoulders realizing that he wanted to speak with his father, but wouldn't leave her alone if he didn't think she could handle herself. She gave him a gentle nod and he left the table with his father.
"Have you been seeing Grayson long dear? It's been a while since we’ve talked, we haven’t been close since - well never mind all that. So, have you been seeing each other long?"
"A few months now." Lucy fought the urge to squirm under the gaze of two women staring at her intently.
