by Alta Hensley
She let out a squeal. "Not fair! Unjust punishment." She laughed loudly.
He laughed before shifting his gaze to the flames that danced across the logs in the fireplace. He stopped his fondling and just wrapped his arms tight around her, pulling her close against his chest.
"Is there something wrong?" Taylor muttered against his embrace.
Jason gently stroked her hair, taking a moment to wrap a curl around his finger. "Am I too demanding? I don't want you to ever feel that I'm a bully. I worry about that."
"No. Maybe for some, but I find it endearing. I like the feeling of being protected, cared for, and I feel safe." She snuggled her face into the groove of his neck.
"I'll always care for you. Bringing you here made you my responsibility. It's always going to be my job to keep you from harm." He took a deep breath, and his grip seemed to lighten.
Taylor’s smile faded. "You seem tired all of a sudden. Something seems off."
"I doubt sometimes if I'm making the right choices. Was I crazy to drop everything and create an entirely different society?"
She hesitated, as if sensing the need to proceed with great care. "Not at all. You should be proud of what you're doing. Of what you're accomplishing. I feel honored that you've let me be part of this whole experience."
Jason reluctantly nodded.
"In fact, I'd like to hear about your latest project. You haven't mentioned your work in a while," she encouraged.
She watched a smile grow until it took over his entire face, as his eyes lit up with excitement. Taylor quelled the urge to reach out and pull him in for a kiss, just as she forced herself to smother the sexual need boiling inside.
"I'm working hard on completing the church." He placed a soft kiss to the top of her head. "I want you to be the first bride to walk down the aisle."
Her breath caught and then exhaled softly, but she did not speak. She felt as though he had just knocked the wind out of her, and she lacked the words to express the joy that was surging through her heart.
"I'm adding the stained glass now."
"Jason…" she began, her heart melting, "I can't believe you're building a church for our wedding. I've never had a man..." she paused and looked into his eyes with tears blurring his face. "I've never had someone be so romantic, thoughtful, and loving."
"You deserve nothing but the best. I want to give you everything. I know how you've had to make sacrifices moving here, but I don't want you to when it comes to us."
"When will it be ready?" she asked quietly. The need to be married this very moment overwhelmed her. She wanted this man as her husband more than anything.
"Soon. I'm working harder and faster on this than anything. I don't want to wait any longer."
Taylor slipped her hands around his neck. Tugging his head down, she whispered, "You are the most amazing man alive. I know that with everything I have. I know that."
She smiled at him as she pressed her lips to his. Loving him. Loving them. Loving the life he was working so hard to build.
Chapter Fifteen
Taylor and Mandy sat in the parlor with a ball of yarn at their sides. Taylor concentrated on the crochet hook in her hand, attempting to hook it through the blue yarn tangled in her fingers. Turning the hook, twisting and attempting to pull it through a small hole, was harder than she thought.
"I see why crocheting is a dying art. You have to have an unbelievable level of patience for this," Taylor whined.
"I like it. I can't wait to see the blanket when it's done." Mandy's crochet blanket was almost a quarter of the way finished. She obviously did not find the task as challenging.
Taylor tossed her mess of knotted yarn to the side. "I give up. I'll leave blanket making to you."
Mandy giggled and continued on, a soft smile on her face as she gracefully latched the yarn through her hands. She was a natural.
Without looking up from her work, Mandy asked, "Can I tell you something? I've been keeping a secret."
"Sure. You know you can tell me anything."
Mandy stopped crocheting and made eye contact with Taylor. "I've been seeing Josh O'Keefe."
Taylor nodded. "I know. You two have been hanging out a lot lately."
"I'm in love, Taylor." Mandy blushed and looked down at the floor. "He asked me to marry him, and I said yes."
Taylor sat in stunned silence. The way Mandy just spoke was unlike how she usually did. There was no childlike, whimsical feel to it. She was serious. Different somehow. Taylor had been seeing a change in Mandy for weeks, but assumed it was the different living situation that was causing it. She couldn't help but feel protective and a little concerned that Mandy could be being taken advantage of. Taylor did not know Josh, and worried that he could be messing with Mandy's delicate emotions.
Taylor cleared her throat. "Mandy...not to insult you, because that's the last thing I want to do, but are you sure you understand what love is?"
"Yes, I do. I know I have some issues, Taylor. I know you think I'm not all there. And the truth of the matter is, I wasn't." Mandy stood up and started to pace the room. "I've been in a...a fog of sorts. My mind was cloudy, muddled. It's really hard to explain."
Mandy stopped pacing and sat back down, taking a deep breath. She looked into Taylor's eyes and smiled softly. "But Josh has been helping me with that. I see things clearly now. Or at least a little more clearly. I feel different."
"How has Josh been helping?"
"He makes me talk. He makes me face my past. I hated it at first, but the more I talked about my parents, the better I felt. I've been hiding from the pain. Josh thinks I created a perfect dream world in my head because it was easier than facing the nightmare I endured."
Taylor nodded. "He sounds like a smart man."
"I know I have a lot of growing to do. I know that," Mandy admitted. "But Josh is helping me every step of the way. I love him, and I know he loves me."
"Has he told you that?"
"Yes, over and over. He makes me feel it, too."
A surge of protectiveness shot through Taylor like a bullet. "What do you mean? Has he...touched you?" Taylor was almost afraid of the answer.
"He's held my hand, touched my back." Mandy smiled. "He's kissed me."
Taylor took a big, calming breath. "Just a kiss? How many times?"
"Stop worrying, Taylor. We've just kissed. I'm still a virgin, if that's what you're worried about. Josh is a good man. He wouldn't take advantage of me."
"I'm just worried that you may be getting in over your head. I know you said you're getting out of your fog, but I'm not sure you're ready for all this," Taylor explained.
"I understand that. But all I can say is that he makes me happy. I hate being away from him. I want him in my life. I want to marry him and be his wife."
Taylor went over to where Mandy sat and wrapped her arms around her. "I'm happy for you. Have you told your brother?"
"God, no. He wouldn't understand."
"I think he would. Maybe not at first, but I think he would come around eventually."
Mandy shook her head. "Every time I even try to bring it up, he quickly puts a stop to the conversation." Mandy turned so she was facing Taylor. "Do you think you could talk to him? Try to convince him? I think he may listen to you."
"I'm not sure he will. Your brother is pretty stubborn."
Mandy smirked. "You don't have to tell me that. I've had to put up with that for years."
"But he comes from a good place," Taylor defended. "He loves you more than anything and I think he just wants the best for you. Maybe you need to tell him how Josh is helping you work through some of your problems."
"I don't think Jason will listen to me. Josh said he would talk to him, but I'm scared it could lead to a fight or something."
"I agree that Josh shouldn't be the one to tell him."
"Then will you at least try? Please?" Mandy begged.
Taylor let out a big sigh. "I'll give it a try. But I'm not promising anything.
"
****
Jason was going to paddle her ass for this, no doubt about it. She was just finding her feet and testing her limits when it came to this new relationship of theirs, but she knew enough to know what would land her over his knee. Broaching this subject was treading on dangerous ground. But for Mandy's sake, she would bite the bullet and take one for the team if need be. Her soon to be sister-in-law deserved the attempt.
Taylor walked into Jason's room as he was sitting in a chair, removing his boots. She closed the door behind her. "Can we talk?"
He looked up and smiled. "Uh oh. Those are the most dreaded words any man could hear."
"It's about Mandy."
He raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"Well, she came to me and confessed that she has feelings for Josh O'Keefe." Taylor wrung her hands together. "She was hoping that maybe I could help convince you to let her see him."
Jason just stared, his jaw set firm.
"They've gone on a few walks, and have developed a connection," she continued. "I think Mandy really likes him."
"No," Jason simply stated.
"No? That's all you can say?"
"I said no, and that's the end of it."
Taylor paused for a moment. Pressing the issue any further was not going to end well for her backside. She took a deep breath and decided to continue on. "You need to at least be willing to consider this, and not just dictate."
"I'm the head of this house, and what I say goes. Or do you need a reminder of that?"
Taylor shook her head. "I know you're in charge, but I also think you’re wrong."
"You shouldn't challenge your fiancé, Taylor. I don't think you'd like where it will land you."
She stuck out her chin defiantly. "I am." She hitched up her dress and placed herself across his lap. No doubt shocking him that she was initiating the spanking. "You can go ahead and spank me, Mr. Winters. But just know that I'll be challenging you throughout."
Jason chuckled. "Not the wisest position to be in, to be questioning my authority." He lowered her panties down to her knees, baring her bottom completely.
Rubbing his palm against her buttock, Jason sent a shiver down Taylor's spine. She pressed her butt against his hand, yearning for more. He brought his hand down on her in a sharp spank. She gasped and flinched, but not in pain. The swat was not of the punishing kind. His hand came down again, sending a delightful sting across her exposed behind.
"So as I was saying," she moaned. "You need to allow Mandy to live her life."
SWAT, SWAT, SWAT. Taylor's breath caught as the spanking increased in intensity.
"I'm warning you." Jason rubbed his hand on her ass and dipped a finger along the crease, pressing against her tight rosebud.
Taylor arched her back and let out a sigh. "She's a grown woman and truly in love. She deserves to be treated like everyone else."
SPANK, SPANK, SPANK, SPANK.
"The O'Keefe ranch isn't far from us and she'll always be nearby," she continued.
Jason spanked her again, this time hard enough to give a little more sting.
"Ouch!"
"Care to stop this conversation yet?"
Taylor paused and then continued, "You're being stubborn and won't listen to her. You can't be her protector for the rest of her life. She deserves to have a husband."
The next spank pulled a cry to escape her lips, and she moved her hand in an attempt to stop the spanking.
"Move your hand."
She shook her head, but did as he asked, unsure of what he would do if she defied his command. He moved his finger to the tight entrance of her backside and pressed firmly. Her breathless gasp was rewarded with him pressing his finger all the way in to her taboo depths.
"I think we'll continue this conversation with my finger buried deep in your ass. You may have a change of heart in what you say." With his free hand, Jason applied three quick swats to her reddened behind.
She clenched around him, struggling for the words needed to go on. "Jason, I understand that you're the head of household. I respect you and your decision is the final one. But please listen to me, and make the right one. Mandy will be fine. Allow her happiness."
He pumped his finger in and out, releasing a hot desire from within her. Lust surged from her ass as she pressed into his touch. Demanding more with her silent movements, he added a second finger past her tightly-clenched rosebud. She could not help but press back against the invading fingers. She cried out his name as he worked his fingers inside the searing heat of her tight channel.
Taylor heard the drawer to the bedside table open, followed by the lid of the lubrication being removed. She bucked against his hand, anxious for what was to come.
"Relax, don't fight me."
She clenched on his fingers, struggling to ease her muscles and succumb to the intrusion. He continued to work his fingers in and out, stretching her opening with each tantalizing pass.
He flipped her onto her stomach on his mattress. "Stay still. Don't move," he commanded.
Hearing the clang of his belt hit the floor, a shiver worked its way down her body. Moments later, his hand went between her thighs, removing her panties completely. He quickly followed the job by removing her remaining clothing. His hand returned to her reddened behind and he began to spank lightly.
"Are we done with this conversation?" Jason asked.
Taylor shook her head. "No, Mandy deserves for me to try to get through to you."
SPANK, SPANK, SPANK.
Taylor pressed her body closer to the mattress, struggling to evade the continued spanking.
Jason bent over her and pressed his lips to her ear. "Then I must punish you some more."
Taylor jerked as she felt Jason's cock nudge between the crevice in her ass. He spread her cheeks with his hands as he placed his hardness at her prepared opening. She cried out in pleasure as her tight hole eased open, stretching beyond what she thought possible.
"Jason, I'm not sure I can." Doubt mixed with lust, clouded her mind.
"Trust me, sweetheart. I'm not going to hurt you."
"You're so big, I don't think I can take you," she whimpered as he pressed his bulging head forward.
"Relax your muscles. Allow me to take you. I need to have you here. Breathe, baby. Trust that this will feel good." His soothing words were followed by kisses against her neck.
Jason moved a hand to her pussy and slid through the folds. Gently rubbing her clit, he pressed his cock past all resistance, burying his thickness all the way in. A ragged cry escaped Taylor's lips as a searing heat exploded deep within her anus.
Intense pleasure heightened with every move of his possession. "That's right, Taylor. Just like that. Feel me take your ass."
Jason pressed two fingers into Taylor's pussy, moving in time with the thrusts of his cock in her butt, letting her feel the pleasure of double penetration. His cock plunged harder and deeper inside of her as her moans echoed in the bedroom. Convulsive ripples ran from her anus to her pussy as an all-encompassing climax threatened to conquer her completely.
"Oh, God. Jason..."
"Press back into me. Drive my cock all the way into your bottom. Make it hurt, allow the sting to make you come."
She did as he ordered. Shuddering, crying out, bucking against his hardness, Taylor allowed the electricity to shoot through all parts of her body. She could only hold still as Jason grabbed her hips and thrust his cock hard one last time, as he shot his seed deep within her forbidden channel.
Chapter Sixteen
"But he wants to marry me."
"I know that, but I told you, and him, that I would think about it."
Taylor stood in the doorway to the parlor, watching Jason and Mandy engage in a heated battle. Mandy, with her sweet virtuousness, against Jason, and his brute strength, seemed like an unfair match. Both were oblivious to her, or anything else but their rising tempers.
"What’s there to think about? I love him, and he wants me to be his w
ife." Mandy glared, showing Taylor her anger for the first time.
"Mandy, it’s been a long day and I’m not in the mood to discuss this with you. I’ll talk to him and his family later. That is, if I think he’s the best fit for you." Jason stood in front of the fire with his arm resting on the mantle.
"This isn’t your choice, Jason. You don’t get to decide who I marry. I do." She stomped her foot to make her point.
"Mandy, I said enough, and I mean it."
"I love him and I want to have babies with him." Her naïve voice sounded almost whimsical again.
Jason spun around to face her, fury cast in every shadow of his face. "Do you hear yourself? You sound like a child! You have no business talking about love, marriage and babies!" His voice boomed, sending a shiver down Taylor’s spine. "You don’t know the first thing about being married or being a wife, and you sure as hell don’t know how to be a mother. You can barely take care of yourself!"
Taylor was surprised that Mandy did not even flinch. She stood her ground like a brave soldier going to battle. Jason’s voice echoed, his rage demanded obedience, but Mandy never backed down.
She took a long, deep breath. "I'll agree that, at one time, I couldn't take care of myself. I know I was sick. But I'm getting better, Jason. I'm starting to see things differently. I'm starting to feel again."
Jason stood in silence, his arms crossed against his chest.
"I know I have a long way to go. Josh knows that, too. But he's willing to help me."
Jason's voice boomed through the room. "He has no idea! You have no idea! You both have no business even talking about marriage."
Mandy stood taller, raising her chin defiantly. "Neither do you! You’re going to marry Taylor and you don’t even know what love is!"
Jason closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "Your silly notion of love is immature. You live in a fairytale, Mandy. You don't face things like a grown woman. You don't have the ability to cope with the daily life expected of an adult. How do you think you could make a good wife, when you try to live in a perfect, happy little bubble?"