“You’re wasted.” He bent down and snagged the near empty wine glass from her hand and the bottle from the table. So much for setting the little woman straight, he’d have to sober her up before he came down on her deceitful ass.
“Hey, thash mine.” She slurred her words in protest and stumbled after him reaching for the bottle as he poured it down the kitchen sink. “No fair. I’m just a little bit tipsy.”
“Tough. I think you’ve had plenty. Besides, you know you’re not supposed to drink while on those meds.”
“Who cares? Anyway, I quit taking them so I can drink all the wine I want.”
“I care.” He turned and folding his arms over his chest leaned back against the kitchen counter and looked down at her. He sighed heavily. What was it with her and taking medication? How was she ever going to break out of this depression if she didn’t take her meds? He couldn’t confront her like this, she was a mess. Or, maybe... Yes, alcohol had always loosened her tongue. Maybe he could for once get some honest answers from his naughty, lying, scheming little wife.
He couldn’t help but smile as he took in her appearance. She made a very cute drunk. Her hair was piled up on top of her head in a messy bun and her cheeks had a rosy glow from the wine. She had looked too pale lately. Her short, navy blue T-shirt revealed her flat sexy stomach and the low riding khaki shorts exposed a whole lot of smooth, silky thigh. He noticed her feet were bare and she had cotton candy pink polish on her cute little toes. “I’ve really missed you Regan.”
“I misssed you, too, Bear.”
He smiled at the use of the present tense. “When’d you get the cat?”
“As soon as I moved into the apartment, I was lonely all by myself.”
“I was lonely, too. It felt like you were gone for an eternity.”
“Yeah, and being away from home made me lonely, fasher. I mean faster.” She frowned as if just realizing she was slurring her words, then she shrugged and giggled some more.
That she was still calling their house home gave him hope. He leaned down to pick up the black and gray striped cat that was wending its way through his legs, rubbing against him and meowing the whole time. He noticed it had pretty blue eyes like Regan’s. She purred in appreciation as he cuddled her against his broad chest. “She’s a pretty kitty. What’s her name?”
“Lady Marmalade”
“Original name.”
“You ‘member the song? She was a seducer of men, you know… a prostitute.” She said the last in a stage whisper, giggled then began to a goofy, dance as she sang an off key version of the song. “Voulez-vous choucher avec moi, ce soir.”
Releasing the cat, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her hips in close against his. He swayed with her as she sang and laughed when she forgot the words and hummed instead. “I’d love to coucher avec vous tonight babe, but we have some serious business to take care of first, yeah?”
“You’re silly, Bear. You can’t sleep with me tonight; we’re separated, remember?” Her guard was down and she remained playful. She was sliding her hands up and down his arms, admiring his biceps and forearms still humming. “You are so strong and sexy.” She pressed her nose against his chest and inhaled. “Smell good, too.”
“Thank you. I miss this playful side of you. Too bad you had to get drunk before you let this Regan come out to play again.” He kissed her softly once then continued. He seemed to be lecturing a lot these days, just like Tony. “And yeah, I remember we’re separated all right. How could I forget the longest, worst two weeks of my entire life? I remembered every time I came home to this empty house. Or slept alone in our bed and smell your perfume that’s still on your pillow. I remembered every time I pulled into the garage to see your Escalade gone. It made me think of spending all the long lonely years ahead of me without you. It’s like a knife in the gut, babe.”
“Oh, Bear.” Regan cried and buried her face in his neck. “I don’t want you to be alone and sad like me. All I do is cry anymore. I’ve turned into a great, big crybaby. How can you stand me? I can barely stand myself.” She smiled faintly as he tucked a handful of tissues in her hand. “Thanks, I think we’re going to have to buy stock in Kleenex.” She went back to giggling drunkenly again, evidently thinking she was brilliantly witty and then mopped her face and blew her red nose.
“Let’s sit and talk for a while, OK?”
“OK. Can I have a wine cooler out of the fridge? I’m not done getting drunk and feeling sorry for myself yet, but some big meany dumped my wine down the sink.” She pouted prettily up at him.
“Well, since you’re not taking your meds anymore, I guess it doesn’t matter.” Rick wanted to keep her buzz going long enough to get some answers from her. He pulled a wine cooler and a beer for himself out of the fridge. He remembered the walk through he did of her crappy apartment and frowned. He had checked out her fridge and only saw a tub of low fat cottage cheese. Damn stubborn woman, she was going to waste away to nothing. He grabbed a bag of chips out of the cupboard and shoved them at her. “Here, eat some of these with that cooler. You’re nothing but skin and bones.”
He led her back to the couch and sat her down beside him. She moved in closer, so he took the opportunity to sling an arm around her shoulders and anchor her to his side. He was relieved when she didn’t seem to notice or mind. He waited while she ate a handful of chips and washed them down with a big swig of her drink before beginning his questioning.
“I saw your sister and Cap today. They were having a very interesting conversation.”
“Yeah?” She sipped on her Fuzzy Navel and looked up at him with a thoroughly intoxicated smile.
“Yeah.” He couldn’t help but return her grin. “They were arguing about your infertility treatments. Cap thought it was the drugs that made you go off the rails, Meg thought it was the depression.”
“Well, they’re both right, I guess.” She finished off her drink and set the empty bottle on the coffee table. She leaned into him and wound her arms around his neck, relaxing into his arms. “You always smell so good, Bear. Just like man and sunshine.”
A short laugh escaped at that comment, not actually knowing what sunshine smelled like. “Thanks, I guess.” He propped up his size fourteens and slid down further on the couch. Pulling her closer until she was practically lying on top of him, he buried his face in her silky hair and sighed in contentment. He had missed this so much. “You always smell great, too. Just like fresh peaches, Peaches. Good enough to eat.”
“That’s my shampoo. And don’t call me that, it’s a hooker’s name.”
He didn’t take the time to point out that she had named her new cat after a hooker. He could hear the sleepiness in her voice and needed to get the conversation back on track before she fell asleep.
“So, which did come first, babe, the fertility drugs or the depression?”
“The depression but the drugs and the hormones made it worse. Doc said they had me on too much, making me act all crazy.” She snuggled against him, threw one bare leg over his lap and sighed.
“Who had you on too much?
“The fertility doctors at the clinic in town. Doc said they’re quacks, but they were all I could afford. I wanted to give you a baby so bad, Bear,”
Rick’s gut churned with emotion. Megan was right; all of this crap was because she couldn’t get pregnant. She went to a bunch of quacks that put her on God knows what kind of drugs and chemicals rather than coming to him. Rick had plenty of money and could afford the best specialists and clinics in the country. She’d chosen her doctors based on how much she could afford, rather than ask him for help.
“Why didn’t you tell me you couldn’t have a baby? That you were going to a specialist? Don’t you trust me to stick by you, Regan?”
“I didn’t want to be selfish and keep you when I’m broken. It’s not fair you’re stuck with me for a wife. Meg gets two babies and I can’t even have one.” The tears returned. “I wanted you to have a son of your own l
ike in your dreams.” She was completely in his lap now, snuggling against him and rubbing her face against his neck. He didn’t think she’d remember most of this in the morning.
Rick was pleased, this was working like a charm. He didn’t feel at all guilty that he was taking advantage of her drunken state. Why didn’t he try this months ago? She continued her ramble. “Carry on the Spencer name you said. I saw you with Jacob. Couldn’t cheat you. You deserve better, Bear, love you… so much.” Her words became stilted and he had to strain to hear the last few as her voice softened and she drifted off. He knew she was out when she started to snore softly, something she only did when she had too much to drink. He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
“Naughty, naughty little subbie,” he warned his intoxicated woman, knowing full well she was beyond the point of comprehension. “You are in so much trouble, my love. You have violated every one of our rules with your foolish antics and I’m just the man to call you on it. Megan’s punishment will look mild by comparison.”
Rick carried her to their bed and gently tucked her beneath the covers, stroking her hair away from her face and giving her a tender kiss on the forehead. He sat next to her for a long time, watching her sleep, listening to her breathing and soaking in her presence in his bed. He had missed having her there. It was as if a vital piece of him stopped working when she left. He had been frozen, barely functional and his work had suffered. He had been in limbo waiting for the time she’d return and make him whole again.
He stroked her back and patted her naughty behind. His emotions were a confusing mix of love and anger, joy and exasperation, but mostly relief. Now that he knew what she was thinking, he could deal with it. He was feeling another strong emotion, too… lust. Never in all the time they had been together had they gone two weeks without making love. Except while he was deployed, of course and even then they had resorted to phone sex and Skype. They both had strong sex drives and he was thankful they were well suited in that respect.
He squeezed a full cheek in his hand and groaned as his cock responded. He’d just have to wait another day for sex, but he could hold her. He stripped himself then pulled off her clothes, including her tiny lace panties. She didn’t stir as he slipped into the bed beside her, turning her into his arms. In their bed they slept naked, another of his rules which she had never complained about. He slid his hands down her back and then took one glorious ass cheek in each hand and snuggled her closer until her hips cradled his erection. Although aroused, he promptly fell into a sound sleep, the first in weeks, all because he once again had the comfort of his woman’s warm naked body full up against him in their bed where she belonged.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Regan woke to sunlight streaming through her bedroom window. She groaned as she rolled her head to squint at the clock on her nightstand. 9 A.M.? Her head was throbbing and her mouth was dry, like she’d slept with a sock in it. She turned away from the bright sunlight wanting to hide under the covers and sleep the hangover off but found the sheets pinned underneath a big, hard body. She froze as she felt big hands flex on her butt and realized she was naked. Regan pushed up on an elbow and stared down at the naked man in her bed.
“Rick… Thank God.”
He opened his eyes and looked at her, sexy and rumpled from sleep. “Morning, babe, were you expecting someone else’s hands on your ass?”
“No, of course not, you just surprised me. I thought I was at my apartment and you were one of those thugs who- never mind.” She held her head and groaned. “I remember you pouring my wine down the drain, but not much after that. What are you doing in my bed?”
“This is our bed and I carried you here yesterday. You were shit-faced and passed out at three o’clock in the afternoon.” He rolled to his side, stood and stretched, his body bared to her foggy gaze. Even with one of the worst hangovers of her life, she couldn’t help admire his broad muscular back and tight ass as he reached over and grabbed his jeans off a nearby chair. “You never could hold your liquor.”
He chuckled when he turned his head and caught her watching his ass while he pulled up his jeans. “I’m going to make coffee. I’ll bring you a bottle of water and some aspirin to help with your hangover in just a few minutes. Then, we’ll eat a little something, meet with our company and later get to packing.”
“Packing? I just unpacked yesterday. What are we packing?”
“Your shitty apartment, what else? You’re moving back in.” He leaned over her and trapped her with a hand on either side of her head. He waited until her eyes met his then warned her in a firm voice. “The lies end today, Regan. I know everything. Megan told me her theory and the wine loosened your tongue. Still, I conducted a little investigation last night. I found insurance statements for your clinic visits and pharmacy receipts for your fertility drugs and hormones. Since Megan’s theory was right on track, I can only assume she’s right about your little plan to free me from our marriage so I can find someone else to have babies with. That, my love, is a huge load of crap.” He glared at her his eyes searching hers before standing up and pulling on his T-Shirt. “I know it all and I’m mad as hell.”
He spoke in a calm, level tone but his face was hard and tight. She saw the telltale twitch of his facial muscles which was always a bad sign. Despite his fury, he maintained an iron-fisted control over his emotions.
She blinked up at him, what could she say? The jig was up. Game over. She saw a familiar glint in his eye, a dominant glint. She was really in for it this time. Unsure what to do, she simply waited anxiously for what would come next.
“Oh Regan, you have been a very naughty girl. Yes indeed, later we are going to have a nice long talk about honesty and respect, something that has been sadly lacking on your part for some time now. After all that, we are going to discuss what you are going to do to earn back my trust. Oh, and your bedtime spankings start back tonight. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about those.”
“But, it’s not fair to you. I can’t give you what you need-”
“No!” Suddenly, her enraged husband was looming over her, caging her with his body. He was pissed and was not going to take anymore of her bullshit. “You don’t get to decide what I need. When we married, we said vows to love and to honor, for better or for worse, until death. Well, if you didn’t hear me then, you will hear me now Regan Spencer.” Rick lowered his face until they were nose to nose, his lips brushing hers as he spoke. “You said forever, baby and I’m holding you to it.” He then took her mouth in a kiss that clearly stated his ownership. “You are mine, my wife, my submissive, my friend, my lover and yes sometimes when I choose even my slave. And I’m not giving you up. Now, get showered and put on a robe. I can’t talk to you while you’re naked or we’ll never get this done.”
Rick rolled off her leaving her lying speechless on the bed, which was surely a first. “I said now, Regan.” The tenor of his voice got her moving. He watched her wrap the top sheet around her body before she hurried to the bathroom to do as she was told. Her actions were amusing, but pointless. Since he had gotten discharged from the Army, he’d seen her sexy naked body practically every day. Every square inch was mapped and burned into his memory. He had no idea why she was trying to hide from him now. He didn’t call her on it though they had more important things to take care of.
Over the sound of the shower, Regan heard Rick open the bathroom door and stick his head in to give her more orders. “I expect you downstairs in one hour, Regan. Cap and Megan will be here by then.” Regan stuck her head out just in time to see his departing back.
“Yes Sir. But why are they coming over?” She called after him loudly to be heard. Curious, it was Friday and a workday. She was surprised Rick and Cap both weren’t busy with projects.
“Just slip on your robe and come down on time. I’m warning you now, you’ll get additional punishment if you make us wait.”
More? She was already going to get her bedtime paddling of thirty swats. At the beginning
Rick said the nightly spankings would continue until two conditions were met. One, when she had proven to him that she had a thorough understanding of the principles of their DD contract, and two, when they had re-established trust. But her most recent actions had created an even bigger rift between them. Now that he knew her secrets, where would they go from here?
“Regan!” Rick’s deep, booming voice echoed up the staircase. “You have thirty minutes to get your butt down here or tonight’s punishment will be doubled.” Rick had a right to be strict and demanding, she even expected additional consequences. She just couldn’t figure out why Cap and Megan were coming over.
Still dripping wet, she put on her robe and grabbed her hairbrush. She had taken extra time in the shower to shave paying special attention to the girly parts she had neglected in the past two weeks. Knowing that he loved her soft skin, she took pains to apply her specially scented peach oil all over her body, especially her backside since she was looking at an unknown level of punishment today. She had just tied the sash on her robe when she heard the doorbell ring announcing Cap and Megan’s arrival.
She made it downstairs with ten minutes to spare. They were all waiting for her in the living room. Meg was on their huge sectional couch with Cap propped behind her toying with a lock of her hair as it curled around her shoulders. Rick was standing by the big picture window, appearing deep in thought. All of them wore serious expressions, which concerned her.
“What’s going on, Bear?”
Rick turned at her entrance and spoke in his mega-Dom voice, deep, stern and full of steel. “Take a seat on the couch next to Megan.” She knew he meant business and didn’t hesitate to obey.
“Yes Sir.” Regan sat close to her sister and grabbed her hand and whispered. “What’s going on?”
“Quiet, Regan. This is a punishment session. There will be no talking unless you are asked a direct question or need to use your safeword. Understood?” Rick’s intense gaze locked on hers and she swallowed convulsively, her mouth suddenly gone dry.
You Said Forever (Club Decadence) Page 18
