“It will take some time, but you’ll become more at ease with letting go of your control. My girls will help you learn how to behave, won’t you, puppies? They love their Daddy, huh, babies?” He was answered with two happy tongues lapping at his face. “We’ll go out tonight, have dinner, and play a little. We’ll even bring the girls. We can start slowly to get you comfortable and teach you how to relax and act on your heart, not with your defenses. How does that sound?”
“Does this mean you’re asking me out on a date? I’m confused.”
“Would you like to date me, or stay purely platonic?” He knew the answer, but wanted to hear it from her lips.
“I guess it couldn’t hurt to get to know you better, on a personal basis, I mean.”
“Stubborn, stubborn girl. Why is it so hard to just answer my questions with a yes or no? Yes, I am asking you out on a date. You’ll find that I am as attentive a lover as I am a mentor. Give yourself a chance to like me. I’m really quite charming, if I say so myself. Hell, I would date me,” he grinned. “We’ll leave after the crew closes up. Just don’t ask where we’re going. It’s a surprise.”
Serena nervously glanced at her watch throughout the rest of the day. She felt Preston’s eyes upon her as she instructed the construction crew with window placements, his breath on her neck as she supervised the pouring of the pool plaster, and his hand on her shoulder as she tried to help lift a frame. He gently nudged her away and took her place, while she held her breath, seeing him naked from the waist up for the first time. His muscles rippled under golden tanned skin that looked soft and smooth to the touch. She longed to trace the outlines of his abdomen with her fingers and her lips, and to see what waited for her hidden beneath his faded, torn jeans. With his ever present hat and well-worn boots, he was every bit a cowboy, with sex oozing from every pore. Serena flushed, feeling her panties becoming uncomfortably wet.
“Preston, you need to put on a hard hat. I know you’ve got a thick skull, but I’m pretty sure it’s not strong enough to bend a steel bar,” Serena scolded, admiring the muscles in his shoulders as he strained to lift the frame. She enjoyed watching the man work, that was for sure. His body glistened in the hot sun, and he moved with the grace of a mountain lion. Serena blushed again, needing to cool off.
“Preston Riley! Don’t you ignore me! Put on a hard hat or get out of my work yard,” Serena ordered. She didn’t really see any danger, but it was a good excuse for her to make her next move. She turned the hose on him.
With a loud shriek she ran, with him hot on her trail. The crew stopped to watch, laughing as she slipped past the boss, ducking under his arms to tear off in the opposite direction. She hopped the corral fence and launched onto Milly’s back, kicking her heels for the horse to move. The brown mare just stood still as she grazed and ignored the woman on her back. Preston caught her ankle before Serena had a chance to slip off.
“Gotcha. You are going to pay for that little prank, missy,” he said, slinging her over his shoulder. Serena yelled, laughing, as she pounded him with her fists. The scent of his warm bare skin filled her senses as she half-heartedly attempted to push herself off. She screeched as he dumped her into the newly filled horse trough.
“You’re all wet,” Preston commented, leaning back against a tree and chewing on a piece of hay.
Serena slowly climbed out of the water, her hair dripping in her face and clothes clinging to her body. “Your power of observation amazes me. I don’t get it. Do you want me to accept you as you are or do you want me to actually like you?”
“I’d settle for either, smart ass,” he grinned, handing her a towel from the laundry line. “Was that fun?”
“Yeah, kind of. The look on your face when I hosed you was so worth the dunk,” Serena admitted with a giggle.
“See? You’re letting the little girl out already. Just don’t cross the line with being disrespectful. You know what Daddy will do then. Sara warned you about corner time and my lectures.”
“I don't mind that you are talking so long as you don't mind that I'm not listening,” Serena chuckled, elbowing him playfully. “Now go away so I can have some pleasure in watching you leave.”
“Keep in mind that I have plenty of energy to spank you for each and every insult you throw at me. Just remember, there are consequences to your actions if you decide to cross that line. No more swearing or name calling. Am I clear?”
She patted his arm, ignoring the serious look on his face as she handed him the towel. “Here. Now, how about if you sit down and give your mind a rest while I get back to work.” His return growl sent shivers down her spine.
“I will remember that,” he promised.
“Just try not to hurt yourself, okay?” she said, getting the last word as she walked quickly away.
The day went quickly and Serena discharged the crew for the evening. She was putting away the blueprints when Preston snuck silently behind her and grabbed her in his strong arms, lifting her off the ground.
“Put me down, you Penisaurus Rex!” she giggled, kicking wildly and slapping at his hands as he carried her to the picnic table.
“More insults? We can’t have that now, can we? I already promised you a little something for talking back to me this afternoon,” he said good naturedly as he flipped her across his thighs.
Serena squealed and squirmed when he grabbed the waistband of her shorts. "No—you can't do that!" she objected.
He slapped a sit spot forcefully. "Stop squirming!" he ordered, slipping her shorts past her calves and taking her panties with them. She shivered and squirmed some more, reaching her hands back to protect her bare bottom from assault.
"Move your hands," he said. When she shook her head in refusal, he moved them for her and delivered another sharp smack. Serena continued to wiggle, and he grunted, repositioning her as he released her hands from his tight grip.
“Come on, Preston, there is no reason to do this.”
Preston chuckled slightly, ignoring her plea. Serena whined, but tried to keep still in an effort to make it easier on herself. “You know I hate being spanked! It’s humiliating.”
“That’s the point,” Preston said, resting his hand against her bottom. “Maybe after a good spanking, you’ll decide to watch how you speak to me, huh? I told you to stop mouthing off,” he said, giving her a hard Pop! and sending her hands flying back to protect herself. “That’s not where your hands are supposed to be, young lady,” he scolded, popping her thigh.
“OW! I’m sorry,” Serena shrieked, hesitating to move her hands away. After another prompt swat on the other thigh, she did as she was told. “Ow, Preston. Please stop.”
“Then I assume I am getting my point across.” He landed a flurry of hard smacks which got her kicking and whimpering very quickly.
“You are! I swear you are! Please stop!” she begged, unsuccessfully twisting to dodge the smacks. She reached back again only to get her wrist pinned against her back and some very strong smacks to the thighs. Serena tried not to cry, but after about a minute under his wooden hand, tears began to spill in pools from her eyes.
“I don’t want to ever hear you putting me or anyone else down again. While some of your jabs are very clever, they are also very disrespectful. We’ve talked extensively about that, haven’t we?” he asked, giving her ten quick swats on each sit spot. Serena sniveled lightly into her free hand, trying to wipe the tears away as hurriedly as they fell. Preston finally stopped, then pulled her panties and shorts back up over her flaming red behind and lifted her onto his lap.
“I’m s-sorry,” she hiccupped, burying her face into his chest.
He kissed her forehead as he held her tightly. “I know, little one. You gotta start guarding that mean little mouth of yours. It can be hurtful to the people who care about you. You know better than to act like this. It’s not becoming of my special girl. Do you have something you would like to say to me?”
Serena nodded—he was right. She did know better, bu
t it was so much easier to insult someone than to say how she really felt. She whispered, “Thank you, Preston.”
He smirked. “You’re welcome. Now get yourself cleaned up so we can leave on our play date.”
Serena pouted for a split second, just enough to get “the look”, then did as she was told. Preston did not miss the little smile that played on her lips as she hobbled to the RV, rubbing her bottom with both hands.
Preston opened the truck door for the dogs to hop in and then held his hand out to assist Serena as she climbed into the front passenger seat. He reached across and buckled her in place. Serena inhaled deeply as his neck passed in front of her nose. On impulse, she bit him.
“Ow! Are you a little vampire too?” Preston asked, hand on his neck.
“Sorry! I’m a biter,” Serena giggled, holding her hands over her mouth.
“I like to bite as well, but there’s a time and place, young lady.”
“Am I in trouble?”
“You’re always in trouble. But, no. In fact, it’s the first gesture you’ve made showing that you were interested in me, so I’m going to handle you a little differently,” Preston said firmly, surprising her by pressing his lips firmly against her partially opened mouth. Serena’s breath caught in her throat as she felt his tongue probe sweetly, pausing only as his teeth nibbled her lower lip and his lips gently sucked her own. His natural fragrance was inebriating, sending chills down her body and concentrating between her legs. She felt her nipples tighten as she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he held her face between his two hands.
She panted when he released her, her lips bruised and swollen. Slowly, she lifted her fingers to touch her mouth. His passion had turned her into a virtual puddle! Preston smiled knowingly, closed her door, and joined her in the cab. Serena was silent as he started the vehicle and began to drive down the mountain. Preston mused, wishing he had tried kissing to silence her months ago. He savored the taste of her as it lingered on his lips, making him hunger for another sample. The kiss had truly been an amuse bouche, a tiny bite that tantalized his senses.
“Would you like to go where we are going, Serena?” Preston asked as he started down the highway.
“You told me not to ask. Are you going to tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
“Nimrod,” Serena grumbled, smiling. “Does your Daddy always tease you like this, girls?” she asked the border collies. They answered with a tail wag, glancing out the window. They hopped up onto the bench as they neared the Coronado Bridge. “I love Coronado. We’re going there?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Girls, sit in the car,” Preston ordered, watching the dogs in the rear view mirror as they obeyed. He excused himself to answer his Bluetooth, speaking cryptically as they started over the bridge to the island off the San Diego harbor. Serena fidgeted in her seat, partially due to the discomfort of her recently spanked bottom, and partially out of excitement. It did not escape Preston’s watchful eye, either. He resisted teasing her, wanting to make her transition into this new lifestyle as easy as possible.
“Preston? Have you always been like this?” Serena asked as they stopped for a light.
“Like what, hon?”
“I don’t know what you would call it other than bossy and pigheaded.”
“How about dominant and decisive?”
“Whatever. Answer me.”
“Yes and I’ll tell you more later if you want to know. I have no secrets to hide from you,” Preston promised, pulling into the parking lot at the Hotel Del Coronado.
“Hotel Del? I’m not dressed for this! Plus, the dogs!”
“Girls, to me,” Preston ordered, pulling a bag out from behind his seat. The collies sat quietly as he placed red vests on both with patches for search and rescue. “The girls are both licensed service animals and have been used throughout the state to locate injured persons. As for our attire, it’s San Diego. Shorts are the norm here. But don’t worry, we aren’t going inside to eat. I’m just meeting a friend to get something.” He helped Serena out of the truck and led her and the dogs into the hotel lobby.
“Dr. Riley! It’s good to see you again. Hi Boo! Hi Gem!” the concierge greeted them warmly. “Are you joining us for dinner?”
“Not tonight, Jill. I’m waiting for a basket from Peter.”
“I’ll ring him, sir. Please, have a seat.”
“Who’s Peter?” Serena asked, sitting next to Preston on the overstuffed bench. A man in a white chef’s coat came out, carrying a large basket. Preston stood to shake his hand, then joined the man in a hug.
“It’s so good to see you, Preston! You are looking well.”
“You look like you’ve been sampling your menu, old friend. What’s this?” Preston laughed, pointing to the man’s belly.
Peter laughed, patting it. “It’s bought and paid for. I’ve always said to never trust a skinny chef. What is this exquisite vision that stands before me?”
“Peter, I’d like to introduce you to Serendipity Mitchell. Serena, please meet Executive Chef Peter Shelton. We’ve known each other since college.”
“Serendipity? What a beautiful and unusual name. In it holds the key to your future,” Peter said, kissing the back of Serena’s hand. She blushed, unaccustomed to that type of attention. “Any woman who is willing to go out with Preston’s dogs is a keeper, by the way,” he winked at her, then turned back to Preston. “I guessed that you would be bringing your girls. There’s something special in there for them, too.”
“Thank you so much. I’m going to be having an open house when my place is finished. Can I count on you coming?”
“I would be honored. Just promise me you won’t have it catered.”
“Nope. We’ll go old style BBQ, just like we used to. I might even dig a pit. Of course, keeping you out of my new kitchen will be a challenge.”
“Don’t forget the pantry, wine cellar and walk in freezer,” Serena added. “He’s even going to have an herb garden in an indoor greenhouse.”
“I am?” Preston looked at her.
“Sara informed me of that yesterday. It will be located in a hydroponic unit along the kitchen walls.”
“Serena is my architect and construction foreman. You know Sara. The house is her design,” Preston announced proudly.
“Do you cook, Miss Mitchell?” Peter asked.
“Please, call me Serena. I can burn toast, heat up soup in the microwave, and open a bag of chips.”
“My house warming gift to you will be in-home chef lessons. I will teach both of you the art of fine dining and romance.”
“I accept your offer, Peter. Thank you so much. I’ve talk with you later okay?” Preston smiled, winking at his friend.
“Serena, it was truly a pleasure.” Peter kissed her hand again.
“Same here, Chef Shelton. Thank you.”
Picnic basket in hand, Preston handed the dogs’ leashes to Serena. He hooked her hand through his arm to lead her proudly through the hotel. She looked at him with confusion as he took her onto the beach. “Do you have a towel so we don’t get sand in the food?”
“Nope. Don’t need one.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Relax. I have things under control. There is it!”
Serena watched as a small motor boat banked onto the sand and a man hopped out. He greeted Preston warmly and took the basket from his hands. Preston let the dogs off the leashes and they both jumped eagerly into the boat. Without warning, Preston scooped Serena in his arms and walk into the water, placing her carefully onto the deck. He hopped in next to her and put a life vest over her head.
“Do we have to wear these?”
“Yes. Look, even the girls have one.” Preston grinned as the other man placed the dog vests over the collies’ heads. Serena held her breath as the boat jumped through the high waves and into smoother water, zooming toward a large catamaran that floated quietly in the center of the bay. Preston helped secure the dingy and tha
nked the boat captain for the ride. Taking Serena’s arm, he led her to the flat deck where he proceeded to unload the contents from the basket.
Serena sat silently, in awe as this big, rugged cowboy wined and dined her like she was a princess. Her eyes widened as he pulled out a bearded iris from the basket and placed it in a bud vase. He poured her champagne, fed her chocolate covered strawberries, twirled her pasta alfredo and even buttered her rolls. As he gently wiped some chocolate from the corner of her mouth, Serena realized that she had never been treated so delicately before. She knew that this was not an act but an endearing part of who Preston Riley was.
“How did you know that this was my favorite meal? And that the bearded iris was my favorite flower?” she asked, astounded.
“I do my research, sweetheart. How about the boat? Do you like it?”
“It’s incredible. I love the ocean, but hate sand in my food. I’ve never been on a catamaran before, either. Preston, this is so perfect. Thank you.”
“You are most welcome. You don’t mind the dogs?”
“I love the dogs. They are having so much fun, too. They look like they want to go in the water, though.”
“They love to swim. Talk to me. How are you doing?”
“I’m overwhelmed, but in a good way. You’re nothing like I thought you were. You’re pretty awesome when you’re not being a twit.”
“Again with the names. You weren’t praising my awesomeness a few hours ago when you were across my knee getting spanked,” Preston grinned, sipping his champagne as he viewed her over the rim of his glass.
“Shhh, he’ll hear you! Don’t be such a dork!”
“Trust me, he can’t hear anything. I was over at the wheel when Boo was barking at that seal in the water and could hardly hear her. Plus, he’s playing his iPod. So, have I redeemed myself for treating you so firmly?”
“I can’t say I didn’t exactly deserve some of that firm treatment. I can be a little difficult at times.”
“I wouldn’t say you were difficult. You’re guarded and very defensive. That will change in time as you learn to let go.”
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