Cheyenne fell onto Quinn’s chest and took a deep breath, “Well, all I have to say is I hope I don’t expire before I get what I need.”
Quinn laughed as he gathered her into his arms, planting a juicy kiss on her pouting lips.
Driving into the office the next morning, Cheyenne thought about how she had sacrificed too many tomorrow rewards for today satisfactions before Quinlan O’Connor came into her life and she knew it. If she truly wanted it or didn’t want it, Quinn honored that. Well, except for punishment. Jocelyn said at dinner last night while “powdering their noses,” that she never actually asked Liam if she should do something or not.
“Like shopping yesterday, I just did it. No asking how much I could spend, or wait for him to weigh in on the decision, I just did what I thought was best.”
“Well, that’s pretty typical, don’t you think?”
“Yes, unless you have an O’Connor or a man like them. For instance, Quinn is the only O’Connor brother who punishes for more than safety and health.”
“Not really, it can all go back to one or the other. Usually.”
“See, I told you, punishment. Would you be at risk if you drank too much but didn’t drive home?”
“Maybe. Yeah,” Cheyenne admitted as she applied lip-gloss. “But that’s safety and health.”
“Okay, how about going somewhere without telling him,” asked Jocelyn as she combed her hair into submission again, “as in out of town for the weekend.”
“Yeah, that would be hard… but it could be a safety issue because someone needs to know where I am. It’s inconsiderate. Besides,” she rolled her eyes dramatically, “been there done that.”
“All right, I know he loves your hair. What if you cut your hair on a whim?”
“I wouldn’t do that; it would be mean.”
“Really, Cheyenne, I know that every woman gets tired of her hairstyle.” She turned to face her soon to be relative. “It’s your hair. Answer the question. Would you be at risk of a spanking?”
“Oh, hell, yeah, at least a few and most likely a butt pl… um, yeah.”
Jocelyn slammed her hand on the vanity triumphantly, making another woman at the vanity jump. She lowered her voice, “I told you, punishment and he decides what is punishable. He’s the hardest O’Connor. Liam wouldn’t dare complain about my haircut. And were you going to say a plug? As in butt plug?”
“Oh, God, don’t tell him we talked about this. I can’t talk about it, strike that, don’t want to talk about it. And on the hair, he wouldn’t care normally, but since we have already talked about it, I know how he feels. If we had not, then, it wouldn’t matter.”
“Nope,” said Jocelyn, “too much for me.”
Cheyenne shrugged. “I like it, usually, and Quinn had changed his mind when I pushed.”
“Well, not happening for the rest of us.”
“I don’t know about that, but I do know that if he knew we were talking about our private affairs, even if it were just between us, in a public bathroom, it would not make either of our men happy.”
Jocelyn laughed and hugged her.
“But sometimes it hurts so good.”
Jocelyn laughed. “Oh, hell, yeah.”
Cheyenne knew she had the real power, but she instinctively knew he wouldn’t let her sabotage other areas out of love, Quinn’s love for her. Cheyenne never thought that she could be wholly satisfied without trying to spend considerable amounts of time wondering what would make her lover happy, working hard at meeting their needs, often at the expense of her own happiness. That was because Quinn loved her and she was learning that it was give and take, for both partners.
Chapter Six
Cheyenne and Quinn were in Montana for the Labor Day weekend. They also checked on the foundation work for their new house. It would be their home after they got married. Da had offered land for them to build on the Emerald Isle Ranch but Quinn needed time away from the sheriff’s department. The fresh start would be good, and if a job didn’t come up, he knew he could always work with his brothers if needed.
Quinn described specialized adaptations that he was going to have installed after the house was completed. He was not going to let his family know his and Cheyenne’s intimate details. It was going to be their playground, but Quinn said it was for keeping valuables separate from other things. Quinn’s brother Shane, they knew, had a different idea of valuables than he did. Quinn spent plenty of extra time conferring with Parker about “custom furniture” that encompassed that valuables definition. Parker promised to keep his own counsel, especially from Kelli.
Cheyenne had an entirely different set of concerns. She was worried she wouldn’t fit in when this clan all came together for the next week. This was the first gathering of this big family that she had experienced with every member in attendance. To say it was overwhelming was an understatement.
She had never hunted and never put up the meat. She had only fished a little and never preserved the fish. She also had never canned anything. Cheyenne could crochet and do needlework quite well, and enjoyed an old skill, tatting, making delicate lace, but was not as eager to learn all the rest. In fact, was quite sure some of it, she would not be able to do.
She had learned to love this family and all of its quirks over the last few years, but she was still a pampered only child in her experiences and understandings. Oh, she went camping sometimes, and she loved the O’Connor ranches. She was even known to go horseback riding. After all, she was a Wyoming woman, but hunting, fishing, canning, sewing and all of that was just not anything she had set her hand to and that’s what this week encompassed.
Quinn listened to her laments the night before they left. “You crochet incredible things, Cheyenne. You’re an accomplished businesswoman and do great things to my ropes. Maybe I could learn some crocheting and crochet around you like a variation to the Shibari.” She slapped his arm.
“I mean, what am I supposed to do there?” she lamented.
“Anything you want, baby. You pick berries, know how to gather vegetables from the garden, and just help. Besides, having fun with the family is the primary goal.”
“But I want you to be proud of me. Like your sisters’ husbands are proud of them.”
“Lómhara, if I had wanted a reproduction of my sisters, I would have looked for one. You notice I never dated anyone who was remotely like my sisters. You’re the one I love. Don’t be so insecure.”
Cheyenne bristled at the brushing off but persisted. Raw meat from the grocery was one thing, but to know that this meat was from a living thing not long ago, maybe hours ago, kind of grossed her out.
“Quinn, honey, I love most of the things your family does, but handling meat you guys just killed might not be something I can do. It’s definitely yellow zone stuff and possibly popsicle zone.”
Quinn looked over from the driver’s side of the pickup and said, “Baby, that’s okay. There are plenty of things to do besides handling the game. However,” he grinned widely, “calling a safe or slow down word in public might not be the best choice.” He cast her a toothy grin. “Too many people know about those now, and it would be outing us, big time. I’d rather not explain things to my mother.” They both laughed. “How about fish?”
“That’s fine, but I hate to gut the things.” She scrunched up her face making Quinn think her so damned adorable.
“No, honey, we dress the game and clean the fish before we bring it into the kitchen. How about canning? Putting up pickles, jelly, preserves?”
“Oh, I can do that but I’m a better helper than a leader in the kitchen. You know I’m not big on cooking,” she added sheepishly.
“Yes, I know.” She landed him another slap on his bicep bringing out his deep laugh. “No problem, there are plenty of O’Connor women who like to boss people around and take the lead. They will love a helper.” Cheyenne felt a little better. He continued. “There are some things you do to perfection.” He wiggled his eyes to show his licentious
thoughts.
“Yeah, well how would you know? You haven’t experienced it yet.”
“Piscín, there are some things a man knows instinctively.”
She pinched his arm playfully. His tone was a mockingly angry response.
“Are you looking for a spanking, young lady?”
“Yes please.”
Quinn laughed. “I’ll see what I can do for you later.”
Cheyenne and Quinn’s wedding was getting close and Caoimhe, Quinlan’s younger sister by a year, married to Andrew, was hoping she delivered her second child before the wedding, but no one wanted to predict.
Cheyenne gathered with the women who would be her new sisters soon to discuss and compare her ever-growing apprehension of life as an O’Connor as well as her own issues with her O’Connor man.
“Quinn is just so bossy sometimes, and I love it and hate it. He’s not only bossy but like I belong to him in a—”
“Like you are property?” jumped in Kelli, her tone irritated.
“Well, not exactly—” Cheyenne hurriedly corrected.
“No, like you are his. And you are his. He’s yours.” Katie finished. “Stop it, Kelli, belonging to someone is incredible. Don’t you feel that way about Parker?”
Kelli just got up and walked the room.
Cheyenne nodded her head. “Yes. I mean, it confuses me; not in a bad way but a swirl of emotions way.”
Jocelyn grabbed a pillow to cover her midsection and leaned forward. “You’re worried that it’ll get more, too much, not level out. Like your business won’t be yours because you won’t be your own person.”
“Exactly,” Cheyenne verified.
“Do your husbands leave the macho bit in the bedroom?”
There was a burst of laughing. “We wouldn’t need to sit and compare notes if that were true,” said Caoimhe as she shook her head. “I didn’t marry one of my brothers, and I can tell you that Andrew is every bit as dominant as all of my brothers.”
“Well,” slipped in Alesha, “I’m good with Shane now but in the beginning, I felt like you did. I mean, he was loving, considerate, kind and protective, but he was also Hitler on some things.”
“What about later?” Cheyenne asked.
“You set a rhythm, you know? I know how he’ll react now to just about everything. He knows what is important to me.” Caoimhe shrugged and leaned to hug Cheyenne. “I’m disappointed if he doesn’t show that I’m his every so often now.” Kelli, who had just returned, snorted at her sister.
“I guess. I hope you’re right, all of you.”
The men began sauntering into the front family room of Liam and Jocelyn’s house, stopping by unspoken agreement, the women’s conversation. Kelli resisted Parker’s arm around her, and he spoke into her ear. Cheyenne watched her tense and then relax into his lap when he brought her down on it. She didn’t know what to make of it, but her interest was piqued.
If Cheyenne were honest, she wanted what these women had, and if they were to be believed, she and Quinn would have it, in time. She loved their play, and she loved when she was exhausted he just took over everything. He did leave her business to her, except when he sided with Ace and insisted she had an attorney. Really, overall it was actually a perfect arrangement for her. Was Jocelyn right when she said Quinlan was so different than his brothers were? Cheyenne wondered about the other O’Connor women. Were all the brothers and husbands so arrogant about everything and how did they handle it?
Her opportunity to ask more questions soon presented itself. Caoimhe and Katie were learning from Cheyenne how to crochet booties for babies and slippers for kids, so they decided to get something to drink. It was evident the other two were thinking soft drink and grew silent when Cheyenne suggested wine. Looking at the ginger ale in Katie’s hand she said, “You’ll have to spritz without the wine, Caoimhe, but Katie can have one with me.”
“I’ll have one with you, but equal parts please.” Katie watched the division of wine and ginger ale carefully. Alesha walked in and joined the conversation but not the creating.
“Shane doesn’t like me drinking much. I’ll just have some ginger ale.”
As the women learned the crochet patterns, Cheyenne was on her third glass of wine, it sadly lacked any other ingredient.
Katie, worrying a bit for the talk she had heard of incidents of Cheyenne over drinking asked, “Should you have any more, Cheyenne? I’m pretty sure you’ve had enough.” Her voice was quiet but with some authority.
“Yeah,” Caoimhe added, “Even when I wasn’t pregnant, my limit is two glasses unless Andrew allows me three. I have kids, and it isn’t that smart to be out of it or sleeping too hard. Sometimes, if we are staying home or just going to bed afterward, it would be okay, but I don’t like that left over feeling. And Shane hardly ever has anything to drink.”
Katie added, “Well, I just remember when we drank without eating last summer and how upset our guys were.” She went on to explain that she and Cheyenne had a few drinks on an empty stomach and then Cheyenne had driven, sending Quinlan over the moon. When Ciarán had heard of it, Katie didn’t fare too well herself.
“I don’t want him that irritated again. He has such a presence, you know. It’s different with him. He and Liam can shake my world with a look. It’s downright creepy.” The other women laughed nervously.
Alcohol having loosened her tongue and lowered her inhibitions some, Cheyenne felt comfortable enough to start talking more about her fears and questions about these men in their lives, so she decided to go fishing for information.
“Um, Jocelyn keeps saying things like, ‘it’s just the dom in him’ when Liam gets that stern look when they are talking, or he overhears something said and reacts. What exactly is she talking about?”
“You should be able to answer that better than us, Cheyenne, you’re with Quinlan,” stated Caoimhe and she continued when Cheyenne shrugged.
“Quinlan O’Connor is one of the most dominant men I know. You already said he takes over. All of the O’Connor men are so sure of themselves, I’m positive they would argue with St. Peter at the Pearly Gates on their place in heaven.”
They all laughed. Kelli and Jocelyn wandered into the room at about that same time.
“What are we laughing at?” asked Jocelyn, grabbing a cola from the little fridge.
“Our men,” answered Katie.
“Ah. So who did they irritate this time?” asked Jocelyn, putting the littlest O’Connor back in the center of the room before sitting.
“No, see, Cheyenne was just asking about why you refer to them as ‘dom-like’ or ‘the dom in them.’ We were saying she should know better than all of us because she has to deal with Quinlan.”
“No kidding,” agreed Alesha as she rolled a ball back to the center of the room. “He’s younger than both Shane and Liam, and I would deal with either one of them before Quinn,” punctuating her statement with a mock shiver. “But not Ciarán, if it’s safety. Ciarán and security is a terrible thing to experience.”
“Really?” asked Katie in surprise. “I’m never worried. He doesn’t yell, often that is, and he’s so predictable. I know if I’m in trouble before he even walks in the door and I know when to tease him or play it cool. And when he runs his hand through his hair…”
“Oh, yeah, Liam does that too,” agreed Jos.
“And Shane,” added Alesha.
“They all do, every male including Da does that. Frustration. Sometimes it was the only clue I had that they were getting to the ‘I’m going to take control and fix this or fix you’ stage,” added Kelli.
“So,” continued Cheyenne, “Do you all think you have a dom-husband?”
“Yep,” everyone agreed. “If you mean dominant, alpha male, bossy,” clarified Katherine.
“Although Andrew is, he doesn’t irritate me with it as much as those brothers of mine do because Andrew seems to show more patience, usually.”
“Huh. Well, Shane has to talk everything out
with me, and I do mean everything,” said Alesha, rolling her eyes in exasperation and giggling.
“Geez, makes you wonder how you ever got to the baby making stage without falling asleep?” laughed Alesha as she grabbed her son before he climbed the bookshelf.
“I know, right? No, really, Shane has more patience I think than anyone, well, maybe Cián is better.”
“I don’t know about that,” said Jocelyn. “Ciarán seems pretty darned patient if you’re not on your way to Sheridan by yourself that is, and your husband hasn’t left him in charge of your safety.”
“And then you and Liam had already discussed it. That’s what burnt you,” declared Kelli as she relocated to the sofa.
“Oh, sister-girl, what made you even do that? I couldn’t have sat for a month if I went against Quinn like that,” shared Cheyenne. “How I know what Quinn’s response would be to that is because he was the one to tell me after the Jocelyn incident.”
“Wonder what would have happened if the situation was in our court?” asked Katie.
“Well, in that case, I think we would all have had a hard time convincing our respective husbands that we were fine.” Everyone agreed.
“But back to those men. Cheyenne, you really don’t think that Quinn is the most dom-like?” asked Kelli.
“I wouldn’t say that, exactly, but I haven’t had any run-ins with anyone else really. Oh, except Da. He’s fierce when he isn't happy.”
“Where did you think they all learned it from?” Caoimhe asked as she moved her growing belly into a more manageable spot and made a space for her daughter.
“No kidding,” Katie added. “When I didn’t want to go to the clinic because of my ankle I thought he was going to have Quinn bundle me up, kicking and screaming. That was after he decided whether to paddle my rear or not.”
Cheyenne asked, “Was he serious?” She handed Liam’s son over to his mom for his afternoon snack.
“Oh, yeah, he was dead serious, and I’m sure he would have had no remorse.”
“Well, Quinn says that he already told the guys that they could ‘swat for attention’ if the need arose when he was not available, but they would not do more than that. So I think Da and Ciarán’s threats were just that, threats to get compliance. I doubt Quinn’s was.”
Accepting His Ways (Quinlan O'Connor Book 2) Page 10
