When the doorbell rang it had been a uniformed police officer. At first, she hadn’t believed him. How could her parents have been killed in a car accident when their car was parked in the garage?
“There must be some mistake, officer,” she’d cried, hysteria already setting in, but she knew—it was late and The Major was never late.
“I’m sorry, dear,” he’d said, as he patted her trembling hand.
It was then that she learned the car her parents had been driving was for her. It was to have been a gift. A gift that had ultimately killed the two people she had loved most in the world.
If that hadn’t been bad enough, the next day would forever register in her mind. She was the only living blood relative in the vicinity so it was up to her to identify the bodies of her mother and her father.
Never again would she be able to remember her mother as the mild-mannered beautiful woman that she had been, a lady through and through. Forever in her mind The Major would be a bruised and battered body, not the strong and commanding, yet loving man she’d known all her life. These were the nightmares that kept her awake night after night so close to the anniversary of their death.
After that fateful day, her life had changed. Not only had she lost her parents, but in a matter of days, she would also lose her home. They had lived on base—there was no choice but to leave. Moving often had been hard, but this time around, she’d managed to make several friends. They would also be lost to her.
It was a lesson she never forgot, and a reason why she did everything possible to not get too close to people or let others get too close to her. Somehow, Sean had found a way around the walls she so carefully erected and straight into her heart.
She’d talked herself into just having an affair. That she could handle, or so she’d thought. But as one day blended into another, Honor began to realize just how deeply involved she was.
How could she explain it to him? Would he understand her need to keep her heart safe and sound? Honor didn’t think so. God, how had she gotten herself in this mess? To go from a simple fling to falling in love was the worst possible thing that could happen right now.
Honor knew Sean wouldn’t understand. He wanted her for his own and he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. He would fight her tooth and nail. For that reason alone, she couldn’t tell him.
“Nothing is wrong, Sean, and I don’t need a doctor. What I need is for you to stop hounding me! I’m just feeling a bit under the weather. Maybe I should take a day or two off until I feel better.”
“I agree. I think you do need some time off, but I won’t stop hounding you,” he all but sneered the words.
“I love you, dammit, and I won’t stand by and watch while you make yourself sick. You’ve got two days, Honor. If I don’t see some improvement within that time, I’ll personally take you in to see Doc Thompson, kicking and screaming the whole way if necessary. Now get your ass home and get in bed before I change my mind.”
“Fine!” Honor yelled at him needing to vent some of her anger. She then turned back the way she’d come and left the pub. The man was a monster, she thought, right before she burst into tears.
Chapter Ten
If she didn’t answer the phone, he was going to break her door down. Two days felt like an eternity. When he’d first sent her home, not only had he worried, but he’d been pissed as hell.
He had wanted to her to go to his home, but instead she went back to her tiny hole-in-the-wall apartment and had since refused to come out.
When she didn’t answer the door at first, he had left thinking she was probably sleeping but as the day grew late he began to worry.
Then when she didn’t answer the phone or the door, he felt sick. Deciding to try one more time before calling in the police, he dialed her number. On the fourth ring, she finally answered.
“Hello,” the voice on the other end of the phone answered wearily.
“Honor? Honor, baby, is that you?” he asked.
“Hi, Sean. What did you need?” Her voice had gone from weary to angry in a second flat.
“I need to know why you aren’t answering your damned door. Tell me that. And while you’re at it, why aren’t you answering your phone?” He knew damned well he’d get nowhere by venting his anger, but he was mad and worried.
He wanted to throttle her or better yet, put her over his knee and paddle her ass for worrying him. That idea brought a whole new meaning to being frustrated.
“You told me to go home and rest. That is exactly what I’m trying to do. I was going to call you in just a bit anyway. I know my two days are almost up,” she said a bit testily. “I’m feeling a lot better so I’ll be in to work tonight.”
Well hell, she’d just blown the wind from his sails. He wanted to rant and rave like the maniac he felt like, but the thought of seeing Honor put everything into perspective.
He didn’t care why, he just knew he had to see her. To hold and touch her.
“Okay, Little Darlin’. If you think you’re up to it.”
“I am, Sean. I’ll see you in a while.”
He wanted to shout it to whoever would listen. Honor was coming back—she would be fine. God, how he had worried.
She still wasn’t in the clear. She had made him worry by not answering her door or the phone, and for that she would pay and pay dearly.
Running through his mind was all the different ways he would make her pay. She would enjoy every single moment of it so it wasn’t actually punishment, but he wanted her to remember whom she belonged to.
He wanted every muscle in her lithe body to ache pleasantly from the workout he was planning to give it. He could picture the many positions he would take her in. Teasing her until she confessed what was wrong sounded promising. And from the ever-growing bulge in his pants, his cock agreed.
The past two days had crawled by at a snail’s pace. Not having Honor by his side made him feel as though he was missing a piece of his heart.
Sleep was hard to come by, and when he was finally able to drift off, it was only to toss and turn and worry. Hours upon hours had been spent thinking the worst while praying for his dreams to come true.
And all the while he couldn’t get visions of her out of his head. The things they had done together. Things she had done to him and how much he enjoyed returning the favor.
Just thinking about her taste, her smell, left him breathless. Sunshine and feminine musk, there was nothing better.
In the back of his mind, he could hear the small mewling noises she made while he was pleasuring her and seeking his own.
It was easy to remember how she’d thrash on the bed as he lapped ever so slowly at the petals of her sex. With her knees bent and open wide, he could feast like a hungry man introduced to a buffet table for the first time.
The fact that she was always eager take him in her mouth and taste him made every experience like heaven and hell all rolled in one.
His body would react instantly. It would take everything he had to hold his release, she was that good. The feel of her warm mouth covering his rigid cock was torture in its own way and he loved every minute of it.
So, she would be coming to work today. Well, he’d be making damned sure she went home with him after work. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. This time he’d have his way in the matter. She needed someone to watch out for her until she could work her way through whatever it was bothering her and he planned to be the one to do it.
He’d let it go on long enough. Her stubborn refusal to admit her feelings even though he could see the depth of them every time he looked in her eyes worried him. The way she’d started distancing herself made him angry. Sean figured it was about time to do something about her newly found stubborn streak, at least when it concerned their relationship.
If she would just confide in him, it would make things so much easier, but she was as stubborn as they come. He wasn’t much better so it seemed they would forever clash in that aspect, but that was so
mething he could deal with.
Tonight she would tell him what was wrong. He would do his damnedest to listen and stay calm, but if she thought to leave him then she had another think coming, because that wasn’t something he could or would allow to happen.
And if she didn’t cooperate, he would put her over his lap once again until she finally agreed. His cock twitched in remembrance, his palm itched. He was ready.
* * * * *
Why would this year be so much worse? Honor wondered as she dressed. It didn’t make any sense, but the dreams just wouldn’t leave her alone. Why couldn’t she just remember the good times she’d spent with her parents and let the tragedy of their death go?
Because they hadn’t killed their parents.
The thought came as a flash of pain to an already exhausted mind. It had taken a sixteen-year-old Honor a couple of years before she realized she hadn’t killed her parents. The love and patience of her aunt had been a big help. So why then, every single year, did the niggling pain of self-blame make her life hell?
Normally she was able to ignore everything until the day of the anniversary. Then she’d let it all out, suffer the day or two after and go on as before. It seemed that wasn’t at all how it was going to happen this year. This year, with the death of her aunt, her last living relative, she was doomed to a week of hell and Sean wasn’t making it any easier.
Over the past two days, the realization had set in. She was in love. If being in love was supposed to be such a wonderful thing, then why did it hurt so badly?
Honor wanted nothing more than to tell Sean of her love and never leave Texas or his arms again, but it couldn’t happen. The thought of giving her heart to another, only to lose them, made her chest ache. As long as she didn’t say the words out loud, she could deal with it. She’d learn to deal with the sickening fear because the only other alternative would bring as much, if not more, pain.
The thought of leaving left her feeling bereft and alone.
The ache in her head was a reminder of what the day would be like. Sean wouldn’t make it easy for her. He was bound and determined to find out what was wrong, and in doing so would hurt them both.
Maybe it would be better if she just came clean, told him everything and hoped for the best. While brushing her hair, she gave it further thought, deciding against the idea almost immediately. If she admitted her feelings, there would be no turning back. Not with a man as possessive as Sean O’Malley.
Drinking herself into oblivion last night probably hadn’t been the best idea she’d ever had, but it helped her to sleep, and that was exactly what she’d needed.
Today her head was suffering slightly as a result, but the dark circles under her eyes weren’t nearly as pronounced.
Several hours later, she was once again making her way to the door of O’Malley’s Pub. Taking a few deep breaths, she opened the door and went inside. It was going to be a long night.
It took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit interior. Making her way across the room, she noticed there were already people seated at the bar.
Sean had a gorgeous smile on his face as he talked to the man and woman seated across from him. A bit uncomfortable with the thought of intruding, Honor made her way to the bar politely nodding to the couple Sean was speaking to.
“Hi, Little Darlin’,” Sean said, snagging her by the waist, bringing her close for a long searing kiss.
Her cheeks heated in embarrassment at being kissed so intimately in front of others.
“Sean,” she gasped when he finally released her.
“Someone’s here to meet you, sweetheart.” His head tilted toward the couple watching them. “Honor, I’d like you to meet my brother Zane. And this is his fiancée Serena.”
Honor could feel her cheeks heat even more. She was probably flushed to her roots. Darn the man! First he fondles her in a crowded bar getting caught by Hayden and now he kisses her breathless in front of Zane. What they must think of her?
With as much calm as she could manage, she held out her hand, first to one and then the other. “Nice to meet you both.”
Yep, it was going to be a very long night.
“Sean’s been telling us all about you,” Zane said to her with a twinkle in his eye, making Honor wonder exactly what all Sean had shared. Her thoughts were interrupted when Zane added, “I’m sorry for your loss. I remember your aunt. She was a wonderful person.”
“Thank you,” she choked out, pain slamming into her. She tried to hide her pain. To cover the way his words had affected her, but she was afraid she hadn’t done too good of a job by the way the three were looking at her.
Clearing her throat, she said, “Well it was very nice meeting you. I need to get ready for my shift. I’ll be back in just a minute.”
She could feel Sean’s eyes burning into her back as she walked down the hall and into the back room. Afraid he would follow, Honor hurriedly put away her bag. After tying her apron around her waist, she made her way back into the main room of the establishment.
Zane and Serena still sat at the bar, Sean standing behind it. Honor could tell just by the way his eyes followed her around the room that he was concerned. He was also angry, and that left her a bit concerned herself. Sean was not the type of man you wanted angry with you. He may seem like a big teddy bear with his burly physique and ready smile, but he could be closer to a grizzly when crossed.
Once again, it seemed to Honor that she had spent most of the night avoiding Sean. She was a bit sad to see Zane and Serena go. She wanted to get to know them, but now was not the right time.
Not one to drink, it bothered Honor that alcohol was the only way she could figure out to deal with the overwhelming pain.
Sean would probably spank her again if he knew she’d been sneaking drinks throughout her shift. Her mind buzzed with the thought. It probably wouldn’t be such a bad thing, a spanking. She couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her lips. It was followed by a hiccup.
Maybe she’d had just a bit too much to drink tonight. She should have waited until she got home, but it had been a long shift. When the place finally cleared out, Honor made her way to the storeroom to collect her things.
On tiptoes, she made her way back up the hall in hopes of escaping before Sean caught up with her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she made her way back into the main room.
Fumbling through her purse, Honor searched for her keys. Darned fingers just wouldn’t cooperate. When she finally found them in her bottomless pit of a bag, she started her way to the door.
The room tipped and swayed causing her to drop her keys. In the back of her mind, she knew it was a very stupid idea to drive, but if she called for a cab, she would have to wait. Asking Sean was out of the question because then he would know she was three sheets to the wind. Then all hell would break loose.
Another giggle escaped as she bent over to pick up her keys. She stumbled and fell but before she hit the floor, a very large arm banded around her waist hauling her back up.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” a deceptively calm voice asked from behind her.
“Home.”
“And just how were you planning on getting there?”
“Uhhh, well—” The arm around her tightened, almost painfully, causing the air to whoosh from her lungs, leaving her unable to speak.
“Don’t even think about lying to me, baby. Do you think I didn’t notice you hitting the bottle all night? And now you plan on driving home. I ought to—”
This time his words were the ones cut off. “You ought to what?” she asked belligerently. “You have no say in it, Sean. Now let me go.”
To punctuate the force of her words, she kicked her legs in a struggle for release.
Chapter Eleven
If it wasn’t so disturbing, it would have been comical, Sean thought to himself. He hadn’t known Honor for long, but he did know enough to realize that she wasn’t a drinker.
So, the fact that she h
ad spent half of the night sneaking swigs and the other half avoiding him royally pissed him off.
With his arms full of thrashing woman, he made his way to the pool table. When he could no longer hold her wriggling body safely, he plopped her down on the green felt of the table, keeping a firm grasp on both her thighs when she tried to get down.
“Sit still, dammit!” he growled. All her wiggling around was turning his fury into arousal, and he didn’t want to be aroused right now. Right now, he wanted answers.
“What in the hell is wrong with you, woman?”
“Don’t ‘woman’ me, Sean O’Malley. And let me up. I don’t have to sit here and take this from you.” Once again, he held tightly as she tried to get off the pool table.
When she didn’t cease her struggling, he stepped closer, insinuating himself between thighs she tried to keep closed.
His superior strength won out. Without much effort, he pried her knees apart and took another step until he was nestled into the valley he’d created. So much for not getting aroused, he groaned inwardly.
“You do have to sit there, and you will until I let you up. Now tell me what in the hell is going on,” he demanded of her.
The look of panic and pain on her pale face made him hurt. Why was she being so damned stubborn?
“You’ll tell me, Honor. Before I let you out of this place, you’ll tell me everything I want to know.”
He saw the change take over her face. Her eyes went from wide and panicked to hooded and sensual. She was still unstable, acting as if the room were spinning, which in her head, it probably was.
He felt a bit of guilt at the thought of taking advantage of an inebriated woman, but it only lasted a minute. In the next instant, Honor had her body wrapped around his as tight as a clinging vine. Her warm breath washed over him. She had been chewing gum, probably to throw him off. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought.
Her tongue boldly sought the depths of his mouth, tracing the underside of his top teeth before thrusting deep. The groan rumbling from deep within his chest was purely animal in nature.
O'Malley Wild: Honoring Sean Page 7
