The Bottom Line (17 page)

His soft touch surprised her yet again.

“I like your ass, Maggie,” he whispered. “I like your soft curves and the rounded shape. It’s very sexy.”

“Um, thank you.” It was the first time anyone had complimented her butt. Off-balance, she wasn’t sure what he would do next.

Smack!

Her eyes widened at the increased sensation. With only the thin panties between his hand and her flesh, the smack stung more than the first two. Fiery heat ran to the point of contact before seeping down to her pussy. She felt the moisture growing between her legs and swallowed.

Another two smacks in quick succession made her groan. Aimed at slightly different places on her butt, the heat danced through her, swirling and bringing a rush of conflicting emotions. Something like this shouldn’t feel so good, yet it did. Her breasts pulled to hard peaks beneath the boning of the corset, the nerve endings in her buttocks firing messages to all extremities of her body. She squirmed on his lap and found herself lifting her hips, silently seeking another blow.

It didn’t take long to arrive, the placement perfect, across both buttocks but low. Her pussy clenched in yearning, and she bit on her bottom lip to stem the groan of matching hunger.

“Good girl,” Connor said in a thick voice. “You took your punishment well.” His hand lingered on her bottom for an instant before he rose and lifted her to her feet in one smooth motion. He scrutinized her closely before he kissed her, a mere caress of lips, as tender and light as that of a child’s. But the heat in his eyes when he unfastened the belt at her waist and slid the coat down her arms was pure male adult. Her coat dropped to the floor forgotten as they stared at each other.

The stroke of his fingers across her jaw was gentle, barely there. “You look beautiful, babe. My imagination didn’t do you justice. Turn around so I can see you.”

Bemused, she turned at his bidding, the faint tremor in her legs a reminder of the emotions pulsing in her body, the residual sting and heat.

Connor had spanked her.

How had he known that she wanted a spanking?

He drew her against his body and she felt the hard ridge of his erection pulsing against her buttocks. She sighed and pushed back against him, savoring the tender moment with his arms wrapped around her waist. Her eyes fluttered closed and her other senses kicked in working overtime to compensate for her blindness.

Connor wore aftershave, not his usual citrus scented one, but something spicier reminding her of the Far East with its hint of sandalwood. His hands rose to cup her breasts, the warmth of his fingers permeating the fabric.

“That feels good,” she said without opening her eyes.

“What feels good? Tell me.”

“Your hands on me.” She responded to his order without hesitation. “The way you stroke my breasts. My nipples feel tender yet needy. I’d like it even more if you used a bit more pressure.” Color filled her cheeks—she knew because of the heat glowing in her face—but she didn’t regret her suggestion when Connor tugged on one nipple.

“Like this? Does that feel good?”

“Oh, yes. I like that.” What she really wanted was for him to drag off the corset and panties and pound into her with his hard cock, but she didn’t think she’d managed to verbalize her wish. Maybe slow was better. They should let the urgency build between them. Instinct told Maggie if they took their time, the lovemaking would be spectacular.

He stroked and squeezed, tugging on her sensitive nipples until sensations raced through her body. But it wasn’t enough with the stiff boning of the corset between his fingers and her flesh.

One of his hands splayed across her ribs, feeling like a brand. His. She was all his. Maggie wished she had the guts to admit it to him, to tell him he fit every one of her dreams and fantasies. The ache in her pussy intensified, hot, sensual flames licking all the way from the juncture of her thighs up to her breasts.

“As much as I love this corset on you, babe, I want to touch skin. And because you’re sorry about being late, I want to lick away the redness on your beautiful bottom.”

Maggie smiled. She knew her ass would hurt later and didn’t care.

At his direction, she stood still while he unfastened the laces tying the corset in the front. It had taken her ages to tie them but he made short work of the task. With competent hands, he peeled the material from her body, helped her remove her shoes and panties.

“Leave the stockings,” he said when she went to roll them down her legs. “They’re very sexy.”

“Aren’t you feeling overdressed?” she asked when the desire in his eyes started to make her feel vulnerable. Self-conscious.

“Are you feeling underdressed?” he countered.

“Just a tad.”

“I can fix that.” He peeled off his clothes and seconds later stood naked in front of her. He prowled toward her and, laughing, she backed away until the bed halted her retreat. When Connor kept coming, she toppled backward and he caged her in place on the bed. “Turn over.”

When she hesitated, he repeated the order.

“Turn over for me, babe.”

Their gazes met and held. His dark brows rose and his smile turned quizzical. She let her breath ease out and turned over to lie with her head resting on her arms. The silence lengthened, and she glanced over her shoulder to look at him. He was staring at her butt.

“You have a sexy ass, babe.” He smoothed his hand over one cheek, the coolness of his palm a startling contrast to the heated blush of her ass. She shuddered at his touch. “Up on your hands and knees. Spread your legs as wide as you can. I want to see your pussy bloom, all the private places you normally hide. Do I need to use a condom tonight? You’ve seen my test results. I haven’t been with anyone except you.”

“No more condoms.” The frank language brought a flash of arousal, and his husky voice held truth. She trusted him implicitly when it came to her health. “I want that too. I want you.” If he could speak candidly, so could she.

His hand stroked across her cheek before lifting and returning in a quick smack.

“
Ooh
.” Maggie swallowed and pushed up to her hands and knees.

The mattress depressed when he moved behind her. He slipped a hand between her legs and stroked her swollen flesh. With hot, easy glides he fingered her clit, sending jolts of pleasure skittering through her body. His touch felt so good, and she wanted more. She wanted to feel the stretch when he entered her body, hear his grunts when he thrust into her body.

As if he read her mind, he moved behind her, and she felt the glide of his cock over her flesh. He pushed inside, curving his body over hers and treating her like a treasure. He brushed a kiss over her shoulder blade and pushed her hair aside to kiss her neck. His muscles flexed as he pumped into her, increasing the friction with rapid strokes. Maggie pushed back, savoring each invading thrust.

“Faster, Connor. Please,” she begged.

He seemed to agree because he increased his pace, sending ripples of pleasure surging from each stroke of his cock. He bit lightly at her neck, the jolt of pain sending her over the edge. Her sheath pulsed, clutching his cock. Connor groaned, his rapid drives forcing her up the bed. Another raw and guttural shout signaled his climax, and he stilled, his cock jerking in explosive contractions.

Her limbs gave way, and she collapsed onto the bed. Connor curled around her, making her feel loved. Their lovemaking… Fantastic. Spectacular. Amazing. The spanking. Wow! She’d expected pain and hoped it would enhance lovemaking, but hadn’t realized she’d feel so close to Connor, so energized. Despite her extensive reading, the intimacy came as a surprise.

Connor moved a fraction, making her realize they were still joined and the man was interested in another session.

“Again?” she asked.

“I’ve missed you,” he said, his voice gruff.

In answer, she pushed back against him, silently telling him she wanted more.

“I want to watch your face this time.”

Connor pulled out of her and as she flopped over to her back, Maggie mourned the loss of his cock. His smile cured her straight away. Devilish and full of promises, he looked like a bad boy intent on mischief. There was nothing tentative about his kiss. He consumed her, taking and demanding her participation. He plundered until she responded and gripped his shoulders like an anchor in the emotional storm. Tongues slid together and his taste exploded through her. Urgency thrummed through her body, each touch from him igniting a reaction in her. Passion. Love.

She wished she could separate the emotions, knew she would get hurt. Inevitable. A leggy blonde would enter the picture, displacing her. A blonde like the one she’d seen in the pub. She knew it, and her heart refused to deal with reality. And no way was she going to ask shrewish questions right now and spoil her first spanking.

Enjoy the moment
.

Maggie forced her mind from the future to concentrate on the present.
A sexy man who wanted to fuck her
. Yep, candid language. Blunt truths. No one could ever say her feet didn’t touch the ground.

Connor swept her dark hair off her shoulder and kissed her neck. His heart bucked when he saw the faint bruises he’d made earlier. He couldn’t find the energy for sorry, not when he liked the marks. A badge of ownership.
Caveman stuff
. He kissed a trail across her collarbone before moving back to her neck and sucking in the exact same place. He wanted everyone to know what they’d done together.

“Connor,” she whispered, straining and rubbing against his body.

Spanking. Damn, once he’d actually managed to get past his aversion to spank Maggie, her response had made him hot. His cock had never grown so hard, his balls throbbed so much for release. Something to think about later.

“Let’s go for traditional this time,” he said, parting her legs with his knee. Her musky scent rose and he smiled, liking the fact he’d made her feel good. Her lips were red and swollen from his kisses, her eyes dark and heavy with passion. She was all his carnal fantasies come to life, responsive and submissive in bed, following his orders without hesitation. Yet, she held her own out of bed, doing whatever she believed was right. Brave and courageous. “Watch my eyes the entire time.”

“Okay.” Her husky whisper of obedience sent a jolt to his groin.

Connor moved between her legs and lined up his cock. He slipped inside her easily, savoring the tight clench of her pussy. So damned good. One hand dropped to cup her buttocks and tilt her hips up. He surged forward, pausing when balls deep, without taking his gaze off her.

Her snug channel pulsed around his shaft, her emotions shining in her eyes. She wanted this. Him. It was a heady thought.

The last couple of weeks had worried him, but it seemed they were on the same page now. He cupped a breast and rolled her nipple, withdrew and glided back inside her. He didn’t feel the same urgency this time and kept the pace slow. Enough to keep her on edge. Enough to make him work at keeping his strokes easy without giving into the instincts starting to roar through him.

A pinch of her nipple made her gasp. He grinned at the narrowing of her eyes. She never looked away, accepting the soothing stroke of his fingers when they followed the pinch. A surge of wetness let him know she was enjoying their loving.

“I like fucking you. I intend to do this to you all through the night until we’re both tired and sore. Sated.” He pushed deep and scored the tender skin along her throat. “And when we’re done, we’re going to shower together, and I’m going to shave you.”

“Why?”

“We talked about it before. Don’t you like the idea of smooth skin, increased sensation?”

Maggie ducked her head in a quick nod.

“Good girl.”

“On one condition. I will if you will.”

Connor barked a laugh of surprise, giving her a series of open mouthed kisses on her neck and upper chest. “You have a deal.”

Her chest rose and fell when she sucked in a deep breath. She released it as a sexy moan. The quick punch of heat clamping around his cock told him he wouldn’t last much longer. His balls ached and drew high. Chills raced across his skin when he surged into her tight, wet heat again. Her eyes contained pleasure and her fingernails dug into his shoulders, a silent entreaty to hurry.

“Tighten your inner muscles on me. Yeah. Like that.” It was an effort not to close his eyes to concentrate on the feel-good sensations, the fire whipping through his groin. Hell. Connor bit down on his tongue, words of love fighting to spill free.
Toast
. He was bloody toast if he uttered those words. She wouldn’t believe him for one and she’d run a mile. To preserve his dignity and keep an in with Maggie, he dipped his head to kiss her breast, sucking her nipple into his mouth.

She bucked at the sensations, groaned softly, and on his next stroke shattered, spilling over into climax, her pussy clutching greedily at his cock. He held off for as long as he could, wanting to prolong the pleasure. He lasted three strokes before he lost it, spilling his seed into her and losing his heart completely.

Chapter Thirteen

I did it.

I’m officially a member of the spanking club.

Did my first experience meet my expectations? Hell, yeah. It met and surpassed them. It was such a shock too. My lover took me by surprise, punishing me because I arrived late to our rendezvous.

I’d decided I would bring up the subject of spanking, but his wonderful surprise took away the need for an embarrassing discussion. That’s a bit weird, right? Kink excites me, yet I can’t discuss it with my man. I guess that makes me human. We all have things that matter to us, but for one reason or another, we don’t let our friends or partners know. It might be because of past experiences—I can attest to that—or we’ve told lies and don’t want our friends to think less of us. It might be fear of change or fear of the future.

Now all I need to do is tell my lover I’d like spankings on a regular basis. I won’t have a problem there—it’s a case of telling him I enjoyed it the first time and would like a repeat. He’s probably worked it out already because the sex was the hottest it’s ever been between us. We couldn’t get enough of each other, and I can’t wait to do it again.

How was your first spanking? Did it leave you wanting more or did you hate the experience and never try it again?

Maggie listened to the buzz at work with half her mind, the rest centered on Connor. She’d thought about him all morning and had him to thank for the distinctly damp panties. She reached for a coffee cup and waited for her turn at the coffee machine.

“Man, did you read the latest post on the spanking blog? She did it. She let her lover spank her and enjoyed it,” a man said behind her.

Maggie wasn’t sure how to react, whether to turn around and glare at the man or pretend she hadn’t heard.

“That is so fuckin’ hot,” one of his friends said. “It makes the plain old vanilla stuff my girlfriend and I do look pretty tame.”

“Nothing hot about it,” another scoffed. “It’s sick. Why would she want a man to hit her? It’s probably a game to her and the minute he does something she doesn’t like she’ll turn around and report him to the cops.”

Maggie clenched her cup harder, biting her inner cheek to stop turning around and flaying him with her tongue. He had no right to judge her. Her bedroom activities were none of his business. Yes, he had a right to an opinion, but he shouldn’t force it on everyone else. She poured her coffee, pausing to add milk before returning to her table.

None of the others had arrived for morning tea yet and she sipped her coffee, staring out the window at the Auckland harbor bridge and the moored yachts at Westhaven marina. A flock of gulls rode the air currents and the flag on the top of the bridge fluttered in the wind. She was too far away to identify the flag of the day, but it was red, yellow and green.

The conversation of the women sitting at the table next to hers finally registered.
Spanking
. Of course. Why shouldn’t the girls in the secretarial department have an opinion as well?

“She’s submissive,” one said.

“And that’s a problem because?” another one asked. “I don’t know about you, but by the time I get through my day, make all the decisions for the kids, decide what to have for dinner, what to wear and the hundred other things I have to do, I don’t want to take control in the bedroom as well. I like my husband to take control and order me around.”

A woman laughed. “Does he spank you?”

Maggie expected the woman to deny everything strenuously. She listened while trying to appear caught up in the view.

“No, but only because he hasn’t thought of it. I’m not averse to experimentation. There’s nothing worse than going through the motions in bed.”

“Hey,” Connor said, sliding into the seat beside her. He smiled and she warmed all over. “Are you okay?” He slipped his hand over hers and squeezed lightly before letting go.

“I’m fine. More than fine,” she said, instantly catapulted back to the weekend when she met his direct gaze while they made love. “Although I’m feeling bare. It’s a weird sensation. I like it.”

Connor chuckled. “I know the feeling. I loved touching and kissing all that pretty, soft pink skin of yours. Can you meet me tonight at my apartment? I have rugby training first and won’t be home until after nine. Is that okay?”

“I can’t wait,” Maggie whispered, trying to tell him without words just how much she wanted to be with him again. “Everyone is talking about the spanking blog. Is that where you got the idea from?”

Connor hesitated and nodded. He started to speak, but Julia, Susan and Christina arrived to join them.

“Did you have a good weekend?” Susan asked.

Maggie swallowed, understanding from her tone Susan still had reservations about her mystery lover. She bit back her flare of irritation toward Susan, reminding herself her friend had really suffered at the hands of her previous lover. It had colored her perceptions, so maybe she should cut Susan a break. She and Connor would have to be careful or their friends would catch them out, then there would be trouble.

“Yes, I did.” Keep it simple, she decided. No need to go into unnecessary details. “How about you?”

“I painted,” Susan said. “Look what I found in one of the ladies magazines. I thought I’d ask your opinions. I’m not sure whether to apply or not.” She handed over two loose pages for the rest of them to read.

Country Men Seek A Wife.

The Country Women’s Weekly is seeking a few good women for our lovely country bachelors. Our men are farmers, raised on the land and ready to settle with an adaptable woman.

All applicants must be single and provide a recent photo. They must also agree to take part in a reality show documentary for the duration of the contest. Complete the application form by 31 August. We will contact successful applicants with relevant details prior to 30 September, ready for filming to commence on 1 October.

“Well, what do you think?” Susan demanded after a few minutes.

Julia laughed. “A reality show. I like it.”

“Give me a chance to read it first,” Connor said, drawing the article closer and scanning it rapidly.

“You don’t like the country,” Christina said. “You hate getting your hands dirty.”

“It’s true I’m a city girl, but that doesn’t mean I can’t live in the country,” Susan said, her shoulders tensing in a combatant mode. ‘I can do anything I set my mind to. Besides, all my speed dates were disasters. I met the last one for coffee at the weekend. I’m pretty sure he wanted a mother figure—someone to boss him around and tell him what to do and when. Not my type at all.”

“I think you should go for it,” Maggie said. “There’s nothing in the rules to say you have to marry the guy.”

“It’s a chance to meet different men,” Christina said. “Maybe that’s what we both need. I’ll enter if you will. That’s if you’d like company.”

Susan beamed. “Deal. I’ll print out two application forms. Maybe we could get started on them tonight?”

“Come around to my place,” Julia said. “I’ll provide the wine.”

“I have rugby training,” Connor said. “If we win this week, we’re going to make the quarter-finals. Coach wants an extra session.”

“It was a great game on Saturday,” Maggie said. “I’m going to be at the next game cheering on the team. You guys should have been there. Connor had a great game and scored a try.”

“Why didn’t you ring me?” Julia asked. “I would have gone with you.”

Shoot
. “I…um…was busy for most of Saturday. I needed some fresh air and went for a drive. I ended up at the rugby…”
Weak
. The truth was Connor had dropped her off a block away and she’d walked across the park to the rugby grounds. They’d met up later at the hotel and ordered room service, not emerging from the hotel until their late checkout at midday.

“Can you come tonight?” Julia asked. “Or are you going to be busy?”

They all stared at her, the silent accusation bringing a wave of guilt. She hated this part of her relationship with Connor, the secrecy and sneaking around.

“There’s some sort of family crisis about my father and stepmother’s upcoming anniversary. I promised my stepsister I’d be at home at nine so she could ring me. I can stay until about half eight. Is that okay?” Lies. Not good. She was getting good at them. There was a lot of discussion about the anniversary—namely her father didn’t want a big celebration and her stepmother did. She wasn’t lying about that. She just wasn’t telling the truth, either.

Susan smiled at her—genuine excitement lighting her face. “I’m not sure I should be quite so excited about this. I might not even get picked, but from the moment I saw the ad, I’ve had this feeling.”

“A question,” Connor said. “What’s wrong with meeting a man in the normal way?”

Christina blinked and Maggie bit back a smile when Susan’s mouth gaped. Julia’s eyes twinkled with suppressed laughter, and Maggie waited because Connor had just dug himself a hole. He hadn’t realized it yet.

“What normal ways?” Christina asked.

Maggie watched wariness creep over Connor’s face, saw the minute he realized his innocent question had peeled off scabs and let bad memories run free.

“At work or at the pub.” He offered a weak smile before he turned his gaze on Maggie and Julia with a silent plea for help.

“Men are pigs,” Susan said. “They only want one thing, and that’s to learn how quickly they can get their dick in a girl’s panties. I’m tired of fending off drunken idiots who are only interested in sex. I want a man who is interested in making a future with me, having a family. Is that so much to ask?” Her voice broke toward the end of her rant and tears shone in her eyes.

Maggie swallowed, trying to rid her throat of the lump of emotion Susan’s impassioned words had caused. She reached across the table for her friend’s hand and squeezed it. “You deserve happiness, Susan, and we’ll support you in this contest. Anything you need. We’ll be there for you. Right?” She glanced at her other friends.

“Of course we will, sweetie,” Julia said. “We’ll drum up votes or whatever they do on those shows.”

“Hell, Susan,” Connor said. “I’m sorry. You’re right. Men are pigs. We take longer to grow up and think playing the field is fun.”

“You don’t want responsibility,” Christina said in a sharp voice. “We’re not blind to your faults, Connor. You’re not as bad as the rest of the guys, even if you do like leggy blondes.”

Maggie’s stomach dropped and fear settled, squeezing her lungs like a tight elastic band. She wasn’t Connor’s type. She knew it. She’d always known it but had agreed to act as his fuck buddy. They didn’t have a future. She accepted it and while her head went with the program, her heart didn’t agree. Maggie knew she was setting herself up for a fall. She perched on the edge of a precipice and the only way off was down.

“I didn’t realize I’d need to write a novel to enter this contest,” Christina whined.

Maggie grinned at her peeved tone. They’d met at Susan’s flat after work, and now, three hours later, they were still working on completing the forms for Susan and Christina. Two empty wine bottles stood on the kitchen counter, and Julia was busy opening a third.

Papers covered the kitchen table, and Susan’s pale face told Maggie she was as tired and as dispirited as Christina.

“Almost done,” Maggie said. “All you need to do is write the essay saying why you want to marry a farmer and what you could bring to the partnership.”

“An essay.” Susan groaned. “I was terrible at essays at school.”

“Me too,” Christina said. “This is hard. I don’t want to do it anymore.”

Julia topped up their wine glasses. “Don’t be wimps. Man up and write that essay.”

Maggie snorted. “Is this where we start spouting sayings like, ‘Save a horse. Ride a cowboy’?”

“Works for me,” Susan said. “I’d love to ride a cowboy. Do they have cowboys on New Zealand farms?”

“Yeah, we’re not in Kansas now,” Christina said, reaching for her wine. She missed and almost knocked her glass over.

“Whoa,” Maggie said with a laugh. “No more wine for the pair of you until we eat. Focus. Yes, we have cowboys in New Zealand. Haven’t either of you been to a rodeo before?”

Susan shook her head. “No.”

“An agricultural show?” Julia asked.

“No,” Christina said.

Maggie and Julia glanced at each other and grinned.

“City girls,” Maggie said. “This is gonna be so much fun. Let’s work on those essays. I want you both chosen so I can watch the reality show for a long time.”

“Who do you want? Susan or Christina?” Julia’s eyes widened and a wicked grin spread across her face. “How about a wager to sweeten the pot?”

“Done. Dinner and a hotel room at Whites?” Maggie laughed and quickly muffled the sound with her hand.

“A romantic night with the man of my choice. Works for me.” Julia’s giggle set Maggie off again and they laughed so hard they clutched at each other to stand.

“I’m glad the pair of you thinks this is funny,” Susan said in a stern voice.

Maggie noticed her lips twitched and Christina’s mouth pursed. She looked as if she wanted to laugh but was trying not to on principle.

“I’ll take Susan,” Maggie said.

“Christina, we’re going to beat them,” Julia said, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes. “We’ll wipe the floor with them.”

“There are six farmers up for grabs,” Susan said. “More than enough to go around.”

“Not if I’m aiming to grab two.” Christina glanced at Julia. “Tell me you’re a whiz at English.”

“Two?” Susan asked in a faint voice.

“I’m a whiz at English,” Julia said.

Christina brightened. “Really?”

“No. I barely passed, but I have a wager on the line. I respond well to a challenge.”

“We’re doomed,” Christina muttered. “Absolutely doomed. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have been greedy and asked for two men in my Christmas stocking. I knew I was pushing it. I knew it. This is fate come back to screw with me.”

Maggie glanced at Julia. Julia made a hiccupping sound and they were off again, laughing so hard they ended up on the floor.

“I need food,” Susan said. “I have some lasagna in the freezer.” She stood and strode to the upright freezer. A blast of cold air hit Maggie when Susan opened it.