by Avery Gale
Jace saw her hands tense around the mug she was holding and the small frown that wrinkled between her brows. “I know you’ve been busy, Indy, no worries. But what’s up that you think you’re going to make my life more difficult? Good luck with that by the way.” Her chuckle lacked sincerity and he inwardly flinched.
“Recent intel indicates a media ambush for Holly when she arrives back in New York today. Evidently someone locally posted details of our marriage online and the vultures have been alerted and are circling. I’m not too sure that her mom’s best friend and her father’s agent aren’t involved as well.” He shook his head at the fact that her family counted those people as friends. “We’re pulling Kalen and Logan in as backup, they’ll be heading back with us instead of staying here for a few days.” The flash of disappointment in her eyes was masked so quickly that if he hadn’t been watching carefully, he’d have missed it. Fuck I hate disappointing her.
“Not to worry, big brother mine. It’s about time for me to get back to work anyway.” The slight wobble in her voice gave her away even if she’d masked her response in record time.
“Abby, I don’t know what’s happening, and I’m only going to say this once, I promise you—but it’s important to me so listen up little sister. I love you and there isn’t anything I won’t do to help you, but you have to let me in. And if you won’t ask me for help, please ask someone.” He gave her a tight smile before adding, “And I have some pretty narrow parameters on who I think you should ask, but I think that goes without saying.”
She shifted in her seat and after several long minutes of silence she finally looked up at him and nodded. “I’ve missed you, Indy. Maybe I’ll come visit you after you’ve settled in. Might be getting close to time for a change or two in my life anyway.” She finally took a deep breath and a bright smile lit her face for the first time since they’d been talking, “When are you and my bonus brother going to make me an aunt?”
Jace leaned his head back and laughed, “Damn, Short Round, mom put you up to that? Hell, she and the dads are already planning a nursery for one of the upstairs bedrooms.” And Jace knew that Gage had heard similar comments from his own family. Seems when you wait until after you’re thirty to get married your parents are a bit impatient for their grandchildren to make an appearance.”
“Nope, I was bright enough to come up with it all on my own.” Her grin told him she was kidding—or at least mostly kidding. Damn he’d missed her more than he’d ever thought possible and suddenly his heart felt a small emptiness that only family can fill. Well hell, I haven’t even left yet and I’m already starting to get homesick.
* * * *
Their flight to New York had been an exercise in frustration and it hadn’t taken Holly long to figure out that soldiers were accustomed to much more efficient methods of transportation. And when those soldiers worked for billionaires with their own jets they were even more impatient…oh and add in the fact they were all Doms? Hell, she wasn’t even going to go there. They had surrounded her the minute they had disembarked at JFK and she had been jogging to keep up with their long strides all the way through the crowded terminal. She had just opened her mouth to tell them that she was tired of running and their information had obviously been flawed when she was blinded by what seemed like a thousand cameras flashing from all directions as they exited the secure area of the airport.
“God damn it.” Jace’s curse was pitched low but she hadn’t missed the frustration in his tone. He and Gage had flanked her with Kalen leading them and Logan following. And she’d thought they were moving quickly before, but now they were jogging which left her to run and she hated running.
“Hey, guys? I can’t…I ugh…keep up. You have to slow down.” She was already panting and her new husbands looked at her as if she’d just sprouted a second head. “Don’t give me that look. I’m overweight and out of shape, so sue me.” Okay, so that wasn’t probably the wisest choice of words, but damn she was about to expire here.
Without even slowing his pace, Jace scooped her up in his arms and growled in her ear, “That’s five swats, pet. Now bury your face in my shoulder until we settle you in the back of the limo.” His words shouldn’t have caused her pussy to clench and then flood, but they did. For some reason her body was totally on board with being a submissive…it was just her mouth that hadn’t seemed to get the memo yet.
Once she’d been pushed through the door of the waiting limo she’d been surprised to see Gage and Jace hand their luggage claim tickets to Kalen and Logan. The other men turned back to the entrance to the baggage claim area as Gage and Jace climbed in beside her and the limo sped away from the curb. “Hey, what about Kalen and Logan? Aren’t we going to wait for them? How are they going to get to the hotel? We can’t just leave them.”
Gage shook his head and smiled, “Baby, they have fast-roped in the dead of night into some of the most dangerous places on the earth. I think they can handle picking up our luggage and hailing a cab.” Well, that made sense and now that she thought about it she felt pretty silly and knew her cheeks were flushing with her embarrassment. “And I have to say, you should really be glad they aren’t along for this ride because I do believe you have a punishment coming for that crack about being overweight.”
She felt her whole body flush with arousal and knew they wouldn’t miss the increase in her breathing either. Hell, as loud as the blood sounded rushing in her ears, they could probably hear it too. “What? It’s true…I was only—” Her words were cut off by their raised brows. Damn, what did they do rehearse that so they were in perfect synch? Suddenly the sundress she’d chosen to wear didn’t seem like such a wise choice, particularly when she remembered the thong she was wearing despite their instructions to go without underwear unless one of them had specifically given it to her. Oh frack.
Gage’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he considered her, “Just now remembered that thong you didn’t think we knew you were wearing, didn’t you?” She hadn’t been able to smother her gasp of surprise and the rat had the audacity to laugh at her reaction. “Baby, you are going to learn quickly that fooling your Dom is going to be not only virtually impossible, but also very unwise.”
Gage held out his hand, “Give me the panties, sweetness.” When she only blinked as if he’d been speaking some foreign language, he simply said, “Now,” and something in her subconscious snapped and she scrambled to raise her dress without flashing them and peeled the tiny triangle of pink satin down her legs and then laid them in his up-turned palm. “Good girl, now over my lap, sweetheart. I’ll give you five for the panties before Jace gives you his five for that self-deprecating and very inaccurate comment.” He paused and she nervously shot her gaze toward the window where the driver would have a clear view of her bare ass if she laid over his knees.
“Your job is to obey, not think or worry about what someone else can see.” Gage’s fingers grasped her chin forcing her to focus on his handsome face. “Trust us to never put you in danger, sweetheart.”
She nodded and felt tears fill her eyes and they hadn’t even punished her yet, but just knowing that she’d disappointed them sent a stab of pain through her heart. She took a steadying breath and slowly draped herself over his lap. He easily repositioned her so that her ass was peaked and she knew it was exactly in line with his palm. He was kneading her ass cheeks through the thin cotton of her sundress and just as she thought maybe he would spank her through the dress, he slowly raised it so that her ass was bare to the world.
The first swat was sharp and it not only hurt more than she had expected, but it also surprised her enough that she couldn’t help her squeak. Holy shit that hurt. Hell, I’m not sure I can take nine more of those. What are his damned hands made of…cast iron skillets?
“Tell me why you are being punished, sweetness.” She could hear the gravelly tone of his voice, but she wasn’t sure if it was from frustration or desire.
“Panties…um, I wore panties when neither of
you gave them to me, Sir.” Her words were immediately followed by three more stinging slaps and her ass felt like it was on fire.
Gage kept his hand over the places he’d swatted and his hand kept the heat in and made everything inside her sizzle. She was just about to move when she realized his fingers were trailing down the crack of her ass, but before she could voice a protest he leaned over her and said, “Open your legs for me.” She hesitated because she knew he what he was going to find…she was soaking wet. Good God how could she be aroused at having her bare ass set aflame as if she was an errant child. When he pushed his fingers through her dripping sex her whole body went on alert. Damn, if he would just slide his fingers a couple of inches further, he would brush her aching clit and that would be enough to push her over the edge.
Her brain was so muddled with desire that for a few seconds she’d forgotten he had one slap to go and just as he raised his hand to deliver the last blow, she realized her pussy was totally exposed. But before she could react she felt his hand connect with the tender engorged tissues of her labia. Oh my fucking God, my pussy is on fire and not in a good way. Holly felt the sob well up from deep inside her and heard herself scream. “Don’t make me punish you for this ever again, baby. Your Masters want easy access to what is theirs—and this lovely cunt belongs to us. Remember the swats will double each time, so I suggest you remember this lesson.”
Holly suddenly realized that she was sitting on his lap and sobbing into his shoulder. When did he sit me up? “I’m so sorry. It just seemed wrong to go out in public with my private bits bare.” Between gasping breaths, she finally managed to add, “But mostly I’m sorry I disappointed you.”
Chapter 26
Jace had watched as Gage gave Holly the first four swats and he knew the fifth one was going to hurt like hell, but she had certainly earned it by wearing the panties despite their very specific instructions not to. He’d been glad that their driver was actually a member of the McGregor Holdings security team. Tony Dent had been a Navy SEAL until shrapnel from a roadside bomb cost him most of his left leg. At six foot three with the body of a man dedicated to his recovery he was the poster child for the power of physical therapy. Tony had taken to the prosthesis he’d agreed to test for Uncle Sam and had quickly beaten every trainee on base in both sprints and longer runs with full gear and packs, but he’d still been told he couldn’t return to active duty and opted out rather than take a desk job.
Jace had been more than happy to have him on board and had specifically requested him for this assignment. Tony’s confidence had flagged a bit after leaving the teams and Jace knew that if he and Gage showed him that they trusted him to help protect their new wife, Tony would understand that their protestations of confidence weren’t empty platitudes. Glancing up Jace caught Tony’s small smile in the rearview mirror. Every Dom appreciated the value of a sub’s vulnerability after a punishment scene and the experienced ones also understood the importance of aftercare that was tailored to meet the sub’s needs.
Jace had known subs that wanted cuddling and those who wanted to be left completely alone, and all shades in between. He had personally never been big on being openly affectionate in public until he’d spent time with Callie McGregor. Jace had teased her often telling her that she’d taught him as much or more than he’d taught her, and in many ways it was true. Holly reminded Jace of Callie in many ways, including her innate understanding of the healing power of touch.
Deciding that it was time to proceed he signaled Gage and waited while he turned her so that she faced him. Jace made an effort to keep his tone modulated as he spoke to her, “Pet, tell me what you did that earned you the five strokes you’ll be getting at my hand.” Her big green eyes were still shiny from her tears and she had suddenly become very interested in her fingers as they twisted the soft fabric of her dress in her lap. “I asked you a question, pet, and I expect an answer. You might want to think about how close we are to your apartment. Do you really want the doorman standing by the open door while you get the last of your punishment?”
He saw her sharp intake of breath and the trembling in her hands wasn’t the good kind that indicated a hidden desire for voyeurism either. “No, oh please don’t do that…I can’t even tell you how horrible that would be. You’re going to punish me for saying I was too heavy, and I know you don’t like hearing me say it, but when you meet my mother you’ll understand. I want to unlearn it, but it isn’t going to happen overnight….I’m sorry.” Her last words were little more than a whisper, but he hadn’t missed the fact that she obviously felt torn. On the one hand was the negative self-image that had been all she’d known growing up, and on the other, was the very sudden and new expectations of the two Dominant men she’d just married.
He leaned forward and drew his knuckles down her tear streaked cheek, “We love you, pet, and we want you to see how much we value you as well. Your curves are perfect, your heart is huge and giving, and you’re smart with a wicked sense of humor when you feel safe enough to let it show. We plan on cherishing you for the rest of our lives and a part of that is teaching you to love and respect yourself.” Her tears were falling freely again and he knew that as deeply as her submission ran, she was berating herself for disappointing them and that she would continue down that path until she felt like she had atoned for her behavior. His punishment would hurt, but it would also free her from the guilt she was carrying.
“Lay over my knees, pet. Let’s get this over with so it’s behind us and you can let it go.” She put herself in the same position Gage had put her in and he could feel her tensing. “Don’t tense up your muscles or it will hurt more than it should. Spread your legs a bit.” When she parted her thighs, he ran his fingers through her sweet honey and was pleased to find her soaking wet. Gage’s last swat to her bare pussy hadn’t been enough to thwart her arousal and he was enormously pleased by that.
Usually it was Gage that gave the harsher spanking, but this time it would be Jace and he suddenly understood why Ian had so often gone easy on Callie—damn it was going to be hard to give her the swats she needed. He plunged his fingers into her sheath and fucked her several strokes with his fingers before curving them up so that he brushed her G-spot. When he felt her starting to tremble, he pulled his fingers back and smiled up at Gage when she moaned at the loss.
Giving her four very harsh swats on alternating ass cheeks he found no satisfaction in her sobs. Leaning over her he pushed his fingers back inside her and brought her right back up to the top again. “Remember this lesson, pet. I don’t want to repeat it and you don’t want that either because your ass is already flaming red or hot to the touch.” He made sure his callused fingertips were brushing over the tiny bundle of nerves that he knew would send her right over the top and just as he knew she was nearing the point of no return he leaned over and whispered close to her ear, “As soon as the last swat hits your beautiful ass, I want you to come for me.” And just as he spoke the words he withdrew his fingers from her heat and gave her a hard slap right over the center of her burning ass so that the sting would have hit her pussy lips as well. Just as she screamed at the pain, he plunged his fingers back in deep and she came immediately. The fresh wave of honey that coated his fingers was almost enough to pull him right over the edge of that cliff with her.
Twisting his fingers around so that he could keep her riding the wave of her release as long as possible, Jace was lost in the moment as if he had come right along with her, until he heard her whispered chant, “I’m so sorry…so sorry. Please don’t send me away. I’ll do better, I promise…please give me another chance.”
What the fuck? Is she serious? Looking up at Gage he could see the confusion in his eyes and knew that look probably mirrored his own baffled expression. Jace pulled her up onto his lap quickly and bracketed her small face with his large hands. When she wouldn’t meet his gaze, he spoke firmly, “Holly, look at me right now.” Her hiccupped sobs didn’t seem to be easing much but when she fi
nally looked up at him, he was nearly leveled by the look of devastation in her eyes. Obviously he and Gage were going to have to do some major work on her self-esteem and it didn’t appear that punishment spankings were going to be the answer. “Holly, do you really think that our love is so weak that it would fail this easily? Because baby, I have to tell you, there isn’t anything you that you can do to shake what we feel for you. Just because our love hasn’t been tested by time doesn’t mean it’s not going to endure. And our disappointment in your lack of self-esteem is because we know it’s so unfounded.”
Pulling her against his chest he was almost overcome with guilt. She had taken her punishment from Gage without incident because she had known that she had earned it by choosing to disobey their instructions. But his punishment had been devastating to her because he’d been punishing her for something that was actually her parents’ responsibility. To know that for the first time in years he’d really let a sub down was like a kick in the gut. But knowing he’d hurt the most important person in his life sent an arrow of pain-laced guilt straight through his heart.
“Pet, I hope you can forgive me.” Jace didn’t miss Holly’s quiet inhalation at his words and when she pulled back so she could meet his gaze he smiled at her and kissed the end of her nose. “Don’t look so surprised, sweet wife. Doms make mistakes too and I hope that when it happens, Master Gage and I will both be wise enough to admit it, apologize, and hope you’ll forgive us.” Jace had seen both of his fathers apologize to his mother more than once and he knew the power of admitting when you were wrong.
