The Reluctant Au Pair

by Melinda Barron

  “She’ll want details.” His voice held humor. “Just make sure you build me up, if you know what I mean.”

  They’d laughed all the way to the main house, and when she’d put Alex to bed, with Alliot standing behind her, she’d turned and he’d held out his hand. She took it and he’d led her to his bedroom, where he’d made sweet, slow love to her again.

  Afterward, she’d licked his chin. “So, my non-disclosure agreement doesn’t extend to our sex life? You know I’ll talk to Bea?”

  “Well, I hope you’ll be discreet about it, but I understand that she suspects already, and will badger you until you confirm it. Don’t give away too many details, in other words.”

  “Promise.” Then they’d fallen asleep with him spooned behind her, holding her close.

  She was looking out the kitchen window now, staring at the green hills and bright vineyards. A noise from behind her made her turn. Bea stood there, grinning, Amelie in her arms.

  “You look like the lady of the manor. One that’s been well and truly, um, you know.”

  Michelle laughed. “I have been.”

  “I can’t believe it. I told Luc last night that you both were glowing like you’d just, um, been together. It’s so cool. Do you love him?”

  “No. I barely know him.”

  “You know him well enough to, um, you know.” Bea shook her head. “I’ve had one lover in my life, and that is Luc.”

  “Yeah, well you’re better than I am. I’m a bad girl.” Those words had new meaning now, and she knew that if he’d heard them, Alliot would have lifted his eyebrows in the promise of a spanking later.

  “I’m thrilled for you.” Bea put Amelie down at the table, and then gave her some food, which she happily attacked. She was offering some of it to Alex and the two friends laughed as they watched them play.

  “Me, too. He’s so gruff and, well, cold sometimes. And then he’s so full of passion, so, demanding.”

  “Demanding. Oh, do tell.”

  “No, I didn’t mean that.” Michelle had no intention of telling Bea about the spankings, or about anything else they’d done, not in great detail. “It was just so intense.”

  “Well, he is French.” Their laughter was louder now, and both children turned to stare at them. Finally, Bea cleared her throat. “And, speaking of French men, my husband called earlier and asked us to bring him and “the boss,” lunch today at the worker’s picnic tables. He said it was Alliot’s idea. Imagine that.”

  Michelle’s face burned as the memory of what they’d done at those tables last night spread through her. She turned to the sink and hoped her voice was even when she said, “Really?”

  “Yes. He said Alliot had the workers clean the area and hose off all the tables this morning in preparation.” Bea had opened the refrigerator. “You’re low on food.”

  Michelle was grateful that her friend didn’t notice her embarrassment at the mention of the picnic tables. “I know. We bought some last night, but not much. Alliot wants me to go to town, to practice my stick shift driving skills.”

  “I’ll go with you, after lunch.”

  “I’m worried about the children being with us when I drive the highway the first time.”

  “It’ll be fine. You can drive partway there, and then, before we hit traffic, we can switch. That will give you a little highway time.” She turned back to the refrigerator. “Now, what shall we fix?”

  They finally decided on cold roast beef, which was in Bea’s refrigerator. While Bea went down to get it, Michelle sliced several different kinds of cheese, then washed grapes and cut up apples and pears into bite sized pieces.

  When that was done, she took Alex and Amelie upstairs for a bath, loving the way both of them splashed in the water. When they were dressed, they went out into the sunshine on the deck to wait for Bea. The day was beautiful, and as she watched Alex and Amelie play together on a blanket, Michelle thought about her reluctance to take care of the child, about her reluctance to be around children at all.

  This time she’d been wrong. Staying here, and taking care of him, had brought her closer to Alliot, which was a good thing. She didn’t expect him to ask her to stay permanently, but for the three months that she had until her Visa was up, she’d enjoy this time to the fullest.

  When Bea arrived, and told her to drive, they loaded up the children and Michelle took off down the narrow path she’d driven the night before. She pulled into the small alcove without being told, and when she turned off the car, she could fell Bea staring at her. She turned to her friend and shook her head.

  “What?”

  “You knew where to go, without being told.” Bea smiled wickedly. “I’m just glad to hear he washed down the tables.”

  When they got to the tables, the men were already waiting. Alliot was talking on his cell phone, and Luc helped them set up the food. He talked excitedly about what they’d done that day, most of which Michelle didn’t understand. When Alliot flipped his phone shut, and turned to them, he frowned.

  “I have to go to Paris for a few days. Something I was working on, and thought I had wrapped up, has developed a snag. Luc, you can handle everything, I have complete faith in you as my new manager. We’ll go to the bank today and give you access to the accounts.”

  Luc beamed and Michelle could tell Bea was holding back a squeal of delight.

  Alliot sat next to Michelle, and put his arm around her lower back. “You’ll be alright alone?”

  “Fine,” she said softly, even as she wanted to scream that no, she wouldn’t be alright alone.”

  “It’s just a few days, and I’ll bring you back a present,” he whispered in her ear. “One you’ll love. Or at least your bottom will love it. I guarantee it.”

  Chapter Nine

  “How long do you think you’ll be gone?” Michelle sat on the side of the bed and watched Alliot put clothing into a small piece of luggage.

  “Not that long. Three, maybe four days.”

  “And there’s no way out of it?”

  “No, Michelle, there’s not. The client is insisting upon seeing me, and she brings a lot of money into our firm.”

  “She?” Michelle sat on her hands and turned her gaze to the wall. She didn’t know why she was so upset. After all, she’d worked in a legal firm for years, and knew clients, especially the wealthy ones, could be demanding. They would get their way, or they would take their business to another firm.

  Still, knowing that the man she was forming a relationship with was heading out of town for three or four days, to see another woman ranked on her.

  Get a grip, Michelle, you have no reason to be jealous, just because he’s spanked you a few times, and then made love to you. It was probably nothing to him. He’s French, remember? French men have wives, mistresses and girlfriends. All at the same time.

  Michelle tried to corral her wayward thoughts. She knew it wasn’t because Alliot was French that she was upset about him going away for a few days. It was because their relationship was so new. What if he was already lovers with this woman, and they used this time alone together to rekindle their relationship? Michelle wasn’t a prude, but she didn’t want to share.

  “What are you thinking?” His voice was deep, and full of authority, as if he expected her to jump at his command.

  “Nothing.”

  “Little liar. Do I need to take off my belt? If memory serves, that helped you in the truth department.”

  “No.”

  “Then tell me.” He added some shorts to the bag, then took a few folded shirts out of a drawer and set them inside.

  “I told you, it’s nothing.”

  “Perhaps some time in the corner will loosen your tongue.” When she didn’t answer, he sighed. “Michelle, we’re not teen-agers. We’re adults, and adults talk about things and solve their problems like adults. Now, talk to me, or go and stand in the corner for as long as I say. It’s your choice.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  �
�You know, you’re pushing me to spank me. I can see it, I’m not sure. Perhaps you think it will cement our relationship in some way before I leave. But I don’t think that it will. What I think is that you need to get over the feelings that you’re having which are either, A, jealousy because I’m going to meet a woman, or B, jealousy that you’re being left behind when our relationship is at such a tender point, or C, both of the above. Am I right?”

  “You’re a jerk.”

  “That won’t work, either.” He took her hand and led her toward a corner of the bedroom.

  “I’m not standing in the corner.”

  “Oh yes, you are. Sometimes going without a spanking can be just as effective as receiving one. You will stand in the corner, with your bottom bared. And, you will be spanked, when I return from Paris. That will give you time to think of your punishment, and the reason for it. You’re acting like a child.”

  She stared daggers at him, her anger seething inside her. Part of the reason she was so mad, though, was that she knew he was right. Why was she acting this way? They weren’t a couple. He’d spanked her a few times, and they’d had sex a few times. Big deal. No one had every said anything about them being a couple.

  “Put your nose in the corner.”

  “No.” She stiffened when he put his hand on the back of her neck, pulling her face close to his.

  “I’m not used to having my orders ignored. You will do as you’re told, or the spanking you receive when I return will be particularly harsh.”

  She stared at him, her anger rising.

  “I won’t tell you again. Do as I say, now.” He didn’t push her there, even though he still had hold of her neck. She narrowed her eyes at him, batted away his hand and then turned her face to the corner.

  “Bare your bottom.”

  “No.”

  “The more you fight me, the harder your whipping will be when I return. Do it.”

  “Did you ever stop to think I might be thinking about something besides you?”

  “Then why won’t you tell me what it is?”

  Because, it really is you and I don’t want to look like an idiot, because I expect you to feel tings we haven’t talked about, or are anywhere near feeling.

  “Maybe I’m just nervous.”

  “About what?”

  “What if they come back? The Thaxtons.” She squared her shoulders. She wasn’t really scared of that happening, but now that she’d mentioned it, she had to run with it.

  “Why would they do that?”

  “Money. Maybe there’s more.”

  “We’ve searched high and low, and there’s nothing here.” He took a step closer. “Go and stay with Bea and Luc if that will make you feel better. Or have them come and stay here, all five of them. There’s plenty of room.”

  Their gazes locked for a long minute, and then he smiled at her. “You’re not going to do that, though. I can read you, as any good lawyer can. You’re not the type to be frightened by a big house, or by the possibility they might come back. You can handle yourself quite nicely, I believe.”

  He stared at her, giving her a moment to tell him the truth, and then he sighed.

  ”Very well, turn.”

  This time she didn’t fight him. She faced the wall, then lifted her skirt. She inhaled sharply when he tugged her panties down to her knees.

  The position she was in mortified her. He stepped up right behind her, pressing himself against her body.

  “Put your nose in the corner, touching it.”

  Her mortification spread.

  “If you’re going to act like a child, I’m going to treat you like one.”

  A small tear escaped her eyes as she touched her nose to the cold wall. She couldn’t believe she was doing as he asked, or that she was staying in the position he’d put her in. What did it mean? Still, it was better, she supposed, to do as he asked than admit to him she had feelings she wasn’t able to deal with. Maybe tomorrow she would feel better, and tell him the truth.

  *****

  “So, did you sleep together?”

  “We slept in the same bed, yes, but we didn’t have sex.” She didn’t tell Bea that she’d stood in the corner for a good thirty minutes, her nose against the wall and her bottom bared as if for a spanking. Michelle knew he’d been giving her time to tell him why she was acting like she was. But she hadn’t been, and still wasn’t, ready to do that.

  So she’d stood there, silently, until he’d called her name and said, “It’s time for bed.”

  His voice had been gentle, and he hadn’t asked her to talk to him. Instead, She’d gone into her room and changed, and then checked on Alex while he stood in the doorway of his room. After that, he’d held out his hand and led her to his bed, where they’d fallen asleep together as if they’d done it a thousand times before.

  When Michelle had woken that morning, he’d been gone, and Alex was awake, and hungry.

  Now, they sat on the patio, enjoying coffee, fruit and croissants. Bea picked up a bunch of grapes and handed it to her daughter. She gave Alex a cracker, then turned back to her friend. “Do you love him?”

  “No. You can’t love someone in so short a time. He fascinates me, yes. I admit at first I thought he was a creep, but he grows on you.”

  “I’ve known you my whole life,” Bea said. “You love him. I can hear it in your voice, and see it in your eyes. There’s not a time frame on these things you know. You can’t question what’s happened; you have to act on it now. What happens if you don’t, and you go back home and he stays here? You’ll be miserable the rest of your life, that’s what will happen.”

  “I don’t know that for sure.”

  “How can you not know that, Michelle? Please don’t overanalyze this. Please just think with your heart for once.”

  “What happens when my heart gets broken?”

  “Then you deal with it, and you move on.” Bea clasped her hand and squeezed. “But you know as well as I do, that’s better than letting it go, without seeing if there could be a future for you here.”

  “You just want me to stay.”

  “True, but I also want you to be happy. And while I don’t see the attraction with Alliot, except for the fact that he’s gorgeous, well, you do see it. That’s what’s important. Explore it, don’t over think it to death and push him away.”

  “He’s never brought it up. I don’t think he feels the same way. I mean, he’s French, and they have sex all the time.” Michelle swallowed her guilt about the fact he’d given her the chance to talk about her feelings last night, had flat out asked about them, and she’d refused to answer until she’d had time to think about the situation more. Overanalyzing, as Bea said.

  “Let’s go into the village. I need some food, and from the looks of your refrigerator, so do you. It will do you good to get out for a little bit. And I promise, I won’t bring up Alliot again, unless you want me to.”

  They spent the afternoon in the village. Bea drove her Rover, and as Michelle watched the countryside speed by, and listened to Alex and Amelie communicate in the backseat, she thought how perfect this was. The country was beautiful, and she had people who cared about her and the possibility of a long-term relationship. She did need to at least give it a try. It had been years since she’d done that.

  Once in town, they took the children to the small lake, letting them play on the plastic horses and swings that were already crowded with young people. When the tots were tired, they went to the market and bought food, fresh bread and meat and vegetables.

  Michelle found that she rather enjoyed the European way of shopping, buying a little bit of the things you needed so that they were fresh, and ready for use.

  The countryside was beautiful, too, and she made a mental note to ask Alliot if there were bicycles in the garage. If she could fit one with a seat for Alex, she could use it and get some exercise in by bicycling around the green countryside.

  They made it back to the house, and put away Bea’s groc
eries, then went to the main house. Michelle disarmed the security system, and then they put up the food for her house.

  “Come for dinner.” Bea hugged her close. “Don’t sit in this big old house by yourself.”

  “Yeah, I have to admit, it’s a little scary.” They agreed that Michelle would come down around five. When Bea was gone, she put Alex down for a nap, going into Alliot’s room to sit on his balcony and think. She remembered standing here while he spanked her, her arms stretched between the columns.

  Alliot did things to her, both physically and mentally, that no man ever had, and Bea was right. She didn’t need to over think it; she just needed to let it happen. She thought about calling him, to tell him what she was thinking, and to apologize for last night, and then decided that she didn’t want to interrupt his work and would call him when she got back from Bea’s.