Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

T hom was solicitous of Avery as he helped her into the corporate helicopter. The ride back was quiet and subdued. Her pride still stinging over being grounded, Avery offered to fly it, but Thom negated her request before Junior, who had already returned to Arizona with Baez, could take her up on it.

When they disembarked back at Wild Mustang’s headquarters, each man in the group had a firm grasp on the woman with whom he shared his life. Avery was watching. He saw her catching glances every time one of his co-workers took his lady’s hand or bent their heads together to share a private whisper. He hoped she was beginning to feel a kinship with them, although he knew her role would always be far more difficult than any of the others. She wanted and needed to submit to him, almost as much as he wanted and needed her to. But she also worked with the other men and he would always be very protective of her need for them to know without hesitation that they could always depend on her with both their safety and their lives. That alone put her in a unique juxtaposition between her submissive and her working self, but he was determined to help her come to grips with both roles.

Helping her into his truck, he walked around to the driver’s side to get in. “You’ve been awfully quiet this morning,” he said, as he pulled out. “What’s going on inside that beautiful brain of yours?”

“I feel random and confused.”

“How so? I can’t help, Avery, if you won’t share what you’re feeling.”

“I know. It’s just all a jumble. I’ve wanted to be with you for so long and when it’s just the two of us, I’m certain that I’m where I want to be. But flying home, I felt like I wasn’t part of the team. I was just one of the girls, which isn’t bad, per se. I really like and admire all of them. I just never thought getting what I always wanted would have such a high cost.”

“And you aren’t sure you’re willing to pay whatever price it is you think you have to pay?”

“That’s the problem… I’m not sure it isn’t. Ugh.” She broke off, shaking her head, and faced the window. “I’m botching this and making it all worse. Forget I said anything.”

“Listen to me, little girl. Nothing you feel is wrong, which doesn’t mean if you act inappropriately on it that I won’t hold you accountable for your actions. But your feelings are yours, and they’re valid. Talk to me. I’m happy to listen and support you as we figure this out together. Tell me what you want.”

“That’s just it, I don’t know what I want or what to try or even if I want to do something different yet. I only know that the last few days with you have been the best of my life, but I don’t see how the team can reconcile trusting their lives to your little. Look what happened after one day! I’m not even in the cockpit anymore!”

“You know why you’re not, and you know it’s not permanent,” he said sternly. “I’m not going to go over that again right now, but I can tell you that while the team knows we’re together, they don’t know what kind of dynamic we have.”

She frowned. “Noah…”

“Noah knows, but he’s known for a while. I’m sure it doesn’t influence him in any way except to know that he finally doesn’t have to worry about you anymore. I’ve got you now, and I’ll make sure you’re always safe and loved. Has he treated you any differently?”

“No, but what about Mac? He’s my boss. Is he going to start treating me differently?”

“I doubt it. He and I talked about that on the way to Phantom Ranch. He asked me how I felt about you continuing as an active member of the team.”

She threw up her hands, her frustration huffing out in a half panicked, “See? He doesn’t think of me the same way…”

“Maybe not,” Thom calmly agreed, “but I’ve never seen a man look so relieved when I told him that, as far as I’m concerned, you’re still the best damn pilot I’d ever known and that he’d be a fool if he lost your services.”

The war of astonishment and relief that swept across her face would have been comical if it hadn’t been so heartfelt. “You did?”

“Why are you surprised? Part of my role is to be your biggest supporter. I know you love flying; I know you love your job. Loving me shouldn’t negatively impact either of those.”

“But he has got to know…”

“All he knows for certain is that we love each other and have a committed relationship. And frankly, as long as I don’t screw it up and do something to hurt you, he doesn’t care.”

“Then you need to let him know that getting spanked and having ginger salve put up my bum is not my idea of not hurting.”

Thom chuckled. “Remember who you’re talking about. This is not a guy who’s going to see a man punishing his woman for her misbehavior as falling into an abusive category. But as long as you want to do what you’re doing for the firm, I don’t think there’s anyone, including me, who doesn’t want that too.”

She faced the window again, and for a while, he let her muddle her way through those revelations. She was quiet a long time before a small smile finally tugged at the corners of her mouth and, hesitantly, she said, “So, you’re saying I don’t have to give up being the same pilot I’ve always been in order to have what I’ve always wanted.”

“Nope.” Reaching across the seat, he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “We’re good then?”

She nodded. “Am I still grounded?”

“Both figuratively and literally. Do you want to go by your place and get some things to bring back to mine?”

“Am I going to need much in the way of clothing for the next few days?”

Thom laughed. “Point taken, and no. I’d like to take advantage of our down time and work on enjoying all my little girl has to offer.”

Avery giggled. If the only time he was going to hear that joyous sound from the woman he loved was when she felt safe, relaxed, and secure, then he meant to do whatever he had to do make sure she giggled a lot.

O ver the next few days, Avery found she loved being at Thom’s ranch. No, actually, that wasn’t it. Rather, she loved being with Thom and being in love with him. He always seemed to know just how to fulfill her wishes and desires without her even needing to speak them. Like when they were cleaning up after breakfast and he lifted her onto the counter so he could go down on her, before bending over and taking her hard and fast. Or like all those times when during the course of the day, he’d give her bottom an affectionate swat. Or like those other times, when his look turned stern before he took her across his knee for something longer, harder, and significantly more impacting that a single swat. She tried not to give him too many reasons to deliver one of those, but they still happened. Funny how, as much as she didn’t like it when it was happening, afterward, she did like the tenderness, the burning that always migrated from her ass to her greedy pussy, and the overall sense of ownership that being spanked by him never failed to instill in her.

“Hey,” Thom said, his customary swat to her bottom interrupting her thoughts as he breezed through the kitchen behind her to get another cup of coffee. “Go get your clothes. I’d like to make a trip out to your place to get some things.”

Tsking, she let her head fall back on her shoulders. “Right now?” she mock whined. “I was just about to take a shower.”

Never in her life had she ever seen a shower as high-tech as Thom’s was. It had showerheads and body spray nozzles everywhere. Standing in the midst of all that was an amazing feeling, and it hadn’t taken long before it had ruined her for all other showers anywhere else, including her own house.

“You have a choice. You can either take the time to shower here, in which case I’m going to get cranky and spank your wet bottom the second you get out, or you can mind me and get your clothes on. Take a shower at your place. I don’t care so long as you hurry up and get in the truck.”

Wet bottom spankings in his bathroom meant either he’d use his hand or the wooden shower brush hanging on the wall by the tub. Unwilling to risk it, Avery opted for her shower and went to get dressed.

Once at her place, she left Thom upgrading something in her security system. The whole time in the shower, she stood in a dreamy state, the warm water streaming over her curves, tickling at her nipples, running into all the right cracks and crevices that reminded her so strongly of Thom’s mouth, tongue, and fingertips. By the time she was ready to get out, she was also more than ready to find Daddy and see if he was in any frame of mind to want to play with his already purring kitten.

Toweling off, she went nude in search of him. The shift of air from the hot and steamy bathroom to the cool A/C of the rest of the house pebbled her nipples in an instant, but when she walked into the bedroom, every trace of arousal vanished when she saw Thom on his knees, hands tied in front of him with a stranger standing just behind him, a gun leveled at his head.

She froze where she was. All but her eyes, which betrayed the direction her mind was already racing in when she glanced to her nightstand. Although the gun she kept there couldn’t be seen from where he was standing, the gunman, sadly, wasn’t stupid.

“Not a good idea, Ms. Jackson. I can shoot you both before you ever make it to whatever you’ve got stashed by your bed.”

Still not moving, she eyed the gun. “Thom, are you all right?”

“I’m fine, baby. Let her put on some clothes and we can all just sit down and figure out how we can help you get whatever it is you want,” said Thom smoothly.

“I prefer she stay naked. For one thing, she can’t hide anything that might be used to kill me, especially not with that bare coochie. Very sexy, by the way. Your man here make you do that?”

Making herself as nonthreatening as possible, Avery dropped her gaze. Covering her breasts with one arm and her mons behind her hand, she did her best to look embarrassed while, in her head, she counted the steps that separated them. There were six… maybe less, depending on how fast she moved. Six meant, no matter what he said, he didn’t have time to shoot both her and Thom.

“Daddy likes to do it himself,” she said in her little-est voice. Who was he more likely to shoot: Thom, on his knees with hands bound, or her, coming straight at him with intent to kill? She’d never be able to live with herself if he shot Thom, but if she was coming at him, then she would be his biggest and most immediate threat. It was far more likely that he would turn the gun on her, and that gave her a chance. Not a good one, by any means. And she really didn’t envy the two-point-five seconds she’d have to explain herself before Thom broke through those restraints and got his hands on her.

She was so not sitting down tonight.

“Does he now?” said the man as Thom furtively strained at the tightness of the zip tie around his wrists. “Well, why don’t you turn around for us? Let this daddy here take a good look at you.”

“Daddy?” she asked, feigning fear and hoping Thom knew it for the act it was.

“It’s all right, princess. Do as the man asks and maybe he won’t hurt us.”

Head carefully bowed, Avery slowly turned around. Through the curtain of her hair, she watched them.

“Whoa, that is one very red ass your little girl has there, sport,” the gunman snorted, patting Thom on the shoulder. Lust now creeping into his tone, he asked, “Was someone a naughty little princess? Am I going to need to spank you too?”

Avery stopped, looking back over her shoulder. “Daddy?” she whispered, as if frightened.

“It’s all right, princess.” It was a good thing the gunman couldn’t see Thom’s face. Although his voice was as calm and as even as an angel’s, the devil’s own fury lurked in his eyes as he said, “Answer the nice man’s questions. He’s not going to hurt you, are you?”

“Nah. If I had the time, I wouldn’t mind tapping that. Come on, baby. Turn around and take your hands away so I can see your tits.”

Noting how his breathing had changed, Avery did as she was told. Thom must have noticed it as well. Their would-be attacker couldn’t take his eyes off her as he took in her flushed skin and beaded nipples.

“You are one lucky S.O.B.,” he said, and then to her he added, “I’ll bet he paddled your butt before he fucked you raw. At least that’s what I would have done.”

The devil got a little darker in Thom’s eyes. Avery knew every fiber of his being wanted to protect her by taking this asshole down, and she was almost in the right position to help. The gunman was enjoying looking at her, his gaze dropping from her breasts to her pussy. She tried to cover herself and was rewarded when he took the gun from Thom’s head, using it to gesture for her to move her hand.

“Don’t be a bad girl, baby. I’m not like your daddy. I’ll do more than make you raw.”

“Daddy’s almost always gentle,” she said. Slipping a step sideways, she was rewarded again. The gunman turned with her, and now the muzzle of the gun wasn’t pointed at Thom at all. It was drifting downward, harmlessly aimed at the floor. Her voice turning slightly husky now, rather than little and lost, she said, “Even when I’m so very naughty that Daddy has to take my bottom hole, he’s almost always gentle once he’s done spanking me.”

“Holy shit! You let him fuck your ass?”

“I always do what Daddy tells me,” Avery said, closing the gap between them with a cautious step. He was almost exactly where she wanted him, so fixed on her pussy and her tits that he wasn’t even aware that she was moving toward him, when a second gunman walked into the room.

Christian Reid… shit. Avery froze where she was.

So did Christian. His face screwed up in disgust. “For Christ’s sake, Phil! Get Lyndon up and ready for travel. And you, drop the act, Avery.” He tossed her a dressing gown and, furious with herself for not moving faster, she quickly put it on.

The man called Phil put a second round of zip ties around Thom’s wrists, almost guaranteeing he wouldn’t be able to break through them. This time Thom was gagged; Avery never took her eyes off him. He needed to know she was strong and ready to move as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Nothing that either man had done or said had touched her, not in any way that mattered anyway. Sadly, Christian wasn’t Phil. Turning her around, he bound her hands behind her back.

“When did you and Thom become an item?” Finn’s brother asked conversationally. “I have to tell you, I was a little surprised when we tracked his truck here. Maybe even a little disappointed. Phil’s an idiot, but he’s also right. You’re a tasty piece of tail. If we had more time and the circumstances were different, maybe we could have taken turns.”

Thom’s arms bulged as he twisted at his wrist ties. The gag cutting into the corners of his mouth, he glared at Christian.

“Relax,” Christian told him. “Fariq’s got us on a tight schedule and we need you alive and willing to be of use to us.”

He turned Avery around, smirking just before he stuffed his hand into her dressing gown. He stroked her left breast, giving it a quick squeeze and pinching the nipple. She’d have kneed him, except he moved first, shoving her backwards onto a chair. He had her by the legs, with one ankle quickly zip tied to each wooden leg before she recovered her balance. She comforted herself by knowing it was probably for the best. As much as she would dearly have loved to hurt him, they both still had guns and one was once more pointed at Thom’s head.

Christian tied her to the chair, even wrapping several loops of rope around her waist, effectively securing her in place. Given enough time, she might be able to get herself free, but likely not without breaking the chair and definitely not without making noise.

“Not too uncomfortable, I hope,” he mocked, withdrawing a small wallet out of his pocket and removing a syringe. “This will only hurt for a minute and will wear off in a few hours. It should have no lasting side effects. Once you wake up and get free, don’t call the cops. We just need Thom’s help here for a day or two. Call in sick or do whatever you have to do to keep the boys at Wild Mustang off our back. As long as Thom cooperates, we’ll return him to you unharmed and everyone can get back to their spank-happy lives.”

Stuck to the chair, Avery had no way of yanking her arm out of his or that needle’s reach. She saw Thom’s stricken face just before the sharp needle stuck her. Within seconds, her head started to swim as the tranquilizer sped through her system.

Turning to Thom, he said, “We’ll let you call her on a secure line later today so you know she’s all right and we haven’t harmed her… except for maybe that little pinch. Sorry about that; I just couldn’t resist.”

Shaking her head, trying to fight off the drowsing effect of the drug, she seethed, “If you hurt him, I will hunt you down and kill you. I’ll never stop, and I will destroy you, Fariq, and anyone else who helps you.”

“I’m sure you will, there’s a good baby girl,” Christian soothed, patting her knee. To Thom, he said, “That’s one feisty little girl you’ve got yourself, Lyndon. I’ll bet you have to spank her ass on a regular basis.” The last thing Avery heard before she succumbed to the sedative was Christian saying, “In a situation like this, though, you might want to teach her to stick to her little girl routine. She threatens me again, and I’ll not only clamp her nipples and welt her ass, but I’ll fuck her right here in front of you.”