Clinch

by Becca Jamesonbecca Jameson

  “Do you both live here?” Cooley asked.

  “No.” Katie glanced at Leo.

  Leo turned from the door. “Looks like we do now,” he told the officer. “I can’t believe she slept here alone for as long as she did. It was never a safe situation.”

  “Hey,” she interrupted, “until today, I’ve never had a single incident. There has never been a threat to my clinic or the people I serve.” Of course, until today, she’d never known two thugs under the direction of the Russian mob were following her around. She hugged herself tighter, glancing outside as if she might spot someone lurking in a corner.

  “Well, that has changed, ma’am. I agree with your boyfriend. I wouldn’t leave you here in good conscience.”

  “I’ll run over to the hardware store now. Can you stay with her a few minutes until I can get back?”

  “Of course,” both officers agreed.

  Katie felt a little bit steamrolled, but on the flip side, she was right, and they had every reason to be nervous. Her crazy world was upside down crazier.

  ∙•∙

  Leo pulled his phone out and called his contact as soon as he was inside the hardware store and pounding down the aisles in search of supplies.

  “Hey.”

  “It’s Leo. Listen, I don’t know if it means anything, but someone broke into Katie’s clinic while we were gone today. Kicked in the front door. Easily popped the lock. Alarm didn’t go off.”

  “Shit. Anything missing?”

  “No. But she has a safe room in the back that’s locked and on a separate alarm with a code. If someone was trying to steal drugs, they wouldn’t have succeeded. Could be a coincidence.”

  “I don’t operate in coincidences.”

  “Yeah. That’s why I’m calling.”

  “Okay. I’m going to have extra detail assigned to you, hidden of course. Are you staying there tonight?”

  “Yes, and all the nights in the foreseeable future.”

  There was a pause. “And by foreseeable future, you mean…?”

  “Fifty years if I have my way.”

  “Got it. Okay. What are you doing about the door, then?”

  “I’m at the hardware store now gathering supplies to pretend I’ve made it safe for her.”

  “Excellent. For the record…?”

  “Fuck no. No way in hell would I let her stay in that upstairs apartment tonight if I didn’t have backup. Just not going to tell her that.”

  “Yeah, about that. If you’re serious about this woman…”

  “I know.” Leo grabbed a new lock off the shelf and turned to head for the aisle with the alarm systems. He just needed something simple with one contact and a loud piercing noise if it got broken. “She knows nothing.”

  “Good. We don’t take these things lightly. Sometimes even spouses are never brought into the fold.”

  “I’m clear on that. My lips are sealed. For now.”

  “All right. I’ll have two men on you in less than fifteen minutes.”

  “Appreciate it.” He ended the call, stuffed the phone back in his pocket, and chose a quick solution for the alarm to get them through the night. All that mattered was that it worked. He wasn’t going to sleep well even knowing it was in place or that two hired men were out front hidden in the shadows.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Anton’s cell rang while he was staring out the window of his downtown apartment at the city lights. At night the place was so much more attractive.

  Slowly he pulled the cell from his pocket and spotted the caller ID, swiping his finger across the screen to answer. “Where the hell have you been?”

  “Sorry. I got called into work. My real job. No way I could escape. They had an emergency,” Christianson explained. His words were choppy as though rehearsed. Either he was lying, or he was rightfully afraid of Anton’s reaction.

  “You work for me on Sundays. It’s the only day you have enough time to make much progress. I needed you today.” Anton was furious, and all Ted had to say was, “I had to work.”

  “Couldn’t be helped. But the good news is they gave me tomorrow off in exchange. I’ll be at the lab first thing.”

  Now we’re talking.

  “Good. Perfect. Need you to do something for me.”

  “Name it.” Ted was a bit too chipper. Of course, he probably realized Anton was two seconds away from shooting him in the head.

  Although that would never happen since Anton needed Christianson. The man was a genius at what he did. A godsend.

  “Listen carefully…”

  »»•««

  “I can’t believe it’s only eight o’clock,” Katie said, glancing at the time on the microwave.

  Leo pointed at the couch. “Sit. Let me finish putting the groceries away. You’re dead on your feet.”

  For once, she didn’t argue. She sighed as she lowered herself onto the sofa and lifted her feet onto her coffee table. The two pieces of furniture were a bit comical in the surroundings. The tan upholstered sofa was not brand new, but it was top of the line. And the matching end table and coffee table were too. She must have brought them from another time in her life when she’d lived more opulently.

  She leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

  Leo was glad. He didn’t mind shuffling around in her kitchen. In fact, he liked the distraction. When he had all the groceries put away, he came over and sat next to her, pulling her head against his chest. “Our lives have been a bit too eventful this weekend.”

  “Way too eventful.” She sighed. “Do you think we’re safe? That door…”

  “Yep. It doesn’t even need a lock to be safe because the alarm’s piercing sound will chase off anyone who dares to touch it. Trust me.”

  As if that would calm him by itself.

  “Okay. Do you think it’s like the cops said? That someone wanted drugs and took off when they couldn’t get them?”

  “Probably.” He found that hard to believe. Way too coincidental for his taste, but it eased her mind. And he wasn’t lying. It was the most logical answer.

  “I can’t stop shaking, and my mind is wandering to all the what ifs.”

  He glanced down at the top of her head. “I can fix that.”

  She lifted up, rolling her eyes. “Sex won’t fix everything.”

  “Who said anything about sex?” He lifted a brow.

  She narrowed her gaze. “Leo Gulin, what are you suggesting?” She leaned back, obviously leery.

  “You owe me a bare ass.”

  She flinched. “Seriously?”

  “Yes. You don’t remember?”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh, I remember. I’m just thinking this isn’t the time.”

  “This is the perfect time. Turn your power over to me. Let me take away the stress. A good spanking will erase everything. You’ll slip into a subspace and presto,” he snapped his fingers, “all your problems will become trivial.”

  “That sounds ludicrous.”

  “It works.” He stood and reached down to grab her hand. “Come on.”

  She looked up at him, not moving. “Leo…” she moaned around the word. In frustration? Or lust? He wasn’t sure. But if it was the former, he knew he could turn it into the latter.

  “Have I ever let you down?”

  “Not yet, but there’s always a first. You asking for my permission to spank me? Like a child? I mean, it was one thing for you to do so on the spur of the moment the other night. But this is planned. It’s sort of weird.”

  He leaned over her, setting his hands on both sides of her shoulders on the back of the couch. “It’s hot. And you’ll love it.” He kissed her lips. “Don’t think about it anymore. Consider it already out of your hands. Let me control you.”

  He watched her contemplate the idea, knowing it was hard the first few times a new submissive gave over their power to another. It was difficult to relinquish. He’d seen it many times. But he was also confident Katie Schwan had what it took, and she would be thorou
ghly sated after a good spanking.

  “It should not make me hot that you want to spank me. It’s unnatural.”

  “It’s not.” He shrugged. “Lots of people like to be spanked, and for a variety of outcomes. For some, it provides a release that has nothing to do with sex. For others, one touch sends them into a sexual frenzy.” He grinned.

  She blew out a breath. “How did I fall into the latter category?”

  “You’re just wired that way, babe. It’s hot. It gives you the release you need from stress. And you can’t deny the orgasm that follows is mind blowing.”

  “Ugh. Okay, but I still get to call ‘red’ if I don’t like it.”

  “Absolutely. Always.” He pushed off the couch and took her hand to lead her to the bedroom.

  There was plenty of light streaming in through the blinds from the street lamps. And the slats were angled high enough that no one could see in, so he left them and turned Katie to face him. He drew her T-shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor.

  Holding her gaze, he unbuttoned her jeans and then lowered the zipper, slowly. Calmly. No sudden movements. No rush. It was still early. They had plenty of time. And afterward she would sleep like a baby.

  When he had her completely naked, he stepped back a pace. He traced a finger down from her chin, over the curve of her neck, and across her chest. He barely grazed one nipple before continuing down toward her belly button. It was enough to send a shiver through her, though.

  “And once again, I am naked and you’re not.”

  He tapped her lips. “Don’t speak. Not a word. Just feel.”

  She shivered again.

  He circled behind her and pulled her shoulders back, lifting her fantastic tits. “Spread your legs.”

  She stepped out.

  He smoothed his hands down her back, practically massaging her in a standing position. He caressed her butt cheeks, her thighs, and then back up to her shoulders.

  She softened gradually.

  For a long time, he simply stroked her skin—everywhere except where she most needed it. Finally, he spoke. “Climb onto the bed. Get in the middle on all fours.”

  She crawled up and did as he asked.

  “Lower to your elbows. Put your forehead against the pillow. Spread your knees wider.”

  She followed those instructions too, though she made not a single sound of distress or pleasure. She would.

  He climbed up between her legs and molded his hands to her cheeks. They were the highest point of her body now, and he was well aware of the vulnerability that instilled. It was the reason he had her lower her head.

  She didn’t make a sound as he pulled her cheeks apart and released them. He fought the urge to touch her tight hole. He would. In time. But not yet. For now, he would enjoy keeping her on edge, making her wonder if he was about to press a finger into the forbidden space.

  “Are you wet for me, babe?”

  “Yes.” Her word was barely audible.

  Just asking the question would send a rush of arousal to her pussy. That was the goal. “May I check?”

  Her breath hitched. “Yes.”

  He reached a hand between her legs, parted her lips, and pressed one finger deep inside her, so slowly she rocked forward with the motion. “Oh, yeah. So wet.” He pulled the finger out, sucked it clean with a pop from his mouth, and climbed from between her legs to situate himself on one side.

  With a hand on her lower back and one poised over her ass, he told her, “I’m going to spank you harder than the other night. I won’t make you count this time, but do so in your head because next time I’ll expect you to.”

  She nodded into the pillow.

  By the time he swatted her, she was already slipping into a subspace. Her body was warm and pliable. She barely flinched at the contact.

  He smoothed his hand over the spot. “Good girl.” And then he spanked her two more times rapidly.

  This time she held her ground, bracing herself with her elbows to keep from swaying forward.

  After absorbing the heat with his palm, he swatted her several times, lower, at the juncture of her ass and thighs.

  She moaned.

  Perfect. Just what he wanted. That sweet spot would shoot her arousal sky high.

  After a series of spanks to the upper buttocks, he lowered to the backs of her thighs, skipping the juncture. She was sweating, and the sounds coming from her mouth were foreign. She had no idea she was making them. He could easily make her come.

  Instead he continued to swat her behind, raining the blows in no particular pattern, only occasionally hitting that sweet juncture of her thighs and cheeks.

  Finally, he swatted her hard, low and centered. It would shake her pussy.

  Katie screamed out. “Oh. God. Please.”

  “That’s my good girl.” He soothed her skin, not giving her what she wanted. “Can you take more?”

  “I need to come. Please, Leo, let me come.”

  He ignored her plea. “Can you take more?” he repeated.

  She hesitated and then nodded into the pillow.

  He repeated his actions with a new series of swats, watching her ass as it pinkened more with every slap of his palm. Her skin was so thin and white, she looked gorgeous covered in the pink swollen handprints. He didn’t spank her as hard as he had other women in his past. She wouldn’t have been able to take it. And he had no intention of breaking the skin.

  But the glow…

  He fought the moan that rose in his throat at the vision of his woman sprawled out before him, obeying his commands. Her legs parted. Her ass in the air. Her body in formation for him to do with as he pleased.

  It was heady, especially since the subject was a woman he held in such high regard. A woman he could picture himself spending his life with.

  He shook the thought from his head. He needed to stop thinking in terms of forever with Katie.

  If only his life was up to her standards. Her mother would have a field day with Katie dating a Russian fighter. He knew he would never put her in that position. He would never meet her parents. He would never stay so long that it came to that.

  He couldn’t.

  It wouldn’t be fair to her.

  She was way out of his league, and he knew it.

  But Lord how he wanted to pretend for a while. Pretend she was his and that they lived in a different dimension where rich, snobby parents welcomed tattooed, slightly-under-the-radar MMA fighters with no formal education and little money.

  Yeah. That was a make-believe world. And he wouldn’t force Katie to make that decision. When this was all over, and he was sure she was safe, he would slip away.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Oh. God.

  The need.

  The driving need.

  She wasn’t sure what it was she even needed.

  The feel of his rough palm against her bare skin was amazing. It took her breath away, and her sanity. She didn’t care. It took her troubles with it too.

  She began to crave the next swat of his hand, each blow easing her further and further into a space in her head that was calm and comforting. A quiet room where she had no worries. No dead patients. No break-ins. No crazy exes. No meddling mothers…

  Every time his hand hit right at the juncture of her ass and thighs, she grew closer to coming. From a spanking.

  The heat of her ass felt soothing in a way. It warmed her.

  “You like this a little too much, sweet girl.” He chuckled, releasing her to climb off the bed.

  She didn’t move. Couldn’t. Instead, she listened, imagining him removing his jeans following the sound of his zipper. His shoes hit the floor with a thud. And then he was between her legs again. The tear of a condom wrapper filled the silence.

  Thank God.

  “I’m going to take you in this position. Spread your legs wider, babe.”

  She inched her wobbly knees out, her pussy so ready for him.

  And then he was at her entrance.
/>   And then he was inside her.

  And then she was screaming his name.

  “That’s my girl,” he muttered as he grabbed her hips and fucked her fast and hard.

  He stopped speaking. She could hear his breathing. Heavy, but not as heavy as her own that was making her ears ring.

  His grip on her hips tightened, grounding her. She never wanted anything so badly in her life.

  When one hand snaked around to reach for her clit, he thrust into her a final time and held himself steady, pinching the bundle of nerves as he froze. “Come for me, Katie. Now.” His words were gritted out on the edge of his own orgasm, and he sighed loudly as his cock emptied inside her.

  She followed on his heels, unable to stop herself. The power in his words was impressive. She could probably come from across a room if he commanded it.

  She was in that deep.

  »»•««

  The sun was barely peeking through the blinds when she opened her eyes. She was on her belly, a sheet draped around her shoulders, but her ass was bare to the air.

  Suddenly, she was cold. She winced as she rolled onto her back, the cool sheets soothing her skin. He’d rubbed lotion into her pink butt for a long time, but it was going to be sore.

  She didn’t care. It was worth it.

  Leo rolled in her direction and lifted up onto his elbow. He brushed a lock of hair from her face and smiled down at her. “You okay?”

  “Better than.”

  “I didn’t spank you too hard?”

  She shook her head, her face heating up. She’d rather not have this discussion.

  He lifted her chin. “Look at me.”

  She did, blinking.

  “Always be honest. I have to know what you like and don’t like so I can tweak my game plan the next time.”

  “It was all good. Trust me.”

  “Okay.” He kissed her nose. “Coffee?”

  She nodded. “I’m going to jump in the shower. People will start showing up at eight.”

  “Eight. Got it. Plenty of time.” He rolled the other way from the bed, and she watched his naked ass as he strolled from the room, not bothering to cover himself. The tattoos on his back were amazing—intricate Cyrillic letters.