“Me? What makes you think I did anything?”
“Because I know you. And I know her. She would never say anything like that to you if you didn’t push her to it. Remember, you’re the one who told her that you didn’t care what she said, but rather how she said it.”
“I should take that back,” Scott grunted. Dr. Quimby went on to detail the events of the afternoon, watching Scott frown. “I have a real hard time warming up to that girl, Joe. She reminds me too much of your mother. Sorry.”
“Yes, I know. Then there is little Monique. She seems to have gotten the good genes.”
“She is a lot like Samantha. Bet she could get into mischief too,” Scott grinned, lifting his head as Sam came back down stairs in shorts and a long shirt. He frowned, pointing to the place in front of him. “Front and center, young lady.”
Sighing, Sam obeyed, standing in front of him with her hands on her slender hips.
“I want cuddles too.”
“Then you need to ask me nicely and say you’re sorry for being a butthead,” Sam demanded. Scott grumbled his apology and forced out a request. Sam rolled her eyes as she looked at her father. “If that were Michael or me, you’d make us do it over again.”
“Just cuddle the man, Sam. Scott is enough of a drama queen that I don’t need you to be too.” Dr. Quimby sighed, stretching. He walked onto the deck to look for the other girls. He saw Monique running on the beach with Jen at her side, Cherell was sitting on a rock and Cecily was nowhere in sight. Great.
“Where’s your sister?” he asked Cherell as he joined them on the beach.
She looked up at him with a frown. “I don’t know. She stomped by a while ago. I guess she went down the beach or something.”
“Uncle Joe! I want to go swimming with the whale again!” Monique demanded, running up to him.
He smiled, patting her head. “That’s up to Sammi, honey. Did you see where Cecily went?” he asked Jen.
“No sir. I wasn’t paying attention to her. Just trying to keep this one from going in after the whale,” the girl said, frowning down at Monique.
The little girl placed her hands on her hips. “He liked me. Sam said so. Why can’t I swim with him?”
“It’s dangerous without Sam. You are never to go near the water without one of us with you, okay? And never, ever swim after the whales without Sam. That’s an order,” Dr. Quimby said firmly.
Monique frowned, stomping her foot. “That’s not fair. I swim good.”
“True, you do swim very well and, whether you feel it is fair or not, you need to mind me. Uncross your arms, please,” the big man ordered, looking down at the tiny child. He fought back laughter. Just like his sweet little princess, foot stomping, arm crossing redheaded temper. He could also tell Monique was becoming more comfortable with him, in testing her boundaries. He stared at her until she obeyed and then tugged her ponytail.
“I’m going to take a jog down the beach and find your sister. Why don’t you girls get back up to the house and see if you can convince Scott to make some ribs.”
“I wanna come,” Monique announced.
Dr. Quimby hid his amusement. “You may if you think you can keep up with me. My legs are a lot longer than yours.”
“Can Sam keep up with you?”
“Not in speed. Michael can, though.”
“I’ll help Scott then.”
Chuckling, Dr. Quimby took off down the stretch of sand, enjoying the fresh air as he stretched his long legs over the firm shoreline. He stopped two miles down where the beach was cut off by a high, steep jetty. There was no sign of Cecily. With a frown, he returned home, finishing his run by racing up the stairs. “Did Cecily come back? I couldn’t find her,” he asked, entering the kitchen.
“No, we haven’t seen her,” Jen said, gently pulling Monique’s hand away from the platter. ”Monique, I told you to stop that. You’re going to knock it over.”
“You’re not the boss of me,” the little girl said in a huff, her statement surprising Jen and the two men. They knew very well where she had heard the comment and from whom.
Jen frowned, leaning down to look at her face. “This is my house and I’m older than you. So yes, I am the boss of you. Now you can help or sit quietly in that chair in the corner by yourself. It is your choice.”
Monique scowled, then looked at the floor. “I’ll help.”
“Good. Here’s lettuce. After you wash your hands, you may tear it into pieces and put it in the salad bowl,” Jen ordered.
Scott nodded with approval as Dr. Quimby smiled. “Jenny’s got spunk. Can’t wait to see her with a dozen kids,” Scott said, reaching to pick up a piece of cucumber.
Jen rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon and pointed it at him. “I can handle you and a dozen kids easy. Now take this to the grill and make yourself useful, please,” Jen commanded. Scott laughed, obeying her as he rubbed his knuckles.
Sam stared. “He’d KILL me if I ever talked to him like that.”
“She’s in mommy mode, Sam. Scott respects that. I need your help. Cecily’s disappeared.”
“Is she in trouble, Uncle Joe?” Monique asked.
He nodded. “Yes, she is. A lot of trouble, I’m afraid.”
“What’s gonna happen? Is she gonna get grounded?”
“No, I don’t usually ground my girls. No, she’s going to have her bottom warmed. Again,” he said sadly, picking up his wallet and car keys.
Cherell stared at him. “You’ve got to be kidding!”
“No ma’am. That’s what happens to disobedient children in this house. Remember that,” he said, beckoning for Sam to follow him in his hunt for her cousin.
Cherell stared at Jen, who nodded. “He doesn’t care how old, either. Trust me, you don’t want to tread on that line.”
Two hours later, Cecily was found sitting on a park bench at the Cove, puffing away on a cigarette. Sam pointed her out to her father, who marched straight up to the girl.
“How did you get here?” he demanded.
“Hitchhiked. No big,” she shrugged, staring out at the waves.
“Get up, you’re coming home.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. Touch me, and I’ll scream,” she threatened him. Before he could say anything, Sam had the girl in a neck lock.
“You will never threaten my father again, hear me? You have done nothing but cause trouble to people trying to help you and I won’t stand for this. You can scream all you want, but I have immunity and no one will interfere who wants to survive. Got it?”
“Y-yes,” Cecily gasped, amazed at the strength her young cousin exhibited.
“Good, now get your butt up and follow Daddy to the car. You can’t outrun me, so don’t try it,” Sam growled, pushing the girl as she released her.
“You bitch—”
“Move it or I’ll knock you down again and this time leave bruises.”
Dr. Quimby remained quiet, watching his daughter. Given the situation, she was keeping her temper in check. He still, however, needed to talk with her about her interference. He gave her a firm look as Sam shoved Cecily in the front seat and then took her place in the back. The tension was heavy during the silent ride home and Sam avoided the frequent glances her father gave her through the rear view mirror.
After pulling into the driveway of the house, Dr. Quimby turned to his daughter. “Take my car and go report to your brother and Rich. Tell them what occurred.”
“But—”
“Would you rather report to Scott?”
“No, sir. Daddy—”
“Go then. And have them come home with you. I’m sure there will be plenty of leftovers.”
Dr. Quimby silently led Cecily into the house. “Go to your room,” he ordered staring until she ran to obey. “We found her at The Cove puffing away on a cigarette like it was candy. She hitchhiked there!” he told Scott as he sat at the table with the other girls.
“Damn. She okay?”
“For now. I
sent Sam to report to the boys and then bring them back to finish the dinosaur bones.” He pointed to the platter piled high with ribs. “How many people are you feeding?”
“Nothing will be left once the boys arrive. Report to them? What did she do?”
“Interfered again. Although, I appreciated it this time. We could have had a scene otherwise. Cherell, Monique, what your sister did was not only wrong, but very dangerous. Both of you understand how dangerous hitchhiking is, right?”
“She’s not allowed to smoke either,” Cherell said quietly. “Randy caned her for that a couple of years ago.”
“She obviously did not learn her lesson. She is not going to be happy when I’m done with her tonight. I do not want to hear any teasing from any of you. Got it?”
The girls nodded fearfully, watching him eat his dinner. Monique started to cry.
“What’s the matter, munchkin?” Scott asked with concern.
“Please don’t cane Cecily. It hurts too much.”
“Your father canes you?” Dr. Quimby frowned, neck vein pulsing.
The little girl nodded. “A lot. I always deserve it though. I can’t sit for days.”
“That son of a—”
“Joe, cool it. They are from England. Things are different there. Cherell, does he bring blood?”
“No sir, just a lot of bruises. He uses the little one on her, over her britches.”
“Okay. Joe, breathe. We talked about this. I’m going to handle Cecily. You eat your dinner,” Scott said firmly, patting the angry man on the shoulder. Dr. Quimby did not argue as he tore into a rib.
***
After parking in the street, Sam tapped gently on Rich’s front door and nervously waited for him to answer. He was surprised, hefting her into his arms. “Look what UPS left! Why didn’t you just walk in?” he asked, kissing her.
Michael was sitting on the couch and held out his arms for his little sister to join him. “I like packages like this. Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, holding her close. Slowly, she explained her visit to them, watching the floor as she spoke. Rich and Michael shared a look.
“Personally, I don’t think you should be punished. The only thing wrong you did was interfere with Dad’s authority over her, but she wasn’t listening anyway,” Michael said.
“I agree. He could have gotten into some trouble if she started screaming. No one would have intercepted a girl fight, though,” Rich commented.
Sam looked up, smiling at her two boys gratefully. “I have missed you two so much at home. It’s miserable for me without you. Where’s my puppy?”
“In the backyard. I’ll get her,” Rich said, letting Storm run in.
Sam was on the floor, kissing the little muzzle happily. She hugged the animal close, burying her face in the warm, soft fur. “I’ve missed you too. You’re growing fast. So I’m not in trouble with you two?”
“Not by me,” Rich said.
Michael wrinkled his nose. “Why would he send you here if he felt you were in the wrong? Doesn’t make sense to me. However, he did tell you no fighting.”
“I didn’t fight. I intercepted.”
“Let me see what is going on.” Michael picked up the phone and dialed home. “Dad? What do you want me to do here? Rich and I don’t think… Yes, sir, I know that she… uh huh. Oh. Are you sure? Yes, sir… Yes sir, I will. See you soon.” He beckoned to his sister.
Sam approached him cautiously. “What did he say?”
“He said to give you a measure of obedience because you didn’t mind him when he told you to stop interfering with his decisions. He left it to my discretion; however, informed me that I was not to ignore it.”
“That’s not right,” Rich said, frowning.
“It’s either you or me. He did not say how much or for how long.”
“Or how hard?” Rich smiled.
Michael shook his head. “No, he didn’t. So?”
“I will be happy to do the honors, if you don’t mind,” Rich grinned, pushing up his sleeves.
Sam smiled sexily. “In the bedroom?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m going to go take the puppy for a walk. Will 30 minutes be enough?” Michael groaned, standing. Sam shook her head while Rich nodded. Laughing, Michael left the house as Sam squealed, running into the master bedroom.
Rich walked slowly behind her, shutting the door. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Young lady, what must I do to get you to start minding your elders?”
“I’m sorry I was bad.” Sam smiled, hands behind her back.
“Like hell you’re sorry. Come now, bend over my knee.” He patted his lap, his large thigh muscles flexing. Sam stuck her lower lip out and slowly obeyed, hiding her smile as he positioned her. Tsking, he peeled her shorts and panties away from her bottom, pausing to admire its shape. His hand stroked her warm, soft skin. “Such a bad little girl. Getting into fights. You’re going to be spanked for that, you know.”
“I know,” she whimpered, already feeling herself getting excited and aching for him.
“On the bare bottom, too. Just like a naughty little girl should be spanked,” Rich said, lifting his hand. Sam shrieked as he brought it down. Even in play, the man had a hand like a wooden paddle!
He rubbed the red mark and then brought his hand down twice more. She started to wiggle to escape. He tsked again. “No, no, none of that. You’ll take your spanking like a big girl. No squirming, pinching, biting or reaching back.”
“You always let me squirm!” Sam protested.
“I don’t want you to this time,” Rich stated, starting to spank her again, this time in earnest. Sam gasped, trying to remember that she really wasn’t being punished, but it still hurt! The only difference with this spanking was that he frequently paused to rub her bottom and insert his fingers deeply into her body to tease her. Ten… Twenty… Thirty harsh smacks covered her small posterior, turning it very hot and red very quickly.
“Take me, Rich. Please?” Sam begged as his fingers taunted her from behind. He reached under her to release his hungry, swollen penis and grinned as she attempted to reach for it.
“No, no, bad girls don’t get to touch. Hands on my shoulders and don’t move them,” he ordered, lifting her up to straddle his thighs. He eased into her gently and then started to move her body up and down, stroking slowly and deeply. Sam closed her eyes, groaning with want. He knew her well. He could feel when she was close and how he needed to touch her. With long, slow strokes, he pulled her down to penetrate her deeply, and then lifted her to complete the stroke. With a grunt, he pulled her off his lap and flipped her on her knees upon the bed, plunging deep within her from behind. Her warm bottom pressed against his pelvis and he pistoned furiously into her, holding her hips to prevent her from sliding away. Sam arched her back and screamed out her satisfaction as she spasmed, stimulating his explosion as his rigid cock buried itself to the hilt. He leaned over her back, panting as his organ twitched inside of her, happy and spent. Sam maneuvered underneath him, keeping him tucked inside her as she faced him.
“Mmm, I need to be a bad girl more often.”
“I don’t think your dad was planning on you coming here to have sex.” Rich chuckled, slowly unraveling himself from her.
Sam pouted as he slid out. “I want more. It’s been so long.”
“Don’t be greedy. These are called quickies for a reason. Hurry and clean up before Mike gets back.”
Sam was on the couch, arms crossed, when her brother returned.
He grinned, putting Storm out back. “You either didn’t get some or didn’t get enough. Ready to go?”
“You’re a perv and I’m famished,” she grumped, walking by him to go to the door. Rich winked at him on the way out.
“Not enough, I guess,” Michael concluded, locking the door.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Scott knocked on the bedroom door before entering. Cecily was standing next to the window, arms crossed and face covered with tears. “What do
you want?” she asked.
Scott sat on the bed. “To talk to you. Why are you so unhappy?”
Cecily stared at him in disbelief. She had not been expecting a calm discussion about her feelings. “You wouldn’t understand. Go away. Please.”
“Nope. Not until you talk to me. Cece, I’ve dealt with stubborn girls all my life – starting with my kid sister and now with Sam. I see through things. Tell me what’s really on your mind. Please,” he said gently, patting the bed.
“Are you going to punish me?” she snapped.
“I will leave that up to you after we talk. I need to know what’s going on.”
With a heavy sigh, Cecily started to unload her pain. She didn’t know why she trusted this man; her stepfather had said nothing but nasty things about him and his family. She had to be honest with herself and what she was seeing around her. Her cousins were happy, well-rounded people and enjoyed being together. They were well loved and lacked for nothing from their parents. Even the absence of a mother didn’t seem to have caused them problems. That said something about both Joe and Scott.
Scott listened carefully, his heart aching for the young woman in front of him. An ugly divorce with an absent father, negligent and vain mother, unhappy second marriage to a selfish, insulting man, abandoned to boarding school to prevent interference with Randolph’s travel plans… the list went on and on. Cecily finally admitted feeling jealous over watching Dr. Quimby holding his daughter, wishing with all her might that someone would love her like that. She bitterly stated how unfair it was that Sam had four men to hold and care for her, while she didn’t even have one.
Scott slowly put his arm around the girl’s shoulders, pulling her close. “I can imagine how seeing that must have hurt. Especially after he had to discipline you.”
“You know!” Cecily sounded horrified.
Scott pulled her closer. “There are no secrets in this house. And that’s how we deal with Sam if she gets out of line. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. He held you, didn’t he?”
Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) Page 20
