Aftercare: General's Daughter, Book 4

by Breanna Hayse

  “Hmm, okay. Then how does she do it?”

  “Not sure, but that would explain their twin powers. They engage on the same synaptic course.”

  “Very interesting. What you are suggesting is that Sam might be emitting chemicals from her body into the environment, which affects certain individuals differently. Specifically, those with normal levels…”

  “Yes. That would also explain why I would react to the pheromone issues, not you guys. Isn’t dopamine a monoamine? The pleasure stimulator? Genetically, they would not be compatible, therefore, nonreactive.”

  “Brilliant. Okay, let’s do this. I’ll have to look into how to capture environmental serotonin. It might take a while.”

  “How is she during Santa Anas?”

  “I’ve never noticed specifically. However, she never really sleeps and tends to be hyperactive on windier days and very sluggish on hot, still ones. High winds over the dry terrain is believed to inhibit serotonin breakdown, hence, when most people get cranky, she gets excited.”

  “Do you have any familial mood disorders that you know of?”

  “My mother was psycho. Manic-depressive, OCD and a bitch. I’ve not witnessed anything unusual from anyone else. Scott’s like his dad, a good man with the grumpies. My father was very quiet, kind and soft spoken. The kids have never shown any problems either, but then, they’ve always been so active.”

  “Which would stimulate their endorphins and counter anything if it was there. My mother had severe depressive disorder, plus her addiction. I think it’s worth looking into,” Rich commented.

  “I agree. Speaking of which, have you seen my little lab rats today?”

  “At the unit, probably arguing over the week’s agenda.”

  ***

  “Well, that was easy,” Michael commented, sending the agenda to the crew via computer. “Are you feeling okay?”

  “Yeah. Why?” Sam asked, putting her files back into her folder.

  “We didn’t fight over the work for this week. You were very cooperative.”

  “I’m trying. Plus, well, I might as well tell you. The more sex I get, the calmer I feel. I had a LOT this weekend.” She grinned.

  Michael wrinkled his nose. “I’m not sure how to take that.”

  “As a scientist, not my big brother. I got laid and it makes me happy. I can’t get enough.”

  “Do you swirl while doing it?”

  “Only the first time, and I think we had help because we were on the boat. This time, no. In fact, I thought he had swirled me, I felt so good.”

  “Hmm, maybe the endorphins are helping your mood a bit.”

  “What about you? You fight me just as much.”

  “Come to think of it, I’ve felt less argumentative since Jen came on the scene. I wasn’t unhappy before, though.”

  “Me neither. Think it’s physiological instead of psychological?”

  “Quite possibly, but not something we can really approach our father on to study now, is it?”

  “No way. It would explain the dolphin sex thing, though.”

  “You and your dolphin sex.”

  She smiled, winking. “You should try it sometime with Jen. It’s amazing.”

  “If you don’t mind, I will take a rain check on that. I don’t need outside help to satisfy my lover, thank you.”

  “Are you sure?” Sam teased, dangling the bait.

  Michael grabbed it, hook, line and sinker, “Why? Did she say something? Sammi, tell me. What did Jen say to you?”

  “I’m not going to say anything. Remember, you are the one who insists you don’t need any help in the sex department.”

  “You’re a little bitch, know that, sis?”

  “Thank you!” Sam smirked, knowing that he would be plagued with questions and doubts for the rest of the day.

  ***

  “Doc? Do you mind if I bring Sam home later tonight? I’d like to take her out for dinner,” Rich asked later that afternoon.

  “Go ahead. Try not to make it too late though, tomorrow’s a work day.”

  “She could stay here for the night,” Rich hinted.

  “No, we don’t need to invite gossip on the base. Home by midnight, no later.”

  “Yes, sir,” Rich sighed. He then called the labs.

  “Carter here, how can I help you sir or ma’am?”

  “Hi Jenny, it’s Rich. Is the boss lady around?”

  “Hi Richie. She’s in her office. Hold on. Sam?” Jen hit the intercom, “Rich for you, line 3.”

  “Hi Rich, what’s up?” Sam asked, kicking her foot up on her desk and taking her hair out of her ponytail, letting it fall in long, heavy waves down her back.

  “You and I have a date tonight after work,” he informed her.

  “No hello? No asking me if I’m available?” she teased.

  “Is there anyone listening?”

  “No. What’s with you?” Sam asked, sitting up straight.

  “Answer me properly, Samantha,” he ordered in a low voice, making her immediately shudder.

  “No, sir, Rich.”

  “Come to engineering after work to get me. I’ll take you home after our date.”

  “Okay.” Silence. She swallowed. “Yes, sir,” she forced out in a whisper.

  Rich felt a little smile on his lips. Might as well start training her now. “Do you have a change of clothes on hand?”

  “Yes, sir. Some jeans, a top and sandals.”

  “Put them on before you come here. We’ll go out to eat, then spend some time together.”

  “That sounds nice, thank you.” Sam smiled lovingly at the receiver, relaxing.

  Rich couldn’t resist. “It will be for me. I love you, bye.”

  She stared at the phone, wondering what he was up to. She shivered again in anticipation. He stimulated every nerve of her body – excitement, fear, desire, dread. He had become her addiction. That was it! BSR!

  “Michael! Brain Stimulation Reward! We’re addicted to the dopamine response. That’s why we’re so relaxed,” she yelled through their adjoining doorway before barging into his office. “It’s the same thing when we don’t get assignments or have anything stimulating us. We get cranky and irritable. Our fighting stimulates the chemical and allows us to access deeper neurothresholds. We are addicted to fighting, too!”

  “Slow down. You’re trying to tell me that we have to fight to think clearly?”

  “That or have very good sex. I’d rather have good sex with Rich then fight with you. Obviously, you have been getting it, too, because you aren’t so disagreeable all the time.”

  Michael blushed, seeing Jen sink in her chair. Their doors were open and the whole lab heard his sister clearly. The men were laughing, elbowing Jen.

  “Lower your voice and close the door. We’re embarrassing Jen. Show some courtesy, Sam. You sound more and more like Scott every day and that is not necessarily a good thing. Now, sit down and explain to me what you are talking about.”

  “Oh, sorry. Enhanced dopamine levels would explain a lot of our experiences. Like this weird twin thing we have. For as long as I can remember, we have been this way. Maybe we emit some kind of chemical that stimulates our brain function, too. That would explain why we’ve always done better when we’ve trained and taken classes together.”

  “And why I can find you. Interesting.”

  “We really should start experimenting together. I think the initial integration just increased the CNS production that allowed us to go to this next level. Maybe my accident stimulated a greater production of the dopamine in my system and increased our connection. Can we please study this?”

  “Yeah, I think that would be fine. We need a third party who’s not affected, though.”

  “Daddy.”

  “He doesn’t really seem to be. Not since that first time. I’ll talk with him tonight.”

  “Cool! This is going to be awesome.” Sam bounced in the chair. She suddenly grew serious, “Hey, Michael? Rich informed me that
we have a date tonight.”

  “Informed you? Interesting choice of words.”

  “A fact. He didn’t ask, he told me.” She made a face. “If he wasn’t so damn sexy and smart, and if I didn’t love him so much, I’d be mad and defy him.”

  “You want sex and you’re afraid for your bottom.”

  “That too.” She giggled. “Seriously, though, I am not sure how to react with this bossy part of him. It reminds me of Scott when he’s in his command mode. I don’t know if it annoys me or turns me on. What should I do?”

  Her brother shook his head. He seemed to be doing a lot of that lately when it came to his sister. “You should talk with him about it. How the two of you communicate behind closed doors is up to you, Sam. Also, let the record show I had nothing to do with you becoming a kinky little sex fiend.”

  “Nah, I think we can safely blame this on genetics.” She snickered.

  At 4:20 that afternoon, Sam sauntered into engineering dressed in her tight, faded hip-hugging jeans, short cropped tee shirt and sandals, her belly button ring shimmering against her tan. She received several whistles from some of the men as she walked by them to Rich’s office.

  “You look hot, Lieutenant. Nice ring!”

  “Going on a date with the commander? He’s been grumpy today,” another warned her.

  “If you dump him, I’ll take you,” a third said.

  She laughed at her old friends. “None of you could keep up with me and you know it. I give Rich a tough time and he’s like Mike.”

  “He’s good for you. You smile more now.”

  “I know. He’s the best. See you guys later,” she said, tapping on Rich’s door.

  “Come.”

  “Hi Rich, it’s me.”

  “Close the door. What are you wearing?”

  “You TOLD me to change. This is what I have on hand. What’s wrong?”

  “I heard the guys.”

  “Rich, stop it. They’ve known me for two years and were with me when I was hurt. They are my brothers. I don’t like that side of you. I really don’t.”

  “I’m sorry. I never used to feel jealousy until I met you. It’s stupid.”

  “No, what’s stupid is how you could even consider I’d want anyone but you. I’m yours completely. I love you. I’ve given myself to you. I share my family with you. You know every desire, fear, strength and weakness I have, almost as much as my brother. I have no secrets from you. Please, stop this. It will make me want to fight.”

  “Please forgive me.” He looked tired and stressed. “Let’s get out of here. I want some alone time with you.”

  “Am I still in trouble?”

  “Oh yes, but I’ll save that for the weekend when we have more time. No, tonight I just want to be with you.”

  “Rich? Am I becoming your addiction?”

  He looked startled at the question. “What do you mean? Can I live without you? I would have to say yes, but I don’t want to.”

  “I’m just making some interesting discoveries that I’m trying to process. Come on, let’s get delivery and I’ll give you a nice massage. I’m really good with my hands.”

  “I bet. Gentlemen, close up and get out of here. You were off thirty minutes ago. Dismissed,” Rich ordered, glancing at the clock.

  “Night, Lieutenants,” the remaining men said, leaving quickly.

  Sam gently pinched Rich’s arm. “You must have really earned their respect for them to want to hang out until you leave.”

  “They do it all the time. I have to kick them out of here. What do you want?”

  “You.”

  “For dinner.”

  “You.”

  “Be serious, I’m tired.”

  “I don’t care. Do you like Thai?”

  “Yeah, except for peanut sauce.”

  “Me too. Let’s get some lemongrass coconut soup and those kebob things.”

  “Satay?”

  “Yeah, no peanut sauce.”

  They walked to the jeep and drove over to the house, which overlooked the beach and bay. Rich plopped on the couch, closing his eyes. He had a headache and it showed on his face.

  “You don’t look so well, baby face,” Sam commented sweetly, pulling his cammie jacket and tee shirt off, and then starting to massage his heavily muscled neck and shoulders. She loved the feel of his skin under her hands, and his scent was intoxicating. “Mmm, you always smell so good. How does this feel?”

  “Good. My head is killing me, though. I’m sorry.”

  “Rich? May I try something?”

  “No swirling.”

  “What if I can get the headache to go away?”

  “I’ll take an Excedrin.”

  “Please let me try. I don’t like seeing you hurting.”

  “Fine, then go ahead, but if I say stop, stop.”

  “Okay. Just try to relax,” Sam said, still rubbing gently. She imaged waves instead of swirls, washing the stress and pain down and away from his body, the sounds of water lapping the shore, the smell of salt in the air, the feel of her hands and the soft breeze that washed over the room. Rich inhaled, hearing the sound of singing far away, like angels in the distance. The pain slowly faded and he felt at peace, refreshed and renewed. Sam felt the change under her hands as his body lost the tension and she gently released him.

  “How’s your head?” she asked softly.

  “Unbelievable. The headache is gone. What was I hearing? It sounded like voices far away.”

  “That’s the dolphin song. I don’t know what it is exactly. I am guessing that it might be how our minds process the stimulation, but it’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  “It is. Thanks, baby. Come sit on my lap. There’s my girl. I just want to cuddle you for a bit,” Rich said, pulling her next to him. He held her close, sitting quietly, until dinner arrived. Reluctantly, he got up to answer the door, feeling empty without her in his arms. She was right; she was his addiction.

  They spend the evening simply cuddling and talking, enjoying the quietness of being alone. Sam commented on it.

  “I never realized how loud my family was until now. I like this.”

  “The family is active. Scott’s the one who is loud. I do love your family, Sam. I don’t know if you realize it, but they’ve given me something I’ve never had. A real home.”

  “They love you, too. Almost as much as I do. How’s your head?”

  “Still good. I wasn’t sure if it would come back with a vengeance, like it does when your pain returns.”

  “I didn’t heal you, I just took away the stress and anxiety that was causing the headache. I’m so glad Mike and I were fighting that day. He would never have taken me shopping and I would never have met you. That was the same day I got this.” She pointed to her belly ring.

  He touched it, tugging a little. “Does that hurt when I do that?”

  “Not at all. Just the pressure of being pulled.”

  “I should get you one that is shaped like an ‘o’ that I can hook to a leash and lead you around.” He grinned mischievously.

  Sam raised her eyebrow. “I’m not too sure about that.”

  “I’d enjoy it. Just like I enjoy this,” Rich said, patting her bottom gently. “Spanking this always cheers me up.”

  “Why?”

  “Just does. It feels good and I love watching it change color.”

  She sighed, laying herself over his lap. “Go on, if it makes you feel better.”

  “Like this? I can’t possibly enjoy it like this.” He tugged impatiently at her jeans. She stood up and unbuttoned the pants, pulling them down to her knees. His finger hooked her panties and she lowered them as well before repositioning herself over his muscular knees. He adjusted her happily, hand on her round bottom. He lifted it slowly and then sent it hard against the soft flesh, watching the handprint form and hearing the girl gasp.

  His hand fell again on the other side, the outline of his fingers noticeable. Twice more he spanked her, then gently rubbed th
e slightly red skin. Sam tried to relax under his hand, convincing herself it was to help him feel better, then second guessing her intentions each time the hard smack landed. Her bottom was already starting to sting and he had only spanked her about ten times so far. Although very slow, the swats were heavy handed and sharp; they would have reduced her to tears had he gone any faster.

  Sam started to squirm, feeling his left arm encompass her waist so she could not escape him. Five more, then rubbing her bottom and the backs of her thighs and knees. She felt herself getting wetter and wishing he would do something to end her agony.

  “Don’t move. Not one sound. Not one wiggle. I want perfect obedience,” he suddenly commanded, holding her tighter.

  Sam bit her lip, but even knowing what he was going to do didn’t prepare her for the smack that followed. It was the hardest she had ever felt, the pain traveling through every nerve of her body. He rubbed, raised his hand and a second smack fell, harder than the first. She fought not to cry out, focusing on her position and not moving. Four more fell, each stronger than the last. He rubbed some more, this time his fingers reaching from behind to touch her wetness. He was pleased. Four more and he touched her again. She was quivering with need.

  But he did nothing.

  He stood her up, adjusted her panties and jeans and, with a kiss on the forehead, grabbed his keys to take her home. She stared at him, dumbfounded.

  “Aren’t you going to…”

  “It made me feel better, thank you. Come on, I need to get you home.”

  “But…”

  “But what? Come on, let’s go.”

  Sam squirmed uncomfortably in the seat. Between the soreness to her bottom, and her aching desire to have him inside of her, she was miserable. She begged him to make love to her, but he just smiled and told her to save it for the weekend, if they had time. He also warned her not to satisfy herself, that he would know and she would not be happy. Rich smiled to himself – this would teach her a valuable lesson about holding out in retribution if it ever crossed her mind.

  He walked her to the door and kissed her goodnight. The house was quiet and everyone had already gone to bed. Sam watched him drive off and rubbed her hands over her sore bottom. How mean was that? She thought. She couldn’t wait for the weekend. But she was also frustratedly angry, how could he tease her like this? She decided that payback was definitely in order.