They went back to his room, where he told her to strip out of her clothing. As he stood with his arms folded across his chest, she saw him watching her as she removed each article, one by one.
"Lie across the bed," he commanded.
The tone in his voice excited her, and she did as he said, eager to see what came next.
He didn't make her wait long as he moved behind her and began the spanking, allowing her to release all the tensions once more. One after another, sharp smacks landed on her bottom, turning it pink and then red. He stopped after thirty, to let her rest, but quickly added twenty more before he was satisfied that he had accomplished what he had set out to do—stress relief.
When her shoulders began to shake with sobs, he stopped and immediately pulled her into his arms. She was so grateful to him. All the worries about the two of them, about her work, her dad, everything seemed to melt away as he held her and comforted her, whispering sweet words to her.
"All better now?" he asked.
She nodded and managed to squeak out, "Y-yes, S-sir."
"I could see that you were starting to tense up again, now that the week is coming to an end. I won't be here to help you relieve any of that stress, so I decided we should have this session before I leave. Do you agree that it has helped?"
"Yes, Sir, it has helped tremendously," she agreed.
He kissed her and gently caressed her cheek, wiping away the last of the tears. "Now, why don't you go into the bathroom and splash some water on your face. Then, on with the tour."
He was allowing her some alone time, she realized as she picked up her clothes and went in to make herself presentable for their afternoon of sightseeing. He had truly embraced this part of the lifestyle well, she marveled as she looked at her bottom in the mirror. And he had known exactly what she needed. She quickly finished putting herself together and walked out to join him.
They started out the door, both feeling more secure in their relationship than ever.
He was thrilled to see Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge. They toured Manhattan and also Ellis Island. It was a full day, and Audrey enjoyed sharing her city with him.
"I can almost see why it's hard for you to think about leaving here," he said as they sat across from each other at dinner.
"The sights aren't the reason it's difficult. My family and my friends are here. Granted, I haven't always seen eye-to-eye with the family, but we're still blood."
"I understand that. There's no reason we can't come back to visit. And they'd always be welcome at our place. You know that."
After dinner, they strolled the few blocks back to the hotel from the restaurant. It had been a perfect day, but Audrey was thinking about the day they'd had a picnic by the lake. Nothing could ever be as perfect as that day, even right down to the moment he had saved her from the rattlesnake. That day would always hold a special place in her heart. It had been her dream come true.
That night, she stayed in Beau's room. They shared a bed, with him holding her close the entire night. They made love again, but this time, it was sweet and purely vanilla. She was still as attracted to him as she had been the night before, and the culmination of their lovemaking still made her toes curl. That was a first for her. Just being together, in his arms, no matter how sweet or how kinky, was enough for now.
The next morning, she drove the three Texans to the airport and saw them off. A tear rolled down her cheek as the big silver bird ascended into the sky, taking her love away.
Beau phoned her when he was at home that night. He didn't push but told her he missed her and needed her with him.
Oh, Beau, how can I tell you my place is here for just a little while longer? I need you so much.
Later that week, her dad began radiation treatments, and Joe filed for divorce.
Chapter 13
The weeks flew by after that. John Carter had finished his treatments and was back at work in his law office. He was feeling much better, the fatigue was diminished and life for the Carter family was pretty much back to normal.
The holidays had come and gone. Beau's family had invited Audrey out to spend Christmas with them, but she had declined, telling them she felt she should be with her own family this year.
If Beau had been disappointed, he hadn't let on, telling her he understood.
He had sent her a gold pendant with a charm in the shape of the state of Texas. One tiny diamond was set in the center. She had gotten him a brown leather jacket from one of New York's finest stores.
It was January and bitterly cold on the streets of New York City. Camille's quiet divorce would soon be final. She had kept the condo; Joe had moved out. She was still enjoying quiet dinners with her friend, but she hadn't yet met his children. The company was surviving, in spite of all the personal drama of the owner and her staff.
One evening, Audrey received a call from Beau.
"Babygirl, how are things there?" he asked.
"Coming along. Dad's back to work. Camille's divorce will be final soon. We've been swamped at work. How's it going at Texas Flame?"
"Getting busier every day," he replied. "Cora was just saying, the other day, she really needs to get someone else in here. You'll probably be hearing from her."
"That busy?" she asked.
"Audrey, it's time," he said simply.
"What?" she asked.
"The crisis with your dad is behind you. Camille is doing fine. It's time to make up your mind. Will you come to Texas?"
"I-I h-haven't had much time to think about it. There's so much to consider and so much to do before I can—"
"What's the problem now, Audrey?" he asked.
"It's just—"
"Audrey, maybe we need to take a break. You clearly haven't come any closer to deciding what you want than where you were two months ago. There's always something holding you back. Maybe you just really aren't giving anyone an answer because deep down you don't want to do it. Any of it, work with Cora, or be with me."
"But, Beau—"
"I've been patient. It's time to make your decision. Call me when you've done that. Goodbye, Audrey." And he was gone. Just like that.
Had she stalled too long? Was he right? Was she putting off making her decision, putting everyone else's problems ahead of her own happiness in an attempt to escape the inevitable? Had she lost the one man she knew could make her happy?
She decided to let him cool off for a few days, but when two weeks had passed and she hadn't heard from him, she called Cora.
"Hi, Audrey, it's good to hear from you."
"I guess I won't be coming to Texas after all. You should start looking for someone else."
"Are you serious? You really aren't going to move out here? I just assumed, after your family was okay with it, you'd be here as soon as things calmed down there. Is something wrong with your dad?"
"No, he's doing fine. And Camille's bouncing back from her ordeal. It's just, well, I guess I made Beau wait too long. He's ended things."
"He did what?" Cora asked, obviously surprised at the news.
"You work with him every day; surely you knew."
"No, he hasn't said a word. Come to think of it, he's been especially quiet, but I've been so busy I didn't give it much thought. Audrey, the man's hopelessly in love with you. I know that for a fact."
"I kept putting him off. There was always some crisis here. I felt as if I was being pulled in too many directions, so I thought I'd get things under control here, and then I'd have plenty of time to think about the rest of my life. I guess I was wrong."
"I'm sorry. You can still come to work with me."
"It would be awkward, don't you think?"
"Give it some thought. I won't start interviewing for an editor for a while yet. I really want you as my partner."
"I'll consider it."
She hung up the phone sadly, knowing she wouldn't go. It was too late.
She made it through the next few wee
ks, going through the motions. She told Camille and Kayla she was staying in New York and asked them not to mention it again.
One afternoon, a few months later, she was going through her emails when she noticed there was one from a [email protected]—Beau? Why was he sending her an email at work from his work account? There was only one way to find out. She began to read.
Audrey,
Needed your input for a cover I'm working on. I'm sending some photos for you to look at. Please let me know what you think. You have a good eye, and this is one I just can't seem to get right.
I'll be waiting to hear from you. Hope all is well.
Beau
She opened the first photo and took a deep breath. Teardrops began to fall down her cheeks as she looked at it. There, on the computer screen, was a photo of her with Beau by the lake, the two horses in the background. It had been taken the day of the picnic, when she'd been so happy. The photo clearly showed two people very much in love.
When she opened the second photo, it was actually a photo of Beau on his knees. The words “forgive me” were written eloquently across the bottom of the picture. He was holding a small box in his hand, and when she zoomed in and looked closely, a small diamond ring sat inside a satin lining in the velvet box. Could it be?
Quickly, she began to type.
Beau,
Thanks for thinking of me. I absolutely love both photos. You've captured the love these two people feel for each other. The first one will make a very nice cover photo. As for the second one, there is nothing to forgive. I love you. Pick me up at the airport in, say, a few days?
Audrey
Hurriedly, she walked down the hall to Camille's office and knocked on the door. Without waiting for an invitation to enter, she opened the door and said, "I'm sorry for the short notice, but I've just received an offer I can't refuse. I'm heading to Texas to see a cowboy."
Camille looked at her, dumbfounded. "You're going? After all this time, you've finally decided to go?"
"Yes, I have. I'll finish up what's on my desk. But I've got a lot of arrangements to make. It's going to be a hectic few days."
"Forget the work. Kayla and I can handle it. You do what you have to do. But I want to know one thing. What changed your mind?"
"Come into my office, and I'll show you."
She led Camille back to her desk and showed her the email and the photos.
Camille laughed. "That boy's been taking lessons from DD Martin."
"DD Martin?" Audrey asked, confused.
"Haven't you ever heard the story about Dale and Cora? When he finally told her how he felt, he sent her an email with a manuscript, under the pen name of DD Martin, about a man pining for a girl from the past. That's the manuscript that, with a lot of work from Cora, became a bestseller."
"I do remember the email, now that you mention it. Oh, wow." Audrey laughed.
"Let's go over what's on your desk, and then you clear out of here. You've got things to do, young lady. And I'm so happy for you." Camille hugged her before calling Jenni and Kayla in to hear the news. Between them, they had Audrey's work divided and her belongings packed by the end of the day.
"Now, go see your folks, talk to your landlord, and get on a plane. There's a hot cowboy in Texas waiting for you with a diamond ring," Camille said as she hugged her again.
"And let us hear from you, once you get settled," Kayla added.
The first thing she did when she got home was phone Cora.
"Have you filled the opening at Texas Flame yet?" she asked.
"Yes, just today," Cora answered.
"Oh," she replied as her heart fell to the ground.
"With you, silly," her friend said, laughing. "Beau showed me the email."
"Are you sure you didn't give him the idea?"
"He came up with it all on his own. I swear. So, what are your plans?"
"I've cleared out my office. Camille told me to get on a plane ASAP. But first, I need to see my family and talk to my landlord. I'll be out there as soon as I can."
"Let's say you start to work two weeks from Monday. That'll give you ample time to tie up loose ends there and get settled in here. It'll be a nice break between jobs."
"That sounds great to me. I've got to run. See you soon."
"Can't wait," Cora said as she ended the call.
The next thing on the list was to see her family. She phoned her sister and asked her to meet her at their parents' house. Then she called her mother to make sure they were going to be home and told her she'd be over with some news.
When they were all assembled in her parents' living room, she looked around. "Where's Mabel? She should be here."
"I'll get her; she's in the kitchen," Carol said as she got up. She returned a few minutes later with the housekeeper they all loved like family and said, "Okay, Audrey, the floor is yours. What's the big news?"
"I left my job earlier today. As soon as I can make the arrangements, I'll be flying to Texas, where I've decided to live from now on. I'll be working with Cora, so, Dad, you may want to get that contract drawn up with Dale."
They all looked at her in astonishment. Kaci was the first to say anything. "You're leaving? I thought… I'm happy for you… I'll miss you. What is going on?"
"Beau and I are engaged. Or at least, we will be when I can get out there for him to put the ring on my finger."
"How, when?" her mother asked. "I thought… oh, it doesn't matter what I thought. Congratulations."
"I'll get in touch with Dale, but first, I think this calls for a toast," her dad said as he walked to the liquor cabinet and took out of bottle of champagne. After he'd poured a glass for all of them, he raised his glass and said, "To Audrey, good luck with the new partnerships, both of them."
"Thank you, Dad," she said as she took a sip of the bubbly and set her glass on the table.
"What can we help you with?" Brent asked.
"I need to make arrangements with my landlord to sublet the loft until my lease runs out, and I'll need my things sent out to me."
"I'll take care of that," Brent said with a smile.
"I'll call the airline and reserve your ticket after you decide how soon you can be at the airport," her dad offered. "Then I'll call Dale."
Her mother asked, "Have you given any thought to the wedding?"
"Oh, Mom, I'm sure she hasn't had time for that," Kaci said. "But I will be in the wedding, won't I?"
"Slow down, all of you," she said with a laugh. "Brent, I'd appreciate it if you'd take care of the loft and having my things packed and sent to me. I'll let you know where to send them. Dad, thanks, I think I can be ready to fly out, tomorrow. I don't officially start work until two weeks from Monday, so I think you and Dale can work out the details of the contract by then. Mom, I'll have to speak to Beau about the wedding. Kaci, yes, you'll be in it."
Mabel walked over to her with tears in her eyes. As she hugged her, she said, "Our girl is getting married."
"Tell us how this happened. I thought it was over between the two of you," Carol said as she hugged her next.
After explaining about the email from Beau, her dad chuckled. "I knew that boy was a keeper. Now, you need to get home and start packing your bags with the things you'll need to take with you. We'll take care of everything else. And once things calm down and you decide whether you'll get married here or in Texas, we'll start making plans."
"I just want you all to know how very much I love you. I'll come back to visit as often as I can, and I'll expect all of you to come see me in Texas."
"You can bet on that," her dad said in his booming voice. "Now, I need to get on the phone. As soon as I get your ticket information, you need to get home and get busy."
"Brent and I can come over and help you pack if you'd like," Kaci offered.
"That would be great. I'm so rattled right now, I'm sure I'll forget something."
After her dad secured her seat on a flight to Austin for the next afternoon, she and he
r sister and brother-in-law drove to her loft to begin the task of packing. They said a tearful goodbye when they finished, and Audrey promised to call as soon as she was in Texas.
When she was finally down for the night, she called Beau.
"Pick me up at the airport in Austin at seven tomorrow night," she said breathlessly.
"You're really coming?" he asked.
"I'm really coming," she said. "Camille and the girls helped me clear everything up at the office, and my family is taking care of the rest. All I have to do is show up at the airport, tomorrow afternoon."
"I love you," he said.
"Oh, cowboy, I love you too. I always have. It just took me a while to figure it all out."
They talked way into the night, about the future and the life they would share. By the time she finally fell asleep, it was a deep and dreamless, restful sleep. It was the best night's sleep she'd had in months.
The next night, precisely at seven o'clock, Beau was waiting when she got off the plane. As she walked toward him, he dropped to one knee and took the velvet box out of his pocket. When she reached him, he took her hand and asked, "Uptown girl, will you marry me?"
"Yes, cowboy, I will," she said as he slipped the ring on her finger. He stood up and took her in his arms. As he kissed her, many of the people walking by smiled at the two of them.
"Let's get your bags and go home," he said.
"Home, now that sounds good to me."
Expecting to go to his apartment in town when they got to Fredericksburg, she was surprised to see him turn off and head into the country.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll see."
A few minutes later, he pulled up into the driveway of a beautiful log home. There was a front porch with a swing.
"Whose place is this?" she asked as he helped her out of the truck.
"It's ours. It came up for sale shortly after I got back from New York. I looked at it and immediately knew it was the perfect place for us to start our lives together. I bought it. And even when we were apart, somehow I knew that one day we would live here together. I never gave up hope."
Her Texas Dom (Dominant Men Book 4) Page 17