“I don’t care who’s watching”, she gritted out, still smiling. “If you don’t let me go this minute I’ll have someone call the police and you’ll be arrested for impersonation.”
Mason laughed outright at that and the sound relaxed the features of many across the room.
“Arrested for impersonating Santa?” he inquired smiling down into her blazing green eyes.
“No, for impersonating a human being,” she told him struggling and almost succeeding in wiggling off his lap. “Now let me go.”
Mason gave Rebecca’s bottom a firm squeeze and sighed.
“Somehow I knew you were going to be difficult,” he sighed, setting her on her feet. Her relief was short lived however, and before she could take a step he bent and slung her over his shoulder, keeping a firm grip on the backs of her kicking legs.
Rebecca’s shrieks of indignation earned her a sharp slap on her squirming bottom, which he immediately patted softly as if in remorse. This inflamed Rebecca further and throwing discretion to the wind she began to pound his back and swear like a trooper. The faces of her shocked friends registered in her upside-down world and she immediately clamped her mouth shut.
Ray and Ed stepped in front of Mason in indecision, knowing they couldn’t stop him, but determined to make the effort despite the difference in their size and ages.
Pausing momentarily, Mason regarded the two men with admiration.
“It’s all right my friends,” he told them firmly, reaching out to shake each hand. “I’m only planning to make an honest woman of her if you know what I mean,” he winked.
Both men simultaneously cleared their throats, blushed in understanding and moved out of his way.
“Don’t be alarmed folks. The lady and I have known each other for a very long time and I happen to be deeply in love with her. We’re going to take a little trip together, during which time I intend to convince her that it’s time she agreed to become my wife. Rebecca and I would both like to wish you a wonderful holiday season.”
Rebecca thought she’d been angry before but now that he’d just about told the entire group that he’d slept with her she was mortified. Raising her head she pushed her hair out of her face and cringed to see the faces of Troupe Thirty-Seven staring in awe. Glancing around the room she observed the glow on the faces of several of the ladies while the men showed admiration for Mason’s determination. Searching with her eyes until she found Mary, Rebecca shouted across the room to her bewildered friend.
“Call the Police,” she called breathlessly as Mason hiked her up higher on his shoulder, knocking the wind out of her as he began striding to the door.
“Tell them I’ve been kidnapped.”
Mary hurried as best she could after them, hands held up in helpless amazement. At Rebecca’s words she turned to kitchen and the phone, spending the next half hour trying to convince the local officer that the director of Silver Shores had been kidnapped by Santa Claus.
Chapter Ten
The minute they were out the door Rebecca let loose. The string of curses that fell on Mason’s head would have made his toughest crew blush but Mason continued on undaunted. He had too much to lose to stop now. It was all or nothing and he was determined to have it all, her love, devotion, a lifetime commitment, the works. Rebecca had had her chance to talk this out like two adults and she’d refused to cooperate, wouldn’t return his phone calls and had been generally a stubborn brat. Well now they’d do this his way, on his terms and if she had any complaints she could shout them to the world, if she thought it would do any good.
Full of guilt and remorse he had tried in every way he knew to apologize and she wouldn’t listen. If he had to take drastic measures, so be it.
Mason opened the driver side door of his pick up and bending over plopped Rebecca down on the seat. Instantly her foot came up to deliver a hard kick but he was ready for her.
“Tsk, tsk, is that any way for an elf to act,” he teased her, grabbing both ankles in one large hand and swinging her legs into the truck. “Tis the season to be jolly you know.”
“I’m not your elf and I’m about as far from jolly as I can get,” she shrieked at him, making a dive for the other door only to find herself still held firmly by the legs. In total frustration Rebecca lay across the seat kicking and screaming, pounding her fists into the upholstery. Mason, unconcerned climbed in over her, wrapped a muscular arm around her waist and pulled her upright. He then reached across her squirming body for the seat belt. Holding the buckle up in front of her, his breath coming hard and fast despite his superb physical condition he looked straight into her flashing eyes. “We can do this the hard way or the easy way. It’s entirely up to you, but you need to know right now that you’re coming with me one way or the other.”
Rebecca’s chest heaved with exertion. Sheer fury made her raise her hand to strike him. His reflexes were, as always, ready and he caught her wrist and snapped her arm down, clicking the belt firmly in place.
“Be careful, I’m ‘old-fashioned’ remember,” If you don’t behave I’ll pull you right over my lap.”
“You’ve already slapped me,” she informed him huffily. “I owe you one”.
Mason started the truck and turned to her in genuine surprise. “I’ve never slapped you.”
“Yeah, what do you call what you did in the center,” she demanded, rubbing her bottom unconsciously.
Mason’s grin could be seen in the dim light of the dashboard. “That was what my grandfather referred to as a ‘love pat’. My grandmother could hardly walk by him without him… well never mind, we weren’t supposed to notice. Must be hereditary.”
“Just do me a favor, from now on keep your ‘love pats’ to yourself, before you damage me permanently,” she told him angrily.
“That’s something I would never do. I happen to think that part of your anatomy is perfect. But if you can’t tell the difference between that and a spanking, I obviously didn’t spank you hard enough, or long enough. I’ll see what I can do to remedy that,” he scolded unsnapping her seatbelt and pulling her over his lap in about two seconds.
Before Rebecca could do anything but blush, Mason had her dress up and her tights and panties down around her knees, hobbling her legs quite effectively. Laying his hand on her beautiful ass was almost his undoing but Mason didn’t allow himself to be distracted.
“This is a spanking” he stated matter of fact, bringing his hand down crisply, and immediately seeing the large handprint. “This is what happens to naughty girls who can’t seem to behave themselves,” he continued, spanking her with gusto. “And if you continue to fight me and yell your head off like you’re doing right now, there will be quite an audience of senior citizens watching you’re lovely naked bottom become cherry red.”
Rebecca blushed; glad that he couldn’t see her reaction to his words as she quickly ceased wiggling and yelling, waiting for him to stop.
Mason watched her closely and as soon as she quieted began to softly rub her bottom.
“Now this is a’ love pat’”, he told her gently, slapping the warm flesh with just a touch of sting. “This is what good girls get and believe it or not it can be quite erotic,” he informed her, rubbing gently and then slapping each time she relaxed and let out a moan he was sure she wasn’t aware of. Sliding his rough hand over her bottom he went just a little lower each time until finally he slid his fingers between her thighs. As he slid his long middle finger into her hot tight body he was immediately bathed with moisture. Using his other hand Mason began a rhythm that had Rebecca sighing and moaning with absolute abandon. Sliding in and out gently while lightly slapping her sensitive bottom had her rising up to meet one hand and plunging down to absorb the other.
Mason was now having difficulties of his own as her body repeatedly rubbed against his rock hard erection. He wanted nothing more than to rip off her panties and lift her to straddle him burying himself in her hot wet core. Unfortunately they were in the parking lot of the se
nior center where at any moment they could have an audience of several dozen elderly patrons.
Groaning Mason removed his wet fingers and gave Rebecca one last crisp smack that had her bouncing against him to get away from the sting.
“Now do you understand the difference between a spanking and a love pat darling? If not I’ll have to continue this little demonstration when we get to our destination.”
“Rebecca, do you understand?” he asked hoarsely while helping her to right her clothes and buckle her into her seat while she fumed in silence.
Rebecca seething, both in sexual frustration and indignation, responded hotly. “Yes Mason I understand. No further demonstration will be necessary. Just go before you embarrass me further.”
Mason drove carefully while he removed his hat and beard and shrugged out of the hot Santa jacket.
“Just what is this little escapade supposed to accomplish” she asked, rubbing her hands up and down her arms feeling the cold and occasionally sneaking one down to sooth her stinging backside.
Mason reached behind the seat and drew out his jacket and a blanket, handing it to her before he answered.
“You and I have a lot of things to talk about honey, and since you wouldn’t answer my calls and continued to avoid me, I felt I had to take desperate measures.”
“So talk,” she told him, “I’m listening.”
“With your ears maybe. I won’t be satisfied until your listening with your heart.”
The conversation failed after that. Rebecca pulled the blanket closer and quietly watched the big snowflakes falling on the windshield. Mason had turned the heater on and between that and the steady swish of the wiper blades she began to feel drowsy. Fatigue was taking its toll and she had almost fallen asleep when she noticed the patrol car turning the corner in front of them. Suddenly sitting up in her seat Mason caught the movement.
“Forget it,” he told her as he tooted and waved at the officer in the car.
Recognizing the truck, Patrolman Marsh waved back. He was on his way to the senior center to investigate an alleged kidnapping and he wasn’t too happy about being called out on Christmas. The first thing he intended to do when he got there was sample the punch and see just what those folks had been drinking. Kidnapped by Santa Claus? Right.
“I can’t believe you told my seniors we’d been sleeping together,” Rebecca said accusingly. “I’ll never be able to hold my head up after this.”
“I’m surprised it bothers a modern woman like you to have people know you sleep around. You being so independent and all,” he drawled, watching from the corner of his eye for flying objects.
“I do not sleep around,” she ground out, locking her fingers tightly together to keep from strangling him.
“Just because I made the mistake of thinking we could have a mutually satisfying physical relationship like two responsible adults without one of us becoming possessive.”
“Sweetheart, you haven’t seen possessive yet,” he interrupted her, his blue eyes hot with a passion that rocked her to her toes, “because I intend to possess you in every way imaginable.
Taking deep, calming breaths Rebecca tried to push the vivid images out of her mind but her body throbbed despite her efforts. Damn him, she thought. Why did he have the power to arouse her as no one else could, even against her will? How could that perfect body have a mind that belonged in the eighteen hundreds when men owned their women as they owned their property. He must be a throwback to another century or something. Is it so bad to be desired to the point he’d do anything to win you? a little voice questioned. Oh, shut up, she told-it, you’re not helping.
“Would it be too much to ask where you’re taking me,” she asked when she could speak without sounding breathless. They had been heading north and the snow was falling so quickly the wipers could hardly keep the windshield clean. Rebecca decided not to antagonize him further. He needed all his attention on the slippery road.
“We’re going up to Inlet. My friend has a cabin I can borrow for as long as I need it,” he said meaningfully.
“Inlet? In this weather? Are you out of your mind, that’s another hour away? We could be stranded for days up there.”
“Yeah,” was his only response and he didn’t sound the least bit upset.
Rebecca settled back into her seat. The weather grew steadily worse and her nerves stretched to breaking point. If the truck hadn’t been a four wheel drive they might never have made it but finally Mason turned off the main highway onto some kind of track. The trees along the sides were so laden with snow that Rebecca feared a branch would fall off at any moment and pin the truck under it. Finally they came to a small clearing and could make out a log cabin nestled on the edge. Mason pulled the vehicle as close as possible to the porch and got out, leaving the truck running for warmth.
If Rebecca hadn’t been so cold and tired she might have tried to drive off and leave him in this winter wonderland but the roads were so bad she didn’t think she make it to the motel they’d passed a few miles back.
Mason sprinted through the deep snow and fished a key out of his pocket. Cold icy wind surrounded him but he breathed a sigh of relief when he unlocked the door and a rush of warmth met him. Flipping on a nearby lamp he quickly returned to the truck for Rebecca, opening the passenger door and lifting her out. For once she didn’t struggle in his embrace and let him carry her through the deep snow to the cabin. Already snow dusted the floor and Mason used extreme caution carrying her to the couch and laying her on it. Rebecca sat huddled in her blanket as Mason returned to the truck and brought in several boxes of provisions. When he had finally retrieved everything he thought necessary he shook the snow off his coat. The glow from the small lamp made his wet hair look soft and shiny.
Rebecca watched as he went to the fireplace and began to lay a fire. His shirt pulled tight across his back, his tight fitting jeans hugged his long legs as he knelt down to work and Rebecca turned her head away, forcing herself to study her surroundings. They were in what appeared to be the main room of the sturdy structure. Large beams ran across the ceiling and the walls gleamed in the flickering light of the fire. Polished floors were covered here and there by scatter rugs and a large braided rug was before the fireplace. The place was obviously well cared for and she was thankful that at least it hadn’t been stone cold upon their arrival. Mason stood in front of the fire, warming his hands in the heat. He still hadn’t spoken a word and she wasn’t sure she wanted to break the uneasy silence either. Looking at him and watching the outline of his large frame in the fire’s glow Rebecca huddled under her blanket. When he left the room she breathed a sigh of relief and her eyes drooped as the heat he’d been blocking reached her. She could hear him moving about in another room, the sound of water running, but she was just too tired to care what he was doing. She must have dozed off for the touch of his hand softly brushing the hair off her forehead startled her.
“Come on honey, I’ve got a hot bath running for you and when you’re through I figured I’d scramble up some eggs or something quick to eat.”
Rebecca yawned and turned over, not wanting to leave her warm cocoon. “Mason I’m tired, hungry and cranky and all I want to do is go to sleep.”
“Tired and hungry I can believe,” he smiled, taking the cover away from her in a quick swipe and pulling her into a sitting position. Going down on one knee, he removed her boots and then stood pulling her to her feet.
“But you, cranky? Never.”
“Very funny,” she yawned again. “Now give me my blanket and let me go back to sleep.”
“Nope. You’re getting out of these damp clothes and into a hot tub. I could kick myself for not thinking of your coat. You’ll probably catch pneumonia. Come on.” He began drawing her with him out of the toasty warm room.
Her protest weakened, the prospect of a hot bath became more appealing as she left the warmth of the fire. Her nylon clad feet were freezing now after being in her warm boots all day. The bath
room held a big old fashioned clawfoot tub that was rapidly filling with hot scented water. Thick brown towels were stacked on a stool over the register and a soft brown carpet covered the floor, warming Rebecca’s feet.
Turning her so that her back was to him, Mason began to unbutton her soft green dress, refusing to give in to her protests.
“Give it up Rebecca, I’ve seen it all before, and your virtue is safe with me. For tonight at least,” he added smiling confidently when her expression registered disappointment before she could stop it.
Catching the look in the mirror Rebecca realized what she’d just revealed and pulled sharply out of his arms, further angered when her dress gaped away from her revealing the wispy black bra she wore. Mason laughed in genuine delight.
“I’m perfectly capable of taking a bath by myself,” she informed him tartly, holding her dress in place. “Please leave.”
“Fine, just don’t go calling me in to wash your back, or I’ll be joining you in that tub. I think it’s big enough for two,” he said wistfully, eyeing the tub.
Rebecca put her hand on his chest and pushed firmly backward until he was out the door.
“Not a chance. Why don’t you go do something useful in the kitchen, like stick your head in the oven and check for a gas leak,” she told him finally maneuvering him far enough out that she could shut the door with a bang. Mason laughed when he heard the key turn in the lock.
“Just don’t fall asleep in there,” he warned, serious now. “I’d hate to have to explain a busted door to Maggie.”
The door immediately opened back up. “This is Maggie’s cabin?”
“Well actually it belongs to her folks but she has use of it anytime she wants.”
“Maggie was in on this?” Rebecca asked, feeling disappointed in her friend.
“Not exactly. I told her I needed to get away for a few days and sort things out and she offered it to me. Though by now she knows you’re with me. Nick promised to stop over and let her know so she wouldn’t worry when you didn’t show up or answer your phone.”
Changing Her Mind Page 11
