He carried her swiftly toward the parking lot. His lips pressed against her temple, whispering words of love and comfort while his eyes searched for the ambulance. Finding it parked off to the side where it had unfettered access to the exit, he veered to the right off the dock, heading straight for the uniformed EMTs who were unloading a stretcher from the back of the rig. Gid set her down carefully on her side, giving them a quick run-down of her injuries. .
“She was assaulted. She’s got a head wound and the prick whipped her with a crop.” He took in the horrified faces of the paramedics, who only hesitated a moment before carefully setting to work. She clung tightly to his hand, refusing to let go for vital signs, offering her other arm instead.
“Let’s load her up. We’ll need to get her jeans off to see what we’re dealing with. Sir, you can follow behind in your vehicle. We’ll be going to County General.”
“No!” Shannon clutched his hand as they wheeled her away, begging him to stay with her. “Gid, please don’t leave me!”
“Ma’am, I’m sorry but—” the male paramedic began, but his partner shook her head.
“She’s shook up and panicky, Lance. I’m letting him ride along.”
Gid smiled his gratitude at the female paramedic, not knowing how Shannon would have handled a separation. The death grip she had on his hand told him not well. She was soon loaded into the ambulance. Gid was relieved when Lance got into the cab to transport them to the ER.
The woman, named Beth according to her name tag, went to work on Shannon immediately. She hooked her up to a heart monitor and connected the hose on the blood pressure cuff to another machine.
“I need to get these jeans off you, Shannon,” Beth spoke softly as she eyed her jeans. “It will be much less painful if I cut them off you.”
“Do it,” Gid answered for her. “She’s in enough pain as it is.”
She easily cut one pant leg up the side and peeled the material back, exposing a six inch long welt on Shannon’s right buttocks. The surrounding skin inflamed and discolored in deep shades of purple and red. The other leg went as quickly and exposed another identical wound on her other cheek.
Beth cleaned them gently and applied a soothing ointment usually reserved for burns, the anesthetic effect making Shannon’s initial hiss of pain change to a sigh of relief. “Evil fuck,” she muttered under her breath, but Gid heard and nodded his agreement. “Let me look at your head, sweetie.”
“Wait, there’s another in front.” Shannon’s voice was weak and pain-filled.
Gid growled a low obscenity along the same lines as Beth’s earlier curse. They both carefully rolled her over, exposing another inflamed weal, longer and deeper than the other two, across her right hip and lower abdomen. “I’m so sorry, baby. I should have guessed he’d go off like this. He got more unpredictable as the days passed.”
“How could you know he’d do something like this, Gid? He was a prick of monumental proportions, I’ll grant you that, but he’d never been violent like this.” She looked up at him, tears of pain mixed with love for him clear in her eyes. “What happened to him, anyway?”
“I didn’t even stick around to find out. I was more worried about you.”
“Our call said two victims, a gunshot wound—non-fatal, and another with unknown injuries. That unknown was you, sweetie, so the asshole perp will probably survive.”
“I hope he suffers. That gunshot wound was self-inflicted, by the way. He shot himself when I hit him in the face with a wrench. He fell on top of me, and I landed on my butt. The pain was so bad I passed out until the officers pulled him off me.” She shuddered. “I’d like to get a shower and wash his stink off of me.”
It took a moment for Shannon to realize that both Gid and Beth were staring at her, jaws agape, incredulous expressions on their faces.
“Holy hell, Shannon! You hit an armed man in the face with a wrench?”
“It was either that or let him keep hitting me with that evil crop. I had to do something, Gid.”
Dropping his head to her shoulder, he squeezed her hand. It was his turn to hold onto her like a lifeline.
“Are you okay, Gid?”
“No! I can’t get the image of you bloody and dead from a gunshot wound out of my head.”
“I’m okay though, honey. That makes it over and done, right?”
He raised his head and looked at her. By the worried look on her face, he knew she was talking about personal repercussions for her actions. Never had a spanking even entered his mind.
“Yes, it’s over.” As Beth dug through her kit for more bandage supplies, he leaned close and whispered in her ear. “Your poor bottom has nothing to fear from me for a very long time. I promise you that. I’m also hiring you a bodyguard. I was working on that this afternoon when I got the call.”
“Is that necessary, Gideon? With Ray in custody, it’s over isn’t it?” She sucked in a breath as Beth swabbed her hip laceration with something cold and stingy.
“After today, I’m surprised you have to ask.”
Beth looked at him all of a sudden, “You’re Gideon Eli, aren’t you?” She asked this in awe, recognition finally dawning. “When she said your full name just now…” With exacting detail, she continued to work as she spoke. “I’m a huge fan.”
“Thank you.”
Shannon sighed with relief. Beth was the kind of fan she liked to see, not those pushy college girls. She couldn’t see Beth flashing her boobs and fawning all over him. “I like you, Beth. Too bad all his girl fans aren’t normal like you.”
The rig turned into the hospital’s emergency entrance where they were met by a crowd of reporters, camera crews, and groupies. When Lance opened the back doors to unload her, flash bulbs went off, and people began screaming questions. Gid and Shannon both groaned. When some girls in the back started shrieking Gideon’s name, Shannon said to a stunned Beth, “See what I mean?”
At that moment, Justin, Sticks, and Johnny came up, and along with Gid, they formed a tall, manly wall around the stretcher. Acting as a privacy barrier, they protected Shannon from curious eyes and intrusive camera lenses as they, along with Beth and Lance, rolled her into the hospital ER.
Epilogue
Feeling like she was floating, she beamed happily up at her new husband as he carried her across their honeymoon suite and laid her gently on the plush, king sized bed. Shannon didn’t get a chance to look around before his mouth came down to claim hers. The kiss was passionate but brief before Gid sat up and reached for a remote on the nightstand. Shannon watched in amazement as the drapes along the opposite wall opened to reveal a magnificent view of the Vegas strip against the lavender night sky. Sitting up, she gazed in awe at the glittering sprays of water shooting skyward from the famous Bellagio fountains.
“Oh, Gid, the fountain and the view are spectacular.”
“I’d say breathtaking, myself.”
As she turned to look at him relaxing on the pillows, she noticed his gaze was fixed solely on her. Gideon was paying no heed to the impressive water and light show outside their window. “You’ve seen this before, huh?”
His arm swept around her and he pulled her down beside him. “We can look at the fountain later. I want you now, Mrs. McCord. “
Agreeing without reservation, Shannon wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him as their lips locked, tongues entwining in a dance every bit as wondrous as the dancing water stories below.
“Shouldn’t we close the drapes? I feel like I’m in a fishbowl.”
“Nonsense. We’re on the top floor of the tallest building around. No one will see us.”
Gid’s hands busily unzipped her silky white dress and pulled it down her arms. At his urgent command of “lift up”, Shannon bridged her hips, allowing him to sweep the dress down her legs and from her body. She was left in her sexy, white lace bridal lingerie, a gift from Roxie.
“Hot damn, baby doll, those are the sexiest undies I’ve ever seen.”
His eager hands swept over her, paying close attention to the lace covered areas. His long forefinger traced the upper edges of the demi-cup lace bra. It was cut so low that the upper halves of her areolas were revealed. As he caressed and stroked her skin, her nipples hardened and peeked over the top of the lace. Shannon purred with excitement, gasping for breath as his hand glided over her stomach to the white lace that rode low across her hips.
“A peek-a-boo bra, garter belt, and sheer, white stockings—it’s a good thing I didn’t know what you had on under your dress. I would have passed out due to blood loss from my brain.” His hand dipped between her thighs, seeking and finding her swollen clit as it pressed fervently against the thin, lacy layer. He soon discovered that he could remove her panties without taking off her garter and stockings and started tugging them down.
“The garter and stockings stay on. You look incredibly hot this way.”
Impatiently, Gid removed the last barrier between her pussy and his hands, eyes, and lips. Popping open the front hook bra, he pushed aside the cups and bared her breasts for his mouth. Drawing a taut nipple between his lips, he nibble and sucked while his hand teased her other breast. His free hand found the wetness between her thighs and played along the silky smooth folds of her pussy.
“I’m sorry, honey, but I have to have you now.” The next second, he was spreading her wide and gliding into her slickness, sinking into her enveloping heat. They both groaned. Shannon clutched his shoulder and knew that Gideon was ignoring the bite of her nails as they curled into him. Hungrily, he drove into her, his length sinking in fully with that one stroke. As she whimpered uncontrollably, her mouth opened and she began gasping for breath. He dipped his head to take her open mouth, urgently kissing her soft swollen lips.
“I can’t hold off any longer,” he growled. “I don’t want to come without you, though. Are you with me, baby?”
She didn’t have to answer that fervid question, because she groaned and convulsed around him. Her passionate release squeezing him tight and sending him hurtling over the top in an equally intense orgasm.
Collapsing beside her, he curled his arm around her waist, pulling her close while they both captured their breath. “Sorry for the quickie, but I’ve been thinking of that all day and I was kind of wired on a hair trigger.”
“I like quickies, Gid. Or slowies, or marathons.” Rolling to her side, she pressed her lips against his scruffy jaw as she waited for her breathing to slow to normal. “As long as they’re with you, it doesn’t matter. I love you, honey.”
“I love you too, baby doll.” Raising her face to his, he kissed her, slow and sweet. “And I’m glad that you’re easy to please.”
She nestled her head against his shoulder, sighing contentedly. So much had changed for her in such a short time. Only two months had passed since he ran into her, waiting tables at the Bungalow. Now she was a married woman, enrolled in college, and taking a seat on the advisory board of a charitable foundation. She’d traded her crappy car for a Lexus and her crappier apartment for a luxurious Malibu beach house.
His thoughts mirrored hers as he asked, “This has been a wild ride for you, Shannon. Are you happy?”
Raising her head, she propped her chin on her hands that were stacked upon his chest. Smiling softly, she reassured him. “I’m happier than I could ever imagine. Aside from Eli being born, this has been the happiest day of my life.”
Stroking her hair away from her face, he tucked a wayward lock behind her ear, running the pad of his thumb across her cheekbone.
“You are so beautiful.” His voice was husky, and his hands, unable to stay still, ran gently over her face. She felt her cheeks suffuse with heat, and he chuckled as he replaced his hands with his lips, gently caressing the features that he praised. “I love the way your skin turns a rosy pink when you’re turned on or feeling shy.” He kissed her soft cheeks and then pressed his lips against her forehead. “Your eyes are a brilliant sapphire blue and framed by long, silky black lashes. I could stare at your beautiful face all day, love. I can’t get enough.”
Uncomfortable with such a close inspection, she changed the subject. “Thank you for flying everyone in for the ceremony. Having Roxie, Christina, and Betsy here to stand up for me made it very special.”
“Anything for my beautiful bride.” He smiled as he traced her heated cheeks with his long finger. “You’re blushing. It’s a wonder that such a beautiful woman can be so shy with a compliment.”
“Eli was thrilled to be your best man.”
“He did great and I must say he was the spitting image of his dad in that tux. He took his job seriously.”
“He told me he was concentrating so he wouldn’t drop the rings.”
“Poor kid. Was it too much pressure, do you think?”
“No, he would have done anything, tackled any task, jumped through any hoop to see his parents married.”
“Did he tell you that?”
“No, he told Bets and you know how she is with a secret. She found it so cute she was bursting to tell someone.” Shannon grinned as she reminisced. “He was cute signing the papers. It was very important to him that he write his new name correctly. Thank you for seeing to that as well.”
“That was one of the first favors he asked me, babe—to change his name legally. For my son to have my name means a lot to me, too. The lawyers did the work. All I did was make the call.”
“No, all you did was love him and accept him. I love you for that, Gideon.”
His eyes were a bit misty when he looked down at her and nodded. Then he took a deep breath and said, “We’re getting awfully schmaltzy for such a happy occasion. I think I’ll have to love you again to lighten the mood.”
“Twist my arm some more, honey,” Shannon teased.
“Hmm… I don’t think that’s necessary.” He rolled from the bed and lifted her into his arms. He carried her to the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, where he set her down. “I would like to fulfill a fantasy of mine, however. Ever since I made the reservations, I’ve dreamed of taking you here in front of the windows.”
Cuddling her front up against him, she tried to get him to step back. “Someone will see us.”
“Nope, the windows are tinted. We can see out, but no one can see in.” He turned her to face the glass and stepped forward, pressing her up against it. She gasped as the coolness touched her skin. He took her hands and pressed them flat by her shoulders. “Keep your hands here and spread your legs for me, babe.”
“This feels so wicked, Gid. Are you sure no one can see?”
“Positive.” His hands caressed her shoulders, down her sides, and around to cup her full breasts. He moved up against her, pressing his aching cock against her bare, rounded bottom. “You’ve been a very good girl lately, honey. When was the last time you had a spanking?”
“A good girl spanking or a naughty one?”
“It seems like it’s been awhile for both. I think a good girl spanking is in order. To seal the vows you made today, to love, honor, and obey.”
“I did say that, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did.”
“Did you bribe the preacher?”
“I don’t think I’d call it a bribe. Just payment for services rendered.” He stepped back, allowing enough space for the slow glide of his hand over her quivering bottom. He rubbed and squeezed her soft flesh. “You are so freakin’ gorgeous, Shannon. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of this fine ass and your glorious body.”
“I should hope not, Gid. Although if you do, I’ll remind you of your promise of ‘til death do us part’, not ‘till I get enough of her fine ass’.”
A sharp, stinging swat landed against her bottom, and she sucked in a breath, letting it out in a soft groan of delight.
“Getting a little sassy, babe? That’s okay. I’ll give you what you need. Hard swats or soft, this bottom is getting spanked.”
“Yes, please.”
He spanked her then with
slow, sensuous swats to both cheeks until her bottom was a warm, rosy hue and the liquid ache between her thighs became unbearable.
“Take me, Gid. Right here against the window, with the world at our feet. Make me yours and love me.”
“As always, sweet baby.”
He took her, pressed against the penthouse window glass. They came together with all the love and passion they possessed. With the starlit skyline of Las Vegas glistening in the distance and the elaborate choreographed waters of the famous fountain shimmering below, they came apart in each other’s arms, trivializing the stunning spectacle before them. It was like a reawakening. No longer were the forces of fate and malicious manipulations against them. It was a time of redemption for their love, a renewal of their trust, and a resurgence of their hope for the future.
The End
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More Stormy Night Books by Maddie Taylor
Marshal’s Law
When Janelle Prescott is thrown from her car as it careens off of a slippery road, she expects to wake up in a hospital. Instead, to her utter disbelief, she wakes up in a jail cell which looks like something from an old western movie set. It is there, hurt and alone, with no idea what happened or how she will get back home, that Janelle first meets Aaron Jackson. As she regains her wits, however, Janelle realizes that something is terribly amiss, and her worst fears are confirmed when she learns that Aaron is the marshal of Cheyenne County, Wyoming… and the year is 1878.
Gideon's Redemption Page 17