"Oh, Parker, it won't be hard at all to pretend at being your wife." She looked up at him as
he leaned down to kiss her. It won't be hard at all.
His hand grabbed her ponytail and wound itself around it as his lips devoured hers. Never had he kissed her like this before. Was it a prelude to delights to come? If so, she was looking forward to each and every one. She loved this man, Parker Bentley. She'd loved him since the first night she'd had dinner with him and the children at the hotel back home. She would do anything for him. She would marry him to save his company, care for Ava and Aiden as if they were her own. She would run his household and eventually become his submissive and his lover. She wanted everything he was offering and more. Lorena Laramie had better watch out. Harper had lost one man to another woman. She was not going to lose Parker.
The kiss ended as abruptly as it began. Parker pulled away and looked her straight in the eyes.
"I am not apologizing for that one, baby. You are mine."
"I wasn't complaining," she replied. "And, as far as Ms. Lorena Laramie is concerned, you are mine, and she had better get used to that fact."
"That's my baby. See, we're good for each other. Now, I want you to rest before dinner. It's been a crazy few days, with more to come."
She started to protest, and before she knew what was happening, he had flipped her over on her belly and started smacking her bottom. One, two, three times. Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Ow, what was that for?" she asked as she reached back to rub out the sting.
"You were getting ready to argue. It wasn't a suggestion for you to rest. You're tired, and you're going to get stressed if you don't take care of yourself. There is a lot to do and not much time to do it. You need to relax when you can. So, when I told you to rest, I meant for you to do it. See how this works?"
"I'm beginning to," she said ruefully.
"Changing your mind?" he asked.
"I'll rest," she replied as she turned over and winced when her bottom touched the mattress. With only three swats, he had made his point.
"That's good, but I was asking if you'd changed your mind about our situation."
She looked at him and grinned. "Not on your life. I am not a quitter."
He leaned down and kissed her again before pulling the throw at the foot of the bed over her.
"Now, take a nap. I'll come and get you when dinner is about ready. I'll be in my room if you, uh, need anything."
After he'd gone, she thought to herself, Oh, I need something all right, Mr. Bentley, and you're going to give it to me, just not today. I want the excitement to build. Two can play this game.
She smiled and thought about what it would be like the first time she joined him in his bed. And when she fell asleep, all her fantasies were fulfilled in her dreams.
Chapter 6
The last week of July was upon them, and both of their mothers had arrived in South Carolina. The introductions had been made, and the entire household was in a tizzy with last minute details.
The night before the wedding, they all attended the rehearsal, then Parker took everyone to dinner afterward.
"I'd like to make a toast to the happy couple." Dr. Kellum stood and held his glass up. "May the two of you find the happiness that I've enjoyed with my wife of forty-five years." Everyone raised their glass. Parker leaned over to kiss his fiancée, and everyone clapped, delighted for them. Ava and Aiden looked at each other and made a face.
When the evening had come to an end, Parker looked at Harper and said, "I believe I'll take my lady home. She needs her beauty sleep. After all, she has a big day and night ahead of her tomorrow."
Everyone good-naturedly teased them as Harper blushed appropriately.
"Come on, sweetheart, let's go. Goodbye, everyone. We'll see you at the church."
"Bye." Harper waved as Parker swept her away.
"Goodbye; behave, you two. We'll make sure the kiddos get to bed soon," Parker's mother said as they left.
Once they were in the car, he leaned over to kiss her.
"Parker, no one is watching. You don't have to do that," she reminded him.
"Maybe I wanted to. It was a wonderful evening; didn't you think so?"
"Yes, it was. I enjoyed it."
"I'll get you home, so you can get your beauty sleep. I wouldn't want my bride-to-be tired on her wedding day."
"Where are we going on our honeymoon?" she asked.
"Ah, ah, ah, that's a surprise. I told you already, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out."
"You act as though this is a real wedding, Parker."
"Harper, this is a real wedding. You aren't having second thoughts, are you? After the heart-to-heart talk we had a few weeks ago, I thought all was good between us."
"No, of course not, but you almost make me believe we're a real couple. We aren't, at least not yet."
"Do you want to be a real couple? Are you ready for that, Harper? Have you decided to make it real from the start?"
"Maybe, I don't know. Are you?"
He thought for a minute and answered slowly, "Harper, I'm ready whenever you are. I'm going to leave that decision up to you. I told you I wouldn't rush you, and I won't. I'm a man of my word, and you've said you trust me. I don't want to do anything to damage that trust. When you're ready to come to my bed, I'll be waiting there for you."
"Let's see how things go on our trip. I just don't know how easy it will be, once we're actually married, to pretend all the time. If we're married and the whole world thinks we're a normal, happily married, newlywed couple, then why shouldn't we be just that? A normal married couple," she replied thoughtfully. "Well, maybe not normal, but you know what I mean. Why deny ourselves the physical pleasure when in all other aspects we will be a married couple?"
"Harper, I'd like nothing more than to take you to bed tomorrow night. I've told you I care about you. I never could have suggested this arrangement to you if I didn't. It's your decision to make. You'll know when the time is right. But, if you really are seriously thinking about it, maybe we should discuss birth control. You surely aren't ready for a baby yet, are you?"
"I'm on the pill."
"You're what?" He nearly ran off the road, clearly not expecting to hear that. "Don't you think that's something we should have discussed together? After all, it's a health issue. I've already told you how I feel about your health."
"Relax. I didn't go behind your back. I never went off them after Shawn and I broke up. It's not like I just went out and got on them because I thought I might screw you." She was starting to get angry.
"I see. I guess it's a green light whenever you say the word, then. And watch your tone. I can paddle your behind when we get home just as easily as I did the other day. In fact, I think you might just be angling for that to happen. Am I right?" He reached over and took her hand, gently caressing it.
"Parker, this is crazy. We're about to be married, and listen to us, discussing whether or not we are going to sleep together on our wedding night. I'll bet not too many couples have that discussion the night before their wedding. As for the other, no, I don't relish the idea of getting spanked the night before my wedding, thank you very much."
"We're not an ordinary couple. Harper. I said I wouldn't rush you because I didn't want to screw things up for us. I want everything to be perfect. As I told you, we're in this for the long haul. There are no prenups, no outs. Once we say those vows, it's for life."
"You needn't worry about that. I don't take commitment lightly, and I told you I agreed to your terms. We'll be married forever, Parker. And we will have a D/s marriage."
When they arrived at the house, a few minutes later, he walked around to her side of the car and helped her out. They walked silently up the stairs. When they reached her bedroom door, he hesitated for just a moment, then, pulling her into his arms, he kissed her passionately, no holds barred. He'd held himself in check until tonight, only giving her light kisses, occasionally. Except for that one afternoon. He'd
been dying to do that again ever since.
Harper responded to the kiss, unleashing her own passion, which she had tried to keep hidden from him in the months she'd known him. As he pulled her closer, it was obvious to her that he was aroused.
When the kiss ended, he said, "I guess we have our answer, baby."
"Yes, I guess we do. Goodnight, Parker. I'll see you at the altar." She blew him a kiss and went into her room, closing the door quietly. She had escaped the spanking, but she knew it wouldn't be long before she found herself on the receiving end of one. He'd made that quite clear. Funny thing was, she was looking forward to exploring that.
She walked into the bathroom and quickly prepared for bed. As she lay alone in her bed, she thought about the conversation they'd just had and the kiss they'd shared. Yes, she was going to enjoy being Mrs. Parker Bentley, and it had nothing to do with his money or his position. It was the pure, raw, sexual attraction she felt toward him.
The next morning, she was up early. Parker had been given strict orders to stay out of sight. "It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride on her wedding day," his mother had told him as Ellie, Annie, and Harper's mother agreed.
John and Jim were in charge of the groom and ring bearer. They whisked the two of them to Jim and Annie's quarters, early that morning. After they were out of sight, Annie knocked on Harper's door.
When Harper opened it to let her in, the woman carried a breakfast tray into the room. "I brought your breakfast in to you. Mary and Ellie are breakfasting with little Ava downstairs, but we thought you might want some time to yourself, before we have to start bustling around here."
"How thoughtful, Annie. How would I have gotten this all done so quickly, without all of you?"
"We're glad to be a part of your special day, honey. The men are gone, and your mother should be arriving from her hotel any minute now. I still don't know why she insisted on not staying here. Oh, well, eat up, we'll get everything together and get you to the church to get ready soon. We want you to be beautiful for your groom."
Harper's eyes were shining as she hugged her housekeeper and friend. "Thank you, Annie. Mom didn't want to be in the way. She will stay with us when she visits after Parker and I are married. She's just a little old school."
"We're all family now, but I can understand her feelings." Annie left her alone to enjoy her breakfast in peace.
She picked at her breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast and drank two cups of coffee, too nervous to do the delicious meal justice. When she'd finished, she carried the tray downstairs. Her mother was there now, and soon, it was a mad rush to get everything loaded into the car and to the church. They arrived in plenty of time, and Harper began to get ready, with the help of her mother.
She'd chosen a simple white sheath-style dress. It was backless and had a lace shawl that matched her short veil. Her mother had loaned her a pair of pearl earrings for her something borrowed, her garter was blue, and Mary had given her a set of pearls that had been a gift from Parker's father for her something old. Now, all she needed was something new. That was supplied by Ava who, along with Aiden, had bought her a pearl bracelet.
"Oh, sweetie, I love it. I'll cherish it always."
"Grandma Mary helped us pick it out," the little girl told her proudly.
"Well, thank you, Grandma Mary." She hugged her future mother-in-law.
Her own mother had tears in her eyes as she stood back and looked at her girl. "You look ravishing, darling. Your dad would have been proud to have walked you down the aisle."
"I know he would have, Mom," she replied with tears in her own eyes.
"Okay, you two, dry up the waterworks. We don't want to have to redo the bride's make-up." Ellie laughed as she teased the two Easton women.
All too soon, it was time for the ceremony to begin.
Annie walked up the aisle first, then little Ava followed her, dropping rose petals from a tiny basket as she made her way up the aisle to take her place beside Annie.
Aiden followed, proudly carrying the two wedding bands on a pillow.
The time had come; Dr. Kellum took her arm. "Are you ready, dear?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." She smiled at him, and as the music began to play, he escorted her down the aisle to meet her groom.
Harper smiled at Parker as he stood at the altar with Jim, Reverend Key, and Aiden. He watched as she approached, and when she took her place next to him, they turned to face the minister. Parker winked at her, flashing a smile much like the one she'd been so taken with the night they'd met in Dr. Kellum's office. Harper's heart melted all over again, and her tummy was doing strange somersaults. I'm actually doing this, she thought as Parker took her hand in his.
The ceremony was brief but beautiful, and when they had been pronounced man and wife, her groom took her in his arms and kissed her. Harper thought she would melt on the spot as heat spread throughout her body at his touch. When he released her, he smiled at her knowingly and winked.
The reception was in the church basement, where Ellie had prepared a scrumptious feast for all of them. After the meal had been eaten and the cake had been cut, there was much well-wishing, along with hugs and kisses. They told the children to behave for Grandma Mary, who was staying to help Annie with them while Harper and Parker were away. Finally, the newlyweds were on their way home to change and pick up their luggage.
"I think it went well," Parker said as they pulled out of the church parking lot.
"It did; the kids looked so sweet."
"So did their new mama."
"Their mama—that has a nice ring to it."
"Here we are. You're packed, right?" he asked as they pulled into the driveway.
"Well, your mother packed for me, since I didn't know where we're going." She laughed as she looked up at him.
"You'll find out soon enough, sweet thing."
He walked into her bedroom with her. "Do you need help with a zipper or anything?" He attempted to unzip her dress for her.
"That would be great. I had help dressing. I wondered how I would get out of this thing."
"Oh, getting out of it will be no problem, believe me." He expertly unzipped the dress and turned her around to face him. "Mrs. Bentley, I believe all you have to do is step out of it now." He kissed her then, a kiss as passionate as the one had been the night before. Her heart was beating so hard, she thought it might pop out of her chest. She put her arms around his neck and gave in to the sensations he stirred inside her. He slid her wedding gown down and gently caressed her bare back. Forcing himself to pull away from her, he said in a low, husky voice, "Harper, we need to get out of here. We have hotel reservations. But we'll continue this, once we get to where we're going."
"You still haven't told me where that is."
"For tonight, Miami. You'll find out the rest in due time. Now, get changed, baby; we have a flight to catch. We can pick up where we left off later." He grinned seductively before kissing her again.
"If you don't stop doing that, we aren't going to get out of here anytime soon, husband dear."
"Okay, okay, I'm going to get changed. The sooner we get out of here, the sooner we can begin the honeymoon."
Within a half-hour's time, they had changed, loaded the car, and were on their way to the airport and then to spend their first night together as husband and wife. Harper looked over at her new spouse and smiled.
"Happy?" he asked as he reached for her hand.
"I am. Are you?"
"Yes, Harper, I'm happy, for the first time in a long time. I think we've made the right decision, even if it did start out as a business arrangement. I have the feeling we're going to fall into married life quite nicely."
She yawned. "I'm sorry. I guess the day was tiring."
"Why don't you take a nap after we get on the plane?"
"You don't mind?"
"No, sweetheart, I don't mind."
He called me sweetheart, and no one is listening.
They made it to t
he airport, and Parker parked the car.
"I'm surprised you didn't have Jim or John drive us," she said.
"I wanted you all to myself. Jim will bring John to collect the car tomorrow."
Together, after they were inside the terminal and had taken care of checking their luggage, they strolled hand-in-hand into a small café.
After they'd ordered coffee, he asked, "Well, Mrs. Bentley, tell me, how does it feel to be sitting in a café with your husband?"
"It feels pretty good," she replied shyly.
"Not half as good as you're going to be feeling later tonight," he told her with a wink.
"Parker Bentley, have I created a monster by telling you I'm ready to be your wife in every sense of the word?" she whispered.
"Maybe, ah, here's our coffee."
He thanked the waitress, and as he took a sip of the steaming liquid, he smiled across the table at her. "Are you starting to relax? I know it's been crazy, the last few days."
"Yes, I am. I guess I didn't realize how tired I was. It is such a relief to have the wedding over with. I mean, it was nice, but such a lot of work getting it all together so quickly."
"No regrets?"
"No, none. Do you have any regrets, Parker?"
"Not on your life. I couldn't be happier."
"Then I think we're on the right track. Let's finish our coffee and get ready to board." Harper giggled as she took a sip of coffee. A feeling of warmth spread over her body, and she was sure it had nothing to do with the coffee as she thought about the night ahead.
Arriving later that night in Miami, Parker had already arranged for a car to take them to the hotel.
The establishment was magnificent! Harper looked around at the beautiful lobby. Parker had certainly chosen a nice place for their first night as a married couple. After he'd checked them in, he led her to their room, inserted the card key, and opened the door, surprising her by scooping her up in his arms and carrying her across the threshold.
"What was that?"
"You wanted a traditional honeymoon, didn't you?" He grinned seductively. "Welcome to the honeymoon suite."
Her Convenient Dom (Dominant Men Book 2) Page 9
