by Zoey Marcel
At the moment he stood in the grocery store in Stone River, watching a plain wench shop. She was reading a label and pretending not to notice how attractive he was. She was making it too easy for him. It was electrifying when they came to him. He barely needed to set a trap for those ones.
“I always have difficulty deciding between the whole wheat and the low sodium as well,” he told her.
No doubt the drollest conversation I’ve ever had.
She gave him her attention, blushing slightly. He doubted she had much experience. There was a good chance she would be gullible and naive because of it. The unseasoned ones practically made victims of themselves.
“I know, really. I wish they had low-sodium whole wheat crackers in this brand.”
“Well, unfortunately not everyone is as health conscious as we are.” He extended his hand to her. “I’m Marvin.”
Not really.
She tucked the box of crackers under her arm and shook his hand. “Kelly. Nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure’s all mine.”
He wondered what she sounded like when she screamed, how red her blood was. Would she cry when he revealed to her that he intended to kill her?
Not here obviously. He wasn’t an idiot.
“It’s refreshing to meet a man who’s interested in health. Most men I meet aren’t, or they’re skinny vegans afraid of gluten,” she said.
Dear God, were they really discussing gluten? His conversations were generally so seductive and somewhat interesting when he engaged his victims for the first time. This cow clearly wasn’t worldly wise. Regardless, he would have to stoop to her level so he didn’t overwhelm her.
When he got her alone he would overwhelm the hell out of her, make her beg for her life.
“I don’t trust men who fear gluten,” he agreed.
If all else fails, charm them into a false sense of security with humor.
She giggled.
How charming.
“Same here. Or the ones who eat egg whites. It’s like ‘Be a man and eat the darn yolk.’”
She said darn. Was she refraining from vulgarities since they were strangers, or was she really so timid as to abstain from swearing?
Perhaps he should curse up a storm while slaying her, make her blush while she bled.
He rolled his eyes, smiling in annoyance. “Where have all the good men gone?”
“Yeah, really. I’m about ready to give up the search.”
He deliberately worked his facial muscles into a convincing facade of sympathy and concern. “Don’t say that. You’re a beautiful woman with an amiable disposition. Any man should consider himself fortunate to have you.”
She smiled with evident flattery.
“Including the gluten-free egg yolk haters.”
They shared a laugh together.
After a bit more tedious drivel that seemed to captivate her, he got her phone number. She left, clearly infatuated, and he left casually, looking like any other shopper. He liked how trusting and desperate Kelly was. She would do nicely. She would be his next victim, his next sacrifice.
Chapter Ten
Sean Friel knocked on Lacy Henderson’s door. When she opened it, he motioned for her to follow him.
“Take a walk with me?”
She closed the door and then followed him down the sidewalk. “What did you want to see me about?”
“About the little spat we had. I forgive you.”
She stopped walking and gave him an “I’m gonna squish you, bug” look. He turned to face her, wondering what her feminine problem was.
“You forgive me, for what?”
“For what you said about my da.” He put on a friendly smile and reached for her. “Let’s hug and be mates again.”
She stepped back, eyes narrowed on him. “Your dad grabbed my arm really hard at the fundraiser. He was rough with me like my stepdad is with me sometimes.”
“He didn’t mean anything by it. He was just mad.”
“Well, my stepdad gets mad, too, and you said he had issues.”
“My da is nothing like your stepdad,” Sean said in a thin tone. “He has a temper, but he’s never hurt me and my sister, and he treated my mam like gold.”
She crossed her arms. “Well, you weren’t the one he got ugly with.”
“You don’t have to dramatize it. Everybody gets mad sometimes.”
“It’s different when it’s your dad, isn’t it?”
Sean averted his eyes and shook his head. “I’m sorry he got mad, but I’m not gonna let you say anything against him. He was just looking after me.”
“So he steps on everyone else to protect his loved ones?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
Lacy turned her back on him.
“Wait.” He got in front of her and lightly touched her arm. “Our dads both have tempers. My da can be a jerk sometimes and your stepdad is an ass. Let’s not do this. It doesn’t matter if I’m right and you’re wrong.”
She folded her arms and arched an impatient brow at him.
“I don’t want to fight with you. You said you were moving to Billings with your girlfriend.”
“She’s not my girlfriend. We’re just friends. She’s straight.”
“Regardless, I’m gonna miss you fiercely when you move away.”
Her face softened with fondness, blue eyes lightening with forgiveness. “I’m gonna miss you, too, really bad. You have to come and visit me.”
“Definitely. You’ll visit me, too, yeah?”
“I promise.”
Sean grinned, throwing his arms around her. They hugged each other tight for a long moment. “I’ve got a little surprise for you.”
She smiled, seeming curious. “What is it?”
He reached into his pocket and then dangled keys in front of her. “I’ve got the keys to my da’s BDSM club.”
Her jaw dropped and her excited face looked a lot like those people who did really well on “The Price is Right.”
“You didn’t.”
“I did.” He wiggled his eyebrows and put his arm around her, strolling along with her. “I was thinking we could have a few farewell drinks and then sneak into the club after it closes. We’ll have it to ourselves. We can explore and see what the freaks do that they don’t want us to know about.”
She grinned. “You’re kind of a bad boy, Sean.”
“I am. I’m tough and manly,” he agreed.
Lacy smirked. “Let’s not overdo it.”
“I’ve been working out. Look at this.” He flexed his bicep.
“Look out, Arnold. Sean’s the new Mr. Olympia.”
“Oh, shut up.”
She giggled when he tickled her.
“Your guns are smaller than mine,” he taunted.
“That’s true, but I’m prettier than you.”
He kissed her head as they walked. “Yeah, you are.”
* * * *
Sean tiptoed up to the backdoor of Leather & Lace, the BDSM club Da co-owned in McKenna Downs.
“Hurry up,” Lacy urged in a loud whisper. “Someone’s gonna see.”
“The keyhole keeps moving on me.”
“Is it an earthquake?”
“No. I think it’s the drinks I had.” The door unlocked. “Wait. I got it.”
They went inside together. He turned the lights on and they wandered through the empty club.
“Whoa. Look at this place,” she exclaimed in a breathy voice.
“Damn. We need some music, don’t we?”
“Something hip.”
Sean tried the office door. “It’s locked.”
“There’s a stereo over there.”
He turned it on. “Mixed CD. Here goes.”
“Me and My Broken Heart” by Rixton came on.
Lacy bobbed her head to the music. “Oh my God, look at the bar.”
“That’s the last thing you need more of.” Sean grinned and went behind the bar. “Shall we, then?”
She tried to sit on a barstool and fell.
“Are you okay?” He chuckled when he saw her stand up, laughing.
“I’m okay. Make me a drink?”
“I wouldn’t know where to start. How about some more beer?”
“Sounds good.”
He got two bottles from a mini fridge, passing one to her and keeping one for himself.
“Do you think people actually get naked and do it on that stage?” she asked after taking a drink from her bottle.
“I really hope so.”
He snickered and she giggled again, snorting after which more laughter resulted.
“Come on. Let’s see what else they’ve got.”
“You should turn the music up louder,” she said.
“What if someone hears it?”
Lacy bounced and wiggled like a cutie. “Come on. Be my daredevil. I’m moving to Montana, remember? Play the music louder, damn it.”
He grinned and moved his head a little, side to side. “All right, what the hell?”
He turned the music up louder before they looked around the barroom. He felt the vibrations deep in his cells. It was dynamite, but the tiny voice of reason said it was far too loud to remain undiscovered for long.
There was a stage, a dance area with a sparkly jazz ball, and a public play area with BDSM furniture and tools for S&M.
Several halls led to other rooms and dungeons. Exploring those would be a treat.
“Oo, look.” She picked up a purple flogger. “It’s girly, but it feels real.”
“Manly one for me.” He grabbed a flogger with blue and black strands. “What do you think these tails are called?”
“Tentacles?”
“Why would they be called tentacles?”
They chuckled.
“It’s like an octopus.”
“Oh. I’ve got you.”
She whacked his arm with the flogger.
“Hey! Don’t make me use mine.”
She leaned forward, purring. “I dare you.”
He raised his arm in pretense, grinning at the way she took off giggling. When his head was turned, she came up and slapped his leg with the flogger.
“All right, that’s it.”
She ran squealing behind the bar. He stood on one side, making a move whenever she did to the right or to the left. Lacy made like she was going behind the bar, but when he followed her there she bolted, laughing.
“Oh, no you don’t.”
Sean hopped up onto the bar, knocking something unimportant over as he climbed across the counter and then jumped down on the other side. He caught up with her and they started pelting each other with the floggers.
“Ow!” She giggled and flogged him back.
He wrestled with her and got the purple flogger from her. “Ha! What now?”
She grabbed a cane and then tossed him one. “Shall we duel?”
He tossed the floggers aside and took a defensive stance with the cane. “Carefully.”
They clanked canes together like they were swords. It was a lot of fun, but she almost took his head off a couple of times.
Without warning, someone grabbed his arm roughly, stealing a gasp from him.
“Sean, look,” Lacy alerted him.
A little late.
Sean stumbled as he pivoted to face whoever it was. That someone turned out to be Malachi Brodie. Sean staggered backward when Malachi let go of him and took the cane from him.
Lacy stared at him for a second and then waved at him. “Howdy, preacher!”
“What are you two doing here?” Malachi demanded.
“We’re fencing,” she said gleefully. “I’m winning. Woo!”
Malachi took the cane from her and then set both aside. He eyed Sean critically. “Did you get your girlfriend drunk?”
“No. She’s not my girlfriend,” Sean said quickly, cringing when Malachi went over to shut the stereo off, being sure to turn the volume down so the next person didn’t go deaf.
“This equipment is not to be fooled around with. You could have gotten hurt,” Malachi said sternly. “I’ll take you both home.”
Sean trudged along, head drooping. He was ashamed for Malachi to see him this way.
“I’m not his girlfriend. I’m his mustache.” Lacy snorted, guffawing in the front seat of the car after they all got in. “That doesn’t sound right.” She put her finger to her lips. “Shh!”
Sean’s heart pounded in his chest. Malachi didn’t say anything as he drove.
“We’re just mates.”
“That’s no excuse to break into your father’s club like that,” Malachi scolded him.
Sean didn’t say anything.
Lacy was starting to say a little too much.
* * * *
After dropping Lacy off at her apartment where her roommate was, Malachi drove home with Sean. Once inside the house, Malachi helped him to his bedroom.
“You know better than to act like that,” the preacher rebuked him. “You could have hurt each other waving those canes around and hitting each other with them and after drinking no less. I should cane you myself for such carelessness.”
Sean’s blood heated at the thought. “Do you mean it?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not going to cane you.”
Well, damn.
“I knew it was a bluff.”
Malachi tossed him a warning glance. “Don’t sass me. Let’s get you ready for bed. I can imagine the hangover you’ll have in the morning. Serves you right.”
“I regret nothing.” Would taunting him provoke him enough to act? God, he hoped so.
“I can see your dad didn’t spank you enough as a kid.”
“He didn’t spank me at all.”
Malachi rolled his eyes while he turned down the covers on Sean’s bed. “Well, that explains it.”
“So what if I got drunk? What’s the big deal?”
“You’re under the legal drinking age.”
“I’m still an adult. I’ll drink if I want to.”
Malachi breathed out, seeming frustrated. “Sean, get ready for bed and quit being obstinate.”
“You’re not my da. You can’t tell me what to do.”
He approached Sean, eyes set in warning. “You haven’t moved out yet. As long as you’re in my house you’ll abide by my rules.”
“Or what?”
“I’ll tell your father about your conduct.”
Crap.
Sean played it cool. “Go ahead. The worst he’ll do is lecture me to death. He’ll never punish me.”
“Someone should.”
His pulse turned jittery and he nearly trembled with excitement. “I was drunk. What’s the worst that could have happened?”
“You could have behaved immorally with that young woman. Who knows what could have come of that?” Malachi dug into Sean’s dresser for his pajamas.
“Well, she and I both would have,” Sean sassed.
God, this man had the patience of a tortoise.
Malachi stormed toward him and tossed his pajamas onto the bed. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Booze. You should try it sometime. It makes the fencing with canes even more fun.”
“I don’t want you messing around with that stuff. It’s dangerous if you don’t know how to use it.”
“I’m gonna do it again.”
Malachi paused and glared down at him. “No, you’re not.”
“See if I don’t. Canes aren’t dangerous. In fact, I’m gonna go there again sometime and cane Lacy if she lets me.”
“Sean, canes hurt. Lacy is just a petite little thing.”
“I’m not a bastard, Malachi. I’m gonna have her drink first so it doesn’t hurt as much.”
That ought to push him over the edge.
“If you weren’t drunk I’d give you a serious talking-to.”
Sean scoffed. “A talking-to. Jesus Christ.”
Malachi stuck his finger in Sean’s face. “Watch your mouth.”
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Sean spread some rebellious icing on his cake of sass by grabbing Malachi’s finger. “Fuck you.”
That was all it took.
Malachi pushed his finger down and turned Sean around swiftly, giving him a rough push onto the bed. “Pull your pants down.”
Those glorious words he’d fantasized about for so long, but he couldn’t seem too eager or Malachi would be on to him.
Sean’s body began to shake and he thought he must be having an erotic dream. “Why?”
A quiet jingle came from behind him and then the titillating sound of leather grazing denim as Malachi pulled his belt out of his pants loops.
“I’m going to correct your errant behavior and teach you respect.”
Sean nearly passed out with anticipation. His hands quivered as he fumbled with his jeans and then pushed them slowly down his legs. Nervousness churned inside of him as he started to ease his briefs down his buttocks.
“Just your pants, Sean.”
No! Beat my ass. Look at it!
He pulled his underwear back up and waited, bent over the bed. In the mirror on the wall he saw Malachi double the belt over. Sean faced forward, palms clamming and fingers shaking.
The first strike landed high on his left ass cheek. It definitely smarted. Sean let out a feeble noise of pain. A few more slaps followed it, each hitting different places. His bottom felt hot and sensitive.
His cock turned solid and engorged with primitive need. He couldn’t get enough.
“That doesn’t hurt.”
Malachi struck him harder, this time on the ass crack.
Sean cried out, ass burning beneath the violent sting, dick plumping with an instinctual ache. Several more fiery slaps stung his butt cheeks, sending him into a levitating orbit. It hurt so badly, but mother of God, it felt amazing. Knowing he was strong enough to take this belting and that he must take the punishment Malachi gave him caused warm pre-cum to drizzle from his cock.
“Oh God,” he choked on a tearless sob, eyes glazing with arousal. He quickly added an “ow” on the end to keep the other man from getting suspicious.
Malachi stopped. “Have you learned your lesson, Sean?”
To say no would expose his enjoyment in the penalty.
