She stepped back and almost fell over the spanking bench so he had to reach out and catch her. He set her on her feet but didn’t let go of her soft satiny skin. He wouldn’t mind seeing her cute little fanny draped over it as she was in desperate need of good spanking. Between both him and Jason, they’d spoiled the ever-loving hell out of her. That’s why she’d run in the first place when things got tough. She’d always assumed he and Jason would take care of everything.
She pulled her arm away and perched on a padded portion of the bench, the wind clearly taken out of her sails.
“Plenty with a torture chamber. I didn’t expect to come home to that.”
She was yanking his chain to get a rise out of him, but he wasn’t going to let her. He had better control and patience these days. She knew very well what BDSM was. He distinctly remembered a party over in Daytona they’d attended during bike week about five years ago. As the evening had worn on, the party had moved in a wild and raunchy direction. With his knowledge now, Gabe recognized it as very light amateur stuff, but it had certainly sparked some hot and heavy sex between the three of them back at their hotel.
He arched an eyebrow. “I don’t remember you being this judgmental that weekend in Daytona.”
She turned a deep shade of crimson, her eyes dropping to the floor. The submissive gesture sent fire through his veins and made his cock harden painfully in his jeans. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. The people in the lifestyle are doing this consensually. The motto in the lifestyle is Safe, Sane, and Consensual. We adhere strictly to that here at the club. Anyone who violates it is no longer welcome here.”
Her head came up, her expression challenging. “This is your lifestyle now?”
He shrugged. “It has been for the last few years. It helped me get control of my anger issues. It taught me a lot about myself. It saved me really.” He crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t like her prissy tone. “Jason and I should have put you across our knees on occasion. You wouldn’t have this attitude if we had.”
Samantha jumped up. “You’ve got nerve. When did I ever deserve to be spanked?”
Gabe remembered a certain night well. Samantha and Lacey had gone to Ybor City, a party area of Tampa, where there was a bar every three feet. It was known for being wild, crazy, and sometimes dangerous. They’d stayed out all night partying, had breakfast at a local diner, then arrived back in Plenty smelling of beer and cigars around nine in the morning. He and Jason had waited up all night for her and by the time she’d shown up they’d been pretty ticked. She hadn’t even bothered to call them to let them know she’d be gone all night.
“How about the night you and Lacey partied in Ybor while Jason and I paced the floor thinking you were dead in ditch somewhere?”
Samantha had the grace to look ashamed. “I apologized for that. Nothing happened,” she protested, but he put his hand up. They didn’t need to litigate this all over again. That wasn’t the point anyway.
“You were fortunate that night. We wouldn’t have been angry but we didn’t even know where you were.”
She nodded. “I should have called. I’m sorry you stayed up all night worrying about me. It was selfish on my part.”
“You apologized then, although this apology looks much more sincere. If we’d spanked you we would have cleared the air then instead of still dealing with this now.”
She was wringing her hands together. “It’s just it wasn’t fair, Gabe.”
He knelt in front of her and took her hands in his, her clean scent surrounding him. “What wasn’t fair, sweetheart? Talk to me.”
“You both were older, and well, you were always telling me what to do. How could I grow up when you treated me like a child?” Her eyes grew dark with accusation. “But you did stupid stuff as well. I didn’t get to lecture you. It wasn’t fair.”
Gabe exhaled slowly. He remembered it differently. “You punished us. You’d not talk to us for a few days. You’d flirt with other guys right in front of us. But, no, you didn’t get to spank us.”
He came to an instant decision. Fair was fair. He stood up and marched over to the wall where several items for impact play were hanging from hooks. He pulled down a medium impact crop.
He walked back to her and held it out. “You can punish me right now. I’ll bend over this spanking bench and you can whip my ass for all the things I did.”
He’d surprised her. Good. She needed something to shake her out of this malaise she was in.
“You have to be joking. You’d never in a million years let me use that on you. Not the macho man, Gabe Holt.”
“Gabe Holt is a changed man, sweetheart. I’m completely serious. You want to even the score? Here’s your chance.”
It was a huge chance to let her whip him with the crop. He didn’t know how much anger she had bottled up inside, but this was one way to find out. Maybe a really stupid way, but he’d never been all that bright when it came to her. It would get all the cards on the table, though, and that was a good thing. He needed to break through the brittle shell she’d built around herself. He could do it by strapping her to the spanking bench but she wasn’t ready for that in the least. The only option was a reversal. She needed some sort of catharsis and he was in a position to give it to her.
She tentatively reached out and took the crop, her chin lifting with determination. “How do I use this thing?”
He took the crop from her and braced his leg on the bench before bringing it down on his calf smartly. She winced as it whistled through the air and jumped when it landed with a crack. It sounded much worse than it actually hurt since he had complete control of the implement and was wearing heavy jeans.
“It’s all in the wrist and elbow. Don’t swing from the shoulder, you’ll wear yourself out quickly. Take your time. Aim carefully.” He pointed to his kidneys. “Don’t hit over the kidneys. Keep it in the soft area of the buttocks or the backs of the thighs.”
She pressed her lips together nervously and nodded. He draped his body over the bench and gave her the thumbs up. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Time to make things fair and even.”
At first he thought she was going to chicken out, but she took a deep breath and raised her arm, bringing the crop down on his ass weakly. It was barely a love-tap. She had more anger in her than that. He waited while she realized he wasn’t going to hop up and say they were done. He needed her to get mad and let go of the emotions she held on to so tightly.
She brought down the crop again, this time a little harder but still not hard enough to do any real damage or even make him wince. He’d had much worse at the hands of a stony-faced Domme when he’d been in training to become a Dominant. You couldn’t dish out a punishment until you’d learned what it was like to take one.
He’d definitely learned about fairness. And karma.
The third time had some vinegar behind it, the fourth, just about the same. By the time the fifth one landed, something had broken loose inside her and he saw tears spring to her eyes and roll down her cheeks. She started raining blows down on him, not aiming anywhere in particular and probably hurting her shoulder more than she was hurting him. Her anger made her movements sloppy and eventually she tossed the crop aside and crumpled to the floor in a sobbing heap.
He levered up from the bench and scooped her into his arms, carrying her over to a sofa tucked in a corner. There were places strategically around the playroom floor for aftercare and these next few minutes with Samantha were going to be the most challenging aftercare of his life. What was done and said could make or break any future they had together.
No pressure. She was simply the only woman he would ever love.
He patted her back and stroked her hair. “Let it all out, sweetheart. Cry and let go of all the bad stuff. That’s a good girl. When you’re ready, tell me what you’re upset about. Tell me what you’re mad about.”
She cried and squirmed, kicking an
d punching at him for awhile longer, then finally lifted her face, all puffy and red. “I’m mad at you, Gabe. I’m mad and I’m hurt. Did you fuck her, Gabe? Was she hotter than me? Did you even fucking care about her?”
Finally, a breakthrough. She’d said the words. Now they could start to heal and move forward.
* * * *
Sami was exhausted in Gabe’s arms, the pain in her heart so excruciating she wanted to crawl away and die. She’d stopped feeling things this deeply long ago and now she remembered why.
He pressed a kiss to her damp forehead and stroked her hair back from her face. “I didn’t have sex with her, Samantha. I loved you. I got drunk and almost got into a fight. Another fight. She was working the bar that night and drove me home. She wanted to but I said no. Hell, I wasn’t in any shape to do anything if I wanted to, which I didn’t. It was late and we both fell asleep. You walked in and thought the worst. Rightly so. It took me awhile to sober up and realize I hadn’t cheated on you. It didn’t matter though because I’d done something much worse.” He looked as haunted as she felt. “I’d disappointed you. I’d shamed you. I’m so sorry, baby. I am so very sorry for my behavior when I came back from Iraq. I wish I could go back in time and change it, but I can’t. I can only say I’m sorry and that I never, ever betrayed you. You were my world, Samantha. You were what kept me sane when I came back.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t do a very good job then. You were crazy when you came back. Uncontrollable.” There’d been so many bar fights. So many times Gabe had been drunk and angry. “You were angry all the time and I never understood why. Jason wasn’t that angry.”
He nodded, his expression sad. “I processed what I’d been through differently than Jason. We’re not the same person, you know.”
“I know that,” she protested, but deep in her heart she knew she was guilty of treating them the same instead of as unique individuals.
“Really? How come I got a fishing pole on my last birthday that we spent together? I don’t like to fish. Jason does.”
She chewed on her lower lip. “I guess, maybe, I did stuff like that. I guess I wasn’t a very good girlfriend.”
His arms tightened around her. “Don’t say shit like that. We loved you. You were an awesome girlfriend. Do you think we gave a shit about stuff like that? We didn’t. It just meant we had to work harder for you to see us as separate individuals.”
She laid her head on his shoulder as his words sunk in to her brain. “You really didn’t have sex with her?”
“I really didn’t. You’re the only woman I’ve ever been in love with. I would never screw around on you.”
She didn’t want to think about what he’d been doing the last two years. She’d dated herself, although that had been a disaster, and Gabe was a devastatingly sexy man. She was sure there had been women. She didn’t have to dwell on it though.
“I’m sorry I left. I should have stayed. You know, the better or worse stuff.”
She heard his chuckled and felt the rumble in his chest. “We weren’t married yet, and I think I brought the ‘for worse’ part to new lows. I couldn’t expect you to stick around and deal with my self-destructive behavior.”
Sami clung to him, loving how strong he felt. She needed his strength so badly right now.
“Are you okay now? You seem, well, better.”
He tipped her chin up so she could look into his eyes. “I am better. It took time and therapy. I started seeing a professional to help me. He’s the one that got me into the BDSM scene. I learned to control my emotions there. I rarely drink now, just a beer now and again. If I’m angry about something, I just say that I’m angry and find healthy ways to channel it like working out.”
She ran her hands up his arms to his muscular shoulders. “You are looking pretty buff. You were hot before, but now…”
He angled her so she was practically lying on her back. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself, although you could do with a little more meat on your bones. What are you doing, starving yourself?”
He had no idea how hard she’d had to work just to pay the rent and keep the lights on. There hadn’t been much money and she’d depended on her waitress jobs to provide her with a hot meal each day.
She elbowed him in the ribs. “It’s fashionable to be slim. I was too fat before.”
He got nose to nose with her. “If you were my submissive, I’d spank you for that. You were not fat. You had curves. Curves I liked pressed against my body.”
She remembered well. Gabe would have kept her naked if she’d allowed it. She’d been too modest at the time, but for some reason the idea appealed to her now. They’d talked honestly. Maybe for the first time ever, and it made her feel freer than she’d felt in a long time.
“I’m not your submissive.” She pushed herself up and looked around the room. It looked like a dungeon on steroids but she could see Gabe’s touches everywhere. It looked like he’d built many of the pieces in here. She wasn’t sure she was very submissive but she was sure she needed the cash. She was okay with adults doing whatever they wanted while she served them drinks.
“How about a tour of this joint? You can explain all of the equipment to me and explain this whole Dominant submissive stuff.”
He blinked in surprise. “You want me to give you a tour? A real tour?”
She untangled herself from his arms and stood up. “Yep, if I’m going to work here, I need to understand everything that’s going on, don’t you think?”
His smile was blinding. “I do think so. Let’s start over here.” He pointed to the large wooden X. “That’s a St. Andrew’s cross.”
She followed him around as he explained each piece of equipment. She felt happier and lighter than she had in a long time. It felt good to apologize and it felt even better to know Gabe had never cheated on her. His apology had been sincere and his new demeanor chipped away at the fortress she’d built around her heart.
She wasn’t sure she could keep her heart safe from these men much longer. They’d become more than she’d ever imagined, and in such stark contrast to who she’d been around since she’d left Plenty. She hadn’t realized what fine men they were until she’d met men who redefined the word scumbag.
She was in serious danger of falling in love with them all over again.
Chapter Four
Sami bit into one of Charlie’s breadsticks and hummed in appreciation.
“Damn, I’ve missed these. They just melt in your mouth.”
Jason grinned. “They are good. Save room for the pizza, sunshine. You don’t want to miss that.”
She didn’t want to miss the pizza. It felt like she hadn’t eaten in weeks, her stomach growling as she devoured the bread. Gabe passed her another one.
“Samantha’s going to come work for me at the club, Jason. Pick up a few shifts, help me out, make some extra cash.”
Jason cleared his throat. “So does she know the club’s…theme?”
Sami rolled her eyes. “I’m a grown woman, Jason. Did you think I’d faint dead away in shock?”
Gabe sat back in the booth with a smile. “I thought you’d run screaming from the room calling me a pervert. You surprised me, sweetheart.”
Her heart pounded faster as he stretched his arm out and laid it on her shoulders. She could feel the warmth from his body next to hers. They’d both managed to break down her defenses in less than twenty-four hours. She didn’t have the luxury of wanting them, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
“Good. I hope I’m not the naive girl who left Plenty. I’ve seen some of life and I’m not that easily shocked.”
Most of what she’d seen hadn’t been good. A BDSM club seemed pretty minor when she put it all in perspective.
Jason studied her face. “You do seem less naive.” He pointed to the doorway with a wink. “I forgot to tell you. Gabe and I planned a surprise for you. A few people are joining us for dinner.”
She’d wondered why they’d insi
sted on a giant booth in the corner. They’d sandwiched her in on one side, leaving the entire opposite side free. She looked over past Jason and almost jumped out of her seat. Becca Parks was walking toward them with a big smile, two gorgeous men, and a baby, being held by the dark haired man. Jason chuckled and slid out of the booth so she could launch herself at her long-time friend.
“Oh, my gosh, I didn’t know you were coming tonight. Are these your husbands? Is this little Noah? He’s so cute! You look amazing!”
She was babbling but she didn’t care. Tears sprung to her eyes and she hugged Becca again. She’d missed her friends and she’d missed this town. Sadie and Trish were good friends, but she and Becca had known each other since childhood.
The men settled the baby, who looked about nine months old, into a high chair at the end of the table and then all three of them sat down. Charlie had drinks and more garlic bread sticks in front of them in a flash.
Becca pointed to the dark haired man opening a small container of cheerios. “This is Travis, my husband.” Then she pointed to the blond man on her right. “And this is my other husband, Mark, and this little guy who is about to make a mess with his dinner is our son, Noah.”
Introductions were made and Becca, who had never been shy, wagged her finger. “Tell me you’re staying. Say it now. I’ll even let you babysit Noah.”
“I’d love to babysit Noah. He’d the cutest baby ever. I’m here until Gran gets better. After that, well, I have a life in Orlando.”
Not much of one. A really crappy one, to be honest. She wanted nothing more than to stay, but she didn’t want to bring her problem with her.
Becca narrowed her eyes and gave her a suspicious look. She always had been perceptive and Sami squirmed in her seat trying to look sincere about wanting to leave Plenty.
“You don’t want to leave. You want to stay here. You should stay here. You could open the B and B back up. We need a hotel here in Plenty now that Diamond Jim has opened his club and Justin Reynolds opened his. They bring in out of towners like crazy.”
Plenty of Chances [Plenty, FL 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4