Chapter 13

Chapter

Thirteen

D inner was beginning to tempt them both with its aroma.

“Why don’t you sit here while I take a look around?” Noah said, hating to burst the little bubble they seemed to have created since their arrival.

“Did you hear something? Are you worried?”

“No, sweetheart, I’m just a cautious man. The security cameras and alarms are installed. Thom will be here tomorrow afternoon to fine-tune things and add some automation to some of the programs and protocols. He’ll also encrypt all the systems.”

“I would offer to come with you, but I doubt you’d let me, and I’m awfully comfy here on the couch.”

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Then, just hang out, and I’ll bring you your dinner when I get back.”

Noah left her where she was. He wasn’t sure if she’d thought through the fact she wouldn’t be able to sit comfortably for several days. Just before he closed the door behind him, he heard, “Shit! Sonofabitch!”

He was glad she couldn’t see him grin. Despite what he’d said to Zara, he meant to caution Thom about teasing her in any way. His Zara was a fiercely proud woman, and no man, save himself, would do anything to humble or disrespect her. He knew what he demanded of her was difficult and contrary to everything she believed about herself, but he also knew she would be safe and loved for the rest of her life. He would see to that. His cock ached for her and began to stiffen as if to remind him her safety wasn’t the only thing he’d be seeing to on a daily basis.

The cottage was strategically placed, with a cliff at their back and two sides. Beyond the front was a stone wall, then an open beach. There were no other cottages or residences of any kind anywhere close. Thom had done well.

He checked the outer buildings; no escape vehicle yet, but he figured Thom would bring that to them. There were plenty of munitions already stowed away. He’d found one automatic rifle in the pantry and two automatic handguns—one tucked under the kitchen’s butcherblock island and the other under the coffee table. He’d check under the bed and in the nightstands later. He wished he could keep that information from Zara, but if it all went to hell in a handbasket, her knowing might be the difference between life and death.

Noah was certain, at this point, they were secure, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t want the alarms set, so if anyone violated their perimeter, he could ensure her safety. He looked up at the towering cliffs and the small hillock that led to them on one side. The wildflowers were in bloom, so he took the time to pick and fashion a small bouquet for her. She deserved only the best, but for now, this was all he had.

He opened the door and barely missed getting hit as some kind of flying crockery smashed against the door frame. Apparently, it was taking Zara a bit longer to accept that when she’d earned herself a welting, she would feel the aftermath for several days. He opened the door again only to have another piece of pottery smash against the door itself.

“You bastard!”

He opened the door and ducked in, tucking and rolling behind the couch as he pushed the door closed. He should scold her and tell her to behave, but she was in a fine temper, and her wild spirit was one of the things that drew him to her.

“Zara, sweetheart…”

“Don’t you Zara, sweetheart me! I tried to sit up, thinking I’d at least set the table or get plates out… Do you have any idea how much that hurt?”

“I do,” he said, still hunkered down behind the sofa. “I’m the guy who put those welts there.”

“Don’t sound so fucking proud of yourself,” she threatened.

“I’m not. I’m simply telling you I was well aware when I took my belt to your ass, there would be raised welts for a day or two.”

“So, you wanted to see me in pain?”

“No,” he continued reasonably, trying to keep his amusement out of his voice. “What I wanted was for you to think twice about doing something that foolish again, but know if you did anyway, I would discipline you hard enough, you wouldn’t do it a third time.”

“It hurts!”

“I’m sure it does, sweetheart, but you could have been killed. I need to know you’ll behave yourself and do what I tell you. You need to know when you don’t, I’ll punish you and remind you which one of us is dominant.”

“Motherfucker!” She launched another bowl, but the dish hit the soft couch and didn’t crash. She shrieked in frustration. Noah stood and regarded her across the small space. She had another plate poised to throw.

“Settle down, Zara. That’s enough. When we’re home and you want to have a tantrum, that’s one thing—I’ll simply buy sets of dishes when they’re on sale—but this is a safehouse, and we try to keep from coming and going so as to not call attention to us. Put the plate down.”

“No,” she said, still clutching it.

“Zara, put it down. I meant what I said. There’s aloe gel in the bath. If you want, I can put some on those welts, and it’ll take some of the sting out of them.”

“I can do it myself.”

“Not as easily as I could, but even if you could, you aren’t to do it,” he said evenly.

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because I’m the one who put the sting in your tail, and if there’s to be any relief, I’ll be the one giving it. Now, put the plate down, or I’ll take it from you and punish the inside of your bottom as well.”

“You already did that.”

He grinned. “Yes, but not as much punishment as you’d like me to believe. As I recall, you came twice for me when I took your bottom hole. You should know, I checked the pantry, and there was ginger root.”

“Shit, Noah!” she said but put down the plate. “These welts hurt.”

He came around the couch and approached her in the kitchen, checking for any signs this was just the eye of the storm. Seeing none, he pulled her into his embrace and held her, making soothing noises until her body quit resisting the comfort he sought to give her, and she clung to him.

“I know, baby. I need for you not to do something like that again.”

“I swear, if you tell me it hurt you more than it hurt me, I’ll shoot you again… this time with a bullet.”

He laughed. “That’ll be enough of that, woman. You level a gun at me again, regardless of the ammunition, and I’ll lay twice as many stripes across your backside as I did this afternoon.”

“No, please, no.”

“Then, behave. Why don’t you go lie on the couch? I’ll get the gel, and we’ll see if I can’t take some of the fire out of them.”

“Fine, but I’m not apologizing about…”

“The temper tantrum?” he suggested.

“Expressing my righteous indignation, realizing you’re a ruthless bastard who took a belt to my ass and deliberately left welts behind.”

“Good enough.” He chuckled and led her back to the sofa.

Zara stretched out, and Noah headed into the bath, then took a few moments to check the nightstands and under the bed. Sure enough, there were firearms located in all three places. He grabbed the aloe and started back for the sitting room. He considered taking the two pillows on the bed but didn’t want to ignite another firestorm. Taking them anyway, he figured if she got testy, he’d simply withhold the aloe until she decided to settle down and rein in her temper.

She spied the pillows. “Not funny,” she said with little heat.

Noah was figuring out Zara’s temper was more like a summer squall than a true storm.

“It wasn’t meant to be and wasn’t meant to be anything other than trying to give you something soft to sit on. The fact is, sitting is not going to be comfortable for you for a few days. If you want to eat lying on your belly or your side, I’m fine with that. The only time your ass needs to come into contact with anything at all, as far as I’m concerned, is when I’m fucking you.”

“You don’t seriously think I’m going to let you fuck me after that, do you?”

“What I think is, I already fucked you after I welted you, and just because you get yourself into enough trouble you and my belt have to have a little discussion, it doesn’t mean either of us is doing without.”

Noah loved watching her think and the emotions play across her features.

“Truth is,” she sighed, “as much as it hurts, I’m still wet for you.”

He hugged her close. “That may be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“I really do wish I could hate you or at least not want to fuck you…”

“But you don’t, do you?”

“No… but I wish I could.”

Noah reached behind the couch and got the wildflowers.

“I picked these for you on the hill to the east of us.”

“Shit! Now, why did you have to go and do something like that?” she said in a voice bordering on tears.

“I thought you’d like them. I wanted you to know that once I’ve punished you, which includes fucking you in some way, that as far as I’m concerned, it’s over and done.”

“That’s really sweet. And I greeted your return with crashing dishware.”

“At the risk of inciting another tantrum, I’m not the one who can’t sit down. A bit of temper on your part is to be expected.”

“So, you’re not mad about the dishes?”

“Like I said, I don’t like that they were here at the safehouse, but at home, it’s not the worst thing you can do. Zara, I don’t expect you to be some kind of complacent submissive who accepts her punishment without reacting and/or getting angry. That’s not who you are… and you’re who I want,” he answered reassuringly.

“And again, you have to be nice to me, so I realize what a total bitch I was.”

“A bitch with a bright-red ass and sporting some pretty impressive welts.”

“You don’t have to remind me…” she sulked.

“Let’s see if I can’t make it feel a little better.”

Zara grumbled but didn’t resist when he delicately dabbed the soothing aloe gel across the marks his hand and belt had left behind. He knew they were still sore, but he hoped the gel would help a bit.

“Better?”

“Somewhat. Know what would make them feel even better?”

“I’m afraid to ask,” he said, laughing.

“Feeding me some of that delicious smelling coq au vin. Did you know that’s one of my favorite things to eat?”

“Is it? Good. It’s very easy to make. You’ll have to make me a list of things you particularly like. If you can do it by tomorrow midday, I can relay it to Thom, and he can bring us anything we need that wasn’t already stocked.”

“How are you with shellfish?”

“I make a scallop risotto to die for.”

“Yum! I want that.”

“I’ll see that Thom picks up what we need,” he said, standing.

“Where are you going?”

“To get you that coq au vin.”

Z ara watched him walk back to the kitchen. His jeans, while not tight, fit his butt as if someone had painted them on. She was quite certain he would win any contest for Fine Ass Friday. That ass, those muscular thighs and core were what made him such a powerhouse in bed. Her pussy clenched in anticipation of the night to come. She was quite certain she would feel each of those seven welts as well as the hand spanking that had preceded it but was just as certain Noah’s skills as a lover would make the pain the least of the things she felt.

She shook her head. Already, he knew her body as well, if not better, than she did. Yes, he was extremely dominant when they made love, but he was right—that was part of his allure. She’d really forgotten what it was like to be with a man who took command where sex was concerned. The thing that made it even better was he always ensured she derived just as much pleasure from the act as he did. Even when he was fucking her mouth, he managed to get her very aroused and hungry for his touch.

Zara watched him return and smiled.

“What’s that for?” he asked.

“Just thinking. I can’t decide which view is better—you walking away with your great butt or coming at me with that nice big bulge in the front of your jeans.”

“Wanton woman,” he scolded with a smile.

“Your wanton woman,” she replied.

“Damn straight.” He sat next to her, brushing his lips against hers.

Using the fork to spear a piece of chicken and vegetables, he dipped them in a bit of the sauce, then lifted it to his mouth to blow on it before offering it to her. She accepted it greedily.

“Oh my God, that’s good,” she exclaimed.

“Careful, you’ll make my head swell.”

Zara reached onto his lap and gave his package an affectionate squeeze.

“Which one?”

“Both,” he said, kissing her.

That was another thing she liked about Noah. He wasn’t stingy with kisses or tactile expressions of how he felt—although she could do with fewer displays of his discipline.

Zara couldn’t remember a dinner she enjoyed more. They bantered easily with each other as though they’d been lovers for years. There was an ease about Noah that captivated her every bit as much as the demanding alpha who had laid claim to her. She found him to be a quintessential warrior but also an incurable romantic with a wicked sense of humor.

“Do you ride?” she asked. “Finn says they have horses.”

“Yes, to both, and they also have mules. Do you like to ride?”

“Very much, but it’s been years, and I’m nowhere near as good as Finn.”

“Me, either. I’m not anywhere as good as Mac or Croft, but I like to trail ride. There’s a peace when you’re out in the wilderness—just you and a horse—and a certain clarity. My favorite time to ride is at sunrise. I try to find a place where I can watch the sun come up over the horizon.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“Know what would make it better?”

She shook her head.

“To share it with you.”

Zara wasn’t sure why, but something about that simple gesture touched her deeply, and tears welled in her eyes.

“You don’t have to…” he started, misinterpreting the tears she was sure he had seen.

She came up off the couch and kissed him, not minding the pain that radiated across her backside as her ass came into contact with the seat cushions.

“No,” she said softly. “I was just thinking that sounded so amazing and like something you’d want to do by yourself. That you want to include me means a great deal.”

“You, Zara Hughes, mean everything to me.”

Zara didn’t trust herself to speak, so she pressed herself against him and kissed him again, darting her tongue into his mouth and inviting him to haul her into his arms and make her his once more. His tongue danced with hers, pushing it back to take control of the kiss and of the rest of her. She sighed and gave herself over to him.

Noah pulled her gently onto his lap and soothed her when she hissed when her backside made contact with his hard, jean-clad legs. He cradled her against him, so she was mostly on her side and began the tantalizing caresses she had come to crave in so short a time. His powerful fondling evoked sensations and tactile responses in a way no man before him had ever done. She gave herself over to his care with a sigh.

Zara was surprised when he didn’t lift her off the couch and take her to their bed, content to simply hold her and express his feelings in a demonstrative, caring, and sensual way. She didn’t doubt he wanted her; she could feel how hard he was. With the way he had laid into her earlier, she would have thought the pain would be a distraction instead of enhancing everything.

She realized how quickly she had come to revel in the feelings he invoked. He was infuriating, to be sure, but he was also intoxicating. She felt as though she were drunk on the lifeforce that was Noah.

Stretching her neck back, she offered her throat. He nibbled and kissed his way down its slender column, reaching up from the bottom of his shirt she was wearing. He briefly stroked her mons, and she spread her legs for him involuntarily. Noah’s hand moved up, skimming along her torso until he reached his destination. He fondled her breast and nipple, squeezing and kneading the fleshiest part, then zeroing in on its nerve center.

Moaning in response, she cupped his head and encouraged it to travel down and replace his hands. Noah unbuttoned her shirt, moving his lips to where she wanted. He sucked in her whole areola, then closed on her nipple to bite it gently, laving his tongue around the whole area, and suckled.

He stroked down her body, slipping between her legs and playing with her clit. Zara wasn’t sure which sensation was the keenest—his hand or his mouth. In any event, it wasn’t the discomfort from his harsh discipline that had her complete focus. Her breath caught as he increased his fondling, and she quickly found herself on the precipice of an orgasm. Noah’s thumb replaced his finger on her swollen nub, and his fingers briefly caressed her labia before penetrating her. Feeling him stroke her inner walls, Zara shuddered in climactic response to his handling.

“Noah,” she said in a breathy whisper, grasping his arm.

In response, he brought his mouth back to hers and drew her into a close embrace.

“Good girl,” he whispered.

“Bastard,” she responded, making him laugh.

He stood easily, still cradling her in his arms.

“The dishes can wait,” he said, taking her to the bedroom.

And wait they did until midmorning of the next day. Noah was an attentive and imaginative lover throughout the night, taking her numerous times. Sleep had seemed like too high a price to pay to not wallow in the all-encompassing sensory web he wove. He took her body and soul places that until now she hadn’t even known existed. As the sun finally began to rise, he allowed her exhausted body to rest.