“Stop thinking so hard.”
“What?” Damn, she was supposed to be pretending she was still asleep! His hand slid over her waist causing her skin to instantly break into goose bumps.
“I can practically hear those gears turning in that beautiful head of yours,” Henry said, pressing his lips against her bare shoulder. “I’m seriously hoping you are remembering how special our lovemaking was and aren’t regretting a single moment. I know I’m not.” A brush of his lips against her neck sent a shot of electricity through her.
“Of course, that might not be so bad after all.”
“It wouldn’t?”
“Oh, I’m not saying it wouldn’t be bad for you,” he said, his hand moving to pat against her bottom. “But, I admit it wouldn’t bother me a bit if I need to spank this beautiful tushie a nice pink again.”
Quincy had to finally admit it. She was a true goner and her giggle only validated that fact.
“So I’m guessing you aren’t going to do the gentlemanly thing and turn over and start snoring so I can get dressed?”
“I stated that I’ll always be your cowboy, my love. I never claimed to be a gentleman,” Henry said, his hand moving yet again, his fingers trailing softly across her breast. “I’d far rather be wide awake and tell you how beautiful you are.” A slight pinch against her nipple had her gasping. “Which will it be, my girl, a hot bottom or a nice kiss?”
A kiss against her neck followed by a nibble on her ear lobe had her quivering and forgetting all about sneaking away. Feeling like a teenager, she took his hand and moved it back to her ass even as she turned to face him. “How about both?”
Afterwards, he laid on his back, pulling her to his side, her hand on his chest. “I love you, Quincy.”
“Good, because I love you, Henry.”
The next time she opened her eyes, it was with a smile as she saw that her clothes had been placed neatly at the foot of the bed. Henry was no longer in bed but she could smell coffee, which was enough to have her throwing back the sheet and grabbing her clothes. Going into the bathroom, she grinned seeing the unopened bar of soap, a washcloth and a towel obviously set out for her use. She was pretty positive this wasn’t what Venia meant about the possibility of soap being involved. Standing under the cascading water and lathering herself, she pondered whether or not she should feel anything but ecstatically happy. After all, she had just jumped into bed with a man she barely knew. Rinsing off, she smiled and accepted the fact that she didn’t need to feel anything but the love she had for this man and accept the love he had for her. Drying herself, she dressed and then took advantage of the new toothbrush that had also been laid out for her. Exchanging the new toothbrush for her own hairbrush, she ran it through her hair and then slipped into her sandals and went in search of the man who had completely captured her body, heart and soul.
It wasn’t until she walked into the kitchen and saw Venia seated at the table, a cup of coffee in her hand that she remembered they were supposed to come over for dinner. A dinner she’d not given a single thought to preparing.
“Um, hi. Where’s Henry?” Quincy asked, her eyes darting around the room.
“He’s showing Jeff something in the garage. Come sit, I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”
“No, I’ll get it,” Quincy said, going to the bar and pouring herself a cup, grateful to notice that the slate had disappeared. As she added cream and sugar to her cup, she apologized. “I’m so sorry about dinner. We, um… got distracted. I meant to put a roast into the crockpot.”
“Distracted? Do I dare ask how?”
Quincy had no idea how to answer, especially when Venia pulled her hand from beneath the table, twirling the wooden spoon.
“Could it have anything to do with this?”
“You are so bad!” Quincy said, plucking the spoon from her friend’s hand and returning it to the crock with the other utensils.
“I’d say that is the pot calling the kettle black.” Venia giggled and Quincy shook her head, joining in. “Honey, I’d rather see you glowing and happy than eat a roast any day.”
Quincy felt a flash of embarrassment, but it was nothing compared to the flush of pleasure that flowed through her with the memory of all that had transpired since she’d made her apology. God, had that only been yesterday? Shrugging her shoulders, she looked at her dear friend. “What can I say? Life is short.”
“It is,” Henry agreed, coming up behind Quincy and putting his arms around her, kissing her cheek. “Sorry, honey, I totally forgot.”
Quincy shrugged and turned in his arms, kissing his lips. “It’s not your fault. It was that just for a moment, I felt like I’d been caught red handed by my parents.”
“Red bottomed is more like it,” Venia offered only to squeal when Jeff pulled her from her seat to swat her rear. The four were soon grinning and Jeffrey offered a solution.
“I’m more in the mood for a bit of spice. How about Endele’s?”
“Sounds perfect,” Henry agreed, pulling Quincy close. “As I said, my treat. Though if I’m honest, I’d have to take you to dinner for the rest of your lives to even begin thanking you for bringing me to Corbin’s Bend and to my Quincy.”
The evening was fun, the food good and the conversation lively. As they enjoyed sopaipillas with their coffee, several others stopped by their table to meet Henry, to just chat or to ask Quincy about the upcoming sale. It was late by the time they stood to leave.
“I’ve never had better fajitas,” Henry said, as he left a very generous tip. “If the food is this good everywhere, Quincy’s prophecy that I’ll gain weight is most likely to come true.”
“Nah, as a scientist, I can assure you that with enough exercise, you can expend more calories than you consume,” Jeff said as they walked outside. “If you need any ideas, just give me a call.”
Henry laughed and shook his head as he shook his friend’s hand. Pulling Quincy close, he said, “I’m pretty sure that between the two of us, Quincy and I can work up a perfectly acceptable exercise program.” He released her only long enough to get a hug from both Jeff and Venia.
“Lunch soon,” Venia called as they got into their car.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come back with you to finish unpacking?” Quincy asked as they stood in front of her door.
“Yes,” Henry said, “and no.”
“Well, that’s certainly clear as mud.”
“I apologize but if you do, I guarantee no unpacking will be done,” Henry clarified, bending to kiss her. “And, if you stay, I guarantee you will be too exhausted for the sale tomorrow.”
Quincy felt a tremble run through her as his hand dropped to caress her bottom. Pressing into his palm, she knew it would take only a single statement from this man to have her pulling him into her bedroom. She was torn between suggesting just that and thinking she’d become awfully wanton in the last couple of days.
“There’ll be plenty more classes, Mrs. Robinson,” Henry said, kissing her gently. “It’s been a long day and you’ve got another one tomorrow.”
“I guess that’s best, Dustin,” Quincy said though her heart didn’t totally agree. “Too bad we’re not thirty years younger. We could work all day and play all night.”
“Oh, Quincy, we will be playing until the day we die,” Henry assured her, kissing her far longer and harder until she felt her knees begin to threaten to collapse.
As she climbed into her own bed, Quincy’s eyes fell on the frame sitting on her bedside table. Reaching out, she stroked a finger against the glass.
“God, I loved you so very much,” she said softly. “I never even looked at another man since the day you rescued me from the river. You gave me nothing but the best for so long. How do I know I’m doing the right thing? Is this truly okay with you?” Though she listened, she didn’t hear his voice. Sighing, she turned onto her side and faced the empty space that Joe had filled for so many years. “Joe, I really love him. He reminds me of you in that h
e is gentle and kind and yet won’t hesitate to take me in hand. I need him. I need him as a lover and as my HOH. Please understand that anything I feel for Henry doesn’t mean I love you less.”
Closing her eyes against the sudden sting of tears, she took a deep breath. It was then that she felt as if someone stroked her cheek with a brush of lips before murmuring softly. Smiling, she nodded. “Thank you, my love.”
Oversleeping for the first time in years, by the time Quincy made it downstairs the next morning, the store was bustling. Several customers greeted her, all with some comment about her new love. After having been seen in Endele’s, the phone tree had obviously been burning up. It made her feel nothing but loved and cared for as she confessed she’d fallen for her cowboy—fallen hard. When they had a break, she praised Abby for her hard work.
“Honestly, I owe you an apology. I never intended to desert you.”
“Nonsense, I’m having the time of my life,” Abby said as she straightened a few items. “You deserve a break, Aunt Quincy. I’m just grateful that you trust me enough to help you.”
Quincy gave her a hug. “I not only trust you, I think it’s time we consider renaming the store.”
“What? We can’t do that, everybody knows Auntie Q’s,” Abby protested.
“I was thinking maybe Auntie Q’s and Abby’s Antiques.” Quincy watched as the words were absorbed by the young woman she adored.
“Are you serious? I mean…”
“Absolutely. You are more than my niece, you are now part owner. That is, if you are interested.” Abby’s squeal and bear hug assured Quincy that she was definitely interested.
“That’s fantastic, thank you. I promise to make you proud.”
“You do every single day,” Quincy said. “I should have told you months ago.”
“I’m just happy you want me as a real partner.” Wiping a tear away, Abby continued. “Oh, wait until you see what I did with those…”
Before she could finish her statement, the bell pealed and Benjamin and Jonathon walked in. Abby was quick to inform them of the news, receiving hugs and congratulations from two of their favorite men.
“And as a new partner, I have something special in mind for you both. I was just going to show Aunt Quincy my newest display. Come see and tell me what you think.”
While Jonathon followed her down an aisle, Benjamin slipped his arms around Quincy and gave her a hug. “You are a good woman, Quincy.”
“Make sure you tell that to Henry,” Quincy teased, “believe me, that man needs to hear how ‘good’ I am before my fanny becomes too sore to sit.”
“Ah, but that, too, is good, is it not?” Benjamin countered, giving her cheek a kiss before they followed the other two.
“Abby, that’s perfect,” Quincy said once they’d rejoined Abby. “Scottish plaid for authentic Scottish tawses. I hadn’t even thought of displaying them on what can be considered a kilt.” On top of an old washstand, Abby had spread out a plaid cape, turning it into a perfect place to display the items Quincy had discovered buried beneath the wooden paddles inside that dilapidated basket. Three leather tawses had been oiled and set nestled amidst the blue and green fabric. Abby had set them at various heights to allow each one to be displayed to its advantage.
Quincy watched as Benjamin picked up one of the split tongued tawses and slapped it against his palm. Leaning in, she lowered her voice. “You do know that men wore nothing beneath those kilts, right? I wonder why that was.”
Benjamin nodded sagely, grinning as he looked at the man he loved. “I’m going to think it was so that it would be far easier to use this excellent tool of correction against a naughty boy’s bare arse.” Ignoring Jonathon’s soft moan, he added, “It has been quite a while since we’ve done any role play.” Jonathon’s face flushed but he reached out and touched the leather, giving his partner a smile.
“Shall I wrap that up for you, Benjamin?” Quincy asked.
“Absolutely, and then we’ve got to run. I promised to join Jonathon at the Ginger Paddle for lunch but then I’ve got to get to work.”
“I’ll walk over with you. Aunt Quincy’s been fantasizing about sushi ever since we went to that flea market,” Abby said.
“Really? I’d think she’d be fantasizing about which of her wares her cowboy decides he simply must own,” Jonathon teased.
“Hmph, what that man needs is a new clock,” Quincy said as she took the tissue paper that Abby handed her after she’d removed the price tag. She wrapped the tawse carefully and tucked it into a bag. “He said he’d be here bright and early but I’ve not seen hide nor hair of him yet.” Quincy handed Benjamin the bag though her eyes were on Jonathon. “Having such loyal customers as you helps take the sting out of that cowboy’s inability to tell time. I do so hope you enjoy your purchase.”
“Don’t fret, Jonathon,” Abby said as she grabbed her purse from beneath the counter. “As we all know, cowboys get up at the crack of dawn. Henry was my very first customer this morning.”
“Abby!” Quincy practically shouted. “Why didn’t you come get me?”
“Now, Aunt Quincy, you know you aren’t ready for company until you’ve had a few cups of coffee. I handled the sale just fine on my own.”
Quincy’s eyes darted around the store as Abby darted around the counter. “Sale? What exactly did he buy?”
Abby shook her head as she replied, “I’m sure that if Henry had wanted you to wait on him, he would not have asked me to meet him here even before the sun was up.”
Jonathon laughed. “What’s the matter, Quincy? Are you rethinking all those purchases of spanking implements now that it might not be only your hands holding them?”
Abby tucked her hand into the crook of each man’s arm. “Come along, gentlemen, you know how busy Laney gets. Oh, do you still need those Orgasm rolls, Aunt Quincy, or would you prefer something else?”
Benjamin laughed as Quincy flashed Abby a murderous look. “You two are just awful. Quit teasing our Quincy,” he said but then turned back. “Don’t worry, honey, I’ll make sure you get a nice big HOH roll.”
“And a Naughty Girl,” Jonathon added, “my treat!”
The three left, all laughing. Once they’d gone, Quincy marched around the store trying to ascertain what was missing and who she’d sold items to that day. Several implements as well as pieces of furniture and miscellaneous items were no longer in the shop. She’d given it up as hopeless as she turned to walk back to the front. Passing the washstand, she stopped rather suddenly and gave a soft moan. Hadn’t there been four tawses in that basket?
When Abby returned with their lunch, Quincy went to the door and moved the hands on the cardboard clock indicating they’d be back in thirty minutes before they walked upstairs. Quincy poured glasses of tea as Abby put their lunch onto plates.
“Even though the boys thought you needed something else, I did get you an Orgasm roll,” Abby said with a grin.
“Thank you,” Quincy said, joining her niece at the table. She took a bite and then couldn’t stand it any longer. “I might be going senile, but weren’t there four tawses? Who bought the other one?”
“Not telling,” Abby said as she opened the door. “Harris would skin me alive if he thought I broke confidentiality rules.”
“I wasn’t aware that Harris was either a doctor or a lawyer.”
“Oh, he’s not but it seems your cowboy is a lawyer. He’s sworn me to secrecy and though it would be unlikely that he’d call me on it, he and Harris became quite friendly when Harris helped him…”
“Helped him what?” Quincy asked when Abby abruptly stopped speaking.
“Never mind. I’m sure you understand that as a part owner of this wonderful shop, it’s necessary to keep our customers happy.”
Quincy snorted. “What about keeping your favorite aunt happy?”
“Ah, Aunt Quincy, you are happier than you’ve been in ages and besides, you gotta admit, I sort of owe you one.”
“
What on earth do you mean?”
“Wasn’t it my favorite aunt who drew Harris into this very shop on the pretense that he simply must own a… what was that? Oh yes, a spanking bench?”
Quincy shook her head but smiled. “Now, Abby, you know I only wanted him to come in and get a chance to meet you. How was I to know he was in the market for that specific piece of furniture?”
“Are you really telling me that bench just miraculously moved from the back corner to a very prominent spot in the store?” She shook her head. “Hmmm, I wonder if Henry paddles for lying like Harris does?”
“Fine, I might have encouraged your young man, but I had absolutely no part in the purchase of a nice thick paddle to go along with the bench, and you should be thanking me instead of threatening. You have to admit, it worked out beautifully.”
“I’ll give you that,” Abby said, “and I’ll give you this as well.” She looked around as if making sure they were alone and leaned forward. Quincy did as well, her pulse racing as she waited for relief to her nagging need to know about Henry’s purchases.
“Henry is a very nice man, and I’m sure you’ll be just as happy as Harris and I.”
Quincy shook her head. “You are the one who deserves this Naughty Girl roll.”
“How about we split it?” Abby suggested with a giggle. After sharing Jonathon’s treat, Abby stood to clean up the remains of their meal while Quincy threw ingredients into her crockpot for supper. As they walked back down the stairs, Abby paused. “I was serious, you know. I think Henry is a wonderful man who is making my absolute favorite relative very, very happy.”
Quincy gave her a hug. “I can’t argue with that and at least I know that my new partner knows the meaning of excellent service.”
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