by Wehr, Mary
His cock twitched and grew hard as he thought about Mia. So many women had come and gone over the years he had lost count, but not one could hold a candle to Mia. Plus, there had always been something lacking. The sex had become mundane. He wanted more and he’d do anything to get back with Mia. He missed her sass and sparkle.
No doubt, she’d had her fair share of men hitting on her after he left and joined the Marines. Jealousy speared through him as he thought of another man’s hand on her smooth flesh, her exquisite ass and succulent breasts. The soft round globes of her bottom filled his hands perfectly. He may be more of an ass man, but her breasts were an added bonus. Damn! He deserved a kick in the ass for letting her go so easily and she deserved a hard spanking for not trusting him.
And that’s exactly what she was going to get once he got his strategy together. When the cab pulled into the hotel parking lot, he escorted Connie to the door. “Have a safe trip, Connie, and believe me, I never meant to hurt you.”
“Fuck you, Garrison.”
That went well.
Chapter Four
Mia unlocked the door to her apartment and immediately toed off her shoes, only to curse when she took a step and tripped, nearly landing on her butt. She kicked first one, then the other and sent them skidding across the tiled kitchen floor. Trembling fingers undid the pearly buttons on her blouse as she made her way down the hall and threw it on the bed. She unzipped her skirt and left it pooled at her feet. Panties and bra quickly followed. She gathered the pile of clothes and threw them into the hamper. Dressed in a pair of sweatpants and cotton T she washed her face and applied some moisturizer. She could sure use a cup of tea.
On her way to the kitchen, she remembered the two books she had downloaded last night on her e-reader and hurried back to her room. One was a Domestic Discipline romance and the other BDSM. No doubt, the latter contained some intense punishment scenes. Mia didn’t condemn anyone who lived the lifestyle, but being tied to a cross scared the hell out of her.
She had often been tempted to give BDSM a try, but what if she made a mistake and got a Dom who tied her up and beat her? What if he didn’t stop when she used her safe word? Did she really need a safe word? Couldn’t an adamant ‘no’ be just as good?
She grabbed her e-reader off the top of her dresser and went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. She set her cup on the end table next to the couch in the small living room and began to read. The stories were short but hot and she found herself squirming more than once. She imagined herself as the heroine and could almost feel the bite of the lash in the one story and the bare bottomed spanking in the other.
Mia finished both books and reached for her cup. She took a gulp and grimaced. The tea was ice cold. She went to the kitchen and popped her cup in the microwave for a minute, tossing the stories around in her head as she waited for the beep. No doubt about it. Both heroes were stern and dominant, and the heroines sassy and mouthy. They deserved every punishment the men had dished out for acting bratty.
A rush of heat enveloped Mia. She pulled out a chair and slowly sat down at the kitchen table. She dropped her head in her hands and groaned. She had acted exactly the same way those women had in the stories. She had been a brat, plain and simple, all those years ago to Ross. She had cursed Ross. She picked up whatever item she could get her hands on and had thrown it at him not caring if the missiles had hit their intended target and caused him physical harm.
Instead of retaliating, he had walked away, just like her parents had done when she was a child. She possessed a fierce temper. Her parents never punished her because they simply didn’t care and neither had Ross.
Tears sprang in Mia’s eyes and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. Becky was right. They both needed a man to take them in hand. Becky had been lucky enough to find Jason. She had been just as lucky when she found Ross, only now he didn’t want her. The mature man she had seen today appeared quite formidable and capable of handling her temper and trust issues.
Grief overwhelmed her and her throat ached with despair. Seeing Ross today had confirmed the suspicions she had tucked away in the back of her mind hoping they wouldn’t come to fruition. He was living his life fine without her. He played the field and she couldn’t blame him. What man would want a banshee for a wife? She blew out a breath. It was hopeless.
* * * * *
In order to avoid the many potholes peppering the cement driveway, Mia had to spin the steering wheel this way and that, cursing under her breath when she had no other choice but to nail one and cringe when the car shook on impact. Next, she’d be taking her car to a garage for an alignment. The place could definitely use a do over, but the buyer they had in line owned the concrete business across the street, and had assured Mia he’d buy the place “as is” so she had left things the way they were. She parked her car in front of the run-down garage and stared at the old dilapidated house.
A chill zipped down her spine. This wasn’t a happy place. Where most children felt safe and secure in their home it had been the opposite for her. She jumped when Becky knocked on the driver side window. Mia pulled the keys from the ignition and stepped out of the car.
“Hey, glad you could make it.”
“No problem, sis. Are you ready to take a trip down memory lane?” Becky held out her hand and Mia clamped onto it as if it were a lifeline. They walked through every room and stopped in front of the spare bedroom.
“This used to be Uncle Bob’s room. I doubt we’ll find anything of ours in there,” Becky remarked.
Mia took a deep breath. “I know, but we better go in anyway and make sure.” With shaky hands, she pushed opened the door.
Old memories came rushing back. Her uncle had tried to molest her in this very room. A room where she’d sought refuge as a little girl had changed into a room of horrors. She and Becky had been assigned household chores at an early age and since Mia was the oldest, she had been the first one her mother had taught to use the washer and dryer.
Putting away her uncle’s laundry had never been a big deal before until the day he grabbed her and squeezed her breasts. Only twelve years old, Mia felt sick to her stomach at his unexpected assault. She ran toward the open doorway in hopes of making it to the bathroom, but ended up puking on the floor outside her uncle’s bedroom. While he cleaned the mess, he fumbled over his words as he made an attempt to reassure her that what he had done was normal between a niece and uncle. He promised to make her feel really good if she would keep what he had done to her a secret, but Mia ran off when he went into the bathroom for more paper towels. She locked herself in her closet and stayed there until the next morning.
“Mia, are you okay?”
Becky’s voice snapped Mia from her thoughts. She smiled. “Sorry, I was a million miles away.”
Becky’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “I can see that. What has you so distracted?”
“You mentioned Uncle Bob.”
Becky frowned. “Yeah, but what does this have to do with him?”
“Do you have any idea why he left?”
“No, I don’t.” Becky wandered further into the room. She ran her finger along the top of the dresser. The air was stale and the furniture dusty. She wiped her finger on her jeans. “Every time I would ask mom, she’d shrug her shoulders and walk away.”
Mia kept silent.
Becky’s eyes widened. “Oh my God, Mia, did Uncle Bob do something to you? Did he molest you?”
Mia nodded. “He tried.”
Becky moaned in despair. “Why didn’t you tell me? What he did to you?”
Mia did her best to explain without going into detail. “Uncle Bob seemed to change somehow and I couldn’t put my finger on it. Whenever we were alone, I could feel him watching me, and it gave me the chills so I started to avoid him as much as possible. I didn’t feel comfortable being alone with him any more so I always made sure he was somewhere else in the house before I’d take his laundry up to his room. One day, I swore I saw him
talking to dad outside, so I snuck upstairs and froze when I saw him sitting in his chair by the door. Before I could leave, he stepped in front of me and grabbed my breast.”
Becky choked back a sob. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could have taken his laundry for you.”
Mia blanched. “I would have never asked you to do such a thing. He told me he loved me and I shouldn’t be afraid.” She giggled in an attempt to lighten the situation. “I got my revenge. I threw up outside his room. Anyway, the next day I told mom and although she believed me, I don’t think she expected Dad to throw him out of the house. I swear mom only considered me a nuisance and after this fiasco, she became downright intolerable to be around. I didn’t know she charged him rent. Without the extra money, she couldn’t gamble as much anymore and took her frustration out on me. She told me the entire episode had to be my fault because I tempted him by wearing shorts around the house.”
Becky wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She paced back and forth in front of Mia. “What a load of bullshit. I wish you would’ve told me.” She stopped and looked Mia directly in the face. “I thought we were close.”
Mia flinched at the pain she saw in Becky’s eyes. She wrapped her arms around her sister’s shoulders and hugged her close. “Oh, honey, you were only nine years old you wouldn’t have understood. I couldn’t even figure out what had changed until mom mentioned the shorts, and then I realized what was happening. I was no longer a little girl. I developed breasts and he couldn’t control his sexual urges. It’s sick and twisted, I know, but I never regretted opening my mouth and getting him thrown out of the house. I didn’t want him to do those things to you. Besides, this is my shame to carry.”
Becky wiggled out of the embrace and stepped away. Mia’s heart thumped loudly in her ears. If Becky walked out of her life, she’d die. She’d have no one and it would be her fault for not trusting her own sister!
“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” Becky replied heatedly. “That bastard should’ve been castrated. I’m glad you finally told me.” She grabbed Mia by the arm. “Let’s get out of here. This place gives me the creeps.” They sailed through the kitchen and out the door.
“Are you in agreement for how much was offered for the house?” Becky nodded and Mia blew out a breath. “Okay, then that’s settled. I’ll set up the signing and we can forget about this place and move on.”
Like that would ever happen. God, maybe she needed to talk to a professional about this. Mia shuffled from one foot to the other. “Are we okay?
Mia sighed with relief when Becky responded with a quick hug. “Oh, by the way, how did things work out with Jason last night?”
Becky winced and rubbed her bottom. “Let’s just say I’ll be keeping an eye on the gas gauge from now on.”
Mia shook her head in amazement. “I still find it hard to believe that my tomboy of a sister doesn’t mind this authority type marriage.”
Becky waited as Mia locked the door, then asked, “Don’t you wish our parents would’ve expressed their love for us in a physical way? You know, like a hug here and there?”
Mia blinked as if she had missed something vital in the conversation. “Express their love in a physical way? I never felt their love in a verbal way. I swear mom hated me. Like I told you, things only got worse after I ratted on her brother. She had me feeling guilty for having ‘Uncle’ Bob tossed out on his fat ass. If I had a daughter and she told me she had been abused the man wouldn’t see the light of day. I tried to tell mom how I felt, but she didn’t want to hear it. She insisted that I was more than likely blowing the entire incident out of proportion.”
Becky leaned against her Subaru and folded her arms across her chest. “And that’s why Jason is so good for me. He listens and holds me. Yes, he spanks me, but if you think about it, these are the things that our parents neglected to do. Jason makes me feel so loved even when he punishes me. I love him and need his type of discipline in my life.”
Mia drove home wondering how her sister had gotten so smart.
Chapter Five
The door to Jason’s office was wide open so Ross strolled inside and came to a complete stop. Becky was sitting on her husband’s lap, their mouths fused together in a lip-lock. He arched a brow and cocked his head to the side. “Why don’t you two get a room?”
Becky glared at him and Ross felt like an ass when he saw tears shining in her eyes. “Hey, I’m sorry if this is a bad time. I’ll pop by later.”
“No, Ross, stick around for a minute.” Jason plucked Becky from his lap and set her on her feet. He kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek with his fingers. “Everything will be okay, I promise.”
“Where’s the blonde bimbo?”
“Becky!” Jason admonished. He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap again. “Do you want another spanking?”
Ross scratched at his ear. Becky sure went right for the jugular. What a mess. In order for his plan to have even a slim chance of succeeding, he needed Becky’s cooperation, specifically the extra key to Mia’s apartment. “Connie’s on a plane headed west. I sent her home.” He muttered a curse and raked a hand through his hair. “Listen Becky, I know I messed up. I should have stuck around and explained myself to Mia all those years ago, but she was so damned adamant. I doubt she would have listened anyway.”
“So it was okay to just leave her there believing the worst?”
“Yes, no…I mean, leaving had been the right thing to do at the time, but I should have waited until she had some time to calm down and I calmed down.” Ross walked to the door, spun around and spread out his hands in defeat. “I suspected she had trust issues, but the constant accusations were tearing us apart.” He clenched his jaw. “I want to marry her and spend the rest of my life with her, but I need your help.”
Ross watched warily as Becky slowly closed the distance between them.
“Will you be gentle with her? Treat her like she should be treated?” A fat tear slid down her cheek.
A woman crying scared the hell out of him and he pleaded with Jason, “You going to help me here?”
Becky propped her hands on her hips and eyed her husband stubbornly. “Jason, Mia’s my sister. She has always taken care of me and protected me, so it’s time I return the favor. I accept your authority in this marriage. As a matter of fact, I revel in it, but when it comes to Mia, I will be damned if I see her hurt yet again.”
Jason nodded his understanding. “You’ve got the floor, babe. Word of warning, don’t push Ross too far, or you might end up over his knee. I doubt your fanny has recovered from yesterday’s punishment.”
Becky’s face flushed red and she rubbed her behind. “You had to remind me, didn’t you?”
Ross stood there anxiously waiting for Becky’s answer on whether or not she’d help him. “No worries, Becky, your butt’s safe from me, but someone else’s might feel the flat of my hand.” He opened his arms and breathed a sigh of relief when she ran into his embrace. He hugged her close. “I won’t hurt Mia the way I did ever again.”
“Oh Ross, I really missed you around here. You’re like a brother to Jason and that makes you my brother, too. Do you promise to work things out with Mia and not walk out if the going gets rough?” Her voice sounded muffled against his chest.
“I promise. She’s stuck with me. That is, if she’ll have me.”
Becky stepped back and appeared to be weighing his answer. Finally, she smiled. “Okay, but what is it you want me to do?”
Ross made his request and Becky’s eyes widened. “Mia’s going to know who gave you the key to her apartment, so if you screw this up you better find a good place to hide because I’ll hunt you down.” She rummaged through her purse and handed him the key.
Ross shoved the key into his pocket. His future happiness depended on how well he handled one hot-tempered young lady. Knowing Mia, she’d fight him every step of the way.
* * * * *
Bleary eyed from lack of sleep M
ia stumbled to the bathroom for a quick shower. She dried her body with a large, thirsty towel and went back into the bedroom. Opening her dresser drawer, she pulled out a pair of underwear and bra. The scent of freshly brewed coffee teased her nostrils and she snagged a pair of jeans from the bottom of her closet and quickly slipped a sweatshirt over her head.
Becky must have stopped by and decided to share a cup of coffee. She headed for the kitchen only to stop dead in her tracks when she saw Ross sitting at the table.
Her heart hammered in her chest and her face flushed hot. “Ross, how did you get in here?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “Damn that Becky! She gave you the key to my apartment, didn’t she?” Mia stomped to the small table by the door and rummaged through her purse for her cell phone. Becky most definitely deserved an earful for this latest stunt. She swung around and smacked face first into a hard wall of male flesh.
She stumbled backward, and would have fallen on her butt if Ross hadn’t caught her by the waist. He pried the phone from her fingers and tossed it on the couch. “What do you think you’re doing?” She dove for the couch, but Ross picked her up and hoisted her over his shoulder. “Put me down, you big ape. I’ll murder Becky.”
Ross carried her to the kitchen and dumped her unceremoniously in a chair. She immediately shot to her feet. His hand landed on her shoulder and pushed her back down. He shook his finger in a condescending manner. “No, you will not. Being pissed at Becky isn’t going to solve anything. I wanted to talk to you privately. I had a feeling you’d give me a hard time, so I asked Becky for the key. I’ll have you know she threatened to kick my ass if I hurt you. Now, stay put while I get us both a cup of coffee.”
Ross handed Mia her cup. She took it without looking at him and automatically added some sugar and creamer. At a loss for words, she sat there as he moved around the kitchen. She never expected him to show up after seeing him yesterday with the blonde piranha latched onto his arm. She had spent a sleepless night as images of Connie in his arms replayed over and over in her head until she had been ready to scream.
