Even in the dimness of the light of the barn, I could tell his eyes were twinkling. He kept my hands in his, walking backward as he headed toward a group of horses located in a series of stalls.
“What does that mean?” I finally asked.
“That means that you’re going to relearn what it means to obey me.”
“Oh, you think you’re all that, huh, Mr. Cowboy?”
He yanked me forward again, cupping both sides of my face, breathing a swath of hot air across my face. “I am your master.”
When he lowered his head, pressing his lips against mine, I gripped both his wrists. There was nothing like being in his arms. I should have known better than to tease him in any way. The second he placed his foot on a bale of hay, yanking me over his knee, all I could do was gasp. As he brought his hand down several times, smacking his palm against my jean-covered bottom, I let out a series of yelps.
I was shocked just how much the spanking stung, the pain shifting down the backs of my legs. “Ouch!” I kicked my legs, struggling to get out of his hold.
“No, you don’t. You’re not going anywhere. I’ve told you before. Spankings are supposed to hurt. I think you’re going to get used to receiving one pretty damn often.”
Squirming, I was shaken just how much the round of discipline affected me, but not because of the level of anguish. Because of how much I’d missed him. Every single inch of his roughhewn brawn and masculinity.
“I’ll be good!” I demanded, although both he and I knew I’d always have a tough time behaving.
“Promises. Promises. Heard ‘em before.” He peppered my ass hard with swat after swat until I no longer fought him, my breath stolen.
I knew the heat on my face was just as significant as the explosion of fire shifting across my ass cheeks. The rough and tumble cowboy knew how to give one hell of a spanking.
I kicked and moaned, struggling to maintain my position. That only made him smack me even harder. When it was finally over, he eased me into a standing position, the same damn wicked twinkle remaining in his eyes.
“Have you learned your lesson for now?” he asked.
“Yes!”
“Yes?” He smacked me several additional times.
I moaned, completely exasperated. “Yes. Sir!”
“That’s more like it.”
“You brought me into the barn to spank me?” I huffed.
“Hmmm… Should I pull out my belt?”
“No. No!” I fisted his shirt, shaking my head. The man could be so damn frustrating.
“Good girl. Now, you’re going to do exactly as I say.” He twirled me around, placing his hands over my eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re going to have to learn to trust me, little brat. Do you think you can do that?”
I swallowed hard as he walked me forward. “I do trust you, with everything inside of me.”
For a few seconds, he hesitated, his breathing ragged.
His hot breath cascaded across my skin as he continued pushing me. “I’m glad to hear that. Now, hold out your hand.”
“Why?”
Nash’s growl was husky. “Because I told you to. Keep your eyes closed or I assure you that your punishment will be much harsher.” He didn’t allow me to make a choice, lifting my arm and extending it forward.
I did as I was told, my curiosity almost getting the better of me.
Within seconds, he took my hand into his. As he rubbed my fingers across something soft, I heard a single whinnying sound. There was no way I could keep my eyes closed. When I opened them, I couldn’t keep from shivering. The sight of the beautiful white horse took my breath away.
I could tell he was studying my reaction as I stroked the horse’s gorgeous face. “What an incredible creature.” My thoughts drifted to the morning at Scorpion’s, what seemed like a lifetime ago, which had actually been a very special day.
“Her name is Beauty.”
“What a perfect name.” My voice was little more than a whisper.
“Yes, it is.” He half smiled as he leaned over the edge of the gate. “You want to know a secret?”
“Okay.”
“She happens to be named after a beautiful girl who managed to steal my heart.” His eyes continued to twinkle.
“Oh, yeah, who is that? I just might have to hunt her down.”
As he tangled his fingers in my hair, pulling me closer, the look in his eyes shifted into ferocious hunger. “A woman I refused to forget about, one who showed me that even a ruthless man such as myself could learn to love.”
“Love?”
He nodded. “Uh-huh. Somehow, I fell madly in love with her.”
I couldn’t stop the tears as they slid down my cheeks, happiness rushing deep inside. “Hmmm… I still think I need to kick her ass.”
His grin widened. “Don’t worry. She’ll be kept in line and if she ever thinks she can run away from me again, I will tan her hide every day.”
When he leaned in, I pressed my hand against his chest, pushing with enough pressure that he cocked his head. “Wait,” I managed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need to tell you something, something that might change your mind.”
Reaper
Guilt.
Anger.
Hatred.
I’d felt all those things and so much more during the last few months. I’d pretended that I could deal with my rage without some kind of intervention.
Who knew that very intervention would come in the way of one beautiful yet bratty woman? I stood by the fence, watching as Mitch continued to speak to Beauty, whispering words of love as she groomed the statuesque horse, something that she insisted on doing just about every day. I’d never seen a horse so taken with a human, Beauty never taking her eyes off the woman who’d fallen in love with her.
And with the rugged cowboy who’d been determined to harbor the guilt for the rest of his life. My thoughts shifted to Vader, the darkest of all of us, a man who’d lost himself after Snake’s death. Perhaps if I’d reached
