by Sierra Brave
“Maybe it’s business,” Ryan offered while keeping his eyes on the road.
“Maybe, but it’s Sunday, so we know it isn’t a doctor’s appointment. Perhaps it’s a personal massage.” She laughed, despite herself.
“Caroline, it might be nothing to worry about.” Ryan sounded like he believed what he was saying.
“Then why didn’t he mention why he was canceling? It’s fine. It’s not the first time I’ve been jilted, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Let’s drop it and enjoy the rest of our day.”
Ryan opened his mouth as if he had something to say but then thought better of it, pausing before he finally said, “Okay.”
Chapter Seven
It had been three days since he’d been forced to cancel his date with Caroline, and Jake still couldn’t get hold of her. All his calls went unreturned and his texts unanswered. As much as he hated to resort to middle-school tactics, he was going to have to get Tanner’s help. He looked up from his clipboard and glanced over to where Tanner was unboxing some equipment. “Hey, Tan Man.”
Tanner stopped what he was doing. “What’s up?”
“You think you could do me a favor?”
“Sure, what do you need?”
He looked around to make sure Brent was occupied elsewhere. “Are you still hanging out with Caroline’s friend?”
Tanner nodded. “Yeah.”
Jake looked off past his friend. I can’t believe I’m asking him to do this. “Do you think you could ask him why Caroline isn’t returning my calls?”
Tanner’s expression was filled with amusement, but he didn’t laugh. “I can, but doesn’t that seem sort of juvenile?”
Huffing out a long breath, Jake nodded. “Yes, it does, but I want to know what I did wrong so I can correct it.”
Tanner shifted from one foot to the other. “Why don’t you go by Sharky’s after work and talk to her?”
“Gee…why didn’t I think of that?” Jake used his most sarcastic tone. “Oh, yeah, because when I tried it last night, she ducked into the kitchen and was suddenly, ‘not working that evening’.”
“Oh shit… Okay, let me get my phone.” Tanner walked into the office and returned shortly with his cellphone to his ear. “It’s ringing,” he said in a whisper. “Heeeeyyyy.” Tanner’s voice had suddenly turned sickeningly sweet and embarrassingly flirty.
Jake rolled his eyes. God, let me live through this favor without saying anything.
“So do you know why Caroline is mad at Jake?” Tanner asked.
Jake stood quietly, practically holding his breath. What could I have done? I canceled our date, but I called like I promised.
Tanner looked up from his phone. “He says he knows.”
Jake waited expectantly but when Tanner didn’t saying anything, he asked, “Well, did he say what it was?”
“Oh, he said if you thought about what you’ve been up to, you would know what you did.”
Jake’s jaw dropped. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Tanner shook his head. “No, that’s what he said.”
Using every bit of restraint he had not to raise his voice or insult Tanner, Jake said, “Well, I must be thickheaded, because I can’t think of anything. Please find out for me.”
Jake watched as Tanner asked and noted as his friend’s eyes grew big before glancing over at him suspiciously. “Are you sure?” Tanner spoke into the phone. “Holy shit…sorry…well, I know it’s not my fault, but he’s my friend…”
Jake rolled his eyes and clenched his fists. If Tanner didn’t soon stop apologizing for being his friend and tell him what the hell was going on, he was going to lose it. He reached over and nudged Tanner. In response, the little blond idiot gave him a nasty look and turned his back on him, continuing to phone flirt for several minutes. Finally, he said his good-byes and turned to face him. “You dirty dog.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You cheated on Caroline!”
“Huh?”
“And don’t give me any shit about how you two weren’t exclusive. If you make another date after sleeping with someone, it’s not a one-night-stand.” Tanner folded his arms over his chest and looked at him as if he was a piece of crap stinking up the room.
Jake rolled his eyes. “Oh, is that the official rule? Well, not that I ever intended for or even thought of my night with her as a one-time thing, but could you please tell me how exactly I cheated?”
“Wouldn’t you know better than me?” Tanner tapped his foot.
“I can’t believe I’m having this fucking conversation.” Jake shook his head and threw his hands in the air.
“Caroline saw you with that other girl.”
“What other girl?”
“The day you broke your date with her, she and Ryan went to see the battleship in downtown Winston, and she saw you heading into some blonde girl’s house.”
Jake looked up to the ceiling and shook his head before bringing his gaze back to Tanner’s. “You mean the day I drove into Winston to pick up Goldie?”
Tanner’s face brightened. “Oh yeah! Is that what you were doing?”
Jake’s nostrils flared as he stared at his friend while palming his face. He nodded. “Yep, after work, I’m going to the condo to change out of my uniform and get Goldie, and then we’re heading out to find Caroline. If she’s not at work, we go to her house, and you’re coming with me!”
“Jeez, calm down already.” Tanner held up his hands in front of him until Jake turned and walked off to get back to work.
* * * *
Caroline wiped down the bar. Wednesday nights tended to be slow, so she was hoping if she got everything cleaned up, she and Ryan would be able to cut out a little early. She glanced up at her buddy as he dried a clean beer mug. Their gazes met and he smirked. “What?” She looked behind her to see what he was on about but saw nothing unusual.
“Oh nothing,” he said in a voice that told her it was definitely something.
She tilted her head and folded her arms over her chest in a stance sure to convey she meant business. “Spill!”
He grinned. “I know something you don’t know.”
“Ryan, I am in no mood for your antics right now.” She flicked her washrag at him.
“I think your mood is going to be improving very soon.” He looked like the damn Cheshire cat with his big smile.
“I will kill you,” she said, only half kidding.
“Turn around and look behind you.”
Caroline looked over her shoulder, spotting Tanner entering with Jake, and then turned back toward Ryan and glared. “I blocked him on my phone and you think I want him to come in here?” She kept her voice as low as possible. “I’m hiding in the back again. Get rid of him!”
“Nope!” Ryan replied, snickering while shaking his head.
Now she really was going to have to kill him. She turned back around and stilled, determined to keep her composure during this bit of humiliation. Once Jake was gone, she’d drag Ryan out behind the dumpster and kick his ass.
“Hi, Caroline.” Even though she was furious with him, Jake’s voice still made her weak in the knees.
“Hello, the dining room is pretty open tonight. Where would you like to sit?”
“As much as I like the catfish, I didn’t come here for the food.” His gorgeous green eyes were peering at her intently. Damn it! Why does he have to be so handsome?
She looked away. “Then I can’t imagine what you came here for.”
“I think you and I have suffered a misunderstanding. I should have told you why I was breaking our date.”
As a tear threatened to drip from her eye, Caroline turned her back to him and pretended to wipe down the bar again. “You don’t owe me anything. We had a date. You got a better offer. I understand, but it doesn’t mean I’ll come running when you happen to be free.”
His warm hand settled on her shoulder, and she flinched. “Please, Caroline, come outside with me
for a minute. I’ve got something to show you.”
“And just why would I…” She halted her words as Ryan placed his hand over hers, stilling her cleaning cloth.
Her friend caught her gaze. “Go with him.”
Knowing Ryan would be ready to bash that beer mug across Jake’s jaw if he thought he’d do anything more to hurt her, she relented, releasing the cleaning cloth and nodding. “Fine. You have two minutes.”
As Ryan led her out to the parking lot, he reached for her hand, but she pulled away. I might as well get this over with. He’ll give me some stupid excuse. I’ll call bullshit, and that will be that.
Jake stopped in front of a black jeep with the top off. In the backseat sat a beautiful golden retriever. “This is Goldie.”
Caroline snorted. “Original.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I didn’t name her. The trainer did or the people from the organization where she got her did.”
“So you had something to say to me?” She folded her arms over her chest. No way was she going to let a cute pet change her mind about Jake’s lack of suitability for her. He had made her feel special. Told her something he swore he’d never told anyone else and then treated her as if she were just one of many. If he hadn’t gotten her hopes up, made her believe what they had was more than a fling, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt.
“I’m sorry I broke our date. I had one hell of a nightmare the night before and then just hours before I was going to pick you up, the dog trainer called and told me Goldie was ready for me. I had to wait a long time for her, and I really need her.”
“Dog trainer?” Caroline looked at the well-behaved animal, noticing for the first time her service dog vest.
“Goldie’s trained to recognize when I’m having a nightmare and wake me up. The lady you saw me with that day was just her trainer. Tanner can vouch for me that I came back with Goldie that day.”
Embarrassed, Caroline looked down at the ground, wiping at the tears that were streaming down her face. “Oh, my God, I’m such a drama queen. I’m so sorry!” She turned her back, rubbing her face with both hands.
Jake moved up behind her, placing his arms around her waist. She turned and buried her face in his chest. “I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you.” He hugged her tightly. “I’m proud of you for respecting yourself and not putting up with any crap.”
She looked up at him, and he went in for a kiss. As their lips connected, she was filled with blissful excitement and surrendered in his arms. His shoulders were so broad and it felt so good. Until just then, she hadn’t realized how much she had missed being held. She looked up at him, still embarrassed about jumping to conclusions. “I’m sorry. I promised to have faith in you, and I went off the rails.”
“It was my fault. I should have been upfront about why I was breaking our date. I was afraid you would see me as weak.”
“Weak? With everything you’ve been through? You didn’t crumble—you found a way to keep going. You’re one of the strongest people I know.” She covered her face. “Jeez! I acted like such a child…hiding from you at work.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. It was just a misunderstanding.”
Caroline tilted her head, catching his eye. “I think I know how you can help me feel better about what I did.”
Jake shrugged. “Sure, anything you need.”
She placed her lips close to his ear and whispered, “Punish me.”
Jake was a bit speechless for a second but managed a tight-lipped smile. “If that’s what you want.”
Her breath hitched as she glanced back to his face. His eyes were hooded, and his expression told her all she needed to know. “Wait right here!”
Caroline ran back to Sharky’s and told Ryan he was covering for her for the rest of the night before she hoofed it back outside. Jake opened the passenger side door of his jeep and helped her in before getting behind the wheel.
“What about Tanner?” she asked.
“He’s planning to wait on Ryan anyway.”
“Just the three of us then.” Caroline reached her hand out toward the backseat, allowing Goldie to sniff as Jake started the engine.
* * * *
The short trip to her place was filled with silence, but as Jake pulled into the driveway, he said, “I hope you’ve been reflecting on your behavior during the ride.” He was going to take her in hand, teach her to trust him.
“Yes, Sir, I was.” She sat quietly until he got out and opened the door for her first and then for Goldie.
“You had me very upset and worried.”
Caroline’s face was filled with remorse. “I’m sorry, Sir.” She nodded and moved her gaze down to her feet.
He placed his hand on her chin and forced her to look him in the eye. “Don’t hide from me, Caroline.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good.” He took control and led the way up to the entrance of her apartment while Goldie followed them.
“Unlock the door.”
Caroline’s hand shook as she retrieved her keys from her purse.
After she unlocked it, Jake held the door open for her, and once they were inside, he turned on the light. “Get a bowl of water for Goldie.”
“Yes, Sir.” She walked into the kitchen and found a plastic bowl, filling it from the sink and placing it on the floor.
Once she’d completed the task, Jake took her by the hand and led her to her room. He turned to face Goldie and said, “Stay,” before closing the door behind him.
“Go ahead and take off your clothes.” Jake kept his voice authoritative but kind.
Caroline turned to look his way. “Yes, Sir. May I shower before my punishment?”
He eyed her for a moment and nodded. “Fine, we’ll shower together, and you can get some of your spanking with a wet bottom.”
She shivered. A tinge of pity ate at him, but he wasn’t going to let her off the hook. Maybe she was more aroused than scared. He grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the bathroom. As soon as they were inside, he locked the door and started to undress her. She lifted her arms over her head as he stripped off her uniform shirt. She waited passively as he unbuttoned her shorts, removing them along with her underwear.
Jake watched her reflection in the mirror as she moved her hands to cover the short, curly hairs crowning her pussy and he raised an eyebrow. “Don’t even think about it!” He growled as his hand thwacked down on her voluptuous bare behind.
“Ow!” She jumped, and he grabbed her arm, tucking it behind her back.
“Be still and stick your bottom out.” His eyes lingered over the pink mark, and he tranced it with his finger, enjoying the softness of her skin and the way her flesh gave as he applied light pressure.
Caroline was quivering, and goose bumps were starting to rise on her skin as she leaned forward, arching her back. Jake landed three sharp whacks on her backside and she winced. Her tiny squeals were cute and endearing. Part of him wanted to take her in his arms and caress her bottom for as long as she’d let him, but another part wanted to make her submit and show him how sorry she was for ignoring him for three days.
He rubbed her punished skin while he loosened the grip on her arm, eventually, releasing her entirely. “Go ahead and start the water.” He made sure his voice was firm but not loud.
“Yes, Sir.” Her voice trembled slightly. Damn! What does she think I’m going to do to her? Still, her pitiful, little freckled face and quivering bottom lip were adorable. She had a very sexy body too. He liked a girl with some meat on her bones, and Caroline had a plump, sexy ass, large breasts, and curves in all the right places.
She reached into the shower and turned the knobs to get the water going. Afterward, she turned toward him, reached behind her back, and started to unfasten her bra.
He frowned, unhappy about her taking control during a punishment. “Whoa! What do you think you are doing?”
“You told me to get undressed, Sir.”
He narrowed his eyes, contempl
ating her answer. “I suppose I did, so I won’t punish you for taking over, but put your hands down and turn around.”
Caroline’s eyes widened, but she did as she was told. Jake reached around her waist, pulling her back toward him. He roamed his hands over her mostly nude body, caressing her thighs and stomach before running his fingers through the fuzzy, light brown hair over her mons. She moaned and cooed, making his cock twitch beneath his shorts.
“Lean forward, Caroline.” She obeyed, and he unfastened her black bra before grabbing her arms and pulling her back upright. His hands scooted under the garment as it hung loosely. He kneaded her firm breasts before he pulled the bra off and discarded it onto the floor. “Right now, your body is mine, not yours. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir.” Her voice was meek.
“Turn and face me. Show me your body.” Caroline did as she was told but was looking down again, her cheeks flushing adorably. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes. “You’re beautiful.”
Her lovely long lashes fluttered as she smiled prettily. “Thank you, Sir.”
Jake stripped off his shirt and ordered, “Caroline, get on your knees and remove my pants.”
She dropped down, her hands going straight for the button above his zipper. She opened the garment and pulled it down over his hips, waiting for him to lift one foot and then the other as she removed them.
“Shall I fold your shorts, Sir?”
He patted her head. “No need, but that’s very sweet of you.”
She looked up at him, her big brown eyes shining as she smiled. “May I remove your boxers?”
Jake looked down at the erection struggling beneath his underwear. “You may.”
She hooked her fingers beneath the waistband before she slowly lowered them, pulling outward. When his cock bounded out so quickly she had to dodge to keep it from hitting her, Jake pursed his lips to keep from chuckling and breaking the serious mood.
Once he was undressed, he paused for a moment, looking down at Caroline to see what she would do. She didn’t take the bait, sitting on her knees while waiting at him expectantly. “Good girl.” Jake nodded as he offered her his hand and pulled her to her feet. Her luscious lips looked utterly kissable, but he had to make her wait. She needed to earn it.