For The Love Of Sir (14 page)

Chapter Thirteen

“I can’t believe we’re in Rome!” Tara exclaimed as she took a sip of her wine and smiled at Alex.

“I wanted to make this day special. It’s been one month since we tore up that stupid contract.”

It had been nearly two months since she’d been shot and the doctor had cleared her to start work next week provided she took things easy for a while. Eloise had been deemed a flight risk and had been denied bail so she was locked up until her trial. Tara was not looking forward to having to testify. But at least the police had arrested the man who’d mugged her and wrecked her apartment.

About a month after she’d been shot she’d started having nightmares about what had happened. Embarrassingly she’d even had a few panic attacks.

Alex had insisted that she go to therapy and she was glad he had. Talking through that night seemed to be helping. The last three nights she hadn’t had any nightmares.

Of course, that could be because Alex had whisked her away to Rome as a surprise. Now they were sitting on the balcony attached to their suite of rooms. Alex was dressed in the tux he’d worn for dinner. Damn, he looked hot. The tux fit him perfectly. She was dressed in an oversized t-shirt with nothing underneath. Alex had decided that she would be naked in the hotel suite unless someone else was around. The t-shirt was in deference to the fact that they were out on the balcony.

“My feet hurt from all the walking we’ve done today.”

They’d been to the Colosseum and Ancient Rome. After a beautiful dinner, they’d decided to walk back to their hotel, stopping along the way to get some gelato.

“We did too much today,” Alex said with regret in his voice. “I’ll go run you a bath.”

“I’m okay. But a bath would be nice.” She followed him through the living area of the hotel suite into the amazing bathroom with its walk-in shower and enormous spa bath. This place was about ten times the size of her old apartment.

“What made you choose Rome?” she asked as Alex started filling the bath for her.

She sat on the small stool beside the spa bath and watched him.

 
“Paris seemed so cliché,” he told her. “Plus, you love gelato.”

Tara laughed. “I do love gelato. I’ve been to Paris, it’s beautiful as well.”

He turned off the taps and looked over at her. “You’ve been to Paris?”

She nodded as she swirled her hand through the water. “Uh-huh. I was about twelve. I went with my mom. She was dying of cancer and she’d always wanted to return to Paris. My father couldn’t take her, so she took me instead.”

“Oh God, baby.” He drew her onto his lap. “We’ve talked about your brother, but you hardly ever mention your parents. I assumed they were both dead.”

She shrugged. “My mom is, but I don’t like to talk about it.”

“I can understand why, but it’s not good to keep everything inside, Tara.”

“I know. Can we get in the bath now?”

Alex helped her stand. She was dressed in one of his t-shirts, so it didn’t take her long to strip and get in the water. He climbed in behind her, pulling her back against his chest.

“Tell me about your mother.”

Tara told him all about the mother she’d adored. How kind she’d been. Funny and sweet. Alex just listened as she talked.

“And what about your father?” he asked once she grew quiet.

She stiffened for a moment, but knew it was only natural he’d be curious. He’d told her his demons it was time she shared hers.

“Last I heard, he’s still alive. We don’t talk. He’s a cold, heartless bastard.”

“Tell me.”

Tara rested her head back against his chest. “We didn’t see a lot of my father growing up as he was always working. But somehow, it didn’t matter when my mom was alive. She was always there for us. I have no idea why she married that jerk. When I was nine she found out she had breast cancer. She died when I was thirteen. Eight months after Paris. Do you know what the first thing my father did after the funeral?”

“No,” he said quietly.

“He sent me to boarding school.”

“He what?” The incredulous tone in Alex’s voice soothed her.

“All I wanted was to stay with my baby brother. He was only six, he needed me. I’d promised my mom I would look after him.”

Alex wanted to hurt her father. To make him feel at least a smidgen of the pain Tara had obviously endured.

“What did you do?” he asked.

“I ran away. I kept running away until they had no choice but to send me home. He wanted to send me to another school but I threatened to run away from there too. He told me that either I went to boarding school or he would cut me off when I was eighteen. I told him that if he left my brother and I alone that we would stay out of his way and once I turned eighteen he’d never see me again. That made him happy. I heard him telling his lover, who moved in with him three months after Mom’s death, that he’d never wanted the two of us.”

Alex hugged her close, but remained quiet not wanting to interrupt her.

“I looked after my brother. I kept him out of my father’s way. My father only every noticed the bad things, a poor mark on my report card, if I accidentally broke something. He never noticed how hard I worked to please him. Finally, I stopped trying.”

That asshole.

“I never actually expected him to do it, you know. I thought he would forget or weaken. But he didn’t. Once I turned eighteen, he kicked me out of home. I had nothing but my clothes, which he had boxed up and sent to me. My brother and I had to sneak around to see each other. I lived with a friend until I graduated high school.”

“What did you do then?” Alex was horrified by her father’s behavior. How could he do that to his daughter?

“Got a job and saved money for college. When I had enough saved I enrolled and still worked part-time. Once I graduated I found a job I loved. Didn’t pay great but it was enough. I had this cute little apartment and things were going well. Then the bastard did the same thing to my brother.”

“He kicked him out?”

“My brother is gay. My father found him with his boyfriend. He was just seventeen. My father threw him out and my brother came to live with me. For a while we survived, then Ben got a scholarship for med school and well…”

“You gave up a job you loved for one that paid better and moved to that awful apartment.”

“Yeah.”

“What did your brother say about you moving into that apartment?” Alex couldn’t believe her brother would let her sacrifice so much for him.

“Oh, Ben doesn’t know why I moved or changed jobs and I never intend to tell him. It was my choice. He’s my brother.”

And she’d promised her dying mother she’d take care of him. How had he ever compared her to Simone? They were nothing alike.

“Well, you know you don’t have to work yourself to the bone anymore. I’m going to support Ben.”

She sat up and turned to look at him. Her face was fierce. “Oh no, you’re not.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s bad enough that you already pay for everything else, I am responsible for my brother, not you.”

 
“And when we get married he’ll be my brother as well,” he told her with a frown.

Tara’s throat went dry. “When we what?”

“When we get married. Don’t get any ideas, this isn’t a proposal. When I propose it will not be in the bathroom of a hotel. But I am going to propose.” He tapped her nose. “And you’re going to accept, aren’t you?”

After a moment to recover from the shock, Tara smiled up at him. “You’re ordering me to say yes?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m with you for your money, like your ex.”

“Tara, I have to fight with you just to pick up the tab at a restaurant. You insist on going to work for Reagan, who will probably be more of a slave driver than Tim, instead of letting me support you. I have never thought that you were after my money.”

“I just feel like you already pay for everything.”

“I like looking after you and it’s about time you let someone else take care of you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re always the first to volunteer to help someone else. Even though you don’t have much money you always manage to give a sandwich to the homeless guy who hangs out down from the club.”

“You know about Tony?”

He nodded. “You ran yourself ragged working for Tim. He took advantage of you. You’re perfectly capable of supporting yourself and I know that. But you do need me. You need me to make sure that you’re looked after, that you’re a bit selfish and do things for yourself.”

Alex needed to be needed. Was that why he’d married his wife? Because she’d acted like she needed him. Then he’d realized all she needed was his cash.

“You’re right. I do. I need you. No one has ever worried about me or taken care of me when I was sick since my Mom died.”

“She sounds like she was a great person.”

“She was. I often used to wonder what she saw in my cold father. I think he was different before we came along and stole her attention. She would tell us stories of all the places they’d been to. It always sounded so magical. My father took her to Paris for their honeymoon, which was why she wanted to return. The bastard wouldn’t take her. It wasn’t like he couldn’t afford to take the time off, he’s filthy rich.”

“Yet he kicked you out with nothing?”

“That’s my father for you. I always thought that he at least cared about my mother, but he barely waited until she was gone before he found someone else. He remarried a few years ago. Needless to say neither Ben nor I were invited to the wedding.”

“Ahh, baby. I’m so sorry. Is that why you find it hard to lean on other people and let them help you? Because of your father?”

“After Mom died, I only had myself to rely on. I was in charge of taking care of my brother. I had to make sure that we didn’t make our father angry. I didn’t want him to separate us. I guess I just got used to relying on myself. There was no one else. I think he expected me to crawl back to him after he kicked me out, you know? To beg him for help.”

“Well, you showed him.”

She smiled and glanced back at him. “Yeah, I guess I did. And my life turned out pretty damn good.”

Chapter Fourteen

Nerves butterflied through her stomach as Alex tied her to the spanking bench. Tara could feel the eyes of the other club members on her, watching.

The time had come for her punishment for walking out on him that night she’d been shot and Alex had decided to punish her at the club.

“Are you sure you feel up to this?” he asked her quietly.

She opened her eyes to find him watching her in concern.

“I’m fine, my arm doesn’t hurt anymore.” It had been nearly four months and while it still got stiff and sore at times, it was only when she overdid things.

He watched her carefully. “You’re pale and you’ve gone all tense.”

“I guess it’s because everyone is watching.” Sure, she was used to having people watch, but it seemed like everyone in the club had stopped what they were doing to come over and stare at them.

Alex glanced around with a small frown. “You know why we’re doing this here, don’t you?”

“Because I left the club without telling you.”

“Yes, but not just that. You put yourself in danger. I know you weren’t expecting Eloise to be there with a gun. But you knew there was something going on and you could have waited and taken someone with you.”

He gave her a stern look. “You’re not alone, Tara. You’re always there for everyone else, but you won’t let them help you when you need them. You need to learn to lean on other people. They want to help you. They love you and they can’t stand the idea of something happening to you.”

Tears filled her eyes. She nodded. “I understand. But can we just get on with it?”

He smiled. His gaze was filled with sympathy but as he stood it grew stern. “We’re going to start with my hand.”

Start with? Great.

He moved out of her sight and she tensed. He rubbed her ass gently, causing her to jump.

“Easy, baby. Don’t tense up or this is going to be a lot more painful for you. I want you to say your safe word immediately if your arm starts hurting or if it all becomes too much, okay?”

“Yes, Sir,” she said, trying desperately to relax.

His hand descended in a steady rhythm. The spanks were firm but not unbearable and she found herself relaxing into them slightly. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Alex stopped and moved up beside her. “Okay?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good. That was your warm up. Now onto the more serious stuff.”

Her eyes grew wide as he picked up a paddle and held it in front of him. Tara gulped. It had been a while since she’d felt the sting of the paddle. Alex disappeared behind her. The paddle landed with a sharp thawp and she jolted, letting out a small cry.

“Okay?” Alex asked.

“Yes, Sir,” she replied.

The next five were given in quick succession. Tears filled her eyes as her buttocks grew hot. After another five, she was certain her butt cheeks were hot enough to fry eggs on. Tears escaped, dripping down her face. Another five and she knew she would never go near a bus again without remembering this.

A sob crept out of her throat. She attempted to hold it back, but Alex must have heard because he paused.

“Okay, sweet?”

“Green, Sir.”

Sweat coated her skin as the paddle descended again. Quick then slow. It kept her on edge, unable to relax into the pain. Her ass grew hotter, burning. The spanks were coming slower now.

Tara didn’t immediately realize that it was over, not until Alex started untying her. “I’ll have you out of there in a moment, sweet,” he murmured.

She could hear people talking around her. A blanket was placed over her and then Alex helped her stand. As soon as she was off the bench, he pulled her up into his arms, holding her tight against his chest.

“Shh, baby, you’re all right. It’s all over.” It was only then that she realized she was crying.

“I’m okay,” she told him, swiping at her cheeks as he carried her over to a quiet area and sat on a couch. He leaned back against the arm of the couch and draped her over him, chest to chest.

“Just let it all out, baby,” he told her rubbing her back.

She buried her face against his chest as tears dripped down her face. When she had herself under control, she pulled back.

“Feel better?” he asked.

“Yeah.” She did, actually. Lighter.

Alex nodded. “Sometimes pain can help you release tightly bottled emotions.”

“Are you saying that I hold things inside and need pain to help me let things out?”

“Something like that.”

She snorted. “So when do I get to spank your ass? You’re more tightly wound than I am.”

“Ahh, but I’m the Dom. On me it’s sexy and mysterious.”

She rolled her eyes, but snuggled in deeper against him.

“Two bottles of water, Sir,” a soft voice said. Tara didn’t bother to look up.

“Thank you, Missy. Just open one and hand it to me then put the other on the floor.”

Moments later he held a bottle of water to her lips.

“Drink, baby,” he ordered quietly.

She took a few thirsty mouthfuls before closing her eyes once more. They lay quietly together for another ten minutes, before Alex spoke.

“I’m going to turn you over and put some gel on your ass, sweet.”

She murmured a protest.

“Shh,” he told her. “It will help with any bruising.”

Wasn’t like she had much of a choice, anyway. He sat up then gently turned her over his lap and started to apply the gel to her burning ass. She hissed as he touched some particularly painful bits.

“Wouldn’t like to have to sit on that ass come Monday morning,” a deep voice said.

Tara stiffened and glared up over her shoulder at a grinning Sloan. Alex rolled her over, tucking the blanket around her. She snuggled back into his chest.

Sloan shook his head as he sat on the sofa opposite them. “Got to admit, you were tougher on her than I thought, old man. Of course she did deserve it.” He sent her a strict look and she resisted poking her tongue out at him. Barely.

“Us old guys know a thing or two,” Alex said without heat.

She glanced up at him.

“Am I forgiven?” she asked.

“Baby, you were forgiven the moment I got you back in my arms.”

Sloan groaned and stood. “Enough of that mushy stuff.” He pointed a finger at her. “Don’t you ever put your Dom through that again or I’ll hold you down while he wallops you.”

He wandered off towards the bar.

Alex winked at her. “I knew that would get rid of him.”

Tara giggled. During the next half an hour more of their friends stopped by to check up on her and give her a lecture about taking better care of herself and leaning on them. It sobered her to realize how worried everyone had been when she’d been shot.

“I didn’t realize they all cared about me so much,” she said in wonder after Roarke left.

“Of course they do, baby. They’re your family.”

She rubbed at her eyes, forcing back tears. “I guess they really are.”

“Tired?”

“A little.” She gazed up at him before wriggling off his lap and kneeling on the ground between his legs. “But there’s something I want to do. For you.”

He reached out and cupped her cheek. “Why don’t you hold that thought until we get home?”

She shook her head. “I can’t wait until then. I want to show you how much I love you. May I?”

“I’d be a fool to say no.”

Smiling, she reached out and undid his pants. He wasn’t wearing any underwear so it was easy to pull out his thick cock. She grasped the base of it with her hand.

Reaching down, she took the tip into her mouth, sucking and licking in turns as she pumped her hand up and down him.

“That feels so good, my sweet. Take a bit more. That’s it.”

Tara took more of him into her mouth, swallowing him down, loving the sound of his breath growing harsher, faster. It was a heady feeling, knowing she could do this to him.

“Faster, baby. That’s my girl. My good, sweet girl.”

Tara bobbed her head faster, sucking on him until her cheeks ached. She gently massaged his balls and he moaned loudly.

“I’m going to come, Tara.” His voice was filled with need, his breath coming in sharp, fast pants.

She made herself take as much of him as she could as he let out a low moan and shot his seed into her mouth. Tara quickly swallowed. She pulled back when he was finished, gulping in some deep breaths. Alex passed her the bottle of water and she took a few sips. Then he reached down and drew her up onto his lap so she was straddling him. Pulling her face down, he kissed her deeply.

“Thank you, baby.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Thank you. For coming for me. For saving me. For loving me.”

“You never have to thank me for that. Loving you is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Me too, Sir.”