Quinn waved his hand as though swatting a fly.
“You prevaricate. I don’t care what others do, and I don’t want you talking about what we do to anyone else. Tonight is about safety and agreements, but that being put aside, I never said I was going to follow someone else’s guidelines and you know I punish for unacceptable choices.” Quinn’s voice changed to one of warning, “Now tell me how many drinks you had, my dear, before I change my mind about the consequences.”
“And three glasses of wine during the afternoon.” Quinn lifted his eyebrows and said, “Last time.”
Cheyenne looked at him in disbelief, “how could you know I had more when no one else knew? It’s absolutely incredible,” She continued in awe. “I know you said you study my every reaction and emotion, and that’s how you just know, but it’s still amazing to me.”
He simply waited with that determined, confident stare that spoke volumes.
“Really? Fine. And a vodka and cranberry juice before lunch.”
Looking at the raised eyebrows over slanted eyes that said seriously, Cheyenne tried to salvage the conversation.
“I know, I know. We agreed on two unless we were together. We were technically together, on the same ranch. While I want to blame it on other things, it was just that I wanted to drink them as ‘liquid courage. You know, in case I needed to do something I was uncomfortable about, it would be easier.” She lowered her head and mumbled, “I’m sorry. I broke our agreement.”
“Why couldn’t you come get me and let me know? I would have expected that from you, and you should have expected that I would take care of you. I would have diverted you, distracted you in a fun way. Besides, no one, and I mean no one would have demanded you do something you were uncomfortable with, except maybe me and we were playing.”
“I couldn’t do that. You’re male bonding with your siblings, and I was supposed to be doing the same with your sisters. I wanted you to have fun, to enjoy yourself even if I have some insecurity about my place in all this. I was trying to gift you just as you gift me.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “Oh, baby. You’re my most precious gift. Don’t you know that? I wouldn’t care for anything else if I lost you. I appreciate that you tried to find another way to handle your insecurities but it isn’t an acceptable way, and you can’t be risky. Now I have to punish you even when that isn’t what I want to do right now.”
Quinlan kissed her sweetly and delicately, sliding his tongue in with ease, exploring, moaning, and releasing her again.
“You’re like honey that I’m drawn to without control to stop. Let’s go get this over with in here so you’ve something to lean on. One swat for every drink over our agreement so four swats, over the jeans, but with my riding crop.” Seeing the inklings of fear in her eyes, he said, “Its okay, the flogger in our playroom scene last week was worse. I’ll be careful.”
“I know.”
Quinn’s sexual tension was high. He chose a punishment that would lower his libido, keep her covered out in the stable where others might happen to come upon them, and where he could get it done quickly. The sight of her bare bottom right now would be the end of his resolve to wait to take her completely. He positioned her leaning forward on the stall divider fencing, and she put her hands inside the slats to lower the likelihood of her reaching back before he could redirect his swing. Four firm, measured swings made short work of it and with tears in her eyes, a bit of perspiration but no loss of dignity, she straightened herself. Cheyenne had endured it and then fell into Quinn’s open arms.
“We are getting rid of all your riding crops, Sir.”
“Hmm, or adding more, and soon we will add the tawse if we have to deal with this issue anymore, understood? I never want to have to punish over this ever again.”
Cheyenne nodded and added, “And I never want to have to deal with the tawse, Sir.”
The next morning, Cheyenne was more subdued with her four stripes still distinct from the night before. Quinn leaned in gently, looking to see that she didn’t have any ill effects from the evening before. He was happy to see the marks almost gone. He knew Cheyenne needed to see them this morning for reassurance, but he wanted them to fade quickly after that.
He traced each stripe slowly and intently, putting pressure along their paths. She had told him that it was comforting to see and feel the marks, but the heat had long gone from them. Heated marks signified that she was Quinn’s, and he took care of what was his.
“Do I need to freshen it up before you start your day?” he murmured behind her.
She whipped her face around to his and flushed deeply. She shrugged her shoulders.
“Maybe?”
As he watched her manner, it dawned on him she needed extra assurance to start her day. They hadn’t done it again since the scene they’d done for her checkup several months ago. She hadn’t needed it although he had offered a couple of times since. Acting on his hunch, he slid into his daddy dom persona. His voice was deep, paternal and compassionate.
“Do you need Daddy to help you be a good girl this morning?” He watched his beautiful woman relax in front of him.
Sliding into her role without skipping a beat, she replied in a small voice, “Um, I don’t know. Please, Daddy, I don’t want you to give me pink cheeks.”
“But pink looks so good on you, beag amháin and I think you need it to be good. Don’t you?”
She nodded her head.
“Cheyenne, Daddy needs your words, baby.”
“Yes, Daddy, help me be good, but can you please not make it too hard?”
“Now it’s Daddy’s choice, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
Her breathing had stepped up to quicker more shallow breaths. Small tremors shivered through her as Quinn leaned her over his knees and caressed her bottom a moment before lifting up her cotton nightshirt and landing ten much lighter than normal, swats. It was play after all, and he wanted her to enjoy it as well as be comforted by it.
At nine, she squealed, “Daddy!” He quickly popped her lovely cheek one last time and after a couple more rubs, he set her up to sit on his lap.
“I love you,” he growled.
He watched as she glowed and felt his pride inflate as he gazed on her face. This woman was his. He kissed her as he reluctantly left her to help ready the day’s events and she went for breakfast.
“I love you too, Daddy.”
He leaned in to kiss her lips and reminded her of his expectation of behavior as well as giving the signal of the end of play. “Stay out of trouble, Cheyenne.”
She smiled and said, “I’ll do my best,” laughing when he landed a parting slap to her bottom.
Cheyenne brought her breakfast out to the flower gardens to eat and walk. Katie, saying it was more fun to eat with the family, came over for breakfast. Ciarán was on his second breakfast, his wife feeding him his first several hours ago. Quinn strode back into the kitchen after setting up his part of the day in a chipper mood, smiling big at Jocelyn.
“Good morning, sister. How are things for today? What is on your agenda?” Quinn asked his oldest sister in law.
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Figures. You O’Connor men are a sadistic law unto yourselves.”
“Wow, that stung. Has my reputation preceded me, was I too loud this morning, or do I need to discuss what privacy means to my fiancée?” He lifted his eyebrow but didn’t even attempt to hide his grin as he watched Jocelyn’s cheeks grow pink.
“Oh, I thought I heard your voice,” stated Cheyenne walking back into the house and raising her face for his kiss.
Quinn looked at Jocelyn and said, “Must have been my reputation.”
Jocelyn blew out a sound that was loaded with frustrated laughter at his grin.
“Yes, that must be it.”
Chapter Seven
Cheyenne met Quinn and Parker later that day at the foundation of her new house.
“So, on the first floor will be the front porch that wraps around three cor
ners. The garage will cover one side. Then,” Quinn continued as they walked, “this is the front door facing the northwest. I have the backyard predominately in the south and the living room to the west and the bedrooms to the northeast. It isn’t quite square with the road, but I think it will work the best for sun and weather.”
“You’re so smart,” she said proudly. “I never thought about how to place the house, just what was in it.”
Quinn kissed Cheyenne quickly. “See I’m good for something other than a playmate.”
Cheyenne’s face darkened with the red of embarrassment. “Shhh,” she hissed at his laughing face while she made what she thought was a veiled look but he was not at all concerned. He squeezed her shoulders in compassion.
Parker kindly ignored the exchange between the two and brought the conversation back to the building. “So the basement will be the length of the house with a divider under your offices and bedroom. There will be steps from the bedroom that open up to the office landing and then the private part of the basement. We can put the furniture down through the steps in the office. Will it be a large enough opening?”
“We will need to measure to make sure when we create the steps and archway. I need you to tell me the dimensions of the largest piece so that we can be sure. And the rest of the basement will be accessible from the main staircase going up and down. I already have the staircases broader than most because we are all big men, and if I’m living here the rest of my life, the steps are going to be tall enough clearance and wide enough.”
They discussed what pieces he wanted to begin with, specifically the versatile spanking bench which would take as long as the house to create and the St. Andrew’s Cross which needed to be made of oak or maple and with Cheyenne’s dimensions in mind. The manpower to get it downstairs was another issue and Quinn was sure he could get a few guys from The Sting to come down for a weekend and help him set things up.
Later Cheyenne questioned his choices. “Why would you ask Parker to make your furniture when there are others we could have contacted? You know, furniture makers who were at least a little in the lifestyle. Parker isn’t and now it’s rather awkward.”
“I have an arrangement with Parker, and before you ask, I’m not telling you. It’s something I promised him I would keep quiet about, but we made a deal, and his workmanship is excellent.”
“It’s beautiful, I agree, but I don’t consent to secrets. I think you shouldn’t keep secrets from me if I can’t keep them from you. You’re opening up a very dangerous precedent if you continue to keep me out of the loop. I want you to know that. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, don’t forget.” Cheyenne meant more than this secret, but she kept quiet.
“Cute. All right, I’ll tell you, but if it leaves your lips you won’t be able to sit for a week, a full week, do you hear?” Quinn waited until he saw her nod of agreement. “And more than that, you will possibly harm Parker and Kelli’s relationship.”
“Oh, is it that bad?”
“No, I think it’s good but at this point in the game, it wouldn’t be to anyone’s benefit to tell the tale.”
“All right, I promise to say not one word.”
“Or even hint at it. I’m very serious.” Looking at Quinn, no one would doubt his intent.
“Promise, I promise, not a breath.” She rolled her eyes but turned away so he missed it.
“I’m teaching Parker how to be assertive with Kelli in a more productive way. I’m helping him to understand the fine art of being the dominant in their relationship in a way that won’t destroy it but build it up more.”
“Oh, man, that’s dangerous,” warned Cheyenne. “I thought there was an understanding. Kelli isn’t even into spanking and Parker isn’t into rocking the boat.”
“Until recently, I would agree. We’ve just begun the preliminaries. We have to go slow. You know it’s a good thing to do for Kelli who tends to think she’s superwoman and runs herself into the ground. It doesn’t mean they play as much as we do or even at all. It’s a way of life, and each picks what works in theirs. Kink isn’t always part of it, besides kink is only kink if it’s something you don’t do yourself. Otherwise, it is a lifestyle.” He grinned playfully and added, “Or, a kinky lifestyle.”
“Well, good luck with that. I don’t want to be associated with any of it.” She backed up and made motions to push the issue away to illustrate her separation. “Other’s kinky lifestyle, that is.” She reached to give her kinkster a kiss.
“And so you won’t be. Besides, you have enough in your life, right?”
“If you mean enough dominance, yes, I have more than enough,” Cheyenne said with a nod. Quinn chuckled.
They spent a little more time looking around after Parker left. It wouldn’t be done until the spring, but that was all right. They’d be married in November because neither one could stand to wait any longer. The private side of the basement would be assembled after the house was done and they were ready to move in or even a bit later. Just as they were finishing, Quinn received a call and after checking the number told Cheyenne to go on back to Liam’s place.
“This might take a while.” Then he walked off in the other direction, voice low. It had happened several times and was causing Cheyenne to become more concerned. What would take him from planning their future home and life to “see you later” that fast? She didn’t know, but she was determined to find out.
Later that morning, all the women went into Missoula to look for dresses and for Cheyenne’s wedding dress as they finalized the wedding program itself on the drive up and back. Cheyenne was able to find the perfect wedding dress she could have ever hoped for, but the store was out of her size. She tried on the shop sample, and it wasn’t too small said her entourage, but it was snug. The next size on the rack was much too large, and while they could alter it, she was out of time for a wedding two months away.
“Caoimhe, you’re the best seamstress, can you alter it?”
Caoimhe looked at it and said, “This would be a major overhaul because of all the layers and pleats, darts, and the like. I could do it but not in the time we have. I have the girls’ dresses to make, and I still have the baby room items to finish. I really think that if you wanted to lose five pounds in the next two months, you would breathe freely. But if you don’t you will still be able to wear it; it will be snug is all.”
“Yeah, and I haven’t seen you breathe around Quinn anyway. Except for this trip, I have never seen two people fight all the time and still be spellbound with each other. And I thought I argued with Parker a lot,” observed Kelli.
“You do!” declared Katie. “It’s just the making up that’s so great.”
Cheyenne said with a twinkle in her eye, “Or at least the promises of great makeup sessions.”
“Wait, are you still waiting for that last love scene, Cheyenne?” asked Kelli.
“Mmm, don’t let Quinn know I told you because he’s so prickly about others knowing certain aspects of our business but, he hasn’t made love to me yet. He wants to wait.”
Alesha said, “Figures, the men who don’t have any compunction about baring your bottom for a spanking don’t make love to you until you’re married.”
Everyone laughed at the contradictions in ideals but agreed it was somewhat old-fashioned and sweet, just like their men.
“Well, congratulations, Cheyenne, you’ve stolen my hardest to live with, brother’s heart. I was worried it would never happen, but you’ve shown me that there is truly someone for everyone,” said Kelli. “And to be honest, it wasn’t that I didn’t think Quinn could find someone, it was that someone would find him. He is so immovable.”
Cheyenne smiled cheekily. “Not for me, he isn’t.”
“Just as I said about Liam, he bends like a willow branch for me.” Jocelyn boasted.
Kelli quipped, “Or uses one on you.” They all laughed.
The mood changed after that and Katie was anxious to find the rest of the th
ings on the list and get back to her husband. There were murmurs of agreement so they changed gears and started checking things off the list. They had the dress mailed to her apartment and after having an enjoyable lunch, completed their list and went home.
Cheyenne had decided that if she lost ten pounds, then she would look better in her swimsuit. Even though Quinn had specifically said he didn’t want her to lose any weight, sometimes a woman had to do what a woman had to do. Being perfect for her one and only wedding couldn’t be argued against, not from a position of authority or ignorance. All women would agree, she told herself.
Thinking about that lovely dress and only two months before her wedding, Cheyenne became obsessed with the need to lose the weight and after a week of regular low-calorie meals, she didn’t see any results. She panicked. She had always walked but the time it took to go for a walk was not available, so Cheyenne reasoned eating fewer calories, considerably less, would make the weight fall off. She had lost almost a week of time because she had to wait until she was home, where only a few might notice her eating habits had changed.
“Cheyenne, that can’t be all you’re eating, baby, it isn’t enough to keep a bird alive,” stated Quinlan during her first week of fewer calories by consuming less food. “And you’re more pale than normal. Are you feeling okay? Too stressed?”
“Oh, I’m eating my big meal of the day at lunch now so I have time to work it off,” covered Cheyenne as she ate some undressed salad for dinner.
“Okay, but make sure you are.” Quinn gave her a skeptical glance and kept his silence.
Siobhan noticed at lunch that Saturday and said, “Cheyenne, you aren’t eating enough, and unless you want me to let Quinn know, you had better eat more.”
Cheyenne laughed cautiously, “What? Have you turned into a tattletale, Mom?” She reached to pat Siobhan’s hand with reassurance and felt sorry for saying something mean when it was obvious she cared about Cheyenne. “I’m sorry, Mom. Don’t worry, really. I’m eating at breakfast so that I have the whole day to work it off,” replied Cheyenne as she ate yet another undressed salad, of which she was becoming hardily sick.
Accepting His Ways (Quinlan O'Connor Book 2) Page 12
