by Dakota Black
“An idiot. That’s one word.” The tone teasing, he dared take another step.
“Okay, a bitch. I was an impetuous bitch. Better?”
“Hmmm…” Camden closed the distance. Her icy demeanor from before had changed. She almost seemed fragile, certainly vulnerable. The last thing he wanted to do was take advantage. Swallowing, the bile remained in the pit of his stomach, but he was determined to explore his feelings.
“What?” she whispered the question as she tipped her head.
“Your behavior was reprehensible.”
“That word was used as well. The little bird pretty much told me off.”
He blew across her face, allowing the hot breath to cascade down her neck to her cleavage. He could just make out the outline of her breasts. So beautiful. So sensuous. “Childish behavior accusing me of the unthinkable.”
“Maybe.”
Camden pinched her nipple between his fingers, using enough pressure that she yelped. “Maybe?”
“Yes. Yes, sir. You’re right.” She rose onto her tiptoes, her eyelids fluttering.
“Did this little bird have anything else to say?”
“That I should ask for punishment to pay penance.”
He lowered his head until he was able to brush his lips across her neck. “I think we should keep this little bird in a locked cage. She’s quite helpful.”
“Mmmm… She’d kick your ass.”
“She would, huh? Does she think she can handle me too?” Camden continued to whisper, brushing his lips across her jawline.
“If she tried…” Amber managed, the words almost inaudible, “then I’ll kick her ass.”
Chuckling, he cupped both arms, the tips of his fingers lightly touching as he eased his hands up to her shoulders. “I’d like to see that.” Moving around to her mouth, he darted out his tongue, tracing her lips. “Very much.” He crawled his hands to her neck, fingering with a gentle caress.
“Yes…” She pressed the palms of her hands against his chest and arched her back.
“What do you want?”
“Everything.”
“Ask,” he murmured, nipping her lower lip and sliding his lips down to her chin and neck then continuing to the top of her chest.
“Oh!” She clung to him, her fingers wrapped around his shirt. “Camden.”
“Ask…” The word trailed off as he used his teeth to slide the material down, exposing her hardened nipple. He mouthed the tender bud, allowing his breath to dance across her skin.
As she lolled her head back, a slight moan slipping past her lips, she began to quiver, the sheen of perspiration glistening. “Please…”
“Yes?” His action became more demanding, his hunger bridging the surface.
“Please spank me.”
“Does that mean you’re sorry?” He was tingling, his blood pumping and the taste of her skin was sweet, a powerful aphrodisiac. He sucked on her nipple, pulling the tender flesh between his teeth. With the other hand, he tugged on the hem of her dress, tugging the material up the back of her thighs and cupping her buttocks.
“God! Oh, yes, sir. I’m so very… sorry.” Whimpering, she jutted her hips forward, almost losing her balance. “Spank me hard. Very hard.”
His cock was aching to the point he was in agony, desire mixing with the need to dominate every ounce of her. She needed to learn her lesson, but he wanted so much more. Peppering her chest and neck with kisses, he captured her mouth, sliding his tongue inside. As she wiggled back and forth, creating a heated round of friction, he almost lost his control, wanting to thrust his cock deep inside her wet pussy.
She entwined her tongue with his, her actions aggressive, almost savage. Her moans were guttural, vibrant and filled with longing.
He allowed the kiss to continue until he could no longer focus. Pushing her shoulders, he broke the hold and kissed her forehead. “Dinner will have to wait.” Stepping back, he held out his hand.
She nibbled her lower lip before taking his hand.
As he headed toward the small kitchen, he said a silent thank you. Whatever was going to happen with her ranch wouldn’t matter tonight. They were together. He yanked out a kitchen chair and eased down. “A spanking before dinner. A spanking after.”
“You’re mean.”
“I’m serious. Cowboy way.”
“Wait. You’re no cowboy,” Amber teased then took a step back.
He shook his head. “I’ll wrangle you up a bull later. Deal?” Grabbing her hand, he tugged her forward, rubbing his fingers across her hands. She was trembling.
“I’ll hold you to it.”
Winking, he eased her over his lap, tugging her dress up and over her thighs and hips. She was wearing a thong, the slender white G-string hidden between the cleft of her ass. The white on white, her porcelain skin against the dress was far too delicious. She seemed like less of a vixen and more of a fragile doll, one requiring care and attention. What the hell was he thinking? This couldn’t be forever. But here and now?
She shuddered as she dangled over his lap, resting her palms on the floor.
“Trust. Respect. I do mean what I say. That is so important. Vital.” Why was he concentrating on the words? Why now?
“I know.”
Smack! Crack!
Panting, she kicked out her leg.
Pop! Smack!
The way his hand was already stinging was invigorating and he gazed at his palm, imagining this every day.
Slap! Pop!
“Ouch! Fuck! That hurts like hell!”
He grinned. The true spitfire had returned. “Remember what I told you about cursing?”
“Yes!”
“Yes?” He was amused but knew he’d be required to tame the tiger.
“Yes, sir!”
Smack! Slap! Crack! Pop!
He peppered each ass cheek, one after the other. Harder. Faster.
Slap! Smack!
“You’re going to learn not to push so hard,” he stated as he rubbed her back.
“Impossible,” she hissed between gritted teeth.
Crack! Pop!
“Then you’re going to have a bruised ass every day.”
Whack! Smack!
She struggled, moaning, cuss words continuing to slip past her mouth. “Fuck!”
“That’s it.” Easing her off his lap, he took her hand, dragging her along. “Do you remember what I told you yesterday?” he asked as he headed to the sink.
“You wouldn’t!” Amber pulled against his hold, trying her best to get out of his grip. “Oh, no.” She wiggled hard.
“Oh, no you don’t.” He yanked her to the counter and reached underneath, pulling out a fresh bar of travel size ivory soap. “I just so happened to find an entire collection in the bathroom closet. I have to wonder about the last cowboy who stayed here.” Letting her go, he peeled away the wrapper. “Maybe he was a take no shit kind of man and very much into discipline. Perfect size. Perfect brand. Perfect to use for washing a bad girl’s mouth out with soap.”
“You are freaking kidding me.” Her eyes flashed.
“Do I look like I’m kidding you?”
Amber exhaled and wrinkled her nose. “No.”
“No?”
“No, sir!”
“You’d be right.” He turned on the water, sliding the bar back and forth under the stream. “You’re a professional woman. Cursing all the time? Childish.” He heard the lilt in his voice. “When I was a little boy, my mother used soap, hell, once a week and trust me, I eventually learned. I was hardheaded, but I learned. Open your mouth.”
“You cursed.”
“I’m allowed. Open up.”
She bit her lip.
“Open your mouth or the spanking after dinner will be worse.”
Giving him an evil eye, she opened her mouth slowly.
“Stick out your tongue. Come on.”
“You’re going to get it for this.”
He lifted a single eyebrow. “What did you say
?”
“Not a thing.” Amber stuck out her tongue.
Camden slid the bar back and forth across her tongue then placed the soap in her mouth. “Bite down. You’re going to hold this as we finish your spanking.”
Her eyes were open wide, but she obeyed, tearing up almost the instant she closed her mouth.
He gripped her hand, taking her back to the chair. All his life, he’d craved this kind of relationship, since his amazing journey with Sarah. She’d been the one to truly open his eyes, to allow him to understand the man inside. She’d convinced him to live a domestic discipline lifestyle, sharing pictures and stories, websites and forums. She’d been instrumental in the man he’d become.
“Twenty more.”
Pop! Slap! Crack! Whack!
She struggled then calmed down, moans floating past the intrusion.
Smack! Whack!
He was shaking, his heart thumping against his chest.
Crack! Pop!
After a few seconds, she calmed down, her body limp.
He brushed his hand through his hair then clamped his fist, willing the nerves to die down. They both wanted this, craved what they could give each other.
Smack! Slap!
She wiggled back and forth, this time, the move overtly sexual, grinding her groin against his crotch.
He was hot and horny, his cock aching, his balls not just blue, but shaded the intense color of neon blue.
Crack! Pop! Slap!
“You were very good,” he managed, his voice croaking, as he eased her off his lap, gently taking the soap from her mouth. He could see mixed feelings in her eyes, a quiet joy yet there was more, and he was surprised.
There was also love.
“Do you really think there’s oil under my land?” Amber asked. The dinner dishes had been cleared and they remained at the table, the only light the two candles slowly burning to the end. She swirled the tip of her finger around her wine glass, her thoughts reeling. They’d kept the conversation light at dinner, but the fact he’d been forthcoming about his work at Rush Enterprises had added credence to her ability to trust.
“I only grabbed a quick glance at the graphs, but if they are any indication, I’d venture a guess yes. That can be solved with bringing in some folks from my El Paso office. I have staff that use various technology to locate oil in the most remote areas, patches of land you’d never guess held black gold.” Camden took a sip of his whiskey and sat back in his seat, his face pensive.
“Would you be willing to do that? I’ll pay what I can, although it can’t be very much.” She hissed, her thoughts drifting to her dwindling bank account.
“I have no problem lending you some of my staff members free of charge if you’d like. Keep in mind, if you find out that you have a rich vein, the information will get out. You’ll have every corporate oil company in the region vying to get a piece.”
“I’m not certain I have any other choice.”
Camden studied her. “Really that bad?”
She took a sip of wine then a gulp. “I can’t lie much longer to the crew. They deserve time to find another job. If we have a decent season, I can continue paying their wages, maybe pay off a few of the bills. Very few.”
“Damn shame. Such a beautiful ranch. You’re certain about this?”
She shrugged. “I’m not entirely certain of anything, but my father kept the records private for a reason. And you know? I have a distinct feeling that Bart Randolph knew this all along. As soon as my father died, he was hovering around, sending gifts and food, pretending to be my friend. I could see right through his bravado bullshit, but he refused to stop. When I put him in his place, that’s when he started getting nasty, issuing veiled threats, insinuating that he had something on my father.”
“And you have no idea what that might be?”
“None. Not really anyway. They were one-time business partners years ago, but the partnership was broken long before I was born. Just stories my father eventually told me.” Amber remembered the way her father offered the slim information and when she’d pressed, he’d pushed back, shoving the entire experience under the rug.
“Maybe there’s more to the story.” Camden took her hand into his, rubbing his fingers back and forth. “If you let me, I can help. I do have a little bit of experience with business.” He grinned then rubbed his jaw. “I’m sorry I didn’t come clean about Rush Enterprises right away. I have my reasons and I didn’t want anyone to find out I was here.”
“Why did you walk away from Rush? I understand you needed a break, but from what you’ve told me, you loved your job.”
“I did, and I still do. Rush was built mostly from digging in the dirt with my buddy Mitchell. We worked seven-day weeks, fourteen-hour days to get it off the ground for almost two years. I love what I do, but I’m not the best man for the CEO position. Mitchell is.”
“You care a lot about him.” Amber knew the answer. She could see it in his eyes.
“He’s a good man, one of the best kind. That’s why leaving was a difficult decision, but I never intended on leaving permanently. I don’t know. Granted, I’ll have to face this DUI charge and I doubt the courts will care who I am.” He chuckled then groaned. “I was an idiot.”
“Yeah, you were, but there is a significant reason. Isn’t there?” She could tell he wanted to open up, to allow the demons to be freed. “More than what you’re willing to tell me.”
He waited before saying anything. When he did, his words were laced with the kind of haunting quality that you could never forget. “I was in love once in my life. She was everything to me, but her father didn’t approve of our relationship in any manner, so we pretended to break up and hid the fact that we were together. We spent over a year living that way together, happy as can be but very poor. She’d left Dallas and the money in her trust. For me. The time spent was amazing and we were so close.”
“You shared a different lifestyle?” Amber had so many questions, so many thoughts, but he had to be the one to share aspects regarding his life.
No matter how damning.
Camden chuckled. “Anybody ever tell you that you have a defining way of getting answers?”
“All the time. Along with getting exactly what I want.”
“Remind me never to get into a poker match with you.”
She rolled her eyes.
“If you mean did we engage in a less traditional lifestyle given what you know about me. Yes. She convinced me that domestic discipline would keep our love entwined, creating a more passionate relationship. She was right as she usually was, but I’d always been dominating, even before I met her. I realized that the moment we entered into the lifestyle.”
“Love thrived.”
“More than you know.” His hand shook when he took a sip of his drink.
“What else? What happened?” When he exhaled, she held out her hand. “I know. Stop prying, Amber.”
He gave her a waning smile. “Sarah died of cancer. The disease took her so quickly. I was devastated. By then we weren’t together, even though I never wanted to be apart. Too much was going on.”
Amber gripped his hand. “I’m so sorry. That’s terrible, especially for someone so young.”
“And she died alone.”
“What? What did you say?”
He snorted, brushing his hand through his hair several times. “Long story. She broke it off for various reasons, but one was to be with her father. He was having difficulty with his oil company and I only found out later that he’d threatened her. I hated her for months and pushed myself into work. Mitchell had a great idea of forming an oil company and we worked hard. I wanted to forget.”
“What aren’t you telling me?” She brought his fist to her mouth, kissing his fingers.
“Well.” He finally looked her in the eyes. “Sarah was Mitchell’s sister.”
“Oh, no.”
“Yeah. And no, Mitchell didn’t know the full story, although he told me later that h
e suspected. You see, we purchased his father’s company, well merged in truth, but Mitchell had a vendetta against his father for various reasons, so the entire situation was damning right from the start. I used to think Rush was cursed. Sometimes, I still do. When I lost Sarah, I lost a part of myself and I haven’t been able to love again. I just couldn’t seem to drag myself out of the black hole.”
“But you did.” She could tell he was hiding more of the story. “Mitchell wasn’t angry?”
“No, he was consoled by the fact that Sarah was happy for a time. Their childhood was anything but. Still, the entire situation hangs over my head.”
“But that’s not why you left everything you knew and cared about to find some menial labor job. I know better.”
Camden exhaled slowly. “Not all of the reason. I don’t think I really grieved after finding out about her death. There didn’t seem to be any time, or the right time. Everything in my life has caught up with me. I’m just no longer certain who I am.”
“I know who you are. You’re quite the man. Handsome. Intelligent. Creative. Sexy. And one damn amazing disciplinarian.”
He chuckled and held up his glass. “To one feisty woman.”
She grinned and squeezed his hand. He had enough problems without attaching her dreadful life, the trouble she could be in onto his.
“Mmm… You better be careful. That’s not going to get you out of your second spanking. You better know that.”
“Would I do such a thing?”
“You would. I think we should get that over with. I think, lady, that I want to be a part of your life for longer than today, tomorrow or next week.”
She could tell he was serious, as if the damn had broken, guilt that had been eating his conscience and his very soul might be set free. And she wanted to open her heart, capture the man she adored, but she knew one thing clearly. “Camden.”
“Shh… Let’s not talk any longer. Come with me.” Rising to his feet, he held out his hand, his eyes imploring.
She would do this alone. She had to do this her way.
And Camden Dane wasn’t going to become a part of her life.
Chapter 8
