by Livia Grant
Traci gripped his hand like a vice under the table. When he turned to her, uncertainty danced in her eyes. Traci might have been right when she'd said there was something unique about Corbin's Bend. But surely... no. It wasn't possible. How could there be a whole town practicing domestic discipline so openly? Flashback memories of the blowhard heckler in the audience of Traci's presentation suddenly made sense. He'd talked of Corbin's Bend, but at the time it had gone over Sean's head.
The question was on the tip of his tongue when Troy quietly leaned across the table to address his sister. "You didn't tell him?"
Traci leaned forward, trying to keep their conversation private. "No, Troy. I didn't think I'd have to, but since all of you HoH's can't seem to stop your cavemen routine for five minutes, I guess that was a mistake on my part. I mean seriously. You had to spank Hallie within five minutes of your arrival today?"
Troy reached to grab Traci's wrist, standing. "I'd like to speak to you privately, Traci."
"Oh, not again!" Traci was exasperated, but so was Sean.
Sean stood as well, also reaching out for Traci's hand. He was touching her, but he addressed her brother. "If you don't mind, Troy, I'd like to handle this one." The men shared a knowing stare before Troy nodded slightly, releasing Traci’s other wrist. Sean liked how it felt—like a subtle passing of the torch.
"Sorry everyone, but Traci and I are going to have a little chat. We'll be back with our food in a bit."
Traci reluctantly stood and followed him as he led her by the hand, weaving through the crowd to find a private place to talk. He found an empty bench just far enough away to allow them some privacy.
They sat silently, watching the kids throwing water balloons in the distance. Finally, Sean spoke. "So you didn't think it was important to tell me that everyone in town is a spanko? I mean sure, I probably should have figured it out sooner since your town has a street called Spanking Loop. I thought it was just a joke or something. Tell me I'm wrong here, Trace, but from where I'm sitting it looks like you live in one big fetish community."
She turned her body to face him. "Fetish is a strong word, Sean. Yes. Corbin's Bend is a private co-op community based on the principles of domestic discipline where each family has an HoH and most wives are taken in hand. That doesn't mean we are all freaks."
Her defensiveness angered Sean. "Did I call you a freak?" When she didn't answer, he prompted her again. "Well, did I?"
He could see tears in her eyes. "Maybe not in so many words, but I can't tell you how many times people outside of the Bend have treated us all like freaks when they find out. Like those moronic idiots hassling me at the conference. I won't be able to stand it if you make fun of me too."
Sean witnessed the normally strong-minded Traci become a vulnerable submissive when talking about the dynamics of dominance and submission. He felt like an asshole for even thinking it, but as much as he was coming to love the professional, strong woman Traci could be, he loved this fragile side of her even more. Seeing her tremble, tears in her eyes made him want to pound on his chest and carry her off to his cave to protect her from ever letting anything upset her ever again.
Sean pulled her into his lap and tucked her head beneath his chin, stroking her back lightly to calm her. When she seemed soothed, he leaned back to peer into her eyes.
"I want you to listen to me, Traci. I wish I'd listened when you tried to tell me about Corbin's Bend, but I didn't. But regardless, I don't think ill of you or anyone else in town. I mean what kind of a hypocrite would I be to judge anyone when I got on a plane to come here with the express goal of spanking this beautiful ass of yours? I did a lot of research after you left Chicago and I've seen how widespread the DD way of life has become with many couples. I came here hoping we'd be able to talk about it."
"Talk about what? You mean, you really meant it when you asked if you could be my HoH?"
"Damn it, of course I meant it. The question is, did you mean it when you told me yes?"
"But Chicago—"
"Forget geography. Let me worry about that. For right now, I'd like to know I have a shot at being your HoH. Some of the sites called it a Dom which I like, too. I look around at the couples here and I see it working for them and want it to work for us too, and not only because you want it. I want it too."
"Oh God, I want it so much, but I'm afraid to get my hopes up. We haven't known each other for very long, Sean."
"That's true, but we've known each other long enough for me to fall in love with you, Trace. I thought of you twenty times a day when you were gone. You're part of my life now. I want so bad for you to trust me."
"I love you too, Sean, and I do trust you. I was just afraid of rushing things by telling you.”
He playfully pinched her bottom drawing a gasp from the captive in his arms. "No more fear. Let me take care of things. Now let's go grab up some of the food before they run out of ribs."
CHAPTER NINE
Traci closed the door behind Ellie, her last patient. There were times this week she hadn't been sure if Friday afternoon would ever arrive. When had she begun to look so forward to the weekend? She usually loved her work so much that she was anxious to start each day. She was happy she had the chance to help people through her counseling. She still enjoyed being a psychologist, but for the first time in her career, she had begun to look forward to the end of each long workweek just a bit more than the week before.
After their eventful holiday weekend, Sean had been anxious to reassure her that he was interested in having more than a mere fling. He'd taken an extra few days of vacation to stay in Corbin's Bend and they had spent every minute of their time together hiking, talking, laughing and having mind-blowing sex. They had explored every nook and cranny the small town offered. Traci had watched with a trained eye, waiting for Sean to get tired of their summer romance and relieved when it never happened.
Unlike the weeks after she'd left Chicago, they had managed to get closer in the six weeks since his visit to the Bend. They'd spent hours talking and texting about nothing and everything. Sean had even surprised her with frequent late night phone sex dates proving he could talk dirty with the best of them. With a blush, Traci remembered their conversation the night before when he'd told her how he would christen the new leather belt he had recently purchased the first time she broke a rule.
Little did Sean know, but Traci planned on breaking a lot of rules soon if that was what it would take to get him back for another visit. They had made it three weeks before Traci had flown to Chicago for a four-day weekend at the start of August. Memories of the fun they'd had taking Ashley to a Cubs game and a stage play had her heart compressing with physical signs of homesickness.
How can I be homesick? I'm standing in my living room?
Traci knew the answer, of course. She'd had the unsettling feeling of being in the wrong place since she had returned from her visit with Sean and Ashley. She'd been trying to ignore it, but it was getting harder to deny. Each passing day, the urge to pack up and move to Chicago got stronger and she might even do it... if only Sean would ask.
They had talked about everything except geography over the last few weeks. It was fast becoming the eight-hundred pound gorilla in the room. Each of them knew they wanted to be together, yet were afraid to ask the other to sacrifice being near family. She had decided the next time they were together, she was going to offer to move to Chicago. After all, there was only one of her. She couldn't take Ashley away from her grandparents and friends. More importantly, there wasn't a career in Corbin's Bend for Sean. Traci could see patients and do research as easily in Chicago as she could in Colorado.
The sound of her business line ringing dragged Traci out of her daydreaming. She was tempted to let it roll to the machine since it was after hours, but knowing only a patient would be calling on that line, she picked it up, hoping it would be quick.
"Hello. This is Traci. How may I help you?"
"Hey, Traci. Brent here. I have a
problem that I could really use your help with. Do you think you could swing by my office to talk it over in person after you're done seeing patients today?"
Traci was pleased the president of the housing board felt like he could turn to her for help. Of course, Brent appreciated not only Traci's friendship with Char, but he'd told her many times how much he appreciated her work in counseling so many members of the community.
"I'd be happy to help, Brent. My last patient just left. I can walk over and be there in ten minutes. Do you need me to bring along my laptop or anything specific?"
"I don't think so. I just have some applications of potential new residents that I need your professional opinion on. There's something fishy that I just can't put my finger on. I'm hoping you can help me sort through it."
Traci was honored. Brent had never asked her to assist with screening the glut of requests he received each month to join the co-op. That he trusted her opinion was flattering.
The walk through the hot summer streets was quick, yet Traci was sweating by the time she arrived at the domed community center. The cool air was welcome as she swung the door open to the lobby. She took the stairs up to Brent's office.
Jonathan greeted her as he was leaving his boss’ office. "That was fast."
"I didn't want to be outside longer than necessary. It's sweltering out there. Brent said he had some applications for me to review. Do you have them?"
"Nope, he has them in his office. He's waiting for you. Just go on in."
"Thanks, Jonathan."
The door was ajar. Traci knocked lightly and she pushed it open as Brent motioned her in. "Thanks for coming over so fast, Traci. Have a seat."
Traci had only been to Brent's office a few times, but each time she came, she couldn't help but picture her friend Char bent over her husband's large desk, her ass bared for a spanking. Being Char's best friend and therapist gave her privileged information most town residents didn't have, like Brent's propensity to paddle his wife's naughty ass across this very desk when she had broken a particularly important rule. Char tried to convince Traci how much she hated being summoned to her husband's office, yet Traci recognized the tell-tale signs that told her that her friend protested a bit too much.
Traci had been daydreaming and had missed Brent holding out a manila folder. "Before you open that, let me tell you a bit of what has me concerned. The application is for a family that is relocating. They all seemed outgoing and nice in their interviews, but I'm not sure moving to such a small town is really right for them."
"What makes you say that?"
"For starters, they have always lived in big metropolitan areas."
"That by itself is no reason to deny them. We have many residents who have moved here from New York, Boston, Denver. You name it."
"True. But then there is the teenager. She sounds pretty rebellious and in need of some guidance. That's why I asked you to come over. It sounds like the HoH would be open to you spending time with his daughter. I'm considering making that be a requirement of their joining. Do you think you could make the time?"
Traci was torn. She loved working with kids and didn't get a chance to do it nearly often enough in Corbin's Bend. Still, she felt the need to warn Brent she was considering leaving Corbin's Bend herself. She took a deep breath and forged ahead before she lost her nerve.
"I'd really love to help a troubled teen, Brent. You know that already. It's just that..." He was staring at her with his intense eyes that made her feel like he could read her mind. "Well, I haven't talked to Sean about this yet, but I've been considering moving to Chicago. I'm happy to counsel the new resident for as long as I'm in town, but I want to be honest with you. If all goes as I hope, I'll be moving to Chicago in the next few months."
Brent's frown had his forehead wrinkling in concern. "Well, damn. I'd hate to lose you, Traci. Not only because you are an amazing therapist who has helped so many people in town come to terms with their DD or D/s relationships, but more selfishly because you've become one of Char's best friends. We'll sure miss you. And what about Troy and Hallie?"
"What about them? Of course I don't want to leave them, but I'm confident they'll understand."
"I'm sure you're right. I hope things work out for you and Sean. Well, even knowing you may want to leave town, I'd still love your opinion on if we should accept the new family into the co-op or not. I'll give you a few minutes to peruse the file before you need to weigh in."
Traci picked up the light folder and opened it. She sat transfixed, staring at the photos on the top of the file. It took her mind time to wrap itself around exactly what this meant. As she sat in silence, her hands began to shake.
She almost jumped out of her skin with Ashley's sassy response from just behind her. "Oh for crying out loud, turn around and let him kiss you already! It's bad enough I had to play the role of a troubled teen in this little ruse, but I've had to sit back here with Dad squeezing my hand so hard it's starting to cramp up."
Traci's eyes snapped up, seeking confirmation from her friend Brent that she was interpreting what was happening correctly. The grin on his face told her all she needed to know.
She jumped out of her seat as if she were on a spring and turned to see not only Sean and Ashley behind her, but Troy and Hallie also stood just inside the door. All eyes were on her, waiting for her to say something. Anything.
Traci stood speechless as she took in the sight of the man she loved. He had a look in his eyes that bordered on indecent for the crowded room. It was then she realized her dream had just come true. The summer was almost over, but this time, her summer romance was going to live on.
The silence had dragged on long enough that Sean had begun to look worried. He broke the silence. "Well? I hope you didn't have your heart set on moving to Chicago."
Traci grinned through her tears. "It wasn't Chicago I had my heart set on and you know it."
She rushed into Sean's arms and their lips locked in an R-rated kiss. Ashley's scandalized "Yuck" reminded Traci they weren't alone. In unison, Sean and Traci reached out to grab Ashley and pulled her into a group hug.
Sean summed up the moment perfectly as he looked back and forth between the two most important people in his life. "It looks like we'll be staying, Brent."
Sean grabbed his suitcase from the luggage carousel at the Denver International Airport. Before he could even make a call, his cell phone rang. He glanced down to see his new boss calling.
"Hey there, Ken. I assume you got my report?"
"Damn straight I did. Sean, I have to tell you. So far, you're exceeding all my expectations. When you approached me with your idea, I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to work out, but if these numbers are accurate, you've already paid for yourself for the whole year."
Sean chuckled. "That's great. Does that mean I can be expecting a raise?"
He was grateful for the easy friendship he'd developed with the managing director of the real estate ownership group he now worked for.
"It might be a bit early to talk about raises. I'm going to need to see you demonstrate your skills on a few other projects before you convince me this wasn't just a fluke."
"A fluke, you say? I got the renovation project for The Lodge done three weeks ahead of schedule. We came in under budget and I've upgraded the entire leadership committee. Did you see their latest guest satisfaction ratings? They are up twenty percent in just one quarter, despite parts of the hotel being under construction."
"Yeah, yeah. I saw and no doubt, you did an outstanding job, but just wait until you see the next project I have lined up for you. It's a damn mess. You turn this one around and you can name your price with me."
Warning bells were going off for Sean. He stepped aside with his luggage to finish his conversation. "That's great, but you know the money isn't my top priority. Our deal still stands, right?"
"Never fear. I wouldn't dream of changing the deal on you. You'll still be able to live in Colorado. I promise to have yo
u working from your home there at least half the time and yes, I'll still fly your family out to visit you at least every two weeks if you have to be gone longer than you'd like. Enjoy the next few weeks at home. I'll email over the details for the next project. You'll be able to get started on it from Colorado, just like I promised."
"Sounds good. Thanks for calling, Ken. I'll talk to you next week some time."
Sean breathed a sigh of relief. He'd been away from Traci and Ashley for three weeks this trip, which was entirely too long. Still, he had never been happier in his life than he had been these last few months.
His career in hospitality management was on the rise. He had scored his dream job where he used all of his management skills to help older properties regain their leadership status. While the job did require some travel, he had arranged to run most projects from his home office in Corbin's Bend at least half the time.
The best part of the arrangement was leaving Ashley in Traci's capable care when he was out of town. His daughter had blossomed into a happy and confident young woman since their move to Corbin's Bend at the end of the summer, just before school started. Sean knew he had Traci's love and guidance as her role model as a major reason for Ashley's happiness. He was relieved that she'd found several good friends in her new school. Raising a daughter in the close-knit community of Corbin's Bend was proving to be exactly what they all had needed.
Just thinking of Traci had him moving towards the exit with his luggage. He was anxious to have her back in his arms. He didn't have to wait long. Stepping out into the cool autumn evening, he saw her car parked in the waiting lane. He could see the grin light up her face when she saw him approaching.
