“You do?” she asked, pulling back and looking into his eyes.
“Yes, I do. Preferably before you do something foolish,” he informed her firmly. When her face fell, he pulled her head back to his chest. “Try not to worry so, honey. Everything’s going to turn out just fine,” he assured her.
“That’s easy for you to say,” she replied forlornly. “You’re not a thief and a liar and you don’t have to go and face those women.”
“And Hugh Jordon,” he added.
“Oh, I’m not worried about Hugh. I haven’t met a man yet I can’t get around if I set my mind to it,” she said honestly.
“Is that so?”
Suzanna felt the difference immediately and peered up at him. There was a gleam in his eye that hadn’t been there a few minutes ago and for some reason the hand that had been gently rubbing her back seemed larger and harder.
“Well, you did say I was beautiful,” she offered, resisting the urge to wiggle off his lap. “And you have to admit I can be quite charming at times,” she drawled, letting her fingers play in the hair at the back of his neck as she peeked at him from beneath her lashes.
Dalton remained quiet and she fidgeted, biting her lower lip. She’d only spoken the truth, after all. Why did he suddenly appear angry?
“Don’t you agree?” she asked as a tick appeared in his cheek.
“Oh, I agree,” Dalton snapped. “You’re very beautiful and you could charm the birds from the trees with that sweet voice you’ve perfected for when you want something, but don’t think for a moment there isn’t a man who will stand up to you. Not everyone will fall prey to your flirtatious ways, Miss Suzanna.”
“Most have so far,” she informed him, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Try me,” he ordered. “I’ve got a hankering to raise a few blisters on your bare bottom right this minute. Wrap me around your finger.”
It was a challenge, plain and simple and there wasn’t a chance in hell she would back down.
“Now Dalton,” she began prettily. She placed her head on his bare chest. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you,” she sighed sadly, looking up at him with watery eyes. “I know you can’t mean it. There’s no way that a big, strong man like you would ever hurt a poor little thing like me. You’re a gentleman after all,” she drawled.
“Perhaps a kiss or two would change your mind,” she suggested, softly placing her lips at the corner of his stern mouth. His breath caught and it was all Suzanna could do not to smile. Cupping his face, she tilted hers up and brushed her mouth across his lips.
“Now, isn’t this more fun than giving me a mean old spanking,” she whispered, her breath fanning his cheek as she moved to his ear. “I find I like kissing you, Dalton,” she admitted before she could stop herself. “If only you had some money,” she sighed.
She could feel him beneath her thinly covered bottom. He’d been hard since the moment he’d pulled her onto his lap. The feel of him in her hand while embarrassing had been remarkable too. It was like silk covered steel and she longed to rise and touch him now. For some reason she felt damp and achy and she found herself pressing her bottom hard against his lap. She squirmed for a better position.
Her lips returned to his and his arms pulled her closer. One of his hands slid into her hair and held her firmly in place as he returned the kiss, then took control of it. The arm around her waist moved lower and pushed her bottom harder against him. She moaned into his mouth, her breaths coming in short, sharp pants. The weakness that assailed her was stunning. Her head felt light, yet her limbs heavy.
Aggressively, he explored her mouth with his tongue and she found herself fighting another battle, trying to stay alert and focused. It was much harder than she’d imagined, much too hard, in fact. By the time he raised his head and peeled his lips from hers, she’d forgotten what she was about and she fought to regain her senses.
“Are you finished?” he inquired.
“Finished?” she asked breathlessly.
“Yes, are you done showing me how you can wrap me around your finger?” he probed gently.
“Ah… I guess so,” she replied vacantly.
“Good.”
Staring at the floor, Suzanna wasn’t sure how she could be sitting on his lap one second and over it the next, but she was. The cool air when he raised her nightdress made her gasp, but his large hand cupping her cheeks snapped her out of her stupor.
“How dare you?” she cried, scrambling wildly but getting nowhere.
“Oh, I dare,” Dalton assured her, “this and more if you ever try that with me again. I have to give you credit. Those kisses almost made me forget my purpose, but not quite. Let me introduce you to the one man you will never be able to ‘get around,’ ” he informed her, smacking her bottom smartly on first one cheek and then the other.
“Dalton, no…” she cried.
“Oh yes, it’s time you learned that batting those eyelashes won’t get you out of the trouble you cause. You can flirt and tease all you want, but it will never save you from a damn good licking when you’ve got one coming, at least not with me,” he continued.
Suzanna fought for all she was worth, but he merely snagged her closer and began spanking her with firm, quick smacks. Each one felt like a stinging bee.
“Please Dalton, no more,” she cried out. “I’ll be good. I swear it.”
“For some reason I’m not sure you can be, so I think I’d better make this something you’ll remember long after I’m gone.”
“Gone? What do you mean gone?” she called out, staring at him over her shoulder.
“Well, I won’t be around forever,” he informed her, giving her three exceptionally hard slaps across both cheeks.
“Ow, ow, ow” she screamed. “Where are you going?”
“Anywhere you’re not,” he shot back, smacking her three more times.
“Oh, you hate me now,” she sobbed, her body going limp across his knees as she let the tears fall.
“Of course I don’t hate you, you little hellion,” he barked. “I love you. Do you think I’d take the trouble to do this if I didn’t care?”
“How should I know,” she yelled back. “I’ve never been spanked… until you,” she sniffed. “And if you love me, why are you going away?”
“I didn’t say I was going away, I said I won’t be around forever,” he explained, absently rubbing her bottom.
“I don’t understand the difference,” she wailed, kicking her feet.
“Look, I’ll stay as long as I’m useful, either to keep you on the straight and narrow or to tan your hide when you misbehave. When you find yourself that rich husband you want so badly, I’m gone,” he stated, giving her another couple of swats as his frustration rose again.
“We could still be friends,” she suggested hopefully, wiping her nose on the back of her hand. “I mean just because I marry a rich man doesn’t mean I can’t have gentlemen friends does it?”
“I guess it depends on what rich man you marry. If you were my wife I think I’d frown on having a houseful of men fawning over you,” he insisted with another smarting smack.
“Oh! But lots of married women have male friends. Some women even take a lover,” she informed him, watching him warily as his hand paused in mid-air.
“Is that your plan?” he gasped in shock. “Marry a man who can give you all the fancy things you want and then take a lover?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it,” Suzanna replied weakly.
“Well, think about it now, and do it quickly,” he growled.
“I can’t. I never expected to… well… want a man in that way,” she whispered. “I mean I thought all that stuff was just for a man’s pleasure.”
“What stuff?”
“Kissing… and other things.”
“I see, and now you don’t think that way?”
“I don’t know what I think,” she snapped. “When you kissed me and held me, I… oh never mind. Just get on with it if yo
u’re still determined to humiliate me in this fashion,” she hissed turning her face away.
Dalton seemed conflicted. She felt his hand settle on her bare bottom and squeeze gently. Breathlessly, she waited for the next swat to fall, instead she felt him caressing her. He rubbed her back, his hand traveling up and down her spine. On each down stroke he soothed her sore cheeks, cupping them. Her thighs seemed to separate of their own accord and she found herself pressing her tummy against him and wiggling. The feelings this produced were mortifyingly delightful.
“Dalton?” she asked hesitantly.
“Hmm.”
“Are you done?”
“Almost,” he replied. She could hear the smile in his voice as his long fingers moved between her thighs and stroked.
Arching involuntarily into his touch, she moaned. His fingers were magical. Ever so softly they prodded a part of her body she’d never explored. There was no chance she would stop him. It was heavenly and oh so unexpected she nearly swooned, putting up no resistance.
“Do you like that?” he whispered.
“Yes,” she sighed, letting her legs fall open even more as she arched her bottom.
He seemed to know precisely what he was about and soon he settled on one particular spot, rubbing carefully. For some reason his finger glided over her flesh and she thought that was odd, but it didn’t seem necessary to mention it.
A pressure began building in her tummy, pleasurable shivers joined it and her hands clutched his leg. His hand moved and seemed to find an opening which he explored.
“Are you a virgin?” he asked hoarsely.
Suzanna nodded briskly. “I’ve never been with a man.”
“Your maiden head is gone,” he noted as a thick finger made its way inside her pushing deeper.
“I don’t know. I had a riding accident as a young girl and bled,” she groaned out. “Mama said it might be a problem when I married, but I didn’t pay much attention,” she panted.
“You’re very tight,” Dalton moaned.
“Is that a good thing?” she questioned, nervously looking over her shoulder.
“You tell me,” he replied, easing in and out of her body.
“Oh my, yes,” she wailed, feeling her body gripping him. She nearly cried when he withdrew, feeling bereft until he once again settled between her legs and stroked. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop,” she pleaded.
“Marry me, Suzanna,” he whispered.
“Dalton, please don’t ask me now,” she begged, shivering from head to toe.
“It appears to be the perfect time,” he replied. “You’re not thinking about money and wealth. You’re sweet and compliant, settled over my lap as I suspect you frequently will be, your beautiful body responding to my every touch,” he praised.
“But I can’t think clearly when you’re… Oh heavens,” she gasped as he once again found her entrance and pushed inside.
“Marry me and I promise I’ll take you to heaven every night,” he pledged, working her to a fever pitch but not taking her any higher.
Suzanna trembled on the edge of something momentous. Her mind began playing tricks on her. Suddenly she didn’t see herself in a grand mansion, but instead in a cozy bungalow curled up on Dalton’s lap as he held her close and kissed her hair. His touch generated passion, a longing she couldn’t overlook, but it was more than that. She felt accepted for the first time in her life. He wanted her, with all her flaws and he could make her body sing. How could she ask the fates for more than that?
“Yes,” she breathed before she could change her fuzzy mind.
Somehow she was upright, sitting on his lap facing him. Her nightdress was swiftly pulled up to her waist and his busy fingers were unbuttoning the front. Looking into his eyes she waited for the doubt to assail her, but it didn’t come. Instead she smiled and cupped his rough cheek.
Chapter Fifteen
Dalton slowly took the ribbon off her braid threading his fingers through her golden hair. Sinking his hand into her curls, he cradled her head and tipped her lips up for his kiss. His other hand slipped into the opening of her gown and cupped her bare breast marveling at the soft, firm flesh that filled his hand. Her nipple poked at his palm and he had to see it. Pulling away from the kiss, he completely separated the sides of her gown and pushed it down her shoulders, trapping her arms.
Lovely pink buds met his gaze and his thumb grazed each in turn before he lowered his head and nuzzled between them.
“Beautiful,” he murmured before catching one in his lips and swirling his tongue over the tip.
Suzanna wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled her bottom closer, moving against him.
“Dalton, please. Wherever this is going, I want it now,” she gasped, trying to untangle her arms.
“Apparently you’re greedy in all things,” he laughed, releasing her nipple and helping her pull the gown off completely. Immediately, she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her breasts to his naked chest. With a groan, he wrapped her in his arms, one hand sliding down to grasp her bottom. “God, you’re killing me,” he growled against her neck as her head dropped back.
“I need you,” Suzanna cried when his lips settled in the curve of her neck and sucked. The motion of her hips rocked her slit against him in the most blatant way imaginable. The thought flitted across his mind that she’d lied to him once again when she said she was a virgin, but he’d never actually bedded a virgin, so he didn’t have much to go on. Add that to the white hot desire pumping through his veins, he found he didn’t care. She was his for the taking.
Prying her arms from around his neck, he pushed her back, supporting her between her shoulder blades as his lips sought her breast.
“Hang on to my shoulders,” he ordered. “I need to taste you.” Her gasp of surprise when he fastened his lips on her pouting nipple pleased him. Perhaps she’d never done this before. Drawing the sweet bud into his mouth, he began to nurse at her. Her cries of pleasure fairly echoed off the walls and her hips rocked faster against him.
“Sweet Jesus,” she whimpered, arching her back and offering him more. “Don’t drop me, Dalton,” she ordered, clutching him for dear life.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied, his heated breath trailing to her other breast and clamping down firmly on that nipple. He couldn’t take it, not another moment and with his mouth still glued to her, he stood, held her with one strong arm and shoved his long johns down to mid-thigh. Sitting back on the bed he was overjoyed to feel them flesh to flesh. Her silky pussy felt as hot as a furnace.
“I’m going to take you now, Suzanna,” he ground out, letting her nipple pop from his mouth. “Have you anything to say about that?” Resting his forehead against hers, his hands moved to grip her ass.
“I… I… make it stop, Dalton,” she pleaded, letting go of one of his shoulders and pressing a hand above her pussy. “It hurts.”
“I’m not inside you yet, honey,” he responded raggedly. “It might hurt more in a minute.”
“I don’t care. Nothing can be worse than this.”
Dalton nodded and lifted her bottom, moving her hips back. Easily his cock sought her entrance. Aided by her slippery essence, he positioned her slightly above him and slowly lowered her down. It was difficult and he realized he could have picked a better position for this first time, but she felt so damn exquisite he found he couldn’t pull back. When he was a couple of inches inside her, she began to fret, her nails digging into his shoulders.
“Hush, sweetheart,” he whispered into her hair. “Relax and let me in, there’s no going back now.”
“It’s too much,” she cried out, wiggling. “I can’t take it.”
“Yes, you can,” he insisted. Lowering his head, he clamped onto her nipple, giving her a sharp slap on her bottom. When she arched into him at the sting, he sucked harder and eased her down fully on his cock, holding her still.
For a few moments she wiggled to get away as her body shivered, contractin
g around him and he thought he might come on the spot. Gathering his wits, he released her tender tip and pulled her against his chest, stroking and soothing her as she rested her head on his shoulder, gasping for breath. Soon she quieted and began slowly moving her hips experimentally.
“Mmm,” she murmured.
“Honey, I feel the same way,” he assured her nearly breathless himself. He let her set the pace for a few minutes, squirming and moaning as she adjusted to his intrusion. Soon he wondered which of his heads would explode first and took her ass in his hands.
“Like this,” he instructed, sliding her bottom forward to his abdomen and back toward his thighs. Strangely enough, she let him, melting in his embrace and following his lead. He found that each time he pulled her forward, filling her completely, she ground against him, moving in little circles and adding friction to her secret nub.
“Oh,” she cried, throwing her head back. “Why did no one ever tell me about this?”
Dalton laughed.
“It was possibly for your own good, you little hedonist. Think you can turn around?” he asked, kissing her neck just below her ear.
“You mean get off?” she gasped in horrified surprise.
“Only for a minute, my naughty belle.”
“No,” she insisted, holding on to him tightly. “No.”
Smiling, he lifted her from him, groaning as he slipped from her warmth. Setting her on her feet in front of him he watched her stomp her foot in anger.
“Turn around, silly girl,” he ordered, shaking his head. When she didn’t immediately obey and looked like she wanted to slap him, he swiftly spun her around and pulled her back onto his lap. “This will feel a little different and might take some getting used to,” he advised as he lifted her up and lowered her body down. “Quit wiggling or I might not find the right entrance,” he teased. “Somehow I don’t think you’d like that at all.”
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