Ciaron O'Connor 01 - His Gentle Persuasion

by Alyssa Bailey

  "Ah, but we may never get there, to home plate I mean. You might be tired of me before we do."

  "Katie, listen to me. I am never going to be done with you. We will most definitely get to home plate I just don't want to go there until we are ready. Until you are ready."

  Katie was looking for something to make a change in the direction of this conversation because she was at her limit of embarrassment when she spied Jocelyn.

  "Hey, is that Jos?"

  They walked up to Jocelyn and watched as she sat down. Katie squatted down next to her taking her hands in hers.

  "You don't look well, sweetie. Your hands and face are clammy and your coloring is not good." Katie turned one of the hands she held and felt for her pulse when Jos pulled her hand back. "Jocelyn, let me take your pulse. And I am sure you didn't tell Liam you were ill or I wouldn't see you here. I have learned that much about these men. Why didn't you tell anyone that you are feeling so poorly?" Jocelyn slowly shrugged her shoulders as she held her aching head.

  "Ciarán, go find Liam and tell him it is no emergency, but Jocelyn does not look good and I think she should go home."

  Katie loved it that Ciarán responded without question when she was in her 'nursing mode'. That verified to her once again that, while he liked to be the leader, he stepped aside for her when it was necessary and appropriate without hesitation.

  Liam came back with Ciarán quickly, anxious to assess how his wife was doing and to make sure she was comfortable. Katie asked if she could see if Doc Ames would take a quick peek at her before she sent them home to rest. Jocelyn said no and Liam said yes, so Katie looked up at Ciarán and he nodded his head. She patted Jocelyn's hand and left them to go and find Doc Ames to see if he could, at least, take a quick gander at her before Liam carted her home.

  After Liam and Jocelyn had left with the doctor's blessing to go home for hydration, food and rest, Ciarán asked Katie something. He wanted to help clarify things for her about the head of the household thing.

  "Why did you look at me when Jos said no and Liam said yes, to go get the doc?"

  "I got Doc because while the patient did not ask for a doctor, I think it was medically the best course of action. In the hospital, you can refuse care, but in a family or with those you love, it takes on a more personal meaning so I looked to you to help me decide."

  "See what happened here was a perfect example of how husbands take care of their wives or families. Jos said no, but it was what was best for her and so we did it anyway. The only thing different is that you asked and a husband doesn't ask, he simply does it. And typically, this is where the wife gets upset and goes against what is best and the fireworks begin."

  "Sounds like a lot of gray areas."

  "Can be, but shouldn't be. If I said you couldn't do something or you should do something, we could discuss if needed. However, if we talk privately and can't agree and I am not changing my mind, you need to let it happen."

  "What if she didn't want Doc Ames?"

  "Too bad, Liam told me the other day that she is pregnant and that is too important to disregard."

  "Well, we will need to see."

  "Oh, you'll see, all right." Ciarán gave her a knowing stare. By mutual, undeclared truce, they dropped the subject and continued to enjoy the day.

  A few days after the holiday when Katie was at the hospital and Liam had watched Jocelyn take off a day earlier than the doctor had cleared her to return to work, Ciarán was laughing at his brother.

  "Looks like Jocelyn put her work above her health despite having you for a husband."

  Liam responded sagely, "You'll be there soon enough at the rate you are going, brother, and Katie has a career too."

  "Don't remind me. We are going to engage in some serious conversations before that happens. I love her being a nurse. She has a career she loves, but she is working non-stop."

  Liam laughed. "We had conversations too. We are still plagued with this issue. She is competent and wants to do her job and I understand. We will have to figure it out and it is going to cost me. I will give her almost anything she wants to stop me worrying."

  "Okay, Katie works long hours. She is cranky, tired and I am at a loss as to how to deal with it well. She tunes me out or hangs up on me when I try to talk about it."

  Liam laughed. "That is because she can. She is not engaged, not married and has no commitment from her man. She is going to do these things, partly to make you take action and partly because she is used to doing as she pleases. You need a ring on her finger and a commitment in force before she will even do more than wish you would make a move."

  Ciarán was silent as Liam continued. "Our type of women, the kind who love and crave a strong man, but are strong willed and self-sufficient, tend to push the boundaries until the fence is up and gated. It helps to stop their restlessness. You know, kind of like your wild horses. They will kick and buck even though you have gentled and built trust with them. You need to finish breaking her to being with you. Help her understand what it means to be an O'Connor and your woman. That she can keep her spirit but still be yours. Then bring her home to give her the full benefit of your love."

  Liam stood to grab more coffee. "And then you have to spank her at least once. Not those swats you tend to do. A real spanking. That is when things will calm down. It takes the apprehension away for both of you."

  Ciarán sat and thought for a moment before saying, "Guess it's time I finish breaking in my wild mustang so she will stay in the stable. Wish me luck, brother." Ciarán walked off in the wake of Liam's laughter and wishes of good luck.

  Ciarán asked Katie for the third time if she would like to go to dinner with him. He had concentrated on taking the skittishness out of her reactions to him, had built trust, and gotten her gentled to him. Now it was time to rein in her out of control habits of working and pushing too hard and more than was healthy. He intended on addressing that process tonight, for she finally had a shift off.

  Earlier that week, he and Liam were picking a spot on the ranch for the house so they could lay the foundation and bring up his brothers to build. Ciarán took Katie to a steak house and while it was nothing fancy, it was comfortable and where they enjoyed going. During dinner, Ciarán asked about her long hours, how much sleep she was getting and heard the tired but agitated response coming from her now smart mouth.

  "Ciarán, I have plenty of time on my hands and there is no reason that I cannot do this. It is what I do. You are busy all summer and I don't want to be lonely or cranky that you are doing so well with plenty of work. It's what I did before you were hanging around me. And it certainly isn't any of your business." Katie pretended to be civil, but it actually came out as a snarl. She clanged her silverware on the plate in irritated frustration.

  He looked up and gave her a warning look. "Katie, it isn't good for you to work such long hours and I didn't realize you missed me to that extent. I miss you every part of the day we aren't together." Ciarán tried to ignore the earlier snarky response.

  "Don't latch onto that," she snapped. "I only meant you are working day and night right now, so you shouldn't care that I do it as well. I love that you have that much business, but I don't get to even hear your voice every day," her pout was coming through. "While I understand, it makes me sad. Angry. It makes me angry. Therefore, if I work, it stops me from thinking about it. I sleep most of my off time, so it works out well."

  "I don't like that you are working so many hours even if it is nice to hear you miss me. I miss you too and when summer is over, we will be able to spend more time together."

  "I understand that is how ranching is, I honestly do. I just need to fill my hours. I can't go out with my friends, so I work."

  "Why can't you go out with your friends?"

  "They only want to talk about you and our relationship. I am sick to death of being the center of attention because I spend time with you. It's like I have no value outside of you." Katie set down her water glass rather heavily and
felt the cold water slosh over the side onto her hand. Her irritation rose.

  "How many hours do you work, Ciarán?" Her tone accusing.

  Katie was rubbing her upper arms even though it was not cold. It was an agitation indicator for all who knew her. Ciarán reached for her hand and had it pulled out from under his and placed in her lap.

  "I work a lot of hours in the summer."

  "Right, you do. That means business is good. Again, I love that you are successful, but what am I supposed to do while you are working more hours than I am if I am not working as well?"

  "Get a hobby or go camping with friends, you like to do that."

  "Don't you listen to me at all? They aren't friends; they are vultures waiting to see when we break up so they can swoop in and console you. God, I am going home. Damn. I don't even have my car because you won't let me drive when we go places. In fact, I want to go to the house and I will let you know when I am available to see you again."

  She pushed back from her chair as she shoved her plate towards the center of the table. Ciarán spoke in a low, menacing voice. "Do not leave this table."

  Katie looked him square in the eyes and continued to do so as she rose from the table. It was the gauntlet tossed. Ciarán accepted the challenge.

  "One last chance to sit down like a lady with restraint or I will spank the control back into you right here and now. We are having a conversation and you will participate appropriately. You do not get to jump up and run away when things aren't going the direction you choose."

  She looked at him for a moment and slowly reclaimed her seat.

  "There is nothing you can say about how I spend my time when you are not available to be with me. Which is a lot of the time." She did not hide the pout or the accompanying body language this time.

  Ciarán pushed her plate back in front of her. "Eat."

  "I'm not hungry." She made to push the plate away again and encountered his hand staying the place's position. She looked up at his expression full of the promise of retribution.

  "Do. Not."

  "So I can't turn down dinner, I can't work the hours I choose, and I can't speak my mind. So do you mind telling me what it is I can do?"

  *****

  Katie stood again and Ciarán, knowing he was her ride, allowed her to have her tantrum and walk out the door while he calmly asked and waited for a takeaway container, paid for the meal and thanked the waiter. Ciarán knew now that Liam was right. He needed to stake the claim and close the gate. In this case, Ciarán needed to heat her bottom and put a ring on her finger. With new resolve, he walked to the truck where she was kicking the dirt and gravel on his tire while leaning on the door. He unlocked the truck and for once, he allowed her to open the door but did not allow her to slam it. While he held the door, he reached over and buckled her seatbelt, staying in that position to captivate his partially tamed but angry mustang.

  "Move, Ciarán." She tried to push him away.

  "Katherine Jelese Franklin, I love you."

  "Move—what?"

  "I love you."

  "You love me?

  "Yes, I love you.

  "Oh. Ciarán?"

  "Hmm?"

  "I love you, too."

  Ciarán watched the tears begin to flow from her eyes and he thought she was the most exquisite woman he had ever seen. She was beautiful inside and out. Nevertheless, she was also in trouble.

  "I see that we have several things that we need to take care of, mo chroí. You know you are in some hot water for your behavior, right? Do you still want to go home or can I take you somewhere?"

  "I'm so sorry I was an a—"

  Ciarán quickly planted a firm two fingers over her lips to stop her words.

  "Rule number one, no one may speak disparagingly about my woman including my woman. Got it?"

  She looked up at Ciarán with a little smile. "Got it," she said through his fingers.

  "I have something to show you on the ranch. Is that all right?"

  "I would go anywhere with you. The ranch would be lovely. Do you have a new foal? You know how I love babies."

  "Yes, I know, but no, it isn't a new foal. I want to show you some new developments at the ranch that I think you would love to see and I would like you to share your input."

  Ciarán leaned in just a bit closer and kissed her breath away. His slow, gentle kisses expanded to urgent, demanding kisses and ended with two quick teasing ones that grazed her lips before he stood up and stepped out of the way of the door, closing it behind him. He then walked around sliding into the driver's seat before he spoke again.

  "What has you so quiet, Katherine?" Ciarán smiled and grabbed her hand. "Now, what's the matter? Tell me what's wrong." He ran his thumb along the ridge of her hand.

  "I feel terrible about how I treated you in the restaurant. I'm sorry."

  "I know. Thank you. We will talk about that after we get to the ranch."

  "Ciarán?"

  "What, baby?"

  "Where do we go from here?"

  Ciarán looked over at Katie and smiled. "Well, right now, the ranch. After that, we will see. Don't worry so much. I think you will like what I am going to show you."

  "Ciarán?"

  "Yes?"

  "Are you, um, are you going to spank me?"

  "Yes."

  "Oh." He reached over and patted her leg, sliding his hand more intimately but not breaching any barriers. Katie moaned.

  After a few silent minutes, Katie could feel the growing excitement at seeing what had been going on at the ranch since she had not been back for several weeks.

  "Where are we going? I don't know if you have ever taken me in through this gate before. Maybe when we are leaving the ranch but not entering. I like this entrance. It has a beautiful view of the mountains and oh, is that a meadow back there, full of wildflowers?"

  "Yep, it is nice, isn't it? But it is over here that I need you to concentrate on."

  As Ciarán turned off the truck, Katie couldn't see anything but four flagged stakes with a string connecting them, like a marking off an area. He helped her out of the truck and then took a deep breath, blowing it out dramatically. He drew her into his arms and kissed her deeply.

  "I want to be with you now and forever. I hope to give you everything your heart desires. I want to be the one you turn to when you are in need when you want for anything. Or desire someone." He paused to wiggle his eyebrows suggestively. "I want to be the one you return to every night and I want to come home to you. When I am blessed with children, I want you to be their mother, and for them to be our blessing. I don't want anyone else to hold you, comfort you, or make love to you. I want to be your husband and I want you as my wife."

  Ciarán brushed the tears falling down her cheeks and said, "I want to be the one to wipe your tears and hear your laughter. I love you, Katherine. Is breá liom tú, I love you. "

  Ciarán dropped down on one knee and Katie tried her best to hold on to her emotional dam as he slid his fingers down her arm to hold her hand. Then with tears in his own eyes, he kissed her hand and said, "Tá tú ag a grá i mo shaol. You are the love of my life. Will you accept me as your husband, your lover, your protector, the father of your children and the man who holds your heart? I promise never to break it. Will you marry me, Katherine Jelese Franklin?"

  Katie brought Ciarán up to her and kissed his lips made salty by his tears and hers and said, "I love you, Ciarán O'Connor. You make me frustrated and irritated, but you also make me feel whole, complete and alive. Without you, I don't think I could ever be happy. Yes, I will marry you."

  "Is tú mo ghrá, you are my love, Katie."

  "I love you too, Ciarán. Katie wiped her tears and laughed as Ciarán placed a ring on her hand. They were two interlinking hearts of emeralds in a circle of gold studded with diamonds. Katie watched as Ciarán kissed her ring, her hand, and her lips.

  "Now, milady if you would please to turn and look at where our new home will one day soon stand,
I will show you how we thought it might work for a floor plan."

  "What? Really? Oh, I love it. I mean, I am sure I will love it."

  Ciarán grinned and hugged Katherine.

  "Umm, could I have a porch?"

  "Sweetheart, you can have anything you want. You have just consented to marry me. I would fly to the moon for blue cheese if it made you happy."

  Then they discussed plans for the house, even the placement of the house and Katie said she would talk to Jocelyn. They spoke about the wedding and all manner of things in between kisses and caresses. Finally, just as they were about to make their way over to Liam's house to announce the engagement and to start the house plans, Ciarán became serious. They were sitting on the tailgate.

  "Honey, there is one more matter that I need to discuss with you."

  "Oh, is something wrong? What do you need to talk about?"

  He sat them on the tailgate of the truck took her hands in his again.

  "I need to talk about what happened in the restaurant tonight."

  "Oh. I know. I was horrible." Katie lowered her head in embarrassment.

  "Yes, you were, but more than that, we need to talk about the reason you were so upset and agitated. I think I settled the commitment part pretty well, but the too much work and the too little free time need to be discussed. And then we need to deal with the whole behavior thing."

  "Ciarán, tell me what you want."

  "I want you to stick to no more than three-twelve-hour shifts if you are also working at the clinic that week. If you are not, then you could occasionally pull a fourth shift."

  "Okay, but I can handle it, honestly."

  Ciarán began to shake his head. "This starts the way we do things. I am not backing down on this. And one more thing."

  "What?"

  "I am going to spank you for your behavior."

  "What? Oh, I thought, since we are having such a special night, you wouldn't. I don't believe I can do that, Ciarán."

  "Why?"

  She shrugged. "Maybe I'm a little scared."

  "Lómhara, I am not going to hurt you. You can do this. This spanking serves two purposes, mo chroí. One, it establishes consequences for out of control behavior. Now, let's be clear, you were completely out of control. Two, it takes the fear of it away, like the other shoe dropping, and opens the door for a real conversation about how we will handle things in our marriage."