Mark peered at me over the top of his glasses. “I have no idea what you are talking about. Go on, read that paragraph… en francais…”
“You do too. I know how you two are. Since Jace’s been too busy lately to find girls on his own, you're playing matchmaker again. Oh, don’t look at me like that. You lend Gayle to Jace when he needs to get a spanking fix. And since I’ve been SO perfect, he’s getting itchy.”
Mark stared at me opened mouthed. Did he really think much got by me? I voiced my observations very matter-of-factly in that Jace’s studio might be sound-proof, but I know he wouldn’t escort a girl down there for sex.
“It’s not quite like that. There’s a lot you don’t understand… I think he and I need to be a little more discreet.” He colored.
I snickered, “Why bother now? I look at it this way… better them than me.”
“When did you become such a smart-ass? Now read.”
I promptly obeyed and practiced basic conversation with him. We both looked up when Gayle approached us, her eyes a little red and puffy. Mark stood up, hand on his hips, glasses once again in his hand. “Yes? I thought I told you to go wait for me at the cottage.”
“Um, yes, Sir. Jace told me to come straight to you and give you this,” she handed him a large, thick paddle. She then turned to me, “I’m also supposed to apologize to you for disrupting your lessons. I’m sorry, Celeste.”
“No problem. Sorry you had to go through that. I know how it feels,” I said kindly. Gayle smiled shyly and excused herself.
“That’s you in seven years,” Mark commented, watching her bottom as she walked away. “I need a break. It’s Friday and there is nothing more we can do. No homework this weekend. Mind if we shut down early?”
“Horn dog,” I said, grinning. He pulled me up and landed five fast swats across my grass-covered shorts, making me squeal and laugh loudly as I tried to escape his hand.
Jace hollered from his bedroom window to be quiet, threatening to come down and kick both our asses. Mark sobered up and dragged me with him to the front door of the main house. “Get inside and stay out of my hair for an hour or four. And don’t bother Jace. He sounds tired,” he ordered with a wink before turning in the direction of the cottage.
Resisting the temptation to follow and peak in, I mulled around inside the house finding absolutely nothing of interest. Deciding the next best thing would be a nap, I snuck into Jace’s room and climbed into bed right next to him, snuggling my body close to his. I felt his arm slide around my waist and he pulled me tightly up against his chest.
I also felt something disturbingly hard pressing into the crease of my shorts. With a smile, I wiggled closer to him and, now safely nestled, I quickly dozed off.
Several hours later, Jace woke, startled to find me in his arms. “What are you doing in my bed?” he demanded.
I opened one eye. “Sleeping,” I responded.
He pointed to the door. “Out, and don’t do that again.”
“You’re cranky. Go back to sleep,” I snapped, quickly leaving. He was even crankier when he came downstairs, rubbing his head.
Mark was sitting on the couch, reading the paper. “Headache?”
“Yeah, plus our friend Kandace called and woke me. She thought it would be a good idea to have Thanksgiving here with the band. I loathe entertaining.”
“I never thought I would see the day when I met a genuine anti-social drama queen. I’ll take care of it and the weasel can help me.”
“Who said I wanted to help? I hate entertaining too. And I loathe Kandace,” I answered back, mimicking Jace.
As Mark began to pull off his glasses, Jace spoke. “Not tonight, you two, my head is killing me. How about if I just take everyone out, in separate cars, so I can leave early?” Jace requested as he plopped on the recliner and rubbed his temples.
“We’ll talk about it when you’re feeling better. Celeste, go get him a coke and some migraine stuff. No arguing, Young Lady!” Mark barked.
I stuck my tongue out at him and went into the kitchen to get the stuff for Jace. Mark snapped his fingers, pointed at me, his tongue, then to Jace. Instead telling Jace about my little transgression, I decided to massage his neck and head.
“Mmmm, feels good. Did you know I had someone sleeping in my bed?” Jace asked Mark and he leaned back into my hands.
“And it was just right, Papa Bear,” I said, kissing his cheek.
Mark frowned again. “I told you to leave him alone.”
“I didn’t bother him. Besides, Jace can speak for himself.”
“J, she’s awfully mouthy today. I think she’s cruising for a refresher course in manners,” Marl commented with a dark look.
“Celeste, cut the shit. I’m not in the mood,” Jace grumbled, eyes still closed. I made a face at Mark and went back to hugging Jace’s neck.
Mark rolled his eyes. “Okay, I’m going to bed. Young Lady… I will deal with you tomorrow for your attitude.”
I don’t know why, but I couldn’t help but mimic him.
Jace grabbed my wrist. “Headache or not, I don’t ever want to hear that again. Understand?”
Mark said good-night and left as I pried my arm from Jace’s grip, muttering, “Yes, sir.”
Jace was quiet for a minute. “Wanna tell me what that was about?”
“I dunno.”
“I think you are forgetting the fact that he’s an adult, your teacher, your legal guardian, and my best friend. He’s not your playmate. Do I need to remind you again?”
I shook my head.
He sat me on the edge of the chair and held my hand. “Maybe he’s right about getting you into a school.”
“NO! I swear, I’ll…”
“Yeah, I’ve heard it before. You’ll burn it down. My little pyro. And stop yelling, my head hurts. Let’s talk about how we can get out of doing Thanksgiving.”
Jace and I stayed up late watching TV in the theater, but never succeeded in devising a way out of hosting the upcoming dinner. Jace admitted that one reason he hated holidays was because they seemed to bring out the worst in people.
His point was proven when, the next morning, he and Mark argued regarding to cater verses potluck and sounded like an old married couple as they carried on. Mark loved parties, Jace hated parties. Mark wanted the old-fashioned, down home family feast— especially since he couldn’t make it home this year. Jace said we could do it with our family, but not everyone else. It went on and on.
Since I’ve never really heard them argue, I found it very amusing and very enlightening. Mark never peered down his glasses at Jace, nor did Jace puff himself up like a blow fish and try to appear larger than life. They fought respectfully with no name calling, insulting, or raising their voices, providing me with an example of a normal, healthy, adult disagreement. It ended with the compromise of having it catered with everyone there, but no drinking or smoking, and with Jace stating that I was not to help unless I really wanted to. Mark agreed and began to write down ideas, not even glancing at me.
Mark and I were avoiding each other that morning. That happened rarely, and when it did, it drove Jace crazy. As much as he complained about our banter, it also made his house a home. Finally, after about an hour of neither of us saying anything to each other, Jace spoke up.
“Okay, you two. Kiss and make up. Mark, act like the mature adult here. Either deal with her attitude or get over it. Celeste, you already know my feelings. Stop this shit now.”
“He’s right. Come on, let’s go take a walk,” Mark said to me after shooting Jace a bird.
Glaring at Jace, I followed Mark outside, refusing to take the offer of his hand as we walked around the grounds.
“I’m really hurt by your disrespect,” Mark said gently, “I know you don’t mean it, but it really goes overboard sometimes. You would never talk to Jace the way you speak to me.”
“Sorry,” I muttered. I knew I hurt his feelings. I guess I tended to take him for granted sometimes beca
use he wasn’t as strict as Jace and usually let me get away with murder.
“Maybe it was a mistake to move in and be so close,” Mark said softly.
My heart stopped and I grabbed his hand. “No! It’s my fault! I take advantage of you and I’m sorry. I can’t help it sometimes. Please, don’t leave us!” Fear of abandonment reawakened in me, sending me into a panic.
Mark’s eyes widened; he had no idea where this reaction had come from since he hadn’t been involved when I first came to live with Jace.
Without thinking, I sped away as fast as I could— from him, the house, everything. Scrambling over the Plexiglas retaining wall, I inched my way along the cliff side. I was deaf to Mark’s fear-filled voice yelling for me to come back. I just had to get away before they left me. I had to escape… I had to… sit and cry.
“Hey, Baby Girl, what's happening?” Jace’s voice whispered softly in my ear as he settled down next to me on the cliff side about fifteen minutes later.
“Mark’s moving out and it’s my fault,” I sobbed. “I chase everybody away.”
“What are you talking about? Mark’s not going anywhere, and neither am I. I thought we had this all settled a while ago,” Jace said gently, stroking my leg.
Mark sat next to me on the other side. “Sweetie, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry,” he said before quickly explaining to Jace what had occurred. He patted my leg. “You need to realize that families fight. We won’t always get along and we will push each other’s buttons at times, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love each other. Jace and I fight like two real brothers. Hell,” he smiled at Jace, “we’ve had some real knock-down, drag outs….”
“Which I won,” Jace interrupted smugly.
Mark ignored him. “But that only reinforced the commitment to our friendship and to being there to help you. I guess I was also a little taken aback by the little talk we had yesterday concerning Gayle, and was going to try to avoid that issue with you for a while. I was wrong. I should have just given you a good spanking for your big mouth and let it go.”
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, accepting his hug.
“Now that that's settled,” Jace said, “let’s get off this cliff before it crumbles. Whatever possessed you to come this way?”
“I can’t climb over the brick wall to the road,” I answered, letting him carefully raise me to my feet and escort me back to the house.
Without hesitation, Mark excused himself, took my hand firmly, and led me to the guest house. After grabbing a couple of bottles of water, we sat on the cushy couch.
“I think we need to remember some things, Kiddo,” Mark began. “Jace was right. I’m supposed to be a proper example of an adult to you. I try to be a little easier because he’s so stern, but he has his reasons and has been right all along. You need solid structure and boundaries, and need to learn how to conduct yourself appropriately. While we’ve been letting you face consequences, we have not been consistent with the rules. Therefore, as far as I’m concerned, you and I will start concentrating on our relationship as guardian, teacher, brother, and then friend. In that order. Got it?”
“You should be brother before teacher,” I argued.
He ignored me. “I will always defer to Jace’s decisions regarding you. There will be no more with you trying to play us against each other. Yeah, we see it. From now on, I am going to be more consistent with you and enforce my authority if I must.”
He took my water bottle from me and patted his lap. “Let’s get this over with.”
Ruefully, I obeyed, groaning as he positioned me in that all-to-familiar place over a man’s lap, my shorts and panties pulled down to my knees. I suddenly started laughing as he adjusted me.
“What’s so funny? This is going to smart.”
“I’m sorry,” I laughed, tears coming to my eyes. “I must be losing my mind or something. I was just comparing your lap to Jace. He’s more muscular and has more cushion for me. You’re too bony.”
“Very funny. Let me know when you’re done stalling. I have things to do today.”
“I’m sorry,” I sobered up, bracing my hands on the floor. “I’m done.”
I started squirming within seconds and kicking within a minute as Mark’s callused hand splatted against my backside with the precision and speed of a seasoned drummer. He didn’t slow down, going almost two solid minutes at that ridiculous, mind boggling pace.
Unlike Jace, I never had the chance to catch my breath and was quickly reduced to a blubbering mass of tears. He slowed a bit, focusing on my sit spot and upper thighs, making certain that his hand left a lasting impression. I tried to find that special place in my mind where I couldn’t feel anything, but his pace and intensity disabled me from going there.
When he finally stopped and silently rubbed my bottom, the full extent of remorse washed over me. He held me in place, draped over his knees with his hand on the small of my back until I was cried out.
I felt truly chastised and almost childlike as he pulled me to my feet, and fixed my panties and shorts to cover me.
He smoothed my shirt over my hips and then took my hands in his. “Celeste, you’re like a little sister to me and I don’t enjoy pounding on you. Believe it or not, it hurts me every time I have to do it. Please, don’t make me do this more than I have to,” he requested sincerely.
“I’m really sorry I’ve been such a bi… so mean to you. I really do love you and I have so much fun playing with you. I know I need to remember my place,” I said in a small voice, lowering my face in shame.
With a kiss and a loving hug, Mark stood up and walked me back to the main house.
“Made up?” Jace asked, seeing me rub my bottom briefly.
“Yeah, and J, if it’s okay with you, I think I’d like to have Thanksgiving with my family. Just you two,” Mark requested, hugging me again.
Jace smiled broadly, clapping his friend on the shoulder. “That I would enjoy. By the way, you’re cooking.”
“It would be my pleasure. Celeste? Do you want to help?”
I nodded eagerly, knowing I had something to truly be thankful for that year.
Chapter Nine
New Year, Same Trouble
Holidays are usually pretty hectic for musicians. Jace was constantly back and forth between performing and recording sessions, and Mark was exhausted between school and late-night gigs.
I grabbed the opportunity to try to convince them to give me some time off during the holiday season. It took a while, but they both finally saw the sense in it.
Thanksgiving had been fabulous. Mark prepared most of the meal while Jace and I sat and watched TV, munching on deviled eggs and chips with onion dip.
Impressed with Mark’s skills in the kitchen, and always feeling the manly need to compete, Jace agreed to do Christmas dinner where he would make his special chicken and Cajon shrimp. Never avoiding the chance to yank Jace’s chain, Mark tried to convince him to make a Christmas ham. Jace’s return comment, said with a very straight and serious expression, was that if Mark could prove that Jesus had ham on his birthday, he would be more than happy to comply. I rolled on the floor laughing at that one. Mark didn’t find it as amusing, but too bad.
New Year’s Eve was boring and I celebrated alone by talking briefly to Cara. The following morning, I came downstairs to find both boys passed out in the living room, sleeping off the gig they'd performed the night before in San Francisco. It was already 2:00 and I decided that they had slept long enough. I let the dogs in to do their work and get Jace and Mark moving.
Mark grumbled and went back to the guest house while Jace, unsuccessfully, tried to make it to his own room.
“Come on, you’ve been asleep for hours,” I complained, standing in his way in the hall, trying to block his migration to his big, comfy bed. “You need to get up and pay attention to me!”
“When did you start this whining shit?” Jace grumbled, trying to move me out of his way, “I want to get some more sleep. Now
move before you get hurt.”
“No! I’m bored.”
“You're irritating me. I’ll spend time with you after I sleep. Stop it,” Jace growled, moving me out of the way. He closed his bedroom door behind him and I kicked it. “You’re in trouble for that when I get up,” Jace yelled.
I didn’t care. I was angry, bored, and lonely. I walked outside to the grounds and contemplated my next move. I knew every inch of this twenty-acre property and wondered what was around the road opposite from where we always drove. I decided that since Jace would be asleep for a long time, I’d go take a walk with the girls.
The electric gate clicked loudly behind us as we left the property and began down the quiet road. Lost in thought, I wandered along the little back roads and pathways, not paying attention to time until it started getting dark. When I turned to return home, I realized that I had gotten lost with the main road far out of sight. I immediately decided that this was all Jace’s fault for being such a hermit and for ignoring me.
I reached for my cell phone and groaned… I had left it on the countertop in the kitchen. My heart was pounding as I attempted to get the girls to track, but they were far more interested in the new smells and evil squirrels than in going home.
Within an hour, darkness fully set in and there was not a house in sight. Triggered by wanting to eat, Princess started pulling at her leash and eventually brought us back to the main road. I was so disoriented and just started to blindly follow Princess’ lead, hoping that we would eventually see a house.
It seemed like we were walking for hours. I was tired and hungry, getting really cold, and I knew the puppies felt the same. Headlights blazed ahead and, with hope, I waved the car down. It pulled to the side of the road. A black Lexus. Jace.
“Are you alright!?” He jumped out of the car and grabbed my upper arms with the look of panic on his handsome face. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick!”
“I was bored and took a walk. We got lost and I didn’t have my cell,” I said. “I’m fine. I’m surprised you even noticed I was gone,” I said bitterly.
Guardian Domination Page 9
