“I don’t believe it though,” Belle said, shaking her head. “I mean, she might have been on her best behavior tonight, but that doesn’t mean she’s changed from being a self-centered, bad-tempered brat into a nice person.”
“I think your sisterly claws are showing,” Simon remarked. “She was very pleasant tonight, and I think you should be happy about that.”
“I suppose,” she sighed. “It’s just years of…” she lamented, not finishing her sentence as the irritating memories surfaced.
“I understand,” Simon said. “Tomorrow we’ll be headed off to Chatsworth Hall and we’ll have the weekend to ourselves. I suspect Lucinda will be the furthest thing from your mind.”
“Trust me, she will be,” Belle smiled. “I can’t wait, but speaking of tomorrow night, I hope Joseph will be careful. I know you want to get your father’s millions back, but this Hardcastle character, if he gets wind that something’s up…”
“Keep the faith,” Simon said reassuringly.
“I’m just worried that things are going so well so quickly. Being invited to his house and everything.”
“Knock on wood,” Simon nodded. “Lucinda’s visit was a stroke of luck. Makes me think fate is on our side.”
“Now it’s all up to Joseph,” she commented.
“Now it’s all up to Joseph,” he echoed.
“Isn’t it interesting how things work out,” she sighed. “Meeting Joseph like we did back in L.A., you and your father, you and me, it’s all quite amazing.”
“It is, but over the years I’ve learned if you keep moving forward, keep risking, venturing out, bits and pieces fall into place. At least, they seem to. Of course we don’t know how all this is going to end.”
“We’ll know soon enough,” she remarked.
“That’s a given. Everything hinges on Hardcastle’s belief that a deal has to be made right away. We’ll know a lot more after tomorrow night, and speaking of tomorrow night, you haven’t forgotten our new weekly appointment I trust?”
“No, but Simon, tomorrow night we’re going to that cocktail party at Lord Bardwell’s,” she frowned.
“As I told you, it doesn’t matter where we are,” he said firmly.
“Even Lord Bardwell’s? With all those people?”
“You’re not attempting to squirm out of this are you?”
“No,” she protested. “I just thought you might want to wait a week because of the party. Wouldn’t it be easier for you?”
“Easier for me? How exactly?”
“I don’t know, just easier, somehow…” she finished, her voice trailing off, realizing she had nowhere to go.
“I believe I told you, this will be as regular as clockwork, and nothing will be permitted to interfere,” he said, shaking his head.
Belle felt the heat cross her face, unsure why she was attempting to manipulate a postponement.
“You did, but it just seems inconvenient.”
“Inconvenient? Do you not want to have this ritual between us?”
“Oh, yes, definitely,” she replied quickly.
“Then why this debate?” he asked.
“I just thought…I mean…”
“Something’s not right here, Belle.”
She sighed heavily and stared out the window as the car drew nearer to City View.
“Are you just being difficult for the sake of being difficult? Tell me the truth,” he insisted.
“You’re much too smart, Simon,” she mumbled. “I am, but I don’t know why,” she confessed.
“I think a hot bottom is in store for you tonight.”
“And tomorrow night too? That’s not fair,” she protested, immediately wishing she could swallow back the words.
“Belle!” he exclaimed, surprised at her outburst. “It appears Lucinda isn’t the only one who needs a lesson this week.”
“Sorry, Simon, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Belle felt the heat rise in her face, and leaning back in the car seat she closed her eyes, wondering why on earth she’d created the squabble, and then wondered how he would be able to spank her at a crowded cocktail party. Would he whisk her into a bathroom, find an empty bedroom and lock the door?
“It’s all right, Belle, these things happen sometimes. Perhaps Lucinda is a bad influence, but I can’t let you get away with it,” he said firmly.
“I know,” she sighed.
City View was in sight, and as he pulled the Range Rover into the underground parking garage, Belle felt the flutters. It had been some time since he’d smacked her bottom for something she’d done wrong. There was plenty of sensuous spanking, but discipline…it had been a while.
“I think one of the reasons for a weekly spanking has just become apparent,” Simon remarked, turning off the engine.
“Maybe you’re right,” she replied demurely.
He stared at her intently for a moment, then smiled, and leaning across the console, kissed her gently.
“Come on, naughty girl. Let’s get upstairs. Tomorrow’s a big day and I need to smack your bottom and put you to bed.”
In spite of the many times he’d spoken to her in such terms, she never failed to feel the butterflies in her stomach and the wanting wetness between her legs.
Holding hands they walked across the garage to the elevator, and as it whisked them up to the midpoint where they had to change to a second car that would zip them up to the penthouse, he held her close to his body, hugging her all the way to the top, then locking the elevator behind them, he placed his arm around her shoulders as they made their way to the bedroom, the city sparkling below them.
“Take a shower, put on a silk nightie, no underwear,” he directed, and disappeared into his bathroom.
Nervously Belle showered and changed, choosing a powder blue, satin-silk shift with lace at the hem and across the bust. Her nipples danced under the thin fabric, and when she walked back in the room, she found Simon sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for her, shackles and a blindfold in his hands.
“Come here,” he said, patting the mattress next to him.
Meekly she walked forward and sat down, offering her wrists without being asked. Wrapping the fur-lined cuffs in place, he snapped them together, then slid the blindfold across her eyes.
“Over my lap,” he ordered sternly.
Belle leaned forward, stretching over him, resting her upper body on the soft mattress, her feet still on the floor, and felt his palm smooth the contours of her cheeks through the sensuous fabric.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, Sir?” she replied.
His hand landed with a stinging slap, paused, then landed again. Moving to her opposite cheek he repeated the dual action, then returned to his initial target, and so it continued. The swats were rhythmic and methodical, continuing until she was wriggling and uttering small cries of pain.
“Anything to say before I move the nightie away?” he asked, rubbing her bottom through the soft, comforting silk.
“Just that I’m sorry, Sir. I really don’t know what got into me. I won’t do it again.”
“If you do, you know you’ll just end up here, but with a hairbrush next time. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” she whimpered.
Sliding the material across her cheeks, he marveled at the hot pink skin his hand had created, and without hesitation began the second round, spanking her with gusto, offering no pause between the hot smacks, his hand bouncing forcefully across the width of her backside, and whisking upwards when firing at the base of her seat.
“Sir,” she howled, “I’m sorry, I won’t be conniving again, I won’t.”
“Conniving is the perfect word, Belle, and no, you won’t,” he declared, continuing to smack her soundly.
“Please,” she wailed, “please, I’m sorry.”
“Good, you should be,” he replied, continuing to rain swat after swat, until her squirming was such that he was finally satisfied.
Rubbing
and comforting her scalded behind, he waited until she settled, then helped her up, and moving back on the bed, cradled her in his arms.
“That was very unlike you, Belle, and you must have known I’d punish you,” he crooned.
“Maybe I just needed to, um…I don’t know how to express what I’m feeling,” she sighed.
“You needed me to assert myself again, to validate what we are?”
“Yes, something like that. I think it was because you told me that Joseph spanked Lucinda. It wasn’t a feeling of jealousy, it was a feeling of…something I needed again.”
“Sweet Belle, all you have to do is ask,” he purred.
“I know, but asking is different from…”
“Than being naughty and being punished?”
“Yes, like the other day when I needed you to spank me, that was different.”
“Now?”
“Now my bottom hurts and I know I’ll behave, I won’t do it again,” she sighed.
“You mean, you won’t do it again until next time,” he grinned.
“Maybe,” she murmured.
“It’s all right, Belle. Every now and then things have to be tested and clarified. Besides your sore bottom, do you feel better?”
“Much,” she sighed. “It’s a weird thing.”
“Time for some good sleep now,” he yawned, “for us both.”
Across town in Simon’s home, Joseph was laying in bed pondering the last two days. Lucinda had been on a whirlwind shopping spree, but she’d been calmer and easier to deal with, and at dinner she’d been very pleasant company. Even her clothing had toned down, and while it was still uniquely her own style, there was nothing garish or tacky in her choices. He had found himself staring at her, not as Lucinda, the miscreant, but as a beautiful and captivating young woman.
Impossible. She’s impossible, it’s impossible, you and her, impossible. Forget it, pal.
Turning out the light, he was about to go to sleep when he heard a faint knock on his door.
“Come in,” he called, leaning across and switching it back on.
Lucinda, dressed in a pale pink satin robe and bare feet, padded across the room.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” she asked softly.
This was a Lucinda he’d not met; feminine, sweet and almost demure.
“Sure,” he smiled, propping himself up on the headboard.
“I’m not sure how to say this,” she mumbled.
“Just say it, that’s usually the best way.”
She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at her hands.
“Are you feeling all right?” he asked.
“Yes, no, yes and no,” she sighed.
Not sure whether to push or to wait silently, Joseph chose the latter.
“You’ll think I’m crazy,” she stammered.
“I already do,” he grinned, “so, no problem there.”
She shot him a reprimanding glance and he shook his head.
“Sorry, just thought a bit of levity might help.”
“This is a mistake,” she abruptly declared, and jumping to her feet, darted towards the door.
“No, wait,” he protested. “I’m honestly sorry. Whatever it is I won’t think you’re crazy. Not unless you tell me you want to rob a bank or something.”
She paused, clearly trapped between wanting to run from the room, and return to his bedside.
“You’re not going to feel better until you tell me or you wouldn’t be here,” he suggested.
“You’re right,” she mumbled, turning around.
“Come on back,” he smiled.
Ambling towards him she settled on the mattress, sat quietly, then lifted her eyes and stared across at him. The light from the beside lamp fell softly against her skin, bathing her in a pink glow, softening her features, and without makeup, she possessed an alluring innocence.
“I have to tell you,” he murmured, “you look so much prettier without the goo.”
“I do?” she asked, her eyes wide.
“Definitely. It hides who you really are.”
“Joseph!”
“Yes, Lucinda?”
“What I have to tell you is…” she paused.
“Is?”
“I’m in love with you.”
Of all the things Joseph thought she might say, her exclamation of love was not one of them, and it took a moment for her confession to register. The air was charged, the moment frozen, then the impact hit and he opened his arms.
“Lucinda,” he mumbled, watching a tear dribble down the side of her face.
She fell against him and he enveloped her, inhaling her aromatic sweetness, relishing her luscious warmth.
“Do you c-care about m-me at all?” she stammered.
“Of course I do,” he sighed, “but Lucinda, you don’t even know me. We don’t know each other.”
“I know how I feel,” she argued, safe and protected, and like I belong. I think about you all the time, and when I’m in bed I hate that you’re not with me.
“You might feel differently when you get to know me better,” he said gently.
“I won’t.”
“What about Gerald whats-his-face?”
“Why does everyone think his name is Gerald?” she demanded. “It’s Jarrod, and anyway, I don’t care about him at all.”
He didn’t know what to say, so said nothing at all, but continued to hold her.
“Please can I stay with you tonight?” she whispered.
Joseph closed his eyes. Her body was soft and yielding, and he could easily imagine chasing her skin with his tongue, exploring and delighting in her exquisite charms.
“I don’t think…”
“Please,” she begged, pulling back, gazing at him with pleading eyes. “I don’t think I could stand to be alone.”
“Okay,” he sighed, unable to deny her, “but just to sleep.”
“You don’t want me?” she whimpered.
“It’s not a question of not wanting you,” he offered, “it wouldn’t be right. Let’s just take things one step at a time. Besides, if I have to spank you again, you’ll hate me, and then you’ll-”
“No, you’re wrong,” she protested, interrupting him and shaking her head. “I wouldn’t hate you for that, not at all,” I would hate you if I was horrible and you didn’t.
“You wait here, I’ll be back in a second,” he declared, gently extricating himself from her limbs.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll be right back,” he repeated. “Don’t go anywhere.”
His cock had sprung to life, and without some relief there was no way he could lay in bed next to her succulent body without losing his mind.
Moving quickly to the powder room off the lounge, he locked the door, and leaning against the wall, rubbed himself furiously, allowing free reign to whatever images deigned to visit. His eyes closed, he imagined she was back over his knee, her perfect posterior glowing pink, then on her knees before him, sucking him dry…
…the explosive release was quick and strong, and he swallowed his groans as the momentum took charge, hot tingles radiating through his body. Catching his breath, his mind began to swim with thoughts of her, and the two of them as a couple.
She was complex and difficult, but was she as complicated as she appeared? Perhaps she was just lost and lonely, needing the love of a strong man who would give her boundaries and direction, a man who wanted nothing in return but her love.
Washing himself up, he headed back to his bedroom, stopping for a quick shot of scotch on the way, and when he entered he found her curled up waiting for him.
“Feel better now?” she giggled, watching him switch off the light and slip into bed.
“If you’re not careful, you’ll get that second spanking right now,” he warned.
“That’s not the answer to my question,” she quipped.
“Yes, it is,” he replied, and as she snuggled next to him, he let out a deep sigh. “Lucind
a?”
“Yes, Joseph?”
“That was remarkably brave,” he said softly, “coming in here and telling me how you feel.”
“Not really,” she murmured. “I had no choice. I felt like I had to.”
“You’re very brave,” he repeated, and I think there’s a lot more to you than you let people see.
CHAPTER TWELVE
It was early Friday evening, and Simon, having just returned from the office, walked into the penthouse to find it empty. Wandering down the wide hallway into the bedroom he uncovered the mystery; the bathroom door was closed which meant Belle was soaking in a bubble bath.
A seed of an idea was finally flowering to life, so she had taken to her tub to completely relax, hoping it would blossom, and his gentle knock on her bathroom door broke her from her meditation.
“Who is it?” she called.
“A tall, dark handsome stranger who is here to ravage you,” he called back.
“Oh, well come in and make it fast. My better half is due home any minute so we have to be quick. I think he might be the jealous type.”
“I wouldn’t blame him,” Simon chuckled, pushing open the door.
Ambling in he picked up a large, thick, folded towel, and placing it on the edge of the tub he sat down and starting chuckling.
“What?” she asked,
“You’re a bodiless wonder,” he grinned.
She was covered in foam, her head the only visible part of her.
“I guess I am,” she laughed.
“You’d better start getting ready. We have to leave here in forty-five minutes.”
“I had no idea I’d been in here so long,” she sighed, “but there is something I want to mention first. Remember I told you I had an idea?”
“Yes, tell me, I’m all ears,” he nodded, “then you must make a move. You know how Hector Bardwell is about everyone arriving within ten minutes of the ETA.”
“He’s a funny old thing, but I do adore him,” she remarked.
“So…?” he pressed.
“You know I’ve spent the last couple of months dealing with the sale of my condo and getting all my things donated to charity or shipped here?”
“Yes, you’ve been a very busy girl,” he remarked.
The British Billionaire Bachelor, Act Three Page 8
