by Thianna D
Micah had built this place over twenty years before and every member of the family loved it. There was only one bedroom, but the living room was huge and so was the kitchen. Furniture made out of rough-hewn logs filled the space and the dark stone fireplace was the perfect touch.
“Charmagne,” he said firmly, sitting down in one of the chairs. “Come here.” Her shoulders slumped forward as she stood up. When she turned around, she wore the most pitiful expression he’d ever seen.
“It really hurts, Brent.”
“I know. So let’s talk so we can get your rump washed off before I finish, okay.” Her eyes fell to the implement in his hand and she nodded, walking up in front of him. “All right, honey,” he said in a quiet voice, putting the paddle aside before taking her hands in his. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”
Her lips quirked and tears filled her eyes but she shook her head. “I can’t say it.”
“Is it that bad?” What could have happened over Christmas to have sent her into such a tizzy? A horrible thought struck him. Were the Korvens up to something again? Her ex-fiancé had kidnapped her years ago, trying to get her to marry him. Had they contacted her without his knowledge? “Char, everything’s going to be fine, baby. I promise. Tell me what’s wrong so I can help you.”
Tears fell down her cheeks and she sniffled. “You’ll hate me.”
His heart fell with a thud. What could have happened that would make him hate her? “Baby, I can’t imagine in any universe that anything you would do would make me hate you. Come on, Char, you know how this works. Tell me your troubles and I’ll help them go away.” She burst into tears and he yanked her to him, holding her as she bawled against his shoulder. Holy hell, what was going on? Rocking her back and forth, he became more and more alarmed as her crying not only continued but gained in intensity.
Holding her, he had two possibilities. Take her into the shower, wash off her tush, and pound her backside, or just spank her right now. He couldn’t imagine the pain of a paddling on top of the capsaicin cream. That shit would burn. “Let me help you,” he murmured right into her ear and she nodded so furiously, he figured that was his only option. Standing her up on her feet, he had her dress over her head instantly. She kicked off her shoes and he pulled the leggings down to her feet, pulling them off as she lifted each leg. Without him directing or even asking, she lay across his lap, grasping the leg of the chair.
“Hold on, baby,” he murmured, lifting her a little so the angle was better. Grasping the paddle, he didn’t pause, bringing it down on her rear end. He didn’t use the normal force, but he figured the pain of the cream added to the paddle, it might not be needed. Her scream and her legs instantly kicking told him he’d been right. Building into a pattern, he covered her red cheeks, until they turned a dark red hue. As the paddle landed in the crease between ass and thighs, she let out a wail.
“Stop, Brent, please! It burns!”
“Tell me what’s wrong,” he insisted, not pausing in his blows, instead concentrating on her upper thighs.
“I c-can’t,” she blubbered, crying out again as he once again hit that sensitive spot.
“You must,” he insisted, strengthening his swing.
“I don’t want the wedding!” she shouted into the room and he paused, startled, his hand up in mid-air.
“What?” Please tell him it was just the wedding and it wasn’t that she didn’t want to be married to him!
“It’s huge,” she sniffled, “horribly huge. I’m going to feel like I’m on display as I walk down the aisle in that beautiful gown I absolutely hate with seven bridesmaids that I didn’t want and over two hundred guests watching me. It’s a circus, Brent. I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m so, so sorry!”
Dropping the paddle, he swung her up in his arms, walking toward the bathroom. “I’m so sorry,” she kept saying over and over into his neck.
“Shh,” he whispered as he placed her on her feet and fiddled with the controls for the shower. “Char, everything’s going to be okay. I promise.”
“No, it’s not,” she whimpered. “Your mom’s set on this huge thing and now the entire town is. We can’t let them down.” With a soft huff she slapped his chest. “Everyone loves you and wants to see you get hitched.”
Making sure the water wasn’t too hot, he stripped and then lifted her into the shower. “Hold on to me, baby. It’s going to be uncomfortable, but I want to wash off the cream.” Her hands grasped around his waist as he grabbed a bar of soap and went to work. She winced and whimpered as he worked at getting the cream off. It took three washings before he figured it was all gone and the red left now was from her paddling. After turning off the water, he lifted her back out and dried her off. Her sniffles had died down and now she just looked nervous, her eyes shooting toward his face and back down every few seconds.
“What happened at Christmas?” he asked in a quiet tone as he finished drying her off.
“What?” She cocked her head in confusion.
“You’ve been stressed since the end of December.”
“Have I?” she said in a quizzical tone. “Christmas day was when your mom gave me the final numbers for the invites.”
Ah, hell. He had been right. It wasn’t some after-holiday depression. It was all about the fucking wedding. “Charmagne,” he said in a firm voice she couldn’t deny. Her eyes shot up to him. The worry in their depths hurt him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Your mom wanted this wedding and it was already underway. If I objected, everyone would be upset and I didn’t want to upset anyone, and Kayla’s looking forward to being the flower girl, and…” Her lips quivered again and tears leaked from her eyes. “I didn’t want anyone mad at me.”
“Ah, baby,” he said, pulling her close. “I’ve been nervous about this wedding from the beginning. I knew you didn’t want a big event.”
“But everyone else does,” she murmured. “I feel like an idiot for not wanting one.”
“Whatever you are, you’re not an idiot,” he insisted, his hand coming down sharply on her overly heated derriere. She squeaked and he spanked her again. “What have I said about keeping things from me, Char?”
“That it was the worst thing I could do,” she murmured.
“It is. I’m the head of our household. If I don’t know exactly what’s going on, how can I lead us safely?”
Chapter Three
Standing in his arms, Char still didn’t feel good about her admission. It had to hurt him that she didn’t want to stand up in front of all those people and agree to be his wife. He must feel as though she was rejecting him. Ugh. She knew she shouldn’t have said anything.
His hand came down again making her cry out. Damn that hurt. Her man had a really hard hand. “Brent, I’m sorry. What can I say? I felt trapped.”
“Into marrying me.”
Horrified, because that had been part of her fear – that he would think she didn’t want to marry him since she didn’t want a show for a wedding, she shook her head. “No! I want to marry you. I just don’t want a spectacle for a wedding. I was looking forward to going to Reno. But the huge wedding idea isn’t for me.” Leaning her head against his chest, she hoped she hadn’t hurt him too badly. Brent was a strong man with even stronger feelings. He loved her and Kayla with an intensity which was wonderful and scary at the same time. Half the time lately Char was afraid she didn’t deserve to be loved like that.
He sighed and kissed the top of her head. “I don’t care where, Charmagne. I just want you to be my wife.”
Wrapping her arms around him again, she snuggled a little closer. “I’m sorry I hurt you,” she muttered.
“I know. Let’s take care of that so the rest of the evening can go smoothly.”
Her head came up. “Take care of what?” Surely he didn’t mean to paddle her again. Her ass burned with the heat of a million suns as it was.
“Lying by omission is still lying,” he chided softly. “And you’re still consumed by
guilt. Come on.” Not giving her the chance to say no, he easily lifted her up and carried her into the living room and back to the chair next to the dreaded paddle.
She opened her mouth to explain she’d learned her lesson and that she was sure she’d be fine. After all, the wedding was closer now than it had been in December. Maybe she’d get a calendar and start crossing off days left until the torture. Before she could say any of that, he’d lifted her easily across his lap. Oh, her ass was going to be toast.
Smack! His hand came down across her rear end swiftly, adding heat to the already burning flame. “You are an amazing woman,” he said, his voice too calm and steady for how fast her heart was racing. Brent really should sound like spanking her took more out of him. His hand came down again, harder and hotter than before, making her whimper. “I know you love me, Charmagne, but you need to trust that telling me things, stuff you don’t even think I want to hear, is better than holding back.
“Less stress.” Wham!
“Less worry.” Slap!
“I know now!” she hastened to assure him, trying to save her back end. “I promise I won’t do it again.”
“And I’m going to make sure you remember that promise.” The thwak that followed jerked her forward as this time he used the paddle. Wailing at the pain, she grasped onto the chair leg as a volley of blows tenderized her cheeks.
“Brent!” she cried out, liquid pouring from her eyes and nose. It had been an incredibly long time since he had paddled her this badly and she had forgotten how bad it could be. She wanted to beg, to plead for him to stop, and she couldn’t imagine being able to handle more, but her chest was tight and her anger at herself and the situation she’d gotten herself into exploded within her. Screaming, she thrashed against it more than his spanking, until her body, exhausted already from the events of the day, flumped and she couldn’t move as the paddle continued to rain down on her scorched skin. Tears continued to fall and she knew she was bawling, but movement was impossible as she cried like she hadn’t in years.
When the paddle stopped and his hand – his warm, loving hand – rubbed her lower back, she managed to breathe. He didn’t say anything; just rubbed over her back, stroking her lightly as she dealt with the last remaining internal conflict. The guilt was lowered incredibly. Char admitted to herself she’d been stupid for keeping this from him. It had been Brent at the very beginning who had suggested Reno. When his mother brought up a wedding, he had tried to hedge it off. Instead of listening to him, she had gone along with the whole thing, even though she knew it wasn’t what she wanted.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered in a husky voice once she could speak.
“Shh, nothing to be sorry for, baby. Do you feel better?”
“Emotionally. I may never sit down again.”
His deep rumble of a chuckle filled the room, making her smile. “It’s just a good reminder. If you need it, I can remind you weekly.”
“Such a gentleman,” she said wryly, eep’ing when his hand gave her a smack.
“Damn right. Now, with that out of the way, do you want to rest? Or start on the more romantic part of the evening?”
At those words, Char’s libido woke up, just like it always did when Brent suggested sex. “What do your have in mind?”
“Champagne, fruit, lying in front of the fire, and of course, lots of lots of sex.”
“Oh, well, I wasn’t sure until you mentioned that last bit,” she said, giggling when he ran a fingertip up her side.
“Come on, beautiful girl. Let’s get comfortable.” He lifted her up and held her steady until she was okay and then helped her down onto the nice soft rug in front of the fireplace. She lay on her side. There was no way her butt was coming in contact with anything for a while. After putting a pillow down for her head, he ran his fingers through her hair – wait, when did it get loose from the bun? She didn’t even remember – before leaving for a minute.
The sound of a cork popping was quickly followed by glasses tinkling. He sat down next to her, his muscled body looking even more attractive in the glow of the fire. “You’re so hot,” she sighed, taking a glass he offered her. A grin spread across his face.
“Why thank you. So are you. And so’s your ass.”
Reaching out, she slapped his chest. “Meanie.”
“Do you feel better?” he asked in amusement.
“Unfortunately.” The word was pulled from her, making him laugh.
“Char, you were meant for this life and you know it.”
“I know. Doesn’t mean I like getting my ass set on fire. You’re never using that cream again.”
He just smiled. Neanderthal. And damn if she didn’t love that about him.
“So a romantic evening on Valentine’s Day. I’m impressed.”
“Usually Kayla’s with us. This year, I wanted it to be just us two. I don’t think she’ll mind,” he said, laying down and pulling her close.
“I doubt it. She’s having too much fun drinkng tea with Uncle Benny and being read to by Uncle Jonathon.” Smiling, she leaned her head against his chest. “I love how they are with her. It’s shocking they haven’t ever adopted. They’re amazing dads.”
Putting down his glass, Brent wrapped another arm around her middle. “They won’t say a lot about it, but I think there’s something in Jonathon’s past which makes him leery of adoption. And I agree with you. They would make amazing parents.”
Warm lips drifted lightly over her own and her thoughts about her daughter’s godfathers went right out of her head. “Char,” he moaned, nibbling on her lower lip as he pressed her backward. The second her behind hit the rug, she yiped and pushed back. “Sorry,” he chuckled. “A little tender?”
Snorting, she rolled her eyes at him, her dour expression turning into laughter as he rolled them the other way so he was on the bottom. “Why, Mr. Carmichael,” she said in a soft purr. “You want me on top?”
A low growl, one she absolutely loved, rumbled in his chest. “Watching your tits jiggle up and down while you bounce on my cock? Hell, yeah.”
“Especially now that I have some,” she said, looking down at the boobs she had received with the birth of their daughter.
“Kayla brought all sorts of great things to us,” he agreed with a wink.
“Neanderthal,” she teased, sitting up and pressing her pussy against his erection, which was hard and leaking against his abdomen.
“When it comes to you, honey, all my baser instincts are brought to the forefront. Such as,” he said, reaching forward and running a finger between her thighs and tweaking her clit, “Always making sure my girl is happy.”
Moaning at the feeling of his fingers, she blinked and smiled down at him. “Well, I suppose there are great things about cave men.”
“Definitely. Such as, we can do this.” Grasping her hips, he lifted her up, sliding her over the tip of his shaft. Arching at the feeling of his pre-cum sliding over her clit, she bit her lower lip as he paused with her entrance just on top of him. “And this,” he growled, yanking her down. Her mouth opened and a long low sound traveled up her throat at the feeling of his cock filling her up. There were just so many things to love about this man. His strength, his intelligence, and his sense of humor were some. But right now, she was more focused on his dick and hands, which lifted her up and tugged her back down.
“Brent,” she murmured, looking down at the man below her. His eyes were focused at the junction of her thighs, his tongue sliding along his lower lip as though tasting her. Slowly he focused upwards, his gaze travelling to her boobs and finally up to her eyes.
“Fucking gorgeous,” he growled, the expression on his face one she knew well and looked forward to: complete lust.
Since she was only five feet, three inches, she had short legs and wasn’t able to put her knees on the floor to help. Instead she did something a little different. “Hold on,” she gasped, grasping his hands and pulling them from her hips. With his hands holding hers, she stretc
hed her legs out to the side, planting her feet firmly on the rug. From this vantage point, she could push herself up until just the tip of his cock was inside her. Looking into his eyes, she let herself collapse down his shaft. His grunt and her cry of enjoyment were all they needed. His hands tightened on hers as she continued to raise and lower herself and when he lifted his legs to put his feet on the floor and slammed up into her when she came down, it turned primal.
In no time, she had no idea who was fucking who, but she didn’t care. Each time his hips slammed against hers, there was fullness, a feeling of total oneness, not to mention just the amazing feeling of being so close to the man she loved. Her legs ached with the strain of holding her up in this position, but she didn’t want to stop. “Brent,” she begged, grimacing.
“I’ve gotcha,” he grunted, releasing her hands and grasping her hips, pummeling up into her even as he yanked her down. Stars exploded in front of her eyes and she cried out a long, loud wail as she came, grabbing his arms to keep herself somewhat upright as he continued to fuck her from below. “Char!” he bellowed, shoving up into her roughly. His fingers grasped her hips so hard she couldn’t move and as his hips lowered to the ground, her legs gave out and she slid down with him, flumping onto his chest a moment later.
Strong fingers combed through her hair. “Feel better?” he murmured.
“Mmm,” was all she could say. Completely and utterly content in that moment, Char didn’t think she could move. “I love you,” she tried to say as she drifted off to sleep secure in his arms.
* * * * *
