Jeoff laughed as his friends began to argue over the necessity of Mr. Howard's gallantry and wrapped his arm around Piper's shoulders. "Are you doing okay, baby girl?"
"I like your friends."
"Me, too. How's your bottom?"
Piper blushed, nudging him with her elbow. "Not so loud!"
Jeoff simply chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. "I meant what I said the other night." His tone was soft and quiet, his fingers gently stroking her hair. "You have taken over my life, Sweet P, and I would not want it any other way."
Piper gazed into his eyes for a moment. "I believe you," she whispered. "I meant what I said, also. I have never felt this for anyone. You bring out the best in me—and the brattiest. You have opened up a door in my heart that has been locked tight for a long time. I am excited about things when I am with you, and I feel, well, stronger than I have even been. Is that a normal thing with this lifestyle?"
Jeoff nodded, watching his friends gather around the heavy coffee table to arm-wrestle. "The stronger and more confident a submissive becomes during her training, the more secure and powerful she feels."
"That really makes no sense. How can a woman feel powerful when she is being spanked all the time?"
"Spanked all the time? Hmmm, that sounds like fun …."
"Be serious! Answer me."
"Human beings thrive when they have safe boundaries to live within. Specifically, boundaries that provide safety but also room to explore. It eliminates a certain fear factor, and with that, provides the courage to experiment. Look at how much you have been bratting lately. That is a sign that the feelings of intimidation are declining, and you are willing to take the risk to discover yourself."
"Yeah, a discovery that results in a sore ass," Piper grumbled.
"In your case, yes," Jeoff grinned. "I do enjoy delivering enough of a paddling to leave you with a sore ass, so you won't hear any complaints from me."
Piper grunted, watching the men who now wrestled like little boys on the floor. "They are so comfortable, playing like kids. Are all men that way?"
"No, sad to say. These guys have known each other for years and trust each other like brothers. Are you changing your mind about Thanksgiving? We can have it at our place instead." He sounded hopeful.
"Well," Piper smiled as one of the men started flexing his muscle after pinning his teammate to the floor, "they do amuse me. Just them and Mr. Howard?"
"Yes, just them."
"Go for it. I feel safe surrounded by this wall of testosterone." Piper nodded. "They are good guys."
"They sure are, and they will protect you with their lives because they know how important you are to me. Why so sad?"
"I am just realizing how much I have missed in my life. Until I met you, everything was so gray. I know that sounds stupid, but now I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz after she left Kansas. I'm in Munchkinland with Glenda, the good witch."
"I'm not sure how the boys will take being compared to Munchkins," Jeoff responded. "I certainly don't like being sized up with a good witch."
"How about a fairy godmother?" Piper asked, her eyes twinkling.
"How about your knight in shining armor?" Jeoff tickled her, making her erupt in a shrill giggle. "Oh? She's ticklish, is she? Hmmm …"
"Stop! Boys! Make him stop!" Piper begged, tears running down her face as Jeoff proceeded to discover her sensitive ribs with his fingertips.
"Looks like the old man is getting his blood boiling," one of the men teased, elbowing another. "I think it's time to go."
"It's early yet," Mr. Howard announced, not catching the hint.
"Let's take grandpa here to the pub. Jeoff! We're gonna blaze out of here. Call if you need anything, okay?"
"Thanks for the help. Thanksgiving is on, by the way. Be here at 11:00," Jeoff ordered, standing to hug his friends farewell.
Piper beamed as each of the men, including Mr. Howard, kissed her cheek and departed the house. She reached for Jeoff's hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet.
"Let's get you settled in, and I'll make dinner," he said, handing her the crutches. "I can carry you …"
"No, I want to walk. Is it snowing?" she asked as they ventured outside.
"Sure looks like it's starting. If you get cold, you can climb into bed with me …"
"I'm not moving into the house with you yet. Oh, don't give me the puppy dog eyes," Piper groaned. "Is that your cell phone?"
Jeoff frowned, glancing at the screen. "Shit. Will you be okay by yourself for a while? I have something I need to take care of."
"Sure. What's wrong?"
"It's Tanya. She was in an accident."
***
Piper paced around the small cottage, waiting for Jeoff's return. It was after two in the morning, and his last call indicated that he would be leaving the hospital soon. The snow was coming down in pale swirls and the wind was picking up its pace, causing the trees around the cottage to creak forebodingly. The sound of a branch snapping outside made Piper jump nervously, and she double-checked the locks on the door and windows of the small one-bedroom structure. Shivering, she stoked the fire to a cheery blaze and reluctantly sat on the overstuffed couch, wrapped in her favorite throw.
The sound of heavy footsteps stomped towards her front door, followed by the impatient jiggling of the doorknob. Piper glanced around the room, looking for a weapon. She knew it was not Jeoff; he would have knocked and asked to come in. She heard swearing at the locked window. Lyle! How the hell did he find her? He must have been spying on her apartment and followed the men back after they picked up her stuff.
Trembling, Piper crouched to the floor and dialed Jeoff's number. "He's here! He knows exactly where I am," she whispered.
"I'll be home in a few minutes, honey. Don't engage him. I'll call the sheriff and the boys."
"He sounds pissed. He is shouting my name now and pounding on the doors and windows. I'm afraid he is going to break in!" Piper looked frantically at the glass window where Lyle was trying to force it and break the lock.
"There is a fire extinguisher in the kitchenette cabinet. If he breaks in, aim for his face. Do not let him get near you before you do that. There is also a baseball bat in the coat closet, if he keeps coming. Do whatever you have to do to protect yourself." His voice was tinged with fear.
"I don't want to hurt him."
"Is he expressing the same concern for you? Mind me, Piper. Get the extinguisher and use it if you need to. I am almost there. I am putting you on hold and calling the sheriff."
Piper crawled to the kitchenette, trying to stay out of the window's view. He was raging now, shouting through the window about the things he was going to do to her once his got his hands on her again. Quaking with fright, she cradled the small extinguisher to her chest and pulled out the safety pin, preparing it for discharge.
A splintering crash of broken glass made her huddle against the darker corner, where she tried to hide. She watched Lyle stomp into the room, a crowbar in hand.
"I know you are in here, you little slut. You are going to learn once and for all who you belong to, even if it means me bashing your stupid head into a thousand pieces. Where the fuck are you?!" he shouted, stumbling over the carpet in a drunken stupor. "After I knock your ass to the ground, I'm gonna fill your cunt and make you scream. There you are!"
"Get away from me, Lyle," Piper said, trying desperately to hide the terror in her voice as she pointed the nozzle of the fire extinguisher in the direction of his face.
He laughed, spinning the crowbar in his hand before he smashed a lamp with it. "Do you really think you can stop me with that? You don't have the guts to pull that trigger. Put it down. It's time to pay your dues and then go home."
Anger flooded through the woman, and with that, all Jeoff's instructions went out the window, including not to engage Lyle.
"I am home, you fucking bastard. Take one more step and I swear, this is going into your face."
"Try it,
bitch."
Piper pressed the level as he approached, holding the stream remarkably steady as the chemical unloaded directly into his eyes. He screamed in a blind rage and lunged at her. A wild fear and strength seized her. Time dilated, and he seemed to be moving in slow motion. Neatly sidestepping his attack, with both hands she swung the canister to strike him squarely on the left temple. Losing his balance, Lyle fell against the coffee table. The splintering sound of broken wood and glass filled the room as it shattered beneath him. Piper stared numbly at his unconscious heap on the floor, still clutching the cold canister in her arms. Lyle's open coat revealed a massive pistol tucked into the waistband of his slacks. She would later learn that it was a .357 Magnum—an unfailingly lethal weapon. Shaking, Piper placed the canister on the ground and removed the gun. Jeoff burst through the door only to find her holding it, aimed at Lyle's still body .
Jeoff rushed to Piper's side and carefully removed the handgun from her white-knuckled grip. "Mother of … are you okay?"
"He came here intending to kill me," Piper stuttered. "He said he would bash in my head and then rape me. He said …"
"Shhhh. It's over, sweetheart. He can't hurt you any more." Jeoff cooed. He nodded to the sheriff and a deputy as they entered the room. "Piper, you're safe now. We should be able to put him away for a while after this."
"Do you need to go to the hospital, sweetheart?" the old sheriff asked as Jeoff lowered her quaking body to the couch, offering her a glass of wine.
Piper shook her head, watching them carry Lyle's still body out on a gurney. "I'm just really shaken up. I never believed he was capable of so much violence. I knew he was bipolar, but this …"
"It is difficult to predict what angry, desperate people can do. You acted quickly to protect yourself, and that is all that matters. Good move with the fire extinguisher," the sheriff praised.
"Jeoff told me to do it. I would never have thought of it. He must have been watching for a time when I was alone," Piper whispered. "He had to have followed you guys from the apartment."
Jeoff glanced at the sheriff, who nodded. "The texts he sent you originated in this area. It appears he's been here for a while. Good thing you messed up that little ankle of yours and had to be taken home to Jeoff's. It looks like he broke into the stables office, obviously looking for information."
"He did? Why didn't you tell me? Does Mr. Howard know?"
"Yes, baby. That is one reason he came by yesterday. I also suspect your ex is the one responsible for putting Tanya in the hospital," Jeoff added, quietly.
"How could he have made the connection with you two? She hasn't been here recently."
"She was the one who handled the sale of this property when I bought it. He found the property, my name, and went to her. She told me a strange man had been asking about me, and she said she got very defensive and told him that her relationship with me was none of his business."
"Sounds like a case of the lady protesting too much," the sheriff said, gently. "She probably got so defensive that he guessed you two were still in contact."
"He also used her phone, saying his was out of range. He found my number and the frequency that she calls me. He cut her brake lines. Fortunately, she was out of traffic when the brakes failed. She crashed into a hedge and banged her forehead against the steering wheel."
"Is she going to be all right?" Piper asked, worriedly.
"She will be sore for a few days, but yes. This is why I tell you to wear a seatbelt," Jeoff answered.
"If you don't need me, I am going to get going and write out this report. I assume you are pressing full charges?" the sheriff asked, standing.
"Everything we can throw at him. I am willing to bet that he does not have a concealed weapons permit."
"He does not, and the gun was stolen from the stables. It is registered under Howard."
"He had a crowbar, too." Piper pointed to the corner where Lyle had placed the rusted iron rod. "If we find out that my mother was involved, will she be charged as an accessory?"
"She will. Will that be a problem?" the old man asked.
Piper looked over at Jeoff and shook her head. "No. If she was willing to put me in danger, then she deserves whatever happens to her. I am done trying to protect people who mean me harm."
"Good girl. Jeoff? Call me if you need anything. Miss Piper, get some sleep," the sheriff ordered, kissing the back of her hand.
"Thanks for everything. You," Jeoff said, lifting Piper into his arms, "are staying with me tonight. You are never going to leave my sight again, young lady. Never! No discussion, no arguments. My word is law. Got it?"
"Got it, loud and clear. For once, I will not argue with you. In fact," she kissed him warmly on the lips, "I am even going to allow you to spank me to your heart's content."
Jeoff looked surprised. "Oh, really? What brought on this sudden cooperative disposition?"
Piper looked at him steadily. "I need to feel safe right now, and the safest place I know of is when I am over your knee."
"Then safe you shall feel, my sweet little subby. You will also feel very loved and protected. As often as I can make you."
"Thank you. For everything." Piper kissed him again as she wrapped her slender arms around his neck. "Let's go home."
Chapter 12
Piper snuggled in Jeoff's protective arms as he crunched through the layer of snow covering the dirt path back to the house. The sharp, cold air smelled of pine and ice, and Piper buried her nose against Jeoff's neck and inhaled the mingling scents of nature and his own.
"Would you like to take a hot bubble bath, P?" he asked as he kicked the snow and dirt off his boots and entered the warm house.
"Only if you take one with me."
"That can certainly be arranged. Like I said, I don't want to let you out of my sight."
"Thank you," Piper said softly. "You've saved my life. Not just physically, but in a deep way. If it wasn't for you, I would have probably caved in to fear."
"You are stronger than you think you are, darling. I have faith that you would have made the right choice, even without me around. Sit here," he placed her on his bed. "I'll make the bath."
Piper watched with large, round eyes as he transformed the room into a fairy tale. Candles flickered with their light dancing on the dark ceiling as the scent of sandalwood, vanilla, and frankincense wafted through the air. The sound of the filling tub rang like a distant waterfall, blending into the soothing background of a classical string quartet. It was close to dawn, and tiny hints of the sun's rays struggled to break through the snow-laden skies.
Piper found herself starting to doze as warm hands carefully removed her clothing and lifted her into sturdy, loving arms. She opened her eyes lazily as Jeoff eased her into the warm water and handed her a cup of hot blackberry-and-rose-hip tea. He lowered his body next to her, his massive chest and shoulders hovering above the thick, white bubbles.
"You are incredible," Piper said shyly, placing the teacup down on the ledge. "I can't believe you want me to be yours."
"I was thinking the same thing," Jeoff said, pulling her onto his naked lap and resting her back against his chest. His hands gently stroked her stomach and moved towards her breasts circling her tiny nipples with his long, thick fingers. "My heart stopped when I saw that gun. If he had hurt you …"
"But he didn't, thanks to you. He also messed up the cottage pretty badly," Piper said coyly, her hand reaching to stroke his muscular thigh. "I can't very well stay out there until that pane of glass is fixed. Plus, I might be a tad bit anxious …"
"Are you telling me that you changed your mind and will stay here with me in the house?"
"Maybe …"
"I need to think about it," Jeoff teased. "Hey! No pinching. I'll bring your things over tomorrow."
"Do you have room?"
"I have a huge walk-in closet with nothing in it except a couple of hockey sticks and my skates. We can certainly add your things. What I can't manage is having y
ou so close to me and not making love to you."
Piper nuzzled her lips against his throat. "I thought I felt something poking rather insistently into my back."
"It is about to poke rather insistently elsewhere, if you don't tell me no," he responded, his lips grazing along the nape of her neck.
Piper stretched her throat to offer him greater access. "When it comes to you, the word 'no' is slowly disappearing out of my vocabulary."
The view through the large window next to the tub filled her with a sense of contentment and peace. Jeoff's fingers caressed her as gently as the fog caressed the tall pines in the early morning sunlight. The feel of his breath upon her throat tickled her as she gazed at the lofty, frost-covered branches swaying in the gentle morning breeze. Her heart skipped as he drew her closer, his hands boldly stroking the insides of her thighs and brushing her aching womanhood. With a sigh of surrender, she pressed into him and begged for more of his touch.
The lambent candlelight gave way to the burst of the sun's rays as Piper flung her head backwards, feeling Jeoff's thick member sliding into her body. Piper purred at the sensation, her muscles swallowing him as he carefully penetrated her softness. He was well-built, his cock equaling the enormity of the rest of his body, yet his gentleness allowed her to receive the fullness of him as though he was designed with her in mind.
"So tight," Jeoff whispered, easing himself in deeper. "You feel so good holding me."
"Mmm," Piper agreed, widening her thighs to invite him in deeper. "More. Harder …"
Water splashed out of the tub as Jeoff moved within her and Piper gripped his shoulders with wanton abandon, calling out his name and making demands for him to plunge harder … deeper. Cries of pleasure bubbled in the back of her throat as her release grew closer. Her sharp nails raked down Jeoff's shoulders as she shuddered beneath him, and her shout of unbridled delight echoed in the room. She gripped him tightly, digging her fingertips into the muscles of his back as she felt his body quicken to release a river of hot liquid into the depths of her womb.
Piper felt herself drifting into that blissful harbor between wakefullnes and sleep, vaguely aware of being lifted from her peaceful sanctuary of the warm bath and patted dry after being placed on the bed. Gentle hands tucked her under the cool, fragrant sheets, and warm lips touched her forehead.
Piper's Journey (Into Submission 1) Page 15