Sweet Town Love

by Maggie Ryan

  “We’re going to be late, Emma.”

  “Ah, summoning the cavalry.” Mark laughed. “Relax, I have no paint sticks on me today,” he teased.

  Charlie looked at the size of his upheld hands and snorted.

  “I see you survived what I fear might have been your first taste of corporal punishment,” he noted as he slipped on his jacket.

  “My first and last, Mr. McClellan,” Charlie replied crisply.

  “Good for you.” Mark smiled in approval. “I’ll take that to mean that you are not going to be annoying and rude during this afternoon’s performance.”

  “Take it any way you’d like. Here’s Emma. Let’s go.” On the way to the car she whispered, “call shotgun” to Emma, who happily complied and raced to the front door of the car.

  “Nice try, half-pint,” Mark laughed before opening the back door and placing a firm hand on her shoulder. “Sorry, sweets, you’re not old or big enough to ride in the front. I would think Miss…”

  Charlie ignored his request for her last name and opened the driver’s door.

  Mark sent her a glare and continued. “I would think Charlene would know that state law requires children under fourteen to ride in the rear seat.”

  Emma dutifully got into the back seat and snapped on her seatbelt with a sigh.

  “I have no children, Mr. McClellan,” Charlie hissed quietly over the roof of the car.

  “That’s probably a good thing as you seem to be one,” he responded curtly before opening his door and getting in.

  Despite the rocky start to the afternoon, Charlie found she enjoyed herself. It was fascinating to be backstage before the performance and take in the total chaos. She spoke with child actors whose nervous excitement both made her laugh and broke her heart. Children backstage who helped with costume and scene changes were just as vested in the success of the production as those in the cast. She got many cute quotes and told them all to “break a leg” before going out front and taking her seat.

  Mark had saved one next to him, but Charlie chose an empty seat across the aisle. He shrugged and ignored her until intermission when he asked if she wanted to go with him to get something to drink.

  “I believe I went to intermission with you last night and it was most unenjoyable,” she remarked, studying her program.

  “Yes, but this time we will stay in the lobby as your aggravating habits did not make it across the aisle,” he assured her with a smile.

  Charlie was thirsty, and nodding, she rose to accompany him. Mark took her elbow and she felt the warmth of his hand clear to her fingertips. They stood at a large glass wall and sipped their drinks.

  “It’s good, isn’t it,” she finally stated.

  “The drink?” he asked in surprise, looking at his bottled water.

  “No, the play,” she laughed. “I never had an interest in theater and I’m stunned at the amount of work these kids have put in, especially the ones who never make it on stage.”

  “Not everyone can be a star,” Mark replied. “I think Emma was lucky to get the lead. Some of those kids are really impressive.”

  “I know and the teachers are amazing. I don’t think they get an extra dime for all the overtime they put in. They do it for the pleasure of seeing the kids succeed.”

  “Are you a charitable person, Miss…”

  “Elliott,” she offered with a blush. “Charlene Elliott, and no I don’t think I am. I mean I give what I can afford when asked, but I’m not charitable with my time,” she admitted. “I don’t volunteer; in fact, I haven’t given anything like that much thought. Are you?”

  “I try to be, when time allows. As a pediatrician, I give generously to several children’s charities and I donate my skills twice a month at a free clinic, but even I could probably do more.”

  “Well, we’ll both be donating our time at the Winter Festival,” Charlie noted. “I’m to be a pink skating polar bear,” she sighed.

  Mark laughed. “Do you skate?”

  “Not very well… anymore,” she replied, not going into detail.

  “Then you might want to add some padding to the butt of your costume,” he suggested with a wink.

  As the end of intermission was announced, he took her elbow and escorted her from the lobby.

  “Of course, I would be happy to attend to any injuries you receive in that area,” he teased.

  “I’ve seen how you attend to that area,” she whispered as she elbowed him in the side. “I think I’ll pass.”

  “I’ve been told I have a very gentle touch,” he whispered back before seating her. He heard her snort from across the aisle as he settled back to watch the rest of the play.

  “You’ve been misinformed.”

  Chapter 3

  Emma was on cloud nine on the way home, and when she found out her parents had prepared a special celebration for her, she grabbed Charlie’s hand and dragged her into the house, begging her to stay.

  The small family party consisted of pizza and wings, ordered from a local pizzeria, but the best part was that her father had carried her mother, Maryellen, downstairs and settled her on the couch. They all ate in the living room on paper plates and laughed and talked for more than two hours. Just when Charlie was ready to make her escape, Dan brought out a cake for Emma, so she stayed another hour or so.

  Finally, Mark rose and announced that he needed to be heading home and Charlie rose too. Before she knew it they were both outside at their vehicles.

  “Charlene,” Mark began. “Are you seeing anyone?”

  “Not anyone special,” she hedged.

  “Listen, I’m on call next weekend, but the weekend after if I came down, would you go out with me?”

  “What did you have in mind?” she asked, blushing when he took her cold hand in his.

  “I thought we might go out to dinner, and if I stay over, we could go skating the next day. It might help to get a little refresher course before the festival and I’m a pretty good skater,” he suggested with a grin.

  “I don’t know, Mark. We didn’t get off to a very good start,” she whispered looking down.

  “Now I wouldn’t go that far,” he stated. “I certainly enjoyed it.”

  Charlie yanked her hand away and scowled up at him.

  “You have to admit you were quite deserving of what you got,” he scolded.

  “I’ll admit no such thing,” she replied, tipping up her chin. Looking into his dark eyes, she could feel herself weakening. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll go out with you, but no more of that funny stuff.”

  Mark dropped his teasing attitude and took her shoulders in his big hands. Apparently it suddenly dawned on him that she was not wearing a jacket of any kind and it was quite cold out.

  “Where’s your coat?” he asked.

  “Um, I didn’t bring one; in fact, most of the time I don’t wear one. I’m usually in and out of places so fast I don’t get a chance to get cold,” she responded, slightly off balance at the swift change in conversation.

  “Well, you wear one now,” he stated firmly. “At the very least you are to keep one in your car.”

  “But…”

  “Listen, Charlie, I’m going to be completely honest with you. I find you incredibly attractive, beautiful, in fact, but it’s more than that. I like your spirit and I even admire your sassy, independent nature, to a point. But I’m an old-fashioned man in many respects; in fact, respect is a key word in this equation. Shall I go on?”

  Charlie nodded, caught up by his deep voice and eyes the color of melting chocolate.

  “I’m looking for a serious relationship, let’s be clear about that right up front. So far Miss Right has eluded me, probably because I want more from a woman than most are willing to give,” he sighed.

  “What is it you’re looking for?” she asked, shocked at his raw honesty. She lived in a world of players; this man was not one.

  “I want a woman who will respect and honor me as I plan to honor her. By that I
mean someone who can accept my authority to a certain extent.”

  “Accept your authority?”

  “Yes. I sincerely feel that it is the man who is the head of the household, or the leader in a relationship.”

  “And when you find this woman, the one who will accept your ‘authority,’ where will you lead her?” Charlie asked.

  Mark pulled her closer and she allowed it until she was flush against his chest, his arms wrapping around her and warming her.

  “To the altar, I’ll lead her straight to the altar,” he whispered in her ear.

  God, being in his arms was fabulous, especially as she was actually freezing. His hug was all encompassing, like being wrapped in a warm blanket. He smelled so good; his heated breath against her ear sealed her fate even before he nudged her chin up and claimed her lips in a sweet, gentle kiss. When her knees trembled, he tucked her closer and deepened the kiss. Good heavens, with kisses like this she was ready to agree to nearly anything.

  Finally, he raised his head and stared into her eyes.

  “Well, have you nothing to say?” he asked.

  “I say I have no idea what you want, not really, but I’m willing to see if I’m it,” she breathed.

  “Good girl,” he said. Squeezing her, he lifted her off her feet for a moment. “Now you’d better get in the car before you get too chilled.”

  “Oh I can’t imagine there being a risk of that,” she said with a giggle.

  Mark laughed and kissed her again before opening her door.

  “I’ll call you later this week.”

  “Okay,” she sighed as he shut her door. “Hey,” she called, sliding her window down. “Do you have my number?”

  “I got it from Dan,” he called back as he got to his truck.

  “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

  “I would call it more hopeful. Get a jacket,” he ordered.

  Charlie saluted, wondering what the hell she’d just signed on for. It also occurred to her that he had not agreed to her request for no more “funny stuff,” although being spanked by Mark wasn’t a bit funny as far as she was concerned.

  Dan loved her article and assigned her two small court cases to cover over the coming weeks. It wasn’t much, but it was something, at least in Charlie’s opinion. She also kept busy working on a freelance article entitled, The Alpha Male Phenomenon in Contemporary Woman’s Literature. It seemed she wasn’t the only one affected by a dominant male.

  Over the next two weeks, she spoke with Mark on the phone several times and his deep voice seemed warmer, more caring, with each conversation. Even that horrid spanking took on sensual undertones now that her bottom wasn’t sore. She had to admit there was something very appealing about a man who knew what he wanted and went after it.

  At first, she tried to convince herself that night had been an anomaly, a series of incidents that came together at that particular moment and caused his reaction. Now she forced herself to admit that wasn’t true, and if she did become involved with him, more than likely he would repeat the experience. He made it clear that he would expect her obedience and respect. Could she handle that type of relationship? Charlie had her doubts. She’d always been independent, and by nature, she was not the easiest woman to get along with. She was outspoken and opinionated, passionate and feisty. It was possible she would spend more time over Mark’s lap than cuddled on it, which she would much prefer. He certainly was a far cry from the slightly balding pompous doctor she’d imagined as Dan’s brother. Quite simply, he was hot. If she didn’t at least give it a try, she had a feeling she would regret it for a very long time.

  When Mark arrived at her door on Friday night, Charlie was thankful she hadn’t chickened out. He looked so good in his black jeans and charcoal sweater she was tempted to ask him to forget dinner and move on to more exciting activities. A second later, she realized he might possibly see that as her challenging his authority. After all, he’d made the plans for tonight. There was no sense in getting off on the wrong foot again. Picking up her new jacket, she handed it to him and he helped her into it.

  “I like the teal color,” he said approvingly. “It suits you.”

  “Thanks,” she said with a smile. “Shall we go?”

  Dinner was at a little restaurant on the edge of town. It was crowded and noisy. There was not much opportunity for intimate, get-to-know you conversation. Cassville generally rolled its sidewalks up around nine each night, but on the weekends, the little town could rock and roll with the best of them. Most of the action was at the bars Charlie and her friends frequented. No way was she taking her sexy new man anywhere near her single friends. She had a feeling if she did, she’d need her own paint stick to beat them off.

  They decided to rent a movie instead of driving the twenty miles to a cinema and Charlie was perfectly happy to curl up on her couch and snuggle with Mark. It was an action film, one she wasn’t particularly interest in. It seemed much more appealing to watch the big, handsome man beside her and gently scrap her fingernails across the back of his neck. Damn he smelled so good.

  Every now and then he would take her hand and kiss it, placing it on his knee as he watched the movie. Her fingers we busy there too, sliding along his jeans. Finally, he grasped her hand in his and held it.

  “Charlene, do you want to have sex?” he asked in frustration.

  “I thought you’d never ask,” she cried, launching herself onto his lap with a sultry smile. Her fingers climbed up the front of his shirt, happy he’d taken off his sweater when they returned from dinner. Slowly, she began to unbutton the buttons. She was shocked when he grasped both of her hands in one of his.

  “I’m not ready,” he said gently.

  “What, do you want to go brush your teeth or something?” she asked, wiggling on his lap.

  “No, I want to get you know you better.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I don’t do one night stands,” he stated firmly. “When I make love to a woman, I need to be reasonably certain the relationship is going somewhere.”

  “Oh. And you’re certain this one isn’t?” she snapped, moving to scoot off his lap.

  “I didn’t say that,” he replied calmly, holding her in place.

  “You’re no longer attracted to me,” she accused with a pout.

  “On the contrary, I’m very attracted to you. If you’d sit still for damn minute, you’d know what I’m saying is true,” he growled.

  Charlie did and immediately felt the truth of his words.

  “Then what’s the problem?” she asked, genuinely confused.

  “The problem is we are not at that point yet. We’re just getting to know each other. Already I can tell that you’re impulsive, impatient and want what you want, when you want it. I am not that man, Charlene.”

  “What man?”

  “A man who gives into my urges, consequences be damned. I’m thoughtful and a bit reserved,” he told her softly.

  “You didn’t seem very ‘thoughtful and reserved’ the night we met. How much thought did you put into taking that paint stick to my ass?” she demanded, glaring at him.

  “That was a little out of character,” he admitted with a laugh. “But I did think about it for the entire first half of the play. You have to admit you were pretty annoying.”

  “And you were a complete Neanderthal.”

  “If you judge me as that simply because I punished you for your inappropriate behavior, then I still am,” he replied truthfully. “Is that a deal-breaker?”

  Charlie crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him in shock.

  “I did tell you that I have old and somewhat out of fashion ideas about how a committed relationship should work between a man and a woman. I also told you that I believe the man is designed to be the head of the household.”

  “We are not a ‘household’ and you are not the ‘head of me,’ ” she snapped.

  “No, I’m not, but as you know, it didn’t stop me from spanking
your beautiful bottom before, so lose the attitude. I’m sure we can discuss this as adults.”

  “I don’t feel very adult at the moment,” she hissed, trying once again to wiggle off his lap.

  “That’s apparent,” he grinned.

  “Let me up,” she insisted.

  Mark complied with a frustrated shake of his head. He released her and watched her stomp to the TV, ejecting the movie from the Blu-ray player.

  “How about this,” Charlie drawled sarcastically. “You take you movie and lead yourself right to the door.”

  Mark rose and pulled on his sweater, watching her closely.

  “All this because I wouldn’t make love to you?” he asked in exasperation.

  “No… well, yes… sort of I guess… it’s just that it hurts my feelings. You don’t want me.”

  Quickly she backed up a step, still holding out the disc as he approached her with a determined stride. He didn’t take it. Instead he grasped both her shoulders and gave her a quick shake.

  “Of course I want you,” he snapped. “I’ve thought of you every day for the last two weeks. I love the way you smell, the feel of your silky hair, your expressive eyes that tell me what you’re thinking, even when you don’t want me to know. I like the way your body lines up with mine,” he continued, yanking her against him, holding her there and letting her feel his desire.

  “I want you, but what I don’t want is a complicated relationship that comes when two people aren’t honest with each other. I’m not big on surprises. You need to know just what kind of man you’re getting with me before we move into physical territory.”

  “We’ve already been quite physical,” she panted.

  “Did you hate it?” he asked bluntly, his eyes focused on hers.

  “Of course I hated it,” she hissed. Her face bloomed with color. “It hurt.”

  “Would something like that deter you from being so inconsiderate in the future?”

  “With you around? Yes!”

  “And if I wasn’t around to call you on your behavior?”

  Charlie shrugged and looked away.

  “Well, at least you’re honest,” Mark said with a laugh. “Listen, we don’t know each other very well yet, and I don’t expect perfection. I just want you to know that I believe in consequences and I have no problem helping you see the error of your ways, so to speak. If a spanking accomplishes that, I’m happy to provide one.”