She was his.
That didn’t mean he didn’t recognize his need to dominate. It was part of the reason he’d introduced domestic discipline to their relationship from the beginning. He wanted, no needed, to ensure that Frankie was happy, safe. The thought of anything happening to her terrified him.
Frankie floundered without structure. She might not like the fact that she got her butt spanked when she disobeyed, but he knew she’d admit that she functioned better with him in charge.
“Do you know why I approached Frankie?” Roarke asked. “I was checking out the club as a favor to a friend when I spotted her. I knew she was your wife, of course, so I felt some obligation to look out for her. I saw some large asshole hitting on her, but as I started toward them, she stepped on his foot hard. When she left I followed her. So did the large asshole. When she stopped outside to search through her bag for her phone, he was almost on her. I got to her first, luckily or I’m not sure what he would have had planned. I suggest you start keeping a closer watch on your wife.”
The last sentence was said coldly. Tom glared at him.
“Thank you for giving my wife a ride home, now stay the fuck away from her,” he told Roarke hotly before storming out of the club.
Fuck.
Chapter Five
Frankie watched the horses, not sure what the hell she was doing here. She should be in bed, waiting for Tom to return. But each time she’d shut her eyes, she’d felt confused and a bit insecure. She couldn’t get rid of that voice telling her that she wasn’t good enough for Tom. Was she holding him back from being truly happy?
This wasn’t her. She didn’t sit around and worry about things, she raced out and met them face on. Then went home and got her butt spanked usually. That ‘action first-think later’ part of her was usually what got her in trouble with Tom.
Well, she guessed leaving her bed to dress and drive out to Heath and Ava’s place was probably a good example of that sort of behavior. But she hadn’t wanted to think anymore, that was the point.
She was tired of thinking. She just wanted to be for a while.
Two horses pranced around the corral, one a dark, deep black with just a white splash between its eyes. That was Ava’s mare, Slinky. Weird name for a beautiful horse. The other horse was larger, a stallion with a deep brown coat. Rocky. Another funny name for a stunning animal. Frankie just shook her head in amusement.
“Want to go for a ride?”
She gasped in fright, turning towards her oldest brother. Tall, broad, his long body encased in well-worn shirt and jeans, a hat hiding his dark hair, Heath, was a handsome man. Strong, smart and reliable.
Tears welled. Shit, she was really emotional at the moment. It really sucked.
Frankie shook her head.
Heath smiled slightly. “Is that because your butt is too sore or you just don’t feel like a ride?”
Frankie’s gaze narrowed, the tears disappearing. “What the hell do you know about the state of my ass?”
Heath’s face grew stern before he moved to lean against the corral beside her. They both looked out at the horses.
“If I know Tom, I’d bet your bottom is feeling his displeasure right now. Where were you last night, Frankie?”
Oh shit, that’s right. Tom had told her that he’d sent Heath around to check up on her.
“I don’t need checking up on like a child,” she muttered, staring at her feet.
Heath clasped her chin lightly, raising her face so she was staring into his eyes. He looked down at her gently, with such understanding that she almost started crying again.
Goddamn it.
“I know that it can be hard living with a husband or brothers like you have,” he began.
“What ones who like to beat my ass at the least provocation,” she interrupted, wishing back the words as soon as she said them.
“I was going to say overprotective and bossy, before I was so rudely interrupted.”
She flushed at the gentle reprimand.
“Is that truly how you see us?” he asked. “Do you think we’re just waiting for you to do something wrong so we can spank you?”
Frankie sighed. “No, of course not.” She’d just been blowing off frustrated steam. In truth, she liked the fact that her family cared so much for her. She knew so many families who barely even talked to each other. Sure, her brothers and Tom could be arrogant and bossy at times, and it was rather embarrassing to still be spanked at her age, but Frankie honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.
She knew she was loved. She knew there would always be someone there for her if she needed them. And she knew no matter what she did, they’d stick by her.
It was no coincidence that she’d fallen in love with a man like her brothers. Although, she’d had a crush on him as a kid, it was only once he’d shown her that he could and would take charge, and do whatever he thought necessary to protect and care for her, that she’d actually fallen in love with Tom.
Frankie wouldn’t have her life any other way. Of course spankings hurt, they were embarrassing. But they brought forgiveness, they gave her a way of releasing her guilt, and they showed her just how loved she was.
So why the hell had she just run away again?
Because he wants more, a little voice whispered inside her. He wants every part of you, including that lost part stuck inside you.
And Frankie was scared to leave herself so vulnerable. She was also scared not too.
Confused didn’t even begin to cover how she felt.
“I’m sorry. I’m just having a bad day.” She leaned against his wide shoulder. No matter what, she knew she could find some peace here. It was her home.
“Does Tom know you’re here, sweetheart?” Heath asked kindly.
She sighed. “No, sir. He left after...umm, spanking me and I was supposed to stay in bed.”
Heath shook his head.
“Please don’t be disappointed in me, Heath,” she said tearfully. “I just don’t think I could take it at the moment.”
“Hey, hey now.” He turned and pulled her into his arms.
Frankie pushed her face into his chest, snuggling in, letting his scent surround her as she cried.
“What’s the matter, baby?”
“I’m so confused,” Frankie cried. “I don’t even know what to do anymore. Nothing is happening the way it is supposed to and I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Heath rubbed her back, rocking her. “For all your crazy ways at time, you always did like structure. Remember when you were a kid; you used to copy Mom, both of you had lists for everything. You even had a master list for your lists.”
Frankie pulled back to look up at him incredulously. “Really?” she asked.
“Really,” he confirmed. “Of course, your list consisted of all your toys, then there was one of all your friends, and I think yet another of everything you disliked about your smelly, horrible brothers.” He smiled.
Frankie scrunched her nose. “I was an awful sister, it’s a wonder you put up with me.”
Heath frowned and clasped her face in his hands. “No, you weren’t. What are you talking about? You were a wonderful sister. I remember once, I came home from a rodeo with a bruised face and a large gash on my legs. You burst into tears and ran out of the room when you saw me. I thought you were going to your bedroom to hide; instead you came back with the doctor’s kit I’d gotten you for Christmas and proceeded to bandage me up. I think the thing that made me feel best was when you kissed me to make it all better.”
Frankie blushed. “Heath, I was like eight! I’m talking about later, after Mom and Dad died. I was horrid.”
“You were a teenage girl whose parents had just died. The life you knew didn’t exist anymore and you were lost. Like I said before, honey, you don’t deal well without some sort of structure. Of course you were acting out, you had all these emotions you couldn’t deal with, your world was shattered and you were just looking for some sort of anchor to help
“It wasn’t your fault!” She gaped at him in shock. “You were wonderful; other brothers probably would have stuck me into the system. You gave up your life for me.”
Heath grasped hold of her shoulders, shaking her slightly. “No. I do not want you feeling guilty, understand me? You are my sister, I love you and I would never give you up. My life was exactly what I wanted. I’ve always loved taking care of others, ever since I was a kid. I have never regretted for one moment taking on this ranch and you guys. You mean the world to me, kid. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she told him. “Thank you for looking after me, for never giving up.”
He kissed the top of her forehead. “You’re welcome.” He pulled back again, staring down at her seriously. “Is everything okay with you and Tom, honey?”
Frankie stared at him in confusion before flushing. He thought she was having marriage problems. “I love Tom, he’s everything to me. I’m just a bit confused about some aspects of our relationship.”
Heath just stared down at her. “You don’t have to tell me, sweetie. But if you ever want to, you can, I won’t judge.”
A heavy weight unraveled in her chest at the acceptance in his gaze. No, he wouldn’t judge her for her needs.
“Thanks big brother.”
“Now, I think we’d better go call Tom. I just put Ava down for a nap and you look like you could use one too. Come on.”
Heath held out his hand and she took it with an exasperated sigh. Seemed like everyone was trying to put her to bed today. She’d just come from bed, even though she hadn’t gotten any rest. “I can judge when I need to go to bed, you know. So can Ava.”
Heath shot her a smile over his shoulder. “Really? Honey, you’re so tired you can barely stand without swaying. Ava fought me tooth and nail about a nap then fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Besides, if you two always had the sense to do what was good with you, who would I fuss over?”
Frankie just shook her head, a smile twitching at her lips.
“You are a bit of a mother hen.”
Heath threw back his head and laughed. Delighted she’d managed to make her generally solemn brother laugh, Frankie followed him without another word of protest.
*****
Tom pulled into his brother-in-law’s driveway. He couldn’t believe Frankie. What would it take to get through to her that she couldn’t keep running away? He’d given her a very explicit order to stay in bed until he returned and she’d blatantly disobeyed him.
Was it a test of his authority?
Did she want him to show how much she meant to him by making him chase her around?
Or was it a cry for attention?
He simply didn’t know. Sighing tiredly, he pulled his car to a stop outside the sprawling ranch house. He was exhausted. Physically and emotionally.
Seeing Roarke had taken a lot out of him. All he’d wanted was to drive home and hold his wife, reassure himself that she was all right. Instead, when he’d left the club, he’d found a voicemail on his phone from Frankie telling him she was here, at Heath’s place.
What the hell was he going to do with her?
The front door opened and Frankie’s oldest brother stepped out. Moving forward to lean against the porch post at the top of the stairs, Heath just stared at him.
Tom undid his belt, opened the door and slowly got out.
“Afternoon,” Heath called out.
“Hey,” Tom greeted him, following the other man as he turned and walked into the house, moving to the study. Tom barely bit back a groan. It was a well-known fact that when Heath wanted a “talk” he went to his study. Talk was code word for spanking—if you were his sister or wife—or lecture for the rest of the family. Tom really didn’t need a lecture.
“Sit down,” Heath told him, moving to his alcohol cabinet. “Do you want a drink?”
Tom leaned back. Tempted to just close his eyes and sleep. “Better not.”
Heath poured himself some whiskey then sat in one of the leather, oversized armchairs Ava had given him for his birthday. They were a gorgeous chocolate color and suited the room and the man well.
Tom looked at his brother-in-law, wondering how he did it. He wore his authority like a second skin. He ran a successful ranch and he headed his family like he was born to it. No one ever doubted Heath’s authority or challenged him.
“What are you thinking?” Heath asked.
“That anyone would have to be an idiot to disobey you and I’m wondering how I can develop some of your authority,” Tom said candidly.
Heath nearly choked on a swallow of whiskey. He patted his chest a few time, his eyes watering. “You think no one ever challenges me? Have you met my wife? Hell, have you met yours?”
Tom waved his hand. “Frankie may have rebelled as a teenager, but she wouldn’t dare go against you now. And Ava is a sweet, gentle woman, I’m sure she never gives you any trouble.”
Heath grinned. “Well, you’d lose that bet. Frankie loves nothing more than to push me; you just don’t see it because she’d never dare do it when you’re around. I wouldn’t spank her now without your permission and she knows it. As for Ava, hell, that woman challenges me all the time. She may come across as sweet and compliant, but if she doesn’t want to do something I want her to, then she becomes a stubborn brat.” Heath smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even now, she’s asleep in bed with a pink bottom.”
Tom’s eyebrows rose. “Even though she’s pregnant?”
Heath nodded. “I asked the obstetrician if it was all right to spank her, she was mortified of course, but he said it was fine as long as she wasn’t putting any weight on her stomach or getting too upset. She just gets small reminders.”
Tom sighed. “I’ve always looked at you and been so jealous. You and Ava, you have it so together, with Frankie I always feel like I’m feeling my way in the dark, I’m worried I’m going to make a mistake and turn her against me.”
“And that is your problem,” Heath said.
“What?”
“Do you think I don’t worry? When my parents died I was terrified about looking after the ranch. About taking care of Frankie. My brothers, too. Even though they were grown they still needed me for reassurance, guidance. I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was what I’d observed and learned from my parents.”
“You never showed it,” Tom said in shock. Heath always seemed so confident.
“And that is the trick. I never let on how lost I was, because the minute I did everything else would have unraveled. I reckon my father felt this way as well. But he was head of the household, it was up to him to guide us, lead us, love us and I had to do the same. I wanted to do the same. So I went with my gut and sure, I made mistakes, but if people love you, then they’ll forgive you.”
Heath stared at him. “Frankie loves you, Tom. She knows you’re only human, but she looks to you to lead. She looks a bit lost, unsure, worried. She needs reassurance that she’s loved. That no matter what you’ll be there for her. Frankie still hasn’t gotten over our parents death. She thinks she has. She thinks she’s come to terms with everything, and she’ll tell you that lots of people lose loved ones and move on, but Frankie has always internalized everything. She doesn’t like to talk about her feelings or her needs, as I’m sure you know. You have to coax them out of her. Often she ends up acting out just to get the attention she needs, that she can’t ask for.”
Tom nodded he knew all this.
“Do you remember what she was like before our parents died?” Heath asked.
Tom nodded. He remembered the little girl who used to follow them around, annoy them, get into trouble. “She was always getting into trouble.”
“She was fearless.” Heath grinned. “Always trying to catch up to her brothers. Mom used to despair that she had five boys, Frankie was such a tomboy. And she adored my father more than all of us. He was her hero, and she was his little shadow. He spent far more time with her than any of us. I’m not saying that because I resent it, he gave us plenty of time and love, but Frankie was his darling.
“By the time she came along, the ranch was doing really well and he had the time free to spend with her. Frankie was open, happy, whatever she felt, you knew, because she’d be sure to tell you. After our parents died she fell became very withdrawn. She sort of pulled into herself. My point is that while she’ll never be that same little girl again, it tears me up inside each time I see her stressing, worrying.” Heath frowned. “Frankie still finds it hard to deal with her feelings and I’m terrified she’s going to end up doing something stupid. Hints of the fearless girl are still there, but she can get into much more trouble as an adult than a little girl when she had four brothers and her parents watching her back.”
Tom ran his hand over his forehead. “She needs to deal with the pain of losing her parents.”
“I think so. I’m sorry, I thought I had helped with all this, but lately I see glimpses of that lost teenager, and her disappearing last night, driving here when she was supposed to be at your home, safely in bed, it makes me fear deeply for her safety and her happiness. I failed her and you.”
“No.” Tom shook his head. “You did the best you could.”
“But I should have told you this before,” Heath said with deep regret. “I was hoping Frankie would open up with you. It’s only in the last few months I’ve seen her misery grow.”
“It’s tied up with the fact that we’ve been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant,” Tom told him. “She’s a bit obsessed with having a baby and it’s so painful for her each time it happens, if you’re right she’s not dealing with the sadness as we would. She’s crying out for help, I know it. It seems like my reassurances aren’t helping, I need to show her I’m going nowhere. We need some time together, just the two of us. And we’re going to give up trying to get pregnant for a while.”
Heath nodded. “Good idea. It’s too much pressure on both of you and it’s not like there’s any rush. I mean, look how old I am. Positively ancient and I’m having another child.”
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