His Brother’s Wife Extended Epilogue

 

Erotic Romance

 

By Michelle Love

 

 

Amalia Gallo shifted her daughter onto her hip. Serafina, with her caramel skin, bright green eyes, and dark wavy hair to her waist, grinned up at her mom. At two years old, she was merry and loving, and Ama kissed her forehead now, feeling the familiar swell of love as she breathed in her daughter’s smell of powder and soap.

“Come on, Piccolo. Let’s go see everyone.”

She took Serafina—Sera, as they called her—out onto the terrace of the villa, where Sera’s dad, Enda, greeted them both with a kiss. Their best friends, Raffaelo and Inca, greeted her with smiles, and Inca stole Sera away from her mother immediately, making Ama laugh.

“You wouldn’t take her so quickly when she’s in a bad mood,” she chuckled, and Inca rolled her eyes.

“Don’t give me that. This scruffy muppet is a bundle of sunshine.” She tickled the little girl, who shrieked with laughter and cuddled her ‘aunt.'

Ama sighed happily. In the two-and-a-half years since she’d escaped from and then killed her abusive ex-husband, her life had changed immeasurably. She had made Sorrento her home permanently since her marriage to Enda Gallo—the love of her life and the reason she was still alive. It had been his half-brother, Jackson, to whom Ama had been unhappily married, who had abducted her, and who had tried to kill Inca to teach Ama a lesson and get his revenge on his ‘bastard’ brother. Jackson was dead now, though, and since the day she had escaped, they had lived happily and safely in Italy.

 

Their friends were there for breakfast, and as the morning sun beat down, they ate fresh fruit and pancakes, Serafina tucking into as many things as her little hands could hold. Ama ate yogurt and fruit and asked Inca about her upcoming fortieth birthday celebration. She couldn’t believe her friend would be forty soon. Inca could have easily passed for her early twenties still, but her looming birthday didn’t seem to bother her. Raff, her drop-dead gorgeous husband, was in his early fifties and his dark hair was shot through with silver.

“I still haven’t decided what I want to do to celebrate it,” Inca said. “Raff wants to take me away somewhere remote and paradise-ey—is that a word?”

Ama grinned. “No, but it works.”

“So, yeah …I really don’t want a big party or anything. I’d rather just go out for a great meal with you and Enda, and Tommaso and Bo.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” Ama smiled at her friend. She and Inca had become incredibly close since Ama had moved to Italy and they were now more like sisters than friends. Ama’s own sister, Selima, had recently gotten engaged to her American boyfriend, Chase, who was another victim of Jackson’s psychopathy. Their wedding didn’t have a date yet, but Selima was laid back about the whole thing. “Don’t be surprised if we just do it in the Elvis Chapel in Vegas,” she had said down the phone one evening, and Ama had laughed.

“That wouldn’t surprise me at all.”

Her own wedding had been as low key—City Hall in San Francisco, with Selima and Raff as their witnesses. Inca, who had been in a wheelchair because she was recovering from being stabbed, was an honorary flower girl, much to her delight.

 

After breakfast—and after Inca had reluctantly given Sera back to her mother—their friends departed and Enda smiled at his wife. “Good way to start the day.”

“Isn’t it? Now, what shall we do today? I’m assuming you’re not working?”

Enda looked a little guilty, and Ama frowned. “Really?”

“Only for an hour, I swear. Just to finalize the details of the opening. One hour, I promise, and then we’ll take the munchkin to the beach.”

Ama sighed. “Deal. I’ll make a picnic.”

 

Sera helped her mother as best she could, smearing butter on crusty bread to make sandwiches as her mother chopped and sliced the fillings for them. She grinned at the concentration on her daughter’s face. Ama still couldn’t believe this adorable little creature was hers.

“Mama?”

“Yes, pooh?”

“Why hasn’t Auntie Inca got a ‘Fina?” Sera hadn’t yet realized that her name wasn’t every child’s name.

“Well, nugget, some people can’t have children.”

“Why?”

Ama swallowed. God, the inevitable ‘why’ questions had begun already. “It’s to do with …stuff inside the human body. It’s hard to explain. But Auntie Inca loves you very much. She just doesn’t want children of her own, and there’s nothing wrong or strange about that.”

Sera seemed satisfied with that and gave a wide yawn.

“Sleepy, muppet?”

Sera nodded, and Ama lifted her into her arms. “Come on, then. Nap time before we go to the beach.”

Settled in her own little bed, Sera fell asleep almost immediately. Ama stroked her daughter’s hair back from her face.

She felt Enda’s arms snake around her waist and pull her to him. “Nap time?”

She turned in his arms. “Work’s done?”

“Work’s done.” He bent his head to kiss her. “So …nap time?”

Ama grinned and took his hand. “I think we can find something to do other than sleep …”

 

In their bedroom, she set the baby monitor down, and Enda laughed a little. “Remember when we didn’t have to keep one ear listening?”

Ama grinned. “Actually, no. Still,” she went to him and kissed him, “We were blessed with a child who knows how to nap properly. So, let’s not waste any of this time …”

They kissed passionately as they stripped each other and then climbed onto their bed. Ama straddled her husband as he stroked her breasts and her belly.

“Bellissimo,” he said in a soft voice, and she grinned, her hands moving to stroke his cock, feeling it quiver and harden under her touch. His fingers gripped her hips as he lifted her so she could take him in. God, this never got old, the feeling of his huge cock filling her and his hands on her body. Ama began to rock her hips, sliding him in and out of her, their hands locked together, their breathing becoming ragged and excited. She saw Enda watching his cock as it moved in and out of her cunt, and soon she too was transfixed by the sight.

“I would love to film this,” Enda said. “You’re so beautiful, my darling.”

Ama grinned. “Maybe we should try new things—not that we need to spice things up—but it could be fun.”

Enda nodded. “Are you sure? After what Jackson did to you?”

Ama’s smile faltered a little, but then she shook her head. “If anything, it will help me. What he did wasn’t love, it was torture. That’s not BDSM, Enda. It was a sick, sick man getting off on hurting me. If you and I tried something …well, that’s kind of hot …”

They were both distracted then by the building excitement in them both as they moved quicker, his cock driving deeper and deeper until Ama gave a cry of release, arching her back. The sight of her lovely body reacting to him made Enda come too, shooting thick streams of creamy cum into her belly.

“God, Ama …let’s promise never to stop doing this.”

Ama was breathless, but she laughed. “I think I can safely guarantee that.”

 

Later, as they sat on the beach with Serafina, watching her play happily and chatter away to herself, Enda drew his fingers down Ama’s spine. She shivered with pleasure.

“Cara mia, I was thinking. Maybe we should go away for a long weekend, somewhere we can experiment.”

Ama squinted, as the sun got in her eyes when she turned to him. “Maybe we should. I’ve heard of places where people with certain kinks could go, but I’m not sure I’m ready to go that far.”

“I was thinking more of a private island and a few toys that we both choose beforehand.”

Ama’s pulse began to race. “Now that I could get on board with.” She looked at Serafina. “Although, leaving the munchkin for four whole days …”

Enda laughed. “I have an idea who would be more than willing to have her for a long weekend.”

“Inca,” they both said together and laughed.

 

They were right; Inca was overjoyed. Raffaelo pretended to be fed up, but secretly, Enda could tell he was delighted.

“Of course we’ll have her. Hey, Sera, want to stay with your Auntie Inca for a few days?”

Sera bobbed her head and smiled. “Can I play with Fraggle?” Fraggle was the giant German Shepard Raffaelo had bought Inca to help with her protection when he was away. Raff often moaned that Inca had spoiled the dog so much, always cuddling him and giving him treats, that he was the worst guard dog ever. The dog also loved kids, which was handy when Raff and Inca’s seven nieces and nephews came to stay.

“Definitely, Sera. I’m sure Fraggle will insist on it.”

 

The day came when Ama had to relinquish her daughter to her friend and fly to the private island where Enda had hired a villa for them. She hugged Serafina tightly, ignoring the amused glances of her husband and her friends. “Be good for Auntie Inca, won’t you, nugget?”

Sera nodded merrily. “Have a nice vacation, Mama.”

Ama’s heart swelled with love. “Did Papa teach you to say that?”

Sera smiled. “And Auntie Inca, too.” She gave her mother a wet kiss on the cheek. “Papa says I’m not to worry about you, that I will have a lovely time while you’re gone. Is that right, Papa?”

Enda stroked his daughter’s curls. “That’s right, cara mia. Come give your Papa a hug.”

 

Ama looked out of the plane’s window. Raff had lent them his private jet to fly out to the island in the Indian Ocean, and Ama, although she had come from a wealthy family and then married into one, still couldn’t get used to the opulence of her surroundings.

“This is nothing,” Enda said, enjoying her fascination with the jet. “Wait until you see the island.”

“You’ve been there before?” Suddenly she felt jealous. Had he gone with another woman?

Enda, seeing the wariness in her eyes, smiled. “I went there with Raffaelo, Tommaso, and some of our friends for Raff’s Bachelor party. When I say party, I’m talking eight middle-aged men listening to jazz, drinking whiskey, and playing cards for two days, albeit in luxury surroundings.”

“Thug life.”

Enda laughed. “You got it. We even stayed up past midnight one night.”

Ama giggled. “You crazy kids. So …no women?”

“No women. But I did get to thinking maybe it was somewhere I’d like to take someone I was in love with. Thankfully, for me at least, I’ve only ever been in love with one woman.”

Ama pretended to be affronted. “Where is this bitch?”

Enda grinned, then pulled her onto his lap. “She’s right here.”

Ama smiled happily and leaned against him. “God, we’re lucky.”

“No arguments here. And guess what …there’s a bedroom back there.” He nodded to the rear of the plane.

“There is?”

“Oh yes.”

“And we’re wasting time, sitting here chatting?”

“Now that you mention it …”

Ama got up and held out her hand. “Take me to bed and fuck me senseless, husband.”

Enda stood grinning. “You really are a very dirty girl …”

“Well, doesn’t that make you the lucky one?” And she led him towards the bedroom.

 

Back in Italy, Raffaelo, who had been working in the city, drove home to find Inca and Serafina had built what turned out to be an intricate pillow fort in their living room. Fairy lights were strung inside, and Inca and Sera were lying on their backs, looking up at them. Raff poked his head inside and grinned at them. “Good evening, ladies.”

They smiled back at him. Inca beckoned him. “Kick off your shoes and come join us.”

Raff did as she asked, removing his jacket too, then crawled inside the building. “I must say, I’m very impressed with this fort.” He suddenly felt a wet lick on his right ear. Fraggle was lying in a tunnel off the main ‘living area’ of the fort. “Hey, dog.”

Fraggle gave a muffled ‘woof,’ which made Inca and Sera laugh. Raff grinned at them. “I think this kind of building deserves pizza, yes?”

Sera cheered, and Inca laughed at the girl’s merry face. “Girl’s got her priorities right in life. Come on, squidgy. Let’s go help your uncle order.”

 

They ate the pizza in the fort, then sat playing games with Sera all evening. When the girl was falling asleep in Inca’s arms, she carried her to bed in the guest room, tucked her in, and stroked her soft hair. Inca felt her heart hurt; if only she had been able to have kids of their own. She longed for a little girl like Sera, or her niece, Hermione, Tommaso’s daughter.

The worst thing was that after being stabbed the first time, the doctors had told her she was highly unlikely to be able to carry her own child. Then, when she was attacked the second time …she had unknowingly been pregnant. To save her life, though, they’d had to perform a hysterectomy, and their baby had died. Inca blinked back a few tears now. It wasn’t fair. After everything they had been through together …

“You okay, Principessa?”

Raff was standing in the doorway, watching them. Inca brushed her cheeks free of tears.

“Yes, baby. Just …”

“I know.”

They went back to their bedroom and stripped before sliding into the crisp sheets and wrapping themselves around each other. Raff brushed her lips with his. “What are you thinking about, cara mia?”

Inca smiled a little sadly. “Our little bean. How unfair it was that she was taken from us. I’m still so angry, Raff.”

His arms tightened around her. “Maybe it’s time to talk again about adoption.”

Inca hesitated. “Aren’t we too old now? Is that what they’ll say?”

Raff shook his head. “I don’t see why. Look, let’s begin the process and we’ll see what happens.”

Inca smiled. “Okay …”

Raff moved on top of her, then, smiling down at her. “You’ll make an excellent mother, Inca, my darling.”

“Let’s not get our hopes up,” she warned, but then sighed happily as Raff’s cock slid into her. “For tonight, let’s just concentrate on this …us …god, Raff, that feels so good …”

 

Thousands of miles away, in the Indian Ocean, Ama was being shown around the luxurious villa that Enda had procured for them. At the center of the villa, was an enormous open-plan living room, dining room, and kitchen with one wall of sliding glass doors that led out onto a private beach. Ama went to the window and pushed it open, breathing in the warm ocean air. Enda slid his arms around her waist.

“What do you think?”

She grinned at him. “It’ll do.” They both laughed. “Seriously, this place is fantastic.”

Enda showed her around the rest of the villa, including the master bedroom with a huge four-poster bed, swathed in white mosquito netting. Ama’s heart began to beat faster …god, this was perfect. Enda, carrying their suitcases, dropped them to the floor and ran his hand down her bare back before his fingers pulled at the halter-neck tie of her dress. The dress slithered down her body to the floor. Enda knelt and took her nipples into his mouth, teasing each tiny bud in turn. Ama sighed, caressing his head as his fingers stroked her belly and thighs before sliding between her legs to touch her, first through her panties. Then, as he drew them down her legs, his tongue found her clit.

Ama shivered with pleasure, giving a small moan, and Enda stood and swept her onto the bed. She unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it away from his broad, hard chest. Enda shrugged out of it, then out of his pants. He kissed her as she felt his cock, already hard and throbbing against her thigh. Enda grinned down at her. “Let’s get this party started, Piccolo …”

They kissed, tasted, sucked at each other until they were almost fevered with desire, and when Enda’s cock thrust deep and hard into her, Ama cried out, saying his name over and over. He moved inside her, his hands pinning hers to the bed and his gaze locked onto her.

“What shall we try next, my love?” Enda was breathless, his eyes alive with desire as he moaned softly. Ama smiled up at him.

“Anything …tie me up, Enda, and take me however you want.”

“You want this?” He rammed his cock deeper into her, and she nodded. “God, yes, yes …”

He fucked her into the most sublime orgasm, coming himself a second after and shooting creamy cum deep into her belly. He barely let her catch her breath before he was pulling out some silk ties from his suitcase, still on the floor at the side of the bed. “Come here, woman.”

Ama giggled, only feeling a slight thrill of fear as Enda bound her wrists together and tied them to the bed. From the case, he pulled a long feather, which he ran over her skin. “You like this?”

Ama nodded. The tickle of the feather was almost unbearable; paired with Enda’s fingers working her clit and the pull of the silk on her wrists, she could feel her body respond. Enda grinned, enjoying the control on her body. He grabbed a vibrator and switched it on, touching it gently to her clit. Ama shrieked as the vibration sent waves of pleasure through her already uber-sensitive clit. She could see Enda’s cock, fully erect, bobbing under its own massive weight. “Let me suck you, baby …”

Enda straddled her chest, and Ama took him into her mouth, sucking and teasing the sensitive tip, then running her tongue up and down the thick, long shaft. “Mio Dio …” Enda whispered, “May I come in your sweet mouth, Bella?”

Ama nodded, her eyes shining, and Enda came, giving a groan and saying her name again and again. He withdrew and kissed her mouth, her throat, her breasts, and her belly. He nipped gently at the skin of her belly, then moved down to take her in his mouth. Ama writhed as he teased and suckled at her clit, then swept his tongue along her clit and plunged it deep into her cunt.

“Oh god …god …Enda!”

Enda grinned and leaned over to retrieve something else from the case—a huge glass dildo. Ama’s eyes widened when she saw it. It was beautifully shaped, almost as big as Enda’s cock, and had a ribbed section. Enda slid it into her as he continued to suck her clit, and soon Ama was moaning, her whole body vibrating with pleasure as she came hard.

Enda untied her wrists as she recovered, and Ama half-laughed, half-gasped as the circulation to her hands returned. Enda stroked the welts on her wrists. “And to think …that was pretty tame bondage.” He grinned at her. “Imagine what we could get up to.”

Ama wriggled into his arms, snuggling her head against his chest. “We don’t have to imagine …we could just do.”

Enda laughed. Outside, the evening was drawing in. “Well, just for now, I suggest we eat, b because I am starving, and then go for a moonlight walk.”

“All the clichés.”

“Hell, yes, cara mia. Every single one.” He kissed her gently. “Ti amo, Amalia.”

“Ti amo, Enda.” Her stomach growled noisily and they both laughed. Enda got up and pulled her to her feet. “Come, wife. Let’s eat.”

 

Inca carried Serafina into the tea house and was immediately greeted by her staff swooning over the child. Serafina was shy at first, but then basked in the attention. The customers fussed over her, too, but Inca, nervous, keep a watchful eye on the child. Even now, almost three years after she was attacked and stabbed downstairs in the tea house, she felt nervous when she came here. She hated that she was nervous—this teahouse had been her first in the city and had been where Raffaelo had proposed to her all those years ago.

“Now, who’s this little beauty?”

Inca turned and smiled. Como, Raffaelo’s friend, greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. “Ciao, Bella.”

“Ciao, Como. Can I get you some tea? Or juice?”

Como, a broad man who always wore impeccable suits, took his Panama hat off and sat down at her table. “Tea would be fine, thank you. How are you?”

Inca smiled at him. Como’s occupation had never been clear to Inca, but she knew he operated both in the underworld and as a go-between for the polizia. When Raff had introduced them, soon after Inca was stabbed, Inca had thanked him for helping catch the men who tried to kill her. “I don’t know what you do, Como, and I don’t need to know. From this moment on, you are family.”

He often visited her at the tea house; the other women teased her that Como was her sugar-daddy and they both found it hilarious, playing along. In reality, Inca felt like Como was a surrogate father-figure to her now. Her own adoptive father had been murdered and she’d never known her biological father. As Inca had settled into life in Italy, she found Como a comfort to be around.

He was shaking Sera’s hand very seriously now as the little girl sized him up. Inca told him who Sera’s parents were. He nodded. “Ah, yes …I see the resemblance now.” He smiled at Inca kindly. “Although, she could just as easily be yours.”

Inca smiled sadly. “Raff and Enda could be twins and both Ama and I are of Indian ancestry.” She paused, then lowered her voice. “Sometimes I feel like it’s a cruel joke; showing me what my and Raff’s child would have looked like, would have been. I love this little girl as if she were my own, but she’s not.” Her voice broke and she looked away, dashing tears from her eyes. “Sorry, Como.”

He patted her hand. “Don’t apologize, Inca. It’s understandable.”

Inca nodded, not trusting herself to speak for a long moment. Sera seemed to register her distress and climbed on her lap, studying her in the guileless, non-judgmental way only a child can. Inca smiled back through her tears.

“Don’t cry, Inky,” Sera said, matter-of-factly. “I’ll give you a cuddle and that will make you feel better.” She hugged Inca, who laughed softly.

“You were right. I do feel better, Sera. Thank you.”

Como watched them. “Have you and Raff talked about adopting?”

“We have, but I’m scared of getting excited, only to be told we’re too old or our pasts are too messy. We already know that Raff is past the age limit for adopting a baby.” Inca sighed. “So I don’t know, Como. It’s something we’ll have to make a decision on soon. Sometimes it’s hard when we see Tommaso and Bo’s troop of kids. So many of them at once.” She laughed. “Those are usually the days when we’re glad we are childless. But when we just have this little pickle with us …” She hugged Sear tightly; the child was now occupied with playing with Como’s cufflinks, which Inca guessed were probably worth more than this entire block of buildings.

Como studied Inca, an unreadable expression on his face. “It doesn’t seem fair when you could give a child such a loving home.”

Inca shrugged. “Those are the rules.”

Como nodded slowly, then got up. His tea sat untouched on the table. Inca was surprised by his sudden movement. “I am sorry, Inca. I just remembered I have to be somewhere. Would you excuse me?”

 

Later, at home, she wondered what had been going on in Como’s mind, and she wished she hadn’t blabbed her mouth so much. She felt guilty for dumping on him in a vulnerable moment. When Raffaelo came home, he could see she was preoccupied, and when Sera was tucked up in bed and asleep, he poured Inca and himself a glass of wine. They took it (and the ever-present baby monitor) out onto the terrace.

“Okay, Bella, let’s hear it.”

Inca told him about Como’s visit. Raff listened, nodding, then sighed. “Knowing Como, he’s trying to figure a way to get us the baby we want. I doubt if it’ll work out. At least, not legally.”

“And we can’t use a surrogate because it’ll be illegal here.” Inca chewed her lip. “We’d have to move back to America.”

Raff nodded. “And do you want to do that?”

“God, no.” She smiled at him. “Look, maybe I’m just going through a phase. I love our life.”

Raff reached over and stroked her hair. “Do you know how much I love you?”

She leaned into his touch. “I do. And I know you’d move heaven and Earth to give me a child. Some things weren’t meant to be.”

 

When they went to bed that night, Inca fell asleep soon after lovemaking, but Raff couldn’t sleep. He watched his beautiful wife, her beautiful body stretched out beside him. Raffaelo traced the scars on her belly from the stabbing—from both of her stabbings—and cursed the men who had put them there. He would give anything to see Inca’s belly, without scars and round with his baby.

Anything …

 

Ama felt the steel of the handcuffs biting into her wrists and loved the pain of them. She lay on her stomach, bent over the back of the couch in the living room, while Enda stalked behind her, a riding crop in his hand and a cock ring around his ram-rod straight manhood. He brought the crop down on her buttocks and she yelped both with pain and pleasure.

“Louder!” Enda hissed at her, and she screamed his name. Enda thrust his cock deep into her cunt then and fucked her hard, pulling the handcuff so her back bent toward him as he took her.

Ama was delirious, lost completely in their game, and when she came, Enda pulled out and eased into her ass, fucking her slowly this time to prolong her pleasure. As he neared completion, he pulled out, flipping her onto her back and coming on her belly, then bringing the crop down, creating two red, angry strips across her abdomen.

They had been playing their games for two days now, completely uninhibited. Ama found she loved the sting of the whip, or the crop, so much that she would grow wet just thinking about it. Enda, kissing her, would slide his hands between her legs—she didn’t bother with underwear here—and find her already so wet for him that he would take her wherever they were.

They spent the days—when they weren’t fucking—exploring the island, swimming, and talking. They fucked against the trees in the forest, which was exhilarating until a giant spider dropped onto Ama’s shoulder and she screamed bloody murder. Enda hadn’t been able to breathe, he was laughing so hard, much to Ama’s chagrin. She had immediately placed a sex-ban on him …which had lasted for a whole ten minutes until they got back to the villa and Enda informed her she had far too many clothes on.

 

On the last day of their holiday, they lazed around in the pool, the sun beating down on their bare skin. Enda kissed Ama, and she smiled at him.

“Piccolo, have you enjoyed yourself?”

“So much. I’m just sorry we can’t do this at home. But I think, with Sera in the house, I wouldn’t feel comfortable or enjoy it so much.”

Enda kissed her shoulder. “I agree. But, Bella, we must make a pact. One a year, maybe twice, we come here and do this.”

Ama grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think I can agree to that. Thank you, Enda …thank you for being the one person I can trust above all else, the one person who I know loves me beyond doubt.”

Enda grinned. “I think there’s two of us now, but I’ll take the compliment.” His face grew serious. “Has it helped? I mean, has it erased some of the trauma from what Jackson did to you?”

Ama nodded. “Believe me, this was a different world. This was about connection and love and adventure; that was torture. Opposite end of the spectrum.”

Enda pressed his mouth to hers. “I’m glad, Amalia. So glad.”

Ama smiled at him, tears in her eyes. “You make me so happy.”

And she pulled him into the deepest part of the pool.

 

Inca’s eyes widened when she saw Raff coming into the tea house in the middle of the day. “Well, this is a pleasant surprise …but what are you doing here?”

Raff kissed her hello. “No idea. Como called me and asked me to come here to meet him.”

Inca frowned. “Weird.” But when Como walked in five minutes later, accompanied by a very young, very pregnant young woman, Inca’s heart sank. She knew exactly what this was about.

Como saw her face and held up his hands. “Before you say anything, let me explain. Anitha is desperate. She wants to give her child to a good, kind couple. The baby’s father is

 

“Stop.” Raff looked astonished. “What’s this about?”

Inca sighed, rubbing her forehead. “It’s about us not being able to adopt a baby. Como, you are the sweetest man, but this is not the solution. Anitha, you look pale. Come sit down.”

She got the young woman to sit and brought her some tea, shaking her head at Como as she walked past. “What are you thinking?”

Como looked disappointed. “Look, Anitha’s mother is my friend. For months now, they have been trying to decide what to do. They’re illegal immigrants, so giving up the child to the authorities would raise questions. I thought …it would solve two people’s problems.”

Inca sat down next to Anitha. She was obviously of Indian descent, too, and smiled shyly at Inca. Inca patted her hand. “Anitha …do you really want to give up your baby?”

Anitha shot a worried glance at Como, but shook her head. “But we cannot afford to keep it,” she said in a heavily accented voice. “I cannot work and my boyfriend, he doesn’t earn enough for rent, let alone a baby too. We have to be practical.”

Inca’s heart broke for the girl. She glanced at Raff and an unspoken connection passed between them. Inca sighed. “Look, Anitha, Como …we can’t be party to an illegal adoption. That’s not something we would ever consider. But we need to talk, Raff and I. Como, can you bring Anitha back tomorrow and we’ll tell you what we’ve decided?”

 

At home, Raffaelo and Inca talked until the early hours, then fell asleep in each other’s arms, satisfied they were making the right decision for them.

 

“If I weren't so desperate to see Sera, I’d be loathed to get on this plane,” Ama said as they found their seats ready for the flight back to Italy. Enda laughed.

“I agree. But don’t forget …we’ll be back sooner than later.”

Ama wiggled her eyebrows at him suggestively. “With new toys, maybe.”

“Dirty girl.”

Ama grinned and put her hand on his leg. “I am what you made me.”

Enda tried to argue, but instead leaned over and kissed her. “To next year, cara mia.”

Ama smiled back, her eyes soft with love. “To next year. Or sooner,” she added hopefully and then laughed as the plane took off and carried them home.

 

Inca took Anitha’s hands. “Sweetheart, we’re not going to take your baby. It wouldn’t be right for any of us. What we are going to do is help you and your boyfriend. Raff is going to hire your boyfriend to work in one of his hotels, and when you’re ready, there’s a job waiting for you too.” She looked at Raff, who nodded, smiling. “And when you want to go back to work, you can count on me helping out with caring for the baby. We’ll get you back on track, okay? This isn’t charity; we expect your boyfriend to work his ass off. But everyone needs a break sometimes, and we are in a position to be able to help with that.”

She took a deep breath in as Anitha stammered and thanked her. Inca met Raff’s gaze and nodded. They knew they had made the right decision. So, kids weren’t for them. But they would make sure Anitha’s child, even though she was a stranger to them, had a good start in life. A chance, Raff had said, and Inca had agreed.

Como was looking at Inca with respect in his eyes. She got up and hugged him. “I know you meant well, Como, and for that, I thank you.”

She let out a deep breath. “And now, I’m afraid, we have to deliver this little pest.” She mussed Sera’s hair fondly. “She goes back to her mom and dad. Ama and Enda should be home any minute.”

 

Ama flew out of the car and gathered her daughter up in her arms, swinging her around. “Oh, nugget, I missed you.”

“Not that much,” Enda joked in a stage-whisper. Sera stuck her tongue out at her dad, knowing he was teasing her. He took Sera from his wife’s arms and hugged her. Ama embraced Inca.

Inca smiled at them both. “Well, don’t you look …radiant.” She grinned, obviously guessing exactly what they had done on their vacation. Ama smiled and winked at her.

“You know it.”

Sera moaned to be held by her mother again, so Enda handed her over. “Have you been good for Auntie Inca?”

Sera nodded. “Auntie Inca was going to have a baby, then the lady said she wanted to keep it, so Auntie Inca said she would give the girl a job and her boyfriend needed to give his ass away, or it would fall off.”

Inca gaped at Sera as Enda and Raff burst into laughter. Ama looked both amused and confused. She grinned at Inca’s red face and nodded towards her daughter. “Ears on sticks, brains like sponges,” she told her friend and tucked her hand under Inca’s arm.

“How about we go inside and talk about it?”

And the two families—who were really one family—went inside to talk, and laugh, and love.

 

 

 

 

The End.

The Billionaire’s Brother

An Alpha-Male Billionaire Bad Boy BDSM Romance Thriller

 

 

By Michelle Love

Intensity. Passion. Rivalry

Jenna Foster has had to wait until she’s eighteen to date Rod Manning, a bad boy five years her senior and not her parents’ idea of who she needs in her young life.

Rod Manning has wanted Jenna for two years and bided his time until she could come to him on her own.

The two enter into a steamy relationship which he turns into a BDSM contract where love is a thing of weakness and the bond of the contract is forever.

Then one day Rod disappears, leaving Jenna alone and wondering what happened to the man she was about to marry.

Two years pass during which Reed Manning who has always found his older brother’s girlfriend intriguing becomes a billionaire. When the two meet during a summer break in their small hometown they find love, and that love sparks a war between the brothers when Rod returns to find them engaged.

Will Jenna be able to put her love for Rod in the past and continue to love Reed? Or will her heart allow her to continue on that path as the men’s family is torn apart by their fighting over her? With her out of the picture, all seems to calm down. Will Jenna be able to forget about her love for Reed for the good of his family? Will Reed let his older brother rule his life forever and stop him from being with the woman he loves?

Chapter 1

JENNA

“Rod? You home?” I call out as I come into the little apartment we rented last week.

After only a few months of dating, we decided to take it a step further and move in together. To say my parents were pissed would be an understatement.

Try furious!

But what Rod Manning and I have is as real as it gets, even if I am just eighteen, a thing my parents tell me is a real issue—though it’s not, really.

Rod’s a few years older than I am. Okay, five of them, but that’s not a big deal to me. My father made me wait until I turned eighteen to date Rod, or anyone else for that matter.

Rod’s been after me for the last couple of years, but being underage had him waiting for me. Dad threatened all kinds of hell on the poor guy if he touched me before I turned the legal age.

The funny thing is that Rod’s mother cautioned me about their oldest son as well. At a senior party my graduating class had at one of my classmate’s ranches just before I turned eighteen, I saw Rod’s mother. She was helping chaperone the party.

She had no idea of Rod’s interest in me and took me aside, then asked me if I knew her son, Reed. I knew of Reed, of course. We all live in a minuscule town in Jerome, Arizona.

Reed is only two years older than I am. I was shocked when she told me he and I would make a perfect couple. He was away at college at that time but would be home for the summer, and she wanted to know if she could give him my phone number when he got home.

Her dismay when I told her it was her son, Rod, who was interested in me and me in him, confused me. She was very open about him being a difficult person, which I found crazy.

He doesn’t seem difficult to me at all. Quite the opposite. He seems so rugged and manly and tough as nails, but in all the right ways.

His job as a mechanic keeps his muscles tight, and he keeps a five o’clock shadow thing going on his handsome face.

I’ll admit it. The man does have this dangerous edge to him. But I find it exciting as hell.

The way he handles me is so hot!

And he’s told me he has a surprise for me tonight when he gets home, which I thought would be by now.

“Hey there, baby.” His deep voice calls out from our bedroom.

I go that way, turning down the short hallway that leads off the living room. There he is, leaning his tall body against the door frame.

His dark ash blond hair hangs to his shoulders in waves. His steely blue eyes running up and down my body give me chills. “Hey, Rod.”

As he’s clad in only his tight black underwear, I see he’s taken a shower and rid himself of the grease of the garage he works in. The smell of his soap fills my senses.

My insides are already melting as he looks me over. “I brought home that surprise I told you about, but we have something to talk about first.” He pulls me into his strong arms as I come to him.

His mouth covers mine as he thrusts his tongue into my mouth. The way it moves like he has a purpose to touch every place in my mouth makes my knees weak and I lean against him.

He grabs a handful of my ass and squeezes it as he growls. My body is hot and now I’m wet and can hardly wait to get out of these clothes and into our bed.

His other hand moves up my arm, then over my shoulder, and he grabs a handful of my long hair and pulls it back hard. His mouth leaves mine and his teeth graze over my neck. Then he bites it, hard.

The noise I make has him pulling back, and he looks intense.

I love that look. Like raw power.

“I want something permanent with you, Jenna.” His words make my heart pound.

“K.”

A grin creeps across his handsome face. “I haven’t told you what it is yet and you answer yes already?”

I nod and he smiles. “Permanent is what I want too. I love you, Rod.”

“Love is for the weak, baby. What did I tell you about all that love shit?” He lets me go and moves away from me. “Life is about other things. Life is hard, baby. Love is fleeting. Commitment isn’t, though. I want that from you. A real commitment.”

He moves to the bed, sits on the edge, and pulls a pack of cigarettes out of the bedside table. A long neck bottle half-full of beer sits on top and he takes a drink then lights his cigarette.

That’s the one thing I hate. I hate the smell of cigarettes, and he knows it. Yet he’s not about to do as I’ve asked him repeatedly, to smoke outside.

But I think he might be about to propose, so I’m not going to bring that up right now. Instead, I go to sit next to him on the bed. “So what is it you want, Rod?”

From under the pillow he sleeps on, he pulls a sheet of paper. I can see the large words at the top: Dom/Sub-Slave Contract My heart stops and my eyes go wide.

I pick up the sheet of paper and look at it, then at him. His face is sterile.

No emotion. Not a thing.

“Slave? Why is the word slave on this paper? And what is it all about?”

His strong hand moves up my arm and tightens around my bicep. “I want you. I want all of you. I want to own you, baby.”

My heart starts to pound in my chest. “Own me?”

He nods slowly and I can’t think. Then one thought floods my brain. “My father will kill you, Rod.”

“This has to be our little secret. This town is too small to let this kind of thing out.” He takes a drag off the cigarette and the smell intensifies and I cough.

“A secret?” I look around the little bedroom. My eyes fall on a hook that’s on the wall near the closet. A hook that wasn’t there before.

Then I look back at the paper I hold in my right hand. It’s shaking, and I hold it with my left to steady it so I can read what he wants from me.

Words pop out at me. Punishments. Sexual tortures. Expectations.

“Rod, is this a joke?” I look into his eyes and find no humor there.

He shakes his head slow and easy. “It’s no joke, Jenna. It’s what I want. And I always get what I want. You know that.”

Smoke encircles his head as he taps the ashes off the cigarette into the clean ashtray on the night stand. “This doesn’t look like a thing I want to be a part of. I thought you were talking about marriage, Rod.”

A low laugh comes from him. “Marriage? Nah. I’m not into that. That can end in divorce. What I’m asking from you can’t end. It’s forever, girl. Isn’t that better than a marriage?”

“This says you want me to stay available for your every need.” My eyes move to his and find them squinting as he takes another puff of the cigarette. “My job, though.”

He shakes his head. “That little job ain’t making you no money, anyway. See, the way I’m thinking is, it’s better for me if you can come to me or I come home and you’re here and you can take care of whatever I feel I need at that time.”

“Sex?” I stare at him. “Are you saying I don’t give you enough already?”

“You don’t. But that isn’t your fault. It’s your job’s fault,” he says as he grinds the cigarette butt into the ashtray. “Like this afternoon. I wanted a piece of ass so bad I nearly went across the street from the shop and found one at that little bar.”

My heart stops. “You didn’t though, did you?”

“No,” he says with a shake of his head, sending his wavy locks swinging around his broad shoulders. His eyes move to mine and pierce me. “But, as you’ll find in the contract, that is a thing I can do if I see fit and you aren’t meeting all my physical needs. And you have to take it, baby. You can’t leave me over it.”

My stomach hurts all of a sudden and I bend over and place my hand on it. ”No! No, Rod! No, fucking way!”

Okay, I said that only in my head.

My voice is shaking as I say out loud, “Why do you want to have sex with other women?”

“I don’t want to. But if I can’t do the things I want with you then I’ll have to. I have certain desires, and if you won’t let me do those things with you then I’ll get that elsewhere with someone who will.” His hand runs over my shoulder and down my arm. “But I really want to do that stuff with you, baby. Only you. But I’m a little afraid you’re too vanilla to do any of it.”

I turn my head slowly to look at him and my age and experience or lack thereof hits me. “I’ll let you do whatever you want to me. I’m no child, Rod. I can be everything you want. If I lost you, I don’t know what I’d do. And I can’t stand the thought of you with anyone else.”

“Here’s the thing, baby. You can’t tell a soul. Not only would your dad kick my ass, but mine might do the same damn thing to me. He’s told me as much.” He looks away and rubs his jaw.

“You’ve talked to your dad about whatever it is you like to do sexually?” I look at him with a face full of confusion.

I don’t even talk to my mother about the things I find arousing.

“Nah, I didn’t talk to him about it. He found some of my literature on the subject. He told me when he found out you and I were a thing that if I ever tried to bring you into that dark world he’d hold me down while your daddy beat my ass, then he’d beat my ass himself.” His arm goes around me and he kisses my shoulder.

“God! What kind of literature are we talking about, Rod? That doesn’t sound like your average porn.” I watch him as he peers at me through his thick lashes.

“It isn’t average. I’m not an average man. A bit above, you know?”

I nod then say, “I think you’re the smartest guy I know, Rod.”

He laughs. “Not like that. Like the way I feel. I feel more than some. I want more than some. Fuck, baby. You don’t know how bad I want you to come down to the shop and suck me off in the men’s room.”

My face heats. “Rod!” I laugh and look at him and see he’s dead serious. “Really?”

“Yes, really. I want to fuck you in the alley behind the grocery store during the rush hour. I want to finger fuck you in the small café on the square while the people we know eat their lunch without a clue as to what I’m doing to you. I want your panties to be soaking wet when we walk out, and I want you to hand them to me when I ask. With no hesitation.” His eyes go light and sparkle.

“That’s really bad, Rod. Really bad. We could get caught and then everyone would look at us and think bad things about us. Oh, no. I can’t …” His mouth slams into mine.

He presses me back on the bed and moves his body over mine, pinning me to the mattress. “You can. You will. I will train you. I will show you how to give me everything I want.”

“You think you can train the morals out of me? I was a Sunday school teacher last year, Rod. Not a porn star.” I turn my head and he takes me by the chin and pulls me back to look at him.

“So, Sunday school teacher, what do you think it means that you gave your virginity to me? In the Biblical sense, you already belong to me.” His words hiss from his mouth. “You are already mine, Jenna Foster.” He kisses me hard again, so hard our teeth clash. Then he looks at me as he continues to hold me down. “Or do you want me to do what I have to with another woman? I can keep you too. Only you will always know I’m fucking someone else.”

“Rod! Don’t talk like that. Fuck!”

He smacks my cheek. “No more cussing. It’s disrespectful.”

I move my hand to touch my cheek and he takes my wrists before I can and holds my hands over my head. “Rod! Would you stop?”

He shakes his head. “You need to learn your place, Jenna. Your place as my woman. Do you want that or not? I’m getting tired of having to beg you.”

Wow! This is begging?

“Let me read the whole thing.”

He moves off me and hands the paper back to me. “There. Hurry up. You’re making me feel weird.” He walks out of the room and I hear the fridge open and slam shut. Then the sound of him opening another beer as my eyes start at the very first word of the contract have me thinking about what I’m even doing.

Why am I contemplating this? The whole thing is crazy.

He stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Then he pulls at his thick cock inside the tight underwear. “Read it out loud, baby.”

I clear my throat. “This contract is between Jenna Foster and Rod Manning. This contract can never be voided. It will end only upon the death of either signing party.”

I look up at him and he smiles. “See, forever, baby.”

“Jenna Foster agrees to become Rod Manning’s subordinate in all ways. His slave for life. She agrees to do whatever he asks her to whenever he asks her to. Rod Manning agrees never to ask Jenna Foster to do anything deemed inappropriate in front of vanillas, children, or any family members.” I look up at him again. “So, we won’t do anything bad in front of anyone who matters, then?”

He nods and takes a swig of beer. “Keep reading.”

“Jenna Foster agrees to allow Rod Manning to punish her in order to teach her what he expects out of her. The punishments will be verbal, physical, and mental. All will be followed by Jenna Foster thanking him for showing her the way to please him, and she will willingly give herself to him sexually after punishments, if he so desires.” I look up at him again. “You want to spank me, Rod?”

He nods and looks right into my eyes. “I want to spank that ass until it’s red. Then I want you to beg me to do it some more.” He takes a drink of the beer. “I want to teach you all about pain, baby. I want to teach you all about the things that make other people flinch. I want you to be fearless, just like I am.”

“By the way this reads, Rod, I won’t be fearless. Because I’ll always have to fear you.” I look at him again to see if he understands me.

“As you should, Sunday school teacher.” He comes to me and places the beer on the table and his hands on my shoulders. His cock is near my face as I sit on the bed. “After all, doesn’t it say something like that in the Bible? Fear the Lord, for he giveth and he can taketh away. Or some shit like that. You’re the Sunday school teacher, not me.”

“In essence, you’re saying, if I want you, I have to show you I will give you everything you want.”

“And I will take complete care of you for doing that.” His hand moves down and he pulls his hard-on out of his underwear.

The tip of his dick rests on my lips. He looks at me intensely. I pull my head back a little. “What if I don’t want you to take complete care of me?”

“Then I’ll find someone who does want that.” He presses his very large appendage to my lips again. “It won’t be hard to find a woman who wants this monster to be all hers, as long as she does what I want her to. It’s a fair deal, baby. You should take it. I have another girl in mind if you aren’t into it, though. Just so you know. Another girl could be sucking this dick. Another girl could be getting her pussy pleasured by this thick cock.”

I stare into his eyes to see if he’s actually serious. This man has begged me to be with him for two fucking years and now, all of a sudden, this shit comes out.

I love this asshole, though!

My eyes fall back to the paper. “The next part says you can have sex with whoever you want to. It also says you can make me have sex with whoever you want me to. It says I have to do anything you ask me to, including having oral and sexual relations with a man or another woman or participating in an orgy. So I can’t be sure by signing this thing that you will only be mine, Rod.”

“This thing will last forever, Jenna. I had to think about what all might come up in the future. I didn’t want to leave anything out. Just to be on the safe side, you know.”

A knock comes at the front door and his eyes turn toward it, then they come back to me. “Time to shit or get off the pot, baby.”

He puts his dick back into his underwear and walks away. I get off the bed and follow him. “You can’t answer the door in your underwear, Rod!”

He laughs and throws open the door. A small woman with a jet black dye job looks at us through the screen. “So, is she out?” she asks him.

Her lip is pierced, as is her eyebrow. Her skin is pale as shit and she’s wearing some fishnet stockings and the shortest skirt I’ve ever seen.

Rod doesn’t open the screen door. He just looks back at me. “Meet the other interested party, Jenna.”

The darkly lined eyes of the woman peer in at me. “She’s so vanilla. Come on, Rod, pick me. She’ll never be enough for you, man. I can suck your dick on the front porch if you want.”

He looks at me intensely. “She’ll do whatever I want, Jenna. Suck me off on the front porch, even.”

“I don’t know where you found her,” I say.

She interrupts me. “Scottsdale. Off the Internet. And you should really just let me have him. You aren’t woman enough to please this man. He’s all man.”

“Close the door, baby,” I tell him as I pull my shirt off over my head. Then I unhook my bra and reveal to the little piece of crap who has come over a hundred miles to steal my man that I am woman enough to please him, and I will prove that fact to him if I have to do it right in front of her.

He says, without looking at her, “Beat it, Lola. She’s decided to keep me around.” He slams the door and I push my jeans down.

Rod grabs my hand and pulls me to the bedroom. “Sign it first.” He grabs a pen off the nightstand.

I sign the bottom without even reading the rest and then he signs it and puts the pen and the contract back in the drawer, then throws me on the bed.

His eyes are almost scary as he grins at me. “And now it’s official. You are mine!”

Chapter 2

JENNA

“Undress,” he says as he steps away from me and turns his back to me.

I do as he’s said and notice him dropping his underwear to the floor before going to the dresser. He opens the top drawer and pulls out his leather belt.

My stomach tenses as he bends it in half and slaps his left palm with it. Then he reaches back into the drawer and pulls out a small black bungee cord. When he turns back to me I’m undressed and looking at the things in his hands.

“Get on your knees and bow your head. Don’t look at me unless I tell you to. Do you understand?” he asks me as he looks into my eyes with his eyes narrowed.

“I’m not an idiot. Of course I understand you.” I go to my knees and drop my head, then find he has me by my hair and is pulling me back up.

I yelp with the pain. “Rod!”

He yanks my hair and my face is maybe an inch from his. He talks between clenched teeth, “I want no smart mouthing. You get me?”

I nod. “K.”

He pushes me to the floor and I scramble to get back into the position he told me to get into. His words are sharp and clear. “You only talk when I tell you to. You only cum when I tell you to. You only do what I tell you to. Do you understand me?”

I nod and say, “Yes.”

The belt flies through the air and lands solidly on my back. “Yes, Master!” he shouts.

I have to fight to control the urge to get up and knock the living shit out of him. “Yes, Master.” The words do not come easily out of my mouth.

I can feel a welt forming on my back from the hit, and I’m not sure I can do this. I don’t know why he needs this. Then I’m reminded of the little slut who is not very far down the road and put everything out of my mind except doing what pleases the man I love.

With my head down I can only see his bare feet walking away from me. Then I hear a drawer open and he comes back. With another hard yank on my hair, he pulls my head up and I catch a glimpse of a black dog collar. He puts it around my neck.

It’s tight, and I feel a little choked by it. He puts one finger between it and my flesh. “It’s not too tight,” he says.

I beg to differ. I can’t even wear turtleneck sweaters because they’re uncomfortable to me.

And he wants me to wear a fucking dog collar!

Then he attaches a matching leash and tells me to get on my hands and knees and go to the far wall. The one I saw the foreign hook placed near the top of.

I go and feel odd and weird and very uncomfortable and not the least bit sexy. Once I get to the wall, I stop, and he says, “Kneel and place your hands together in front of you.”

I do what he’s told me to and find him wrapping the little bungee cord around my wrists. He binds my hands together with it, then he pulls me up, using the leash.

The collar kind of chokes me as I try to get up without the use of my hands. Once I’m up, he takes my bound hands and loops the cord over the hook on the wall.

I’m facing the wall and can smell the old cigarette smoke as it clings to it from all the times Rod’s smoked in here. I make a note to wash the walls, as the smell makes me sick to my stomach.

But, to be honest, this whole act is making me feel sick.

I feel the heat of his breath as he leans close to my back and moves my hair to expose my neck and says, “I’m going to give you your first spanking, Jenna Foster. This will tell me what your initial threshold for pain is, and I will give you this many thrashes each time we do this, adding one more every time. Do you understand me?”

“How do I tell you when I’ve had all I can take?”

“I’ll need you to say the safe-word. No or stop are not enough, because you will not ever say those words to me again when I ask you anything. Your answer to all of my questions or demands will be a simple yes, Master. In public it will be only yes. And the safe-word is candy. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master,” I say and don’t know how I’m going along with this.

He’s like some Nazi and I’m a little Jewish girl he plans on torturing for his own devious pleasure.

“Only say the safe-word when you are crying. I don’t want to hear it before that time. This is to build a bond between us that will last a lifetime. A bond between the Master and his slave.”

I hear the leather belt cut through the air as he draws it back. Then I hear it again as it flies to meet the tender flesh covering my ass, and the first hit stings then burns intensely.

My heart pounds with the strike and I try hard not to scream. His voice is hard and brusque as he counts the thrashes off, “One.”

The sound of the belt flying through the air comes again, and the second strike has me biting my lower lip to stop the scream with the burning pain and he says, “Two.”

My heart is pounding so hard I can no longer hear the belt as it moves through the air. The leather hits my skin and I feel tears welling up as he says, “Three.”

I know I had better have them streaming down my face before I say the word which will end this. Another slap stings my ass and it’s throbbing. “Four,” comes from him.

Then I feel his finger moving to the edge of my vagina and he slides it inside of me. “You’re wet for me.”

He pulls his finger out of me and presses it to my lips. I part them and he pushes it inside and I taste myself on it. Then he pulls it back and the leather belt strikes me again. This time, a sob comes out of me as the tears fall freely.

“Five,” he says.

“Candy!” I cry out. “Candy, Rod!”

“Candy, baby,” he says as he tosses the belt on the bed and presses his body against my back. He leaves my hands bound and on the hook. “Now I’m going to fuck you. Don’t move or say a fucking word or I’ll give you five more thrashes. Cum only when I tell you to, and you better fucking come for real or I’ll give you five more lashes. Do you understand me?”

I choke the words out as I’m crying very hard now, “Yes, Master.”

His cock is large and pulsing as he moves the tip to my asshole and I tense up as he’s never taken me in the ass before.

I hold my breath and the sobs stop as I prepare myself for the intrusion. The large tip of his cock moves inside my asshole and then he pulls it back out.

“Good, girl,” he says. Then he pushes the tip in again. “Just the tip for tonight.”

He moves only the tip in and out a total of twenty times, then moves his cock to my vagina and thrusts hard into me. His body is hot and sweaty and so is mine.

My hair clings to my head with the sweat and our bodies glide against each other’s as he thrusts hard into me. He takes a handful of my hair and yanks it hard. Then his mouth is on my neck and he’s biting me hard then sucking hard on the place he bit.

I swear every nerve in my body is on fire with the amount of hard stimuli he’s given it. It’s an uncomfortable heat, and I don’t find any pleasure in it.

The feeling of being used is what I feel. Then I recall how he said if I don’t cum for real he’s going to give me five more thrashes.

I close my eyes and try to feel pleasure. I focus on his hard dick plunging into me, making me feel full. His cock is inside me deep, and the penetration is stroking me in all the right ways.

For whatever reason this pleases him and gives him pleasure, so I had better figure out how to make this work for me or I will surely lose him.

His teeth take my earlobe and he delivers a hard bite. I nearly yelp, but manage to keep it in. Then he asks, “Do you like me fucking you, baby?”

“Yes, Master,” I say. One of his hands moves around me and his thumb and forefinger pinch my clit.

He rubs it with his middle finger as he pounds into me from behind. My body starts shaking as an orgasm is threatening me. But I can’t let it go until he tells me to, or it means more lashes on my ass, which still burns from the first ones.

Thankfully, I feel his cock stiffen inside me, and he moans from near my ear, “Cum.”

I let go and want to shriek with the intensity of the climax, but don’t dare. He makes slow strokes until his cock no longer pulses, then he moves out of me and leaves me hanging on the hook.

My body sags and my arms ache. Then he takes them off the hook and undoes the cord. My arms fall to my sides and I can’t move them.

He picks me up in his strong arms and lays me face down on the bed. “I’m going to get the medicated cream to put on the lashes. Stay right there.”

He walks away and I don’t think I could move if I had to. Then he’s back and rubbing the cool stuff all over my assai numbs it, and the burning finally eases.

“You did better than I ever imagined you could for the first time, baby. I’m so proud of you. I knew you’d be good at this.” He kisses my back as he moves me up on the bed, then climbs over me, straddling my back then begins massaging it and my shoulders, which already feel stiff.

I don’t say a word, as he hasn’t told me I can yet. And I don’t know what I would say, anyway.

Thanks for beating my ass …

Nah, I have nothing to say.

Rod stops the massage and pulls the hair off my neck and kisses my cheek. It’s a sweet kiss. Nothing like the way he’s been treating my body. “I’m going to get you something for the pain. It’ll help you sleep. I’m really proud of you. Thanks.”

He climbs off me and leaves the room. I try very hard not to cry.

 

Chapter 3

JENNA

Almost six months into our contract and Rod and I are having New Year’s Eve dinner at his parents’ home. Sue and Jason Manning are retired school teachers.

Sue was my English teacher in junior high. I never had Mr. Manning in high school, as he taught the Ag class and I wasn’t in Ag.

But he’s a very nice man, and I find myself looking at the older couple as they’re very sweet to one another. I have to wonder where Rod got his bad side from.

The lessons, as Rod calls them, are nearly every night. My ass has become numb, and I guess I’m thankful for that. Because of the fact I can take so many lashes, he doesn’t always start off with that.

And when he does, it’s him who stops it, as I suppose his arm gets tired. I’ve become accustomed to the acts. They don’t excite or necessarily bother me. It’s just something he needs to do.

He makes love to me in normal ways sometimes. And I do love those times. Rod is a complicated man.

I often wonder if something happened to him when he was young. He seems to fight demons only he can see, using liquor, cigarettes, and me seems to keep them at bay most of the time.

Though he won’t tell me he loves me and refuses to let me tell him, as he sees love as weakness, I do love the man I have the deepest feelings for.

Headlights light up the living room and Rod makes his way from the little minibar with a couple of beers in his hand and goes to the door. “Looks like my little brother’s made it.”

Sue grabs her husband, Jason, by the hand. “Oh, come with me to get the food out of the oven. Let’s hurry!” They leave the room and it’s only me and Rod left to greet his brother.

I haven’t seen his younger brother, Reed, since he left for college a couple of years ago. And I never really knew the guy before that. He’s only a couple of years older than I am.

Truth be told, I was always very shy anytime we found ourselves around each other. Rod’s handsome, but Reed’s gorgeous. His hair is really blond, and his eyes are dark blue.

Rod opens the door and in walks Reed. Right behind him is a short young woman with glasses and dark hair. She looks smart as hell and she must be his girlfriend.

Reed is all smiles, and he looks happy. “Hey, big bro!” He hugs Rod, and Rod claps him on the back.

The two together like that shows me Reed has put on some muscle since he’s been away at UCLA in California. Reed’s a couple of inches taller than Rod, probably because Rod has been smoking since he was sixteen and Reed has always been a jock and really healthy.

The men are over six feet and both have broad shoulders and muscles. Only, Reed looks a bit sturdier.

When Rod lets Reed go, I find Reed’s eyes moving over me. “And who do we have here?” he asks as he pulls his girlfriend along behind him and comes toward me.

I get up off my place on the sofa and give him a smile. “Hi, Reed,” I say shyly.

Rod comes around them and puts his arm around me. “Her daddy finally had to let his little princess grow up, and I snagged her quick. Jenna and I are living together now.”

Reed’s eyes go kind of wide and he shakes his head. “Already? Shit! Didn’t you barely graduate in May, Jenna?”

I’m surprised he even knew that.

I nod. “Yeah.”

“And you didn’t go to college?” Reed asks as he looks into my eyes, and I feel all wiggly inside, most likely because he’s a gorgeous mass of a man and he probably has this effect on most females.

Rod makes a huffing sound. “She doesn’t need college. She’s my woman. I take care of her every need.”

Reed’s lips form a tight line. Then he pulls up the young woman’s hand he’s holding. “This is Pam. She and I go to college together.”

She pushes her glasses up her nose some. Her deep brown eyes kind of glisten as she says, “Nice to meet you all.”

Sue and Jason finally come out of the kitchen and Sue shouts, “My baby!”

Reed quickly abandons his girl to go to his mother. He picks her up as he hugs her, and she giggles like a young girl. “Oh, Reed! I’ve missed you, baby boy!”

He puts her down and his father claps him on the back, then gives his youngest son a hug. “Good to see you, son.”

“You too, Dad,” Reed says, then comes back our way to grab his girl. “This is Pam.”

“Nice to meet you, Pam,” Sue says, and Jason gives her a nod and a smile.

The girl is nothing like I pictured when I thought of Reed having a girlfriend. He played the field when he was in high school. But he never got serious about anyone here.

I suppose she’s pretty in a way. Mostly plain, not ugly or anything. And she seems even quieter than I am.

Rod hands one of the unopened beers to Reed. “Here you go. You finally made it to twenty-one.”

Reed takes the beer and opens the top of the long-necked brown bottle. “I did. Even though your attempts on my young life were kind of often, I managed to grow up, Rod.” His lips conform to the bottle and I find myself looking far too hard at them.

I look down and shudder. If Rod ever caught me looking at another man, he’d skin me alive.

Rod grabs my hand and pulls me with him to sit down on the sofa, placing me on his lap and making me feel very uncomfortable. “I wanted to be an only child.”

Reed laughs. “So did I.”

Their parents laugh too, and I look up to find them looking oddly at one another. So I ask Rod, “Did you two fight a lot when you were little?”

“I kicked his ass,” Rod says with a grin. “I wouldn’t call it fighting.”

Reed takes a long drink, then pulls the bottle from his mouth. I watch him from my peripheral vision, as I had better not look full on at him. “Until the day I made you eat asphalt. You do recall our very last fight. Don’t you, Rod?”

Sue looks nervous. “Let’s not bring that day up!” She grabs Reed’s hand and pulls him along with her as Pam trails along behind him, looking like a midget, as she’s so much shorter than he is. “Help me grab the trays with the appetizers, please.”

I look at Rod. “What happened?” I whisper.

His eyes have gone steely, and he takes a drink of his beer. “Don’t worry about it.”

His mood has gone south suddenly, and I wonder what happened between the two that had their fights ending so fast and putting Rod in a foul mood.

Rod’s hand moves up my back and his lips touch my ear. “We’re going to the bathroom.”

I don’t ask why. I just get up when he pushes at me and let him lead me to the bathroom. His father watches us go and I know my cheeks are turning the deepest shade of red.

Once inside with the door closed, Rod unbuttons his jeans and pulls out his hard cock. I know what he wants and go to my knees in front of him.

Opening my mouth, he takes the back of my head and moves my mouth over his hard cock. He thrusts it in and I gag a little as it goes into my throat.

He makes hard strokes with his cock into my mouth and doesn’t make a sound as he does. I have no indication he’s about to cum until his cock jerks and semen flows down my throat. Then he makes a small grunt and pulls out of my mouth.

He looks down at me as I hurry to grab some toilet paper and clean him off. His hand moves over my hair and he whispers, “I like your blonde hair much more than that drab brown Reed’s bitch has. Your green eyes are prettier too. You’re so much better than what he brought home.”

“Thank you, Master,” I say as I clean him all up.

He pulls me up and puts his arms around me. It’s a softness he rarely shows. “There’s mouthwash under the sink. Use it, then come out in three minutes. Not one second before that.”

He lets me go and walks out. I have no idea why there’s a time limit, but I start counting in my head, 1001, 1002. Grabbing the mouthwash, I pour some in one of the small cups on the vanity top, then swish it around my mouth.

Making sure I have no residual cum on my face, I look at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes go glassy as I fight the feeling of being used. I say to myself, “He needs you to be this for him. You love him, Jenna.”

I blink the tears away and the last second goes by. I walk out of the bathroom and Reed is standing right there. “Oh!”

His hand is in my face. “I was just about to knock. Sorry.”

I move to the side and look down at the floor. “Sorry.”

His hand on my arm stops me. “Jenna, you okay?”

“Yes,” I say quietly.

He lets me go. “Okay, then.” And he goes into the bathroom.

I fall against the wall in the dark hallway. His touch sent electricity straight through me.

The entire time I gave Rod head, I never felt the least bit excited, and when Reed touched me for a mere second, I went wet in my panties.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Jenna,” Rod calls out from the living room.

I hurry down the hall and into the room and go to his side. “Yes?”

His arm goes around me and he pulls me tight to his side. “What were you and he doing back there?”

“Nothing.” I look down and his hand touches my chin and pulls my face up.

“You look flushed.” His eyes roam over my face.

I smile and whisper, “You have me that way, Master.”

He smiles back at me and kisses my cheek. “Good girl.”

Not feeling very proud of myself, I lean against Rod and think about how much he does for me and how I should appreciate him so much more. Looking at other men, especially his brother, is not a thing I should be doing.

Going wet for his younger brother is definitely not a thing I should be doing!

Rod takes a tiny sausage wrapped in a crescent roll and places it on my lips. I open them and accept the food into my mouth. “Like it?”

I nod and he picks up another one off the tray. I eat it too and hold my hand up when he tries to get me to eat one more. “Can I have a drink?”

He has a beer on the table and picks it up and takes a drink of it, then hands it to me. His mother’s eyes go right to me as I take the beer from his hand. “I really shouldn’t. I’m not old enough yet, Rod.”

“You can if I let you. And I’m letting you,” he says.

His mother comes to us, takes the beer out of my hand, and replaces it with a cold soda. “Here you go, sweetheart. We don’t want you getting into something before you’re ready for it now, do we?”

“No, ma’am.” I take a drink of the Coke and try not to look at Rod as his mother walks away, and he narrows his eyes at her.

“I’m ready to get out of here.” He takes my hand and pulls me toward the door. Then he looks over his shoulder as Reed comes back into the living room. “You want to join us over at Stacy’s Bar, little bro?”

Reed looks at Pam. “Want to?”

She nods and they follow as Sue calls out, “Jenna can stay here while you go out, Rod. She’s much too young to be in that bar.”

Rod’s arm goes around my shoulders. “I got her, Mom.”

His arm tightens around me as Reed adds, “I’ll watch out for her, Mom. Don’t worry.”

As we walk outside I can feel Rod’s body go tense, and he opens the driver’s side door of his old Ford truck. “Get in.”

I slide in and stay in the middle where he likes me to. Reed and Pam take the car they came in. Rod gets in and looks at me. Then he starts the truck.

We roll out of the driveway and Reed and his girlfriend follow us. “Your mother is so nice, Rod.”

“A little too nice.” He looks back at me. “Seems my family thinks I don’t have sense enough to protect what’s mine.”

“I’m sure that’s not it at all. They’re all very nice, is all.” I run my hand over the top of his thigh and he looks at it.

“Did I give you permission to do that?”

I move my hand. “Sorry, Master. No, you did not give me permission to do that.”

“Seems you bring out the protective side of my mother and little brother. Why do you think that is?” He steps on the gas and goes pretty fast.

“My age, I guess.” I watch the speedometer move up fast and reach around to grab the seatbelt.

“You don’t trust me or what, Jenna?” He looks straight ahead.

“It’s not that. It’s the law, Rod. Nothing more than that. Please don’t read anything into it. Let’s go have a nice time tonight. It’s so rare you take me with you when you go out. I’d like to enjoy it. Maybe you’ll see fit to dance with me some.” I buckle the safety belt and he throws on the brakes and makes a sharp right.

“We’ll see. There are some grown-ass women in this place, baby. I’m going to let you see how they treat a man.” His eyes go narrow as he pulls the pack of cigarettes off the ledge in front of the steering wheel. He hands the pack with the lighter inside it to me. “Light one up for me.”

He knows I hate doing this, and I don’t really know why he makes me do it. And I don’t know what the hell he meant by what he just said. But asking him will get me into trouble, so I do what he’s said and light up the cigarette then hand it to him as I cough.

He laughs and puts the nasty thing in his mouth. “Tonight, I expect you to smoke at least one of these. The entire thing.”

My body goes tense and I look down. “I won’t be doing that, Rod. My grandfather died from lung cancer. I’ve told you that a lot of times.”

“No one has proven that cigarettes caused that.”

I hold the pack up where it says exactly that on the side of the packaging, and he looks back at me with squinted eyes as he blows smoke in my face.

I place the pack back where he had it and turn my head and cough again.

We pull into the packed parking lot and stop. He gets out and reaches in for me, so I take his hand. We wait as Reed pulls in next to us and Pam gets out of the passenger side.

She waves her hand through the cloud of smoke Rod just exhaled. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you smoking is very bad for you, Rod?”

He laughs. “Yeah, Jenna just lectured the shit out of me about just that same thing. What’s up with chicks these days?”

My eyebrows raise up high.

He thought that was a lecture?

Reed comes around and takes Pam by the hand and we all start walking in. “Are they going to let her in here, Rod?” he asks.

“I’m a regular. They give me special treatment here. What I say goes, little brother.” He pulls me in tight to his side. “My woman is welcome anywhere I am. As long as I want it that way.”

Reed moves up next to me and looks at me. “You come here a lot with him?”

I shake my head. “This is the first time he’s brought me here. He always comes here alone.”

Reed looks at Rod with a frown. “You leave her home and come out here by yourself, Rod?”

“So?” Rod says as he pulls the door open and smoke billows out of it. We walk straight into the thick stuff and I cough again.

A tall, skinny, blonde woman looks at Rod. “Four shots and four beers coming up, Rod.”

He smiles. “See, they know how to treat me here.” He leads us to a table in a dark corner and in no time another woman is bringing the drinks on a tray. I wince as, after she places the drinks in front of everyone, she takes a seat on Rod’s lap and runs her arms around his neck.

“It’s been a week. Where’ve you been, stud?” Her red lips touch his cheek and he smiles at her after he pulls back.

He gives her a wink. “The holidays, girl. My old lady had me busy with domestic shit this week. No time for play. But this is New Year’s Eve and playtime is upon us.”

The woman looks at me. “So this is the old ball and chain, huh?”

He nods. “This is my woman, Jenna.”

Reed clears his throat, and the woman looks at him. “And this is Reed Manning. The hottest motherfucker this town ever let go. How you been, college boy?”

“Mona, nice to see you again. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen you on my brother’s lap.”

Heat goes all through me as I look at her. “Are you one of his exes?”

A smile moves over her face. Her very heavily made-up face with the tell-tale lines of a face which has sucked on its fair share of cigarettes and dicks. “I wouldn’t call myself an ex.”

Rod pushes at her to get off his lap. “Mona and I never really dated, Jenna.”

She laughs as she stands up, but leaves her hand on his shoulder. “No, we’ve never really dated. But does anyone date the legendary bad boy, Rod Manning?”

“I have,” I say and pick up the shot of whiskey and down it as I look into her light blue eyes.

Rod’s arm goes around my shoulders and his lips touch the side of my head. “Easy, baby. She’s not a threat,” he growls in my ear.

I put the shot glass on the table and she smiles. “I’ll get you another, Missy.” Then she swings her hips as she walks away and I find Rod watching her.

“Rod!” I say under my breath.

His eyes move to mine. “What?” He takes his shot and downs it. Then he looks at his brother. “Well, what are you waiting for, boy? Drink up!”

Reed looks at me and I see a little sadness in his deep blue eyes. He picks up his shot and raises it to me. “Here’s to the girl who got Rod Manning to settle down.” Then he drinks it, slams the glass on the table, and glares at his brother.

Rod laughs and picks up his beer. “I wouldn’t say that.”

Reed doesn’t laugh as he says, “Yeah, I may have spoken too soon.”

The woman brings another round already, leans over Rod’s shoulder, and whispers something into his ear. He looks at her and then at me. “Someone has challenged me to a game of pool. You don’t mind, do you, baby?”

“Of course I don’t.” I pick up the beer and take a drink to calm my anger.

Rod looks at Reed. “Watch my woman for me, little bro. Don’t let any jackass bother her. Get me?”

Reed nods. As Rod walks away, Reed looks at me and says, “You heard what he said. So when are you going to get smart, Jenna?”

“What?” I ask in confusion. My eyes follow Rod as he walks up to yet another woman, and she falls all over him and kisses him right on the mouth.

I look away and Reed turns back and sees what his brother is doing. “I remember you were a smart girl. Weren’t you even a Sunday school teacher for a while there, Jenna? What the hell happened?”

“I had no idea you knew a thing about me,” I say and turn my chair so I can’t see Rod head-on anymore.

“What the hell are you doing with Rod?” Reed taps the table in front of me to get me to look up at him.

“He’s been after me since I was sixteen. I guess he wore me down.” I take another drink and, out of the corner of my eye, I see Rod lean over the pool table with the woman in his arms to make a shot. His dick is pressed up against her and my blood is boiling.

Reed and Pam turn back to look at Rod and his antics and they look back at me. The girl looks at me with sorrow in her dark eyes and Reed looks at me like I’m an idiot.

I feel awful and would love nothing more than to go back home. And now that I know this is what happens when he goes out, I know I’ll get a knot in my stomach every time he does from now on.

Before, I pictured Rod as hanging out with other men and shooting some pool and drinking, and not once were there women in the picture.

How wrong I was!

Reed and Pam finish their drinks and he takes one more look back at his brother, who’s kissing the woman. His hands are gripping her ass as he grinds his dick into her.

“Come on. We’ll take you home, Jenna. This isn’t cool at all.” Reed gets up and Pam does too.

I sit still. “I can’t go with you guys. Thank you, though.”

Pam looks at me. “Come on. If you want, we can drop you off at your parents’ or even Rod’s parents’, if you’d rather not go back to your house. I wouldn’t if I was you.”

“It’s okay. Thank you. I have to stay and go with Rod.” I pick up the shot and drink it.

Reed comes to me and places his hand on my shoulder. Despite the numbing effects of the alcohol, I feel the current of electricity flow through my body and my insides pulse.

I look up into his dark blue eyes as he says, “Jenna, just come with me.”

The next thing I know, Rod’s head pops over his brother’s shoulder. “Hands off my woman, little bro.”

Reed removes his hand and turns to face his brother. “I wasn’t really touching her, Rod. And maybe you should stop the bullshit and pay attention to her, since you brought her here and all. The thing with the sluts is a bit much, and I really don’t like to see someone as good as Jenna is treated the way you’re treating her.”

“Mind your business, little bro.” Rod reaches around him and takes my hand. “Let’s dance, baby.”

He pulls me around Reed and, as our bodies graze past each other, I feel the current again and my knees go kind of weak. “Bye. Thank you,” I say as Rod pulls me along behind him and I look back at Reed.

The edges of his eyes droop a little and he and Pam walk out of the bar as Rod pulls me into his arms and holds me tight. “Did you like watching me with that girl?”

“No,” I say very fast, and then realize I’ve said a word that will get me punished.

He stops dancing and looks at me. Then he laughs. “For that, I want you to follow that slut into the bathroom next time she goes and beat the fuck out of her for what she did to me.”

“You did that to her. It wasn’t exactly her fault.” He starts moving us again with the music. “It’s up to you to curtail that kind of thing. Isn’t that what you tell me about other men?”

“I’m a man with needs, and she was in the right place at the right time. If it makes you feel any better, your body is better than hers, and I like grinding my dick against you much more.” He twirls us around, and then his mouth is on mine.

I feel like pushing him away, but I know that will get my ass beat, most likely right here in front of everyone. He stops his hard kiss and lets me out of his arms. “She just went in. Go in there and teach her to keep her cunt away from me.”

He spins me around and smacks me on the ass. I walk away, not sure what to do.

I’ve never been in a fight, much less provoked one. The woman has to be at least five or six years older than me. And she looks rough.

Pushing the bathroom door open, I turn and lock it behind me. When she comes out of the stall, I look at her, reminding myself of what will surely happen to me if she doesn’t look kind of roughed up when she walks out of here.

I take in a deep breath then say, “I don’t like what I saw you doing with my man, bitch!”

She washes her hands, then grabs a paper towel and looks at me through the mirror. “That guy is the biggest whore, baby girl. If it wasn’t me, it would’ve been some other woman. As a matter of fact, he’s most likely fucking around with another woman out there as we speak. Don’t take it personally. Rod Manning is just a dog who likes to stick his dick into any woman he can.”

And just like that, I snap. Her hair is in my fist and I’m banging her head against the porcelain sink.

Blood splashes on my arm as her forehead splits open. I let her go when I see the blood and my body starts shaking. “Keep your filthy cunt away from my man, bitch!”

I unlock the door and hurry out. Rod is wrapped around another woman and I walk right past them as I go outside.

The next thing I know, he’s grabbing me up and carrying me through the parking lot. “Is that blood?”

I nod and feel the sting of tears in my eyes. He puts me down as he unlocks the truck and opens the door then looks back at me. “Get in, Rocky!”

Getting inside the truck I start to cry as he gets in and starts it up and hurries out of the parking lot. He looks over at me with a big grin. “Don’t you fucking cry!” He frowns as he sees the tears. “I’ll fucking take every tear out of your hide. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Master.” I wipe the tears away and suck it up.

“I’m proud of you. That’s one of the first womanly things I’ve seen you do. You’re taking those steps to being the woman I need, a tough bitch who doesn’t take shit from any other woman. If it was the other way around, I’d beat any motherfucker’s ass who laid a hand on my woman.”

“But you told me I had to accept you being with other women. I don’t understand, Rod,” I say as I look at him in confusion.

“Maybe once in a while, I’d like to see you stand up for yourself. That’s all.”

And now I’m thoroughly confused by this man …

Chapter 4

JENNA

Rod and I have made it another year, and Christmas Eve has us back at his parents’ home for their annual party. This is my first one. Sue picked me up earlier and Rod is going to meet me here a little later.

I have no idea where the man is, as he didn’t have work today, but he’s off somewhere and texted me to go with his mother. Hopefully he’s somewhere buying me a present and not doing anything bad.

Sue spins around with powdered sugar on her cheeks after closing the oven door on her last batch of sugar cookies. “Jenna, would you be a dear and watch these and take them out for me when the timer goes off? I have to shower and get cleaned up before the guests arrive.”

“Sure thing, Sue. I’ll handle this.” I take a seat on a barstool and pick up the food magazine she has laid out on the counter. “Take your time.”

She gives my cheek a kiss as she floats by me and I smile at her.

Sue’s been just like a mother to me. She’s the sweetest thing, and it kind of aggravates me how Rod is about her. He calls her meddling and tells me not to talk to her too much.

I like her though and don’t see her like that at all. The back door opens up and my heart stops as Reed comes inside. He looks at me. “Hi, Jenna. I didn’t know you were here. I didn’t see Rod’s truck outside.”

“Your mom picked me up.” I look back at the magazine that my hands suddenly hold very tightly to.

I knew he was coming in today. I have no idea why I’m reacting like a school girl with a crush.

Reed walks right up to me and holds out his arms. “It’s customary to give Christmas Eve hugs in this family, Jenna. And if anyone catches you under the mistletoe hanging in the living room then you have to accept the kiss. Even if it’s stinky old Uncle Lou.” He laughs and continues to hold out his arms.

I climb off the chair and let him hug me. I try to think of anything else as our bodies touch and all I can do is take in a deep breath.

He smells like pine needles and nutmeg. It’s awesome, and I shouldn’t love it so much. I also shouldn’t never want to let him go, but that’s exactly how I feel.

I pull away anyway and find him gazing down at me. His hand runs through my blonde waves and he lets out a sigh. “I’ve always thought you had the most beautiful head of hair in town, Jenna.”

I smile and blush. “Thank you. I have to admit I’ve always thought your hair was a nice shade of blond, myself.”

He sits on the barstool next to mine as I get back on it. He takes the magazine and pushes it away so I can’t reach it and have to talk to him, I suppose. “So, how’s everything been going? Have you jerked a knot in my brother’s tail yet?”

I laugh. “I don’t think that’s even possible. He’s pretty bull-headed.”

“And a complete ass,” Reed says with a laugh. “Is he still going out without you?”

I nod. “I don’t like to go out anyway.”

“Bet you don’t when he pulls the kind of shit he does. So when do you think you’ll have enough and come to your senses?” His fingers tap the countertop and I watch them.

They’re long and lean and look strong. Not that Rod’s aren’t, but Reed’s are well manicured.

“I love the man. What can I say?”

“Love? So when’s the big day? Has he asked you to marry him?” He gets up and goes to look in the fridge for something, then takes out two bottles of water and brings one to me.

“Marriage is not a thing he wants. He doesn’t believe in it,” I tell him as I try to open the water.

But it’s proving hard to open, and he takes it from me and opens it, then hands it back. “So what’s the plan, then?”

“I suppose this is it. We live together.” I take a drink as I notice him watching me.

“You, Jenna, are wife material. Not shacking up material.” He takes a drink.

My faces heats, and I know I’m blushing. “Thank you, I guess.”

Setting the water down, he looks me over. “So about college. Have you thought any more about going? I recall you made very good grades in school, young lady.” His hand moves over my shoulder and I freeze with the zing of the sparks that shoots through me.

“How would you know anything about my grades, Reed?” I get up so his hand can’t do that to me anymore.

The timer goes off, and I pick up the pot holder and get the cookies from the oven. When I stand back up I catch him looking at my ass with his head cocked to one side.

“So, my grades, Reed? How would you know about them?” I ask, making him look away from my ass. But secretly it pleases me to no end that he would do such a thing.

“I helped grade papers for a few teachers and yours were always very good. So, college? Tell me what kinds of things you’re interested in, Jenna Foster.” He gets up and comes to pick up a hot cookie off the tray fresh from the oven then quickly drops it back down on it. “Ow! It’s hot!”

“You think?” I ask with a laugh.

His lightly tanned cheeks go pink and I have to look away because I want to run my hands over them so damn bad. Placing the tray on the stovetop, I turn to find him kind of hovering around me.

So I pick up my water and go to the living room. “That was the last batch of cookies.”

He follows me and when I take a seat on the sofa he takes the place right next to me. “So, what kind of things might you want to go to school for?”

“Reed, I honestly don’t know. And what are you doing out there in California? Rod never talks about it.” I sit back and see his eyes light up.

“I’m actually doing very well selling real estate there. You know, if you wanted to go to college, my real estate firm could give you scholarships to go. It wouldn’t cost you a dime.”

“Your firm? Like the one you work for?” I ask as he runs his arm over the back of the couch and his fingertips are near my shoulder. And I swear I can feel sparks coming from them.

“I own it,” he says. Then his fingertips touch my shoulder and I go all hot inside. “And I would love to use some of that money to put you through college. So what is it you’d like to do?”

“Teaching little kids was a thing I always thought I’d like to do. When I was a Sunday school teacher for the little kids at our church, I loved it. But Rod doesn’t want me to work,” I say, and his fingers leave my shoulder and the heat inside me dissipates.

“Well, Rod can get the fuck over it, can’t he?” He smiles, and I frown.

Rod doesn’t get the fuck over anything!

The front door opens and in walks Rod. His face goes frozen as he looks at us. “How fucking cozy is this shit?”

Reed gets up and walks to him, holding out his arms. “Come on, big bro, Christmas Eve hugs!”

Rod looks over his brother’s shoulder at me with a bit of a glare on his face. Then he looks at his brother. “When did you get here?”

“A little while ago. Jenna has been keeping me company.” Reed turns around to walk back and my heart stops as Rod looks hard at me.

“Get me a beer, baby,” he barks, and I jump up and move fast to get it.

I freeze as Reed grabs my arm as I try to hurry past him. “Hold up there, Jenna. No reason to run. I’ll grab him one. I am closer to the kitchen.”

I look at Rod, but he gives me no clue as to what he wants me to do. Reed lets me go and walks into the kitchen. I go to sit next to Rod.

Anger radiates from him. “Jenna, care to explain?”

Before I can say a word, Reed comes back and tosses a beer to him. “About Jenna, Rod. She has this crazy notion you don’t want her to get an education or a job. Tell her how she’s mistaken.”

“She isn’t mistaken.” He takes a long drink. “I take care of her. There’s no need for any of that.”

“When do you plan on marrying her?” Reed stands just in front of him.

“Take a seat, bro.” Rod looks his brother in the eye and takes another drink.

Rod sits in the chair across from us. “So, when was that you said?”

“Not that it’s a damn bit of your business, but I don’t believe in marriage. Jenna and I have discussed things. We know what we both want and we’re doing it.” Then his head swivels and he looks at me, then back at Reed. “Or did she tell you something different?”

“No!” I say and then shut up as his head snaps and he looks at me, then back at Reed.

Reed’s eyes go narrow as he looks at us both. “She didn’t say anything, Rod. I brought it up. I just want to know when you plan on making an honest woman out her.”

“Why?” Rod asks as he runs his hand down my leg. He takes the hem of my dress and curls his fingers under it possessively.

His mother walks in and I sigh. “Hey, Sue. The cookies are out. Want some help frosting them?”

“Sure,” she says, all cheerfully.

I look at Rod. “Can I go help her?”

“Sure,” he says, and I get up and notice Reed giving his brother a dirty look.

As I leave the room, I hear Reed ask, “Does she have to get your permission for everything, Rod?”

I listen for Rod’s response. “If she knows what’s good for her ass, she does.”

Then I slip into the kitchen and stop eavesdropping on them.

I pick up a spoon and stir the red food coloring into the white icing Sue’s dropped into it. “I love Christmas,” she says.

Reed comes into the kitchen. “Can I help?”

His mother is humming a Christmas carol. “Of course, my baby boy. Hey, would you put on some music to help us get into that holiday spirit, son?”

He goes over to the small television that hangs on the wall of the attached dining room, finds the remote, and puts on some holiday music, then comes back.

“Where’s Rod?” I ask.

“He went to go get some beer. He said he’ll be back soon.” Reed moves in next to me.

His mother places a bowl of icing in front of him and drops some green food coloring into it. “Reed, grab us all some aprons, would you, dear?”

He leaves the place next to me and in moments he’s back. I feel his body right behind mine. He’s so close, and then his arms are around me as he puts the apron over my head and his hands graze my stomach as he smooths it out, takes the strings, and ties it behind my back.

I have to fight myself not to let my body fall back to his. It’s nearly overwhelming. My head feels light, and I don’t know how he makes me feel like this.

It’s beyond anything I’ve ever felt with Rod, and I feel instantly awful for this. I shake my head to try to clear it. “Thank you, Reed.”

Then my panties go wet as he leans even closer. His lips brush the hair around my ear as he says in a deep, husky voice, “You’re welcome, Jenna.”

I’m nearly shaking as he moves back and puts his apron on, then hands one to his mother. All too soon he’s back beside me and his elbow gently pushes into my side. I scoot over a smidge to stop the connection.

“I’ll be right back,” I say and nearly run out of the kitchen to the bathroom down the hall.

As I get inside it, I close the door and fall back on it. I don’t understand how I can be so attracted to him. I do love Rod.

I do!

After splashing some cold water on my face and calming myself down, I go back out and find Rod standing under the mistletoe. He’s smiling at me. “Hey, baby,” he says with a sweet sound to his voice.

His arms open and I move into them, and his mouth takes mine in a sweet kiss. Not hard, not demanding. Just sweet. And my body melts into his.

His arms go around me as he sways with me, then our lips part and he looks down at me. The blue in his eyes has a silvery quality to them and sparkles a little.

It’s times like this that make him so special to me. Love flows from my heart and I feel it coming from him, though he’d never say the word.

I run my hand over his scruffy cheek and he takes my hand and kisses the top softly. Then the doorbell rings and he reluctantly lets me go. Taking my hand, he takes me with him to answer the door and let in the first of his many family members who will be at the party tonight.

As he opens the door we find his cousin, A.J. holding up a bottle of Jack Daniels. “Ready to get fucked up, cuz?”

I roll my eyes as Rod says, “Fuck, yeah!”

I step back with Rod to let the man near Rod’s age in and say, “Now that’s the Christmas spirit.” My words come out heavily laced with sarcasm.

A.J. follows us to the kitchen and, as we travel through the living room, he stops under the mistletoe. “Jenna, look where I am.”

Rod and I turn back and Rod shakes his head. “Not happening, dude.” Then he pulls me along with him and leans in to whisper “Not with anyone but me. Got me, baby?”

“Yes,” I answer and see Reed glance up when he comes our way.

“You were helping frost cookies one minute, then gone the next, Jenna,” he says. “I suppose Rod happened to you.” He gives his brother a look.

Rod lets my hand go, then runs his arm around my neck and pulls me in tight to him. “And I happen to her every night, and sometimes in the afternoon and morning too. Ain’t that right, baby?”

I faintly hit at his broad chest and feel the heat filling my face with embarrassment. “My God, Rod!”

His lips press against my temple as he laughs deeply. “What, baby? I’m proud you’re, mine is all.”

Sue turns around and shakes a spoon dripping with red frosting as she looks at him. “Rod! Stop that! You know I hate when you talk about her as if she’s something that belongs to you. Jenna is a person, not an object you own.”

His hand runs down to my ass and he gives one cheek a squeeze and whispers to me, “If she only knew.”

With his words, my body heats with some type of excitement this time. I can’t explain what knowing I belong to him sometimes does to me. It’s odd, and I think it sets me back in the women’s liberation movement by decades, but it’s hot for some damn reason.

Reed turns back to his cookie decorating and I glance at him for only a moment. He wears a frown, and it makes me feel awful.

 

As the night wears on and Rod and his cousins get thoroughly trashed, I find myself sitting in a quiet corner of the den, a room not often used by the Manning family.

I like the fireplace in here, though. The fire has burned nearly all the way down and it gives the small room a nice golden glow.

I watch the embers and what’s left of the flames. Then I hear someone clearing their throat. “Mind if I join you?”

Without looking up, I know it’s Reed and answer, “Of course you can, Reed. This is your home, after all.”

The room has one loveseat and a chair in it and I’m sitting in the chair, so he takes the loveseat. He sprawls out on it, taking it all up, and lays his head back on the arm of it as he looks at me. Then his gaze moves to the fire.

“What a night, huh?” he asks.

“Yes, it’s very, let’s say, festive.” I smile, as it’s so different from how my family celebrates. Wild and full of alcohol and dirty jokes is what this family does.

My family is traditional. We celebrate on Christmas afternoon after church services, a place I have to be at tomorrow while I’m sure Rod will be staying home and sleeping tonight off.

“Your man is tying one on. I doubt he’ll be in any condition to drive home. You should talk him into staying the night here in his old bedroom. Mom keeps our bedrooms just like we’ve always had them. The bed’s a single, but if you work it out right, you’ll fit too.” He gives me a wink. “Or you can take the guestroom just down the hallway. It’s next to my room. You could drop by if you wanted to talk or something like that.”

My eyes move from the fire to look at him. Bathed in the golden light, he looks like some kind of model. The light brings out the especially shiny parts in his blond hair. His eyes seem to dance with the firelight and his lips look plump and very inviting.

My body feels the drag of the magnetism it has for him. I guess it’s kind of natural since I have such a strong thing for his brother to have some kind of attraction to Reed as well.

I suppose it’s natural …

“I want you to know you can tell me anything, Jenna. Anything at all. If you need my help, I’m here for you. You should really think about college. You can take online classes. I can help you. I want to help you.” His eyes dance as he looks at me. “Are you really happy with my brother?”

I look back at the fire. “Of course I am.”

“Will you be happy letting him take care of you forever?”

Being twenty years old does have me thinking of a future for myself. But Rod is adamant that I must be available for him at all times. If not, then he’ll find another female to take care of his needs. I can’t stand the thought of that.

“I suppose so. He and I are in it until the end.” I turn my head to look at him.

I find him smiling. “No ring. No marriage. I think you have too much faith in him, Jenna. You don’t know him like I do.”

I look away and think he doesn’t know his brother like I do.

Reed gets up, comes toward me, and leans over. My body heats and my lips quiver as he’s so close. But instead of taking me into his arms or kissing me, he picks up the cell phone in my lap and taps in his phone number and saves it.

He places it back on my lap and goes back to his lounging position on the loveseat. “There. Now you have my number. You call me if you need anything. Anything at all. I mean it.”

A smile creeps over my face as I look down at his name and number still glowing on my phone’s screen. “K. Thanks.”

“Baby?” I hear Rod slurring as he looks into the room.

I hit the button to make my phone screen go dark. “Yes, Rod. I’m in here.”

He’s drunk and leans on the door frame. “What are you two doing all alone in here?”

Reed sits up. “Just talking. What are you doing?”

“I’m ready to take my woman home and give her a good old- fashioned Christmas fucking.”

I jump up and move quickly to him. “Jesus, Rod!”

Taking him by the arm, I pull on him to come with me. Reed gets up and comes to us. “You should stay the night here. You’re pretty drunk, bro.”

Rod runs his hand over my head very clumsily and says, “Nah. What I plan on doing to her will have her screaming my name, so staying here is out.”

Reed reaches into Rod’s front pocket and digs out the keys as Rod protests, but he can’t seem to function enough to stop him. Reed places the keys in my hand. “Let her drive, at least.”

Rod smiles. “You want to drive me, baby?”

“Yes,” I say as I start to pull him along.

“Yes, what?” he asks as he stops and stares at me.

I look into his eyes. “Do you remember where you are, Rod? At your family’s home. With your brother looking right at you.”

“Yes, what?” he asks again.

I lean in and whisper, “Yes, Master.”

He smiles and Reed looks at me. I think he heard me even though I said it very quietly. But he makes no remark other than saying, “Bye. See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Reed. Have a merry Christmas,” I say as Rod leans his weight on me and I struggle to the door with him.

Reed follows along and helps me get him into the truck. Rod slumps in the passenger side. Reed seatbelts him in, then walks with me to the driver’s side. “If he falls asleep, just leave him in the truck. He’ll be fine, and it won’t be the first time he’s slept in that position.”

“Thank you. I’ll do that.” I open the door and get in and Rod is already snoring.

Reed chuckles. “Looks like you won’t be screaming his name tonight.”

I look down and go scarlet. “Good night, Reed.”

He shuts the door and I start the truck up and drive home.

To my complete amazement, Rod wakes up just as I turn the truck off at our small house and looks at me with wide eyes. “You two! What the fuck were you doing alone with another man?”

I get out of the truck and go around to help him, but he seems to be no longer drunk somehow. He gets out and slams the door, so I hurry to unlock the house and get inside.

He slams the front door closed and locks the door. “Answer me!”

“I was watching the fire, and he came and sat down and we talked about nothing, really. Not a big deal. And he is your brother, Rod. Not some man.”

I turn to walk to our bedroom as he says, “Well, since you were alone with a man and I have no idea what it is you were doing, then you need to know I will be alone with some woman and you will have no idea what it is we’re doing.”

I stop and turn back to look at him. “Are you serious? He’s your brother, Rod. Neither of us would do anything to hurt you. Now don’t threaten me with that, please.”

“He’d hurt me. He has before. And I’m not threatening you, Jenna. I will be doing something with some woman. Just know that, baby. And have a merry fucking Christmas!” Then he falls on the sofa and promptly passes out.

I slam into the bedroom and fall on the bed and cry.

Merry fucking Christmas, indeed!

Chapter 5

REED

The first sunrise of the new year and here I am sitting alone in my parents’ backyard.

A swimming pool would look very nice back here …

I’ll make that happen before summer gets here this year. I have a financial secret I’ve been keeping from my entire family. My real estate business has been good.

Well, great, actually. I’ve managed to become a billionaire through the sales and investments. But I’ve kept it all very low key.

My mom and dad and even brother aren’t jackals, but the rest of my family is, and I can see the Manning clan making nuisances of themselves.

Many would think of me as their personal ATM machine. And many would suddenly want to visit me in California. Maybe want to stay at the Bel-Air mansion I just bought a few months ago.

I can see the old trucks driving through the ritzy neighborhood now. Yeah, the neighbors would hate me for sure.

The sliding glass door rumbles open as Mom comes out. Her steaming cup of coffee leaves her in a cloud of fog as she emerges after the nearly all-night party they threw for New Year’s Eve.

“Good morning, sunshine,” I say very quietly, because she most likely has a hangover. “Sleep well?”

She takes the lawn chair next to mine and sips her coffee. Bloodshot eyes look at me. “No.”

I smile at her. “Mom, when will you learn not to take shots at your age? Stick with the wine and leave the tough stuff to Rod and his cousins.”

Her lips curve into a smile. “You’ve always called those rowdy boys your brother’s cousins. Never yours. Why is that?”

“They’re nothing like me. All of them are the same. Work only as much as needed. Spend every last dime they manage to make so they’re broke as hell the day before payday. Then drink away half their paycheck on payday. It’s a vicious cycle Rod and his cousins are in.” The sun catches my eye as it rises over the area I’ve decided the pool should go.

“They are your family, son. You’ve always stayed to yourself so much. You should try to get to know a few of the cousins now that you all are older and all that rivalry is gone.” I watch her sip her coffee and fight a frown.

To become successful, I’ve learned to start each day on positive notes. Thinking about trying to find some common ground with the men in my extended family is not a positive note.

“So, Mom. I’m going to be sending a swimming pool company out here soon. I’d like to have you a pool in by summer. Something nice and large. You have so many parties, and I think one would look nice out here in this big backyard.”

“Reed, that would be nice, but way too expensive. I don’t think we can afford it. Not now since your father and I have retired.” She sips her coffee. “Thank you, though.”

“Mom, I have the money to pay cash for it, and I’ll pay a pool cleaner to handle the care of it. It’ll be something that doesn’t cost you a cent. By the way, I found this month’s electric bill in the stack of bills you and Dad have. I set up for it to be paid straight out of one of my bank accounts. So don’t go freaking out when no more of those bills come in. I’m taking care of it from now on.” I stretch my legs out and cross them at my ankles.

“I can’t let you do that, son. Change it back,” she says as she looks over the rim of her old brown coffee mug she’s had since I was a kid.

“Mom, I’m not changing anything back. As a matter of fact, I went down to Doug’s Autoplex and left some money down there. You and Dad can go down this week and both of you can pick out any brand new cars you want. There’s enough money down there for you each to get something you absolutely love. It’s my Christmas present to you guys.”

Her face turns very slowly as she looks at me. “Reed, just how much money have you been making over there in California?”

“Enough,” I say, and put my hands behind my head and lean back on them. “I’m going to take care of you and Dad from now on. You need something, you call me. You merely want something, you call me. I’m leaving a bank card with Dad. It’s an account I’ve set up for you guys. I’m having your card sent in the mail. It should be arriving any day now. Use it for all of your expenses. Groceries, whatever you want or need. Got it?”

She puts the cup down on the small table beside her and stands up. Her hair is flat on one side where she slept on it. The silver curls are pressed in neat circles against her head.

Mom has light blue eyes. They used to be dark, but they’ve faded over the years. Her thin lips part as she asks, “Reed, just how much money are you making now? Tell me the truth.”

“Plenty, Mom. That’s all you need to know. And it’s all legal stuff.” I smile at her and get up. “I’ll make some breakfast for you and Dad. You want me to bring you out some more coffee?”

She shakes her head. “I’m coming inside with you. You have to leave in the morning, and I want to spend every minute I can with you before you have to go.”

I slide the noisy glass door back open and make a note to have it replaced. Then a thought pops into my head. “Why don’t you and Dad find a nice lot and I’ll buy it and have you a house built on it?”

“Nothing doing, Moneybags. Your father bought us this home only three years after we married. We’re going to die in this home.” She sits at the bar and I refill her coffee cup.

“Fine. But I’m going to have someone come and do some repairs and replace a few things.” I go to the fridge and take out the bacon and sausage I bought yesterday. “That glass door is the first thing I want to be replaced. Don’t you think a nice set of French doors would go great there? And once the pool’s in then it’ll look very pretty.”

Mom looks at the glass door and nods. “That would look nice, wouldn’t it?”

Pulling my cell phone out of my blue jeans’ pocket, I text Rod to see if he and Jenna want to join us for breakfast. Before I put it back I see he’s responded with a very short answer, Fuck you, I’m sleeping.

I place the phone on the counter and wait to see if he wakes up a bit and changes his mind. Rod’s always been a real grump in the mornings.

Then Jenna comes into my mind. I wonder how she’s doing this morning. She was so quiet last night at the party. Rod was roaring drunk again, and she was to herself.

I don’t know why she thinks she has to settle for life with Rod. I glance at Mom who’s gazing around, I assume looking at things that need repaired or fixed up some.

“Mom, do you think Rod’s treating Jenna well?” I ask as I fill a pan with strips of bacon.

The way her eyes go droopy all of a sudden answers my question. “Your brother is a hard man. You know that. But maybe Jenna can calm him down. He seems very attached to her. Protective over her, you know?”

“Possessive of her is how I see it. I’ve watched her around him. She’s skittish. She never was before. I used to watch her when we were in high school together. She was a sweet girl with lots of friends. I haven’t heard her talk about any of the girls she used to hang out with. Have you?” I form the sausage into patties and fill another pan full of them.

Mom shakes her head, then runs her hand through her silver, short curls. “I have not heard her talk about any of them. When she was in my class in junior high school I do recall her having a lot of friends. She and one girl in particular, Patty Slater, were very close. But that family moved, if I do recall.”

I nod and ask, “Do you think Rod hurts her?”

Mom shakes her head. “No, son! Goodness, no! Your father would rip him a new one and you know that.”

“What if he is and Jenna just doesn’t want to tell anyone? Rod used to be very mean, Mom. Do you remember how he was about punishing things when he thought they did wrong? The puppy who peed in the living room when he was ten?” I turn the bacon in the hot pan.

Mom nods and sips her coffee. “We found the poor puppy strung up in the string that opens the window blinds. Rod actually shouted at me when I was cutting the poor thing out of the knots he’d made with the string to hold him off the floor. He told me he was teaching him not to use the bathroom in the house and the puppy had ten more minutes of punishment before he was to be let down. And then he was going to spank the puppy until he thought it had learned.”

A shiver runs through me as I think about another time Rod decided punishment was necessary. I was five and had gone into his bedroom to put some laundry on his bed. Mom had asked me to do it and when I was walking out he came up the hallway. The next thing I knew, I was punched in the mouth and locked in his closet.

He left me there, bleeding, crying, and very confused. It seemed like forever before Mom found me and set me free. When I told her what he did she talked to him and he told her he was teaching me to stay out of his bedroom.

Rod’s always been into teaching and not in a good way!

“She asks him before she does anything, Mom,” I say as I pull the cooked bacon out of the pan and place it on a paper towel lined plate.

I hear the sound of Rod’s truck pulling into the driveway and shortly thereafter the front door opens. “Is it ready?” Rod shouts.

“Not quite,” I shout back. “And I thought you were sleeping.”

“So you didn’t make enough?” he asks as he comes into the kitchen; Jenna is quiet and a step behind him. Her head lowered, and she looks pale.

“I’m making more than enough,” I say, then look around him at Jenna, who’s staying just behind him. “Morning, Jenna. Think you can help me out and put some biscuits on a baking sheet and get them in the oven for me? My hands are kind of full right now.”

She whispers, “Is that okay, Rod?”

Before he can answer, I say, “Of course it is. Come here.”

“Go,” he says with a gruff voice. “Get me some coffee first.”

“Yes, I will,” she says in a very quiet voice without looking at anyone.

Mom gives me a sideways glance telling me to stay out of it, but I can’t. “So, what have you two been up to this morning?” I take the coffee from the counter before Jenna can and hand it to my brother, who looks at me with a slight glare in his steel-blue eyes.

“Not much. It looks like you’ve been up for a while. All showered and dressed. Jenna got up at the fucking crack of dawn too. It bothered the shit out of me, as she a made racket going in and out of the house. Looking at the fucking sunrise, she said.” He takes his coffee and walks out of the kitchen and into the living room where I hear him turn on the television.

I turn around to say something to Jenna and find her backing up with the tray of biscuits. I hit her accidentally on her back with my arm. She doesn’t make a sound, but flinches like hell and quickly steps away from me.

“Sorry, Jenna. Did I hurt you?” I take her by the shoulder and gently turn her back to me.

She doesn’t look up at me as she answers, “No, I’m fine. You startled me, is all.”

Rod shouts from the living room. “More coffee!”

Jenna hurries to put the biscuits in the oven, then grabs the pot and nearly runs to the living room with it to fill the asshole’s cup.

“Lazy bastard,” I grumble under my breath.

Mom gets up. “I’m going to shower and dress before breakfast. I’ll get your father up too.”

As she leaves the kitchen, Jenna comes back in and places the nearly empty pot in the coffee maker. She takes out the filter full of old coffee grounds and throws it away, then gets a new one and fills it with fresh grounds.

I place a jug of spring water on the counter. “You want to use this? It makes better coffee.”

She nods and pours the water into the reservoir. “Thank you.”

I make sure to keep my voice quiet as I ask, “Everything okay, Jen?”

“Yes.” She walks over to check the biscuits. “Would you like me to get the eggs out for you?”

“That would be nice. Thank you.” I try hard not to stare at her as she takes them out of the fridge and places the carton on the counter top. “Can you crack them into a bowl and scramble them for me?”

She nods and gets to work on that. When she reaches up into the overhead cabinet where the bowls are I see her wince again and pull her arm back to her side.

This time, I go to her and run my hand over her shoulder and move her shirt back a little. She kind of freaks out and steps away from me. I take her by the wrist, stopping her, and she winces again.

When I look down I see it’s red and I take the other one and see it’s red too. “What’s this about?”

“Nothing.” She looks away. “Normal stuff. I’d rather not discuss it. Rod would hate that.”

I let her go and turn away. “Cuffs?”

“No,” she answers as I reach up and get a bowl and place it on the counter.

“What then?” I ask as I take a whisk from the drawer and place it in the bowl for her.

“Bungee cord. You know. A little bondage. Nothing odd.” Her cheeks go pink, and she still won’t look at me.

“I don’t think anything is supposed to be so tight it leaves marks and you hurting, Jenna.” I go back to the stove, get the sausages out of the pan, take the empty pan to the sink, and grab a new one for the eggs.

“They don’t hurt, and the lines will go away in a few hours.” She starts cracking the eggs and putting them into the bowl.

I move next to her and start stirring them with the whisk as she puts them in. “You two do that kind of stuff a lot?”

She shakes her head. “No.”

“Special occasions, I assume.” I look over her shoulder and try to see down the back of her shirt.

I’m sure I’d see something on her back if I could just see down it.

Then she looks up at me and her lips part. Then they close again and she looks down. “Yes, only now and then. You know, normal fun. Nothing odd.”

She’s said normal and odd way too many times, so I push it a little more. “You still have my number if you need anything. And I’m going to be sending you some information on Arizona State University. Rod doesn’t have to know a thing. You can do the classes while he’s at work.”

She takes the now-empty carton and goes to the trash, then comes back to my side and whispers, “Okay.” Then she walks away leaving me feeling off balanced.

She comes back with Rod’s empty coffee cup and, as she’s refilling it, I decide to make a daring and risky move. I walk up behind her and run my hands from her shoulders down her arms and lean in close. “This will be our secret, okay?”

Without turning back, she whispers, “Okay. Thank you.”

I step back and she leaves the kitchen. I find my hands buzzing from the contact with her soft skin.

My body reacts to her more than it ever has to anyone and I am left with such a desire for her. I have to readjust my jeans as my cock sprang to life with the electricity that shot through me when I felt her skin beneath my palms.

Why does she have to be with my brother?

Chapter 6

JENNA

The porcelain is cold against my cheek as Rod has me bent over the sink in the men’s bathroom at the garage he works at. He called me thirty minutes ago and told me to come over here or he was going to fuck the new girl here who answers the phones.

Apparently this man will put his dick into anything with a fucking pulse, as that woman is on the heavy side and completely unattractive.

He holds me down with one hand and with the other he holds my waist as he pounds into me from behind. I don’t know what set him off, but he’s in a terrible mood and didn’t want to talk.

Just fuck!

I cut my eyes up and see him looking into the mirror as he pounds into me. He’s watching himself and gritting his teeth as he grunts with every hard thrust.

He’s filled with angst for some reason, and it fills me with sorrow for him. I close my eyes and try to find some pleasure in this.

I’ll be expected to climax and, at this point, I’m nowhere near it. I listen to the guttural noises he’s making and focus on how his hard cock is moving in and out of me.

Our skin slaps against the other’s with every hard thrust and then he moves his hand off my back and runs it over my ass. My skirt is flipped up, and he ripped my panties off me earlier. They lie in the trash can only a few feet away from me.

He smacks my ass three times, and it sends my body into a shiver as it knows he’s about to cum. And my body knows it has to join him.

Then he leans over me as he slams into me. His teeth graze my neck. “You like this, bitch? You like my hard cock filling up your tight pussy?”

“Yes, Master.”

“You’re lucky you came when I told you to or this thick cock would be buried in the fat pussy on the other side of this door. You want that?” He bites my neck hard, then sucks it, and I know it will leave a purple mark.

“I do not want that, Master.” My legs begin to shake as, for reasons I cannot understand, my body wants to climax with how he’s talking to me.

Heat fills my ear with his breath and then his wet tongue goes into it. “When I tell you to come, I want you to scream my name out as loud as you can and pant loud too. I want the whole shop to know I’m fucking you in here.”

My body freezes. That’s too humiliating. I shake my head. “That’s not in our contract. Please don’t ask me to do that.”

His cheek is pressed to mine, the whiskers raking my tender flesh as he says, “If you don’t do as I say then I will string your ass up for three hours when I get home. I bought some nipple clamps and a new collar. A full collar. I’ll make you hang there with those on for three fucking hours. Now do as I say and know when I come home today, I’m putting you over my lap and spanking that ass while I finger fuck you for talking back to me.”

“Yes, Master,” I say and close my eyes and try to go to another place in my head so I can do as he’s told me to.

Then he adds the kicker, “Plus, I’ll fuck Shamu after you leave if you don’t. That bitch has been giving me the eye since she came to work here three days ago. You need to show her you’re taking care of my needs. Get me?”

“Yes, Master,” I say, and feel bile rising in my throat.

He moves faster and harder and then his body goes rigid. “Cum!” he says.

I let my body go and scream, “Rod! God! Rod! Fuck!” I pant loud and moan loud. “Fuck me, Rod! You're amazing!”

“That’s enough,” he says as he pulls out of me. “Don’t go overboard or they’ll think you’re acting.”

I kind of was!

I stand up and pull my dress back down and he puts himself back into his pants. He looks down at the trash can and then back at me. “Grab those and toss them into the trash can by her desk.”

I shake my head. “Rod, I’m not that girl. Please.”

His eyebrows arch as he looks at me. “You’re the fucking kind of girl I tell you to be. Now do as I say and for your insubordinate behavior I will be using the thick collar and nipple rings when I spank you later on.”

I take the ripped red panties and wad them up in my hand. Then I follow him out of the bathroom.

There are two other mechanics lingering between the bay and the waiting room. At least there are no customers waiting. There’s just the chubby chick staring at us as she sits at the dirty desk littered with papers.

As I follow Rod by her desk, I toss the panties into the trash can and can’t bear to look at her as I do it. Rod turns his head just slightly to make sure I’ve done it. Then he reaches back and takes my hand in his.

As we get to the front door which is made entirely of glass, he pulls me around in front of him and presses me against the wall next to the door. Then he presses himself against me and kisses me hard.

His hand runs down my leg and he lifts it as he grinds his dick against me. Then he slowly lets it go and runs his hand up my waist and ends the kiss. He leans his forehead to mine. “Thanks for lunch, baby.”

“You’re welcome,” I whisper.

Then he steps back and pushes the door open. I go through it and jump as he smacks my ass. “See you at home, girl.”

I smile and nod, then turn to walk away back home with no panties on and holding the bottom of my short dress so it won’t blow up and show my ass to our small town.

Tears blur my vision as I walk.

This isn’t me. I’m not this person.

The wooden stairs creak as I walk up the old stairs to our small house. The white boards which make up the outside wall are worn, and the frequent sandstorms have knocked quite a bit of paint off them.

I turn and look at the neighborhood we live in. They’re all small, old wood-framed houses in need of a paint job. All very depressing.

Going inside, I hear the beeping sound of the dryer and go straight to get the clothes out of it. It’s a load of Rod’s work uniforms and I lay them on top of the dryer then get the ironing board out, set the iron on it, plug it in, and turn it on.

Then I go to take a quick shower and change my clothes. I turn on only the cold water and quickly undress and get in. The water feels good against my cheek where his beard scratched it.

The sweet smell of the apple scented shampoo Rod only allows us both to use brings me to a better place after the smell of the men’s room at the oily smelling garage.

Urine and oil don’t make a very sexy aroma.

After I rinse my hair out, I turn the water off and grab a towel and wrap it around me. In the bedroom I find another dress and pull it on and a new pair of panties.

I don’t wear a bra unless I’m going somewhere, per Rod’s rules. Then I go to iron his clothes. I’ll hang them up and wait for him to get home.

My heart aches as well as my stomach as the man always stays true to his words. He will administer the punishment and, for the life of me, I don’t know why I can’t learn to keep my mouth shut and just do what he says to.

It’s not as if people in this town haven’t seen the way Rod treats women. Of course he’d be like that with me. I do live with the man, after all.

Yet it’s still embarrassing, and I can’t stand how people look at me with sorrow in their eyes.

After the clothes are ironed and hung up, I take the small pile of his socks and underwear and go to the sofa with them to fold them.

And then it starts. The flood of emotion. I sniffle as the tears fall down my cheeks in rivers.

Every once in a while I sob and run the back of my hand over my cheeks and nose. Rod says it’s good for me to cry. He says it means I’m learning.

Yet he sees crying as a weakness and refuses to get in touch with his emotions to grow stronger the way he’s telling me I have to do.

A knock at the door startles me. “Who is it?” I manage to croak out.

“Sue, sweetheart.”

I hurry to wipe my eyes and take a sock and blow my nose, then go to the door. As I open it, I can see her expression is confused.

“Come in,” I say and push the screen door open.

She comes inside and hugs me. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

“Huh?” I run my fingertips under my eyes. “Nothing.”

Sue takes my hand and pulls me to sit on the sofa next to her. “Jenna, why have you been crying?”

She moves the pile of socks and underwear off to one side and looks at me as she holds both of my hands. And I don’t know what to say to her.

Do I tell her that I’m ashamed of myself for fucking her son in the men’s room at his job so he wouldn’t fuck the new girl at work? Do I tell her I’m dreading when he comes home and doles out the punishment for daring to say I didn’t want to scream out his name as I came or toss my torn panties into the trash next to the woman who wants him?

I search her eyes. Eyes that remind me of Reed’s so much. They’re lighter now. They used to be dark blue like Reed’s are.

“I’m about to start my period. I always get emotional around this time of the month,” I say.

“I see,” she says as she looks hard into my eyes. “No other reason?”

I shake my head and the door flies open. Rod comes in and slams the door behind him. “Mom, what are you doing here?”

She gets up and hugs him. “Hello to you too, son.”

He looks at me with a cold stare. Then he gently pushes his mother away from him. “Beer, Jenna.”

I jump up and run to the kitchen. “Sorry, you’re two hours early.”

Sue asks as she sits back down, “What’s she sorry for, Rod?”

“She’s sorry she didn’t have a beer waiting for me when I walked in.”

I hurry back to him with the opened beer bottle. “Here, sweetie.”

He sits in his chair and I hand it to him. “Boots.”

I kneel and begin to unlace the oily boots and try hard not to pay attention to Sue looking at me with her jaw hanging open. “Rod, you’re more than capable of doing that yourself!”

“It’s part of our deal, Mom. I work hard to provide for us and she takes care of the house and me.” He takes a long drink of the beer. “What has you stopping by unannounced?” Then he looks at me. “Or did she tell you she was coming over and you didn’t say a thing to me about it, Jenna?”

Before I can say anything, Sue comes to my rescue. “Rod, I didn’t tell her either! My goodness, son! Can’t I stop by? I was in the neighborhood dropping off a casserole to your Aunt Betty. She’s down with a virus and she only lives two streets over. So I thought I’d stop by and visit Jenna. Do you have a problem with that?”

As I pull off the last boot he says, “I do, actually. I like to come home and chill.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Sue asks him as she grabs the laundry and gets up.

“Let her do it, Mom.” Rod gives me a look and I jump up off the floor and hurry to take the clothes from her.

“I’m sure he puts these in the top drawer the same way I’ve always done it at home. I don’t mind.” She tries to hold on to the clothes but I manage to pry them away from her.

“No,” I say as I walk away with the clothes. “He keeps them somewhere else. I’ll do it.”

If she would’ve opened that drawer she’d have fainted with what she saw—collars, leather straps, along with other assorted things he uses on me.

“Mom, Jenna and I have things to do. I’m sure Dad needs you at home,” I hear him tell her.

“God! Fine, I’m leaving. Bye, Jenna.”

I go back out and give her a hug. “Bye, Sue.”

She gives Rod a look. “Bye, won. I’ll call next time.”

“You do that,” he says. “Bye.” He pulls the brown bottle to his lips as I walk her out.

She gives me a look just before I close the door. So I smile. “See you on Sunday for brunch, Sue.”

She nods and goes to get into her new car.

I go back inside and find Rod looking at me. “Lock the door.”

I do as he’s said then turn back to him. “Look, I’m sorry for talking back to you today. I had a difficult time with what you wanted, but I understand now and that won’t happen again. I don’t feel like a punishment is necessary, as I completely understand now.”

Rod sets the bottle on the table next to him and pats his leg. I go to him and he pulls me to sit on his lap. His fingers twirl a piece of my hair. “So you understand, do you?”

I nod and he moves his hand underneath my dress. He pushes my panties to the side and his finger goes inside me. He looks at me as he pumps it inside me. Then he turns it over and hits my G-spot.

I grip his shoulders and take in a sharp breath as my body wants to climax. He looks into my eyes. “Don’t.” His finger wiggles and it sends waves through me.

My fingers sink into his flesh as I try hard not to cum. He wiggles his finger more and then it just happens and I cum. I gasp as it happens. “I’m sorry!”

“Why?” He looks at me as he pulls his finger out of me and puts it in his mouth. “Didn’t that feel good?”

“It did, but you didn’t give me permission to.” My heart is pounding in my chest. I have no idea what he’s going to do about this.

“That bitch didn’t bother me after you left. I overheard her talking to someone on the phone and she said you were a little scary and she had no desire to get on your bad side. I heard her say she was going to move on to another one of the mechanics.” His hand runs up my thigh, pulling the dress with it.

“That’s good, then,” I say and run my hands through his hair.

He nods. “Yes, it is. Seems I’m teaching you how to be a woman, Jenna. And I want to show you how proud I am of you. I’m even proud of you for standing up for yourself with me. That’s what I want from you. To grow into the woman I need.”

He gets up and carries me to the bedroom. I unbutton the buttons on his dirty blue work shirt with his name embroidered in white on the upper left side of it. He caresses my cheek as I push it off his broad shoulders.

“You’re beautiful, Jenna.” His lips touch my cheek.

I unbutton his pants and push them down. They fall around his ankles. I pull his underwear down and he steps out of the pile. Then I take his hand and lead him to the shower.

Turning it on and letting it heat up, I pull the dress off over my head and push my panties off. Then I take his hand and get into the shower, pulling him in behind me.

I pour the apple shampoo into my palm and run my hands over his ash blond hair and over the beard he’s been growing. He gazes at me with those steely blue eyes.

I can see the love in them. He doesn’t have to tell me the words. I can see them in his eyes from time to time.

Gently I push his head back and rinse out the shampoo and when I bring his head back up he takes my wrists and pulls me to him. His mouth falls soft on mine and he moves me to the side and presses me up against the wall.

My hands run over his muscled back as he runs his hands down and takes my ass in them. His cock slides into my soft center as my legs wrap around him.

He moves slow and easy as we kiss, our tongues moving around in a lazy fashion.

It’s times like these that cement the bond between us. It’s when he lets his soft side out that shows me who he really is and with time will become.

His movements grow faster and he takes his mouth from mine and begins to pant as his need grows. Faster and harder he goes. Then he whispers, “Cum whenever you feel like it, baby.”

My heart grows with the love I have for him and I kiss his neck and run my tongue up and down it. When I feel him go stiff I let my orgasm go, and we moan at the same time as our bodies unite in the middle.

I want to tell him I love him so damn bad. I won’t, though. That would ruin this and I don’t want anything to ruin it.

After his cock stops jerking and pulsing, he lets me down and eases out of me. With one look I know he does love me.

And this is why I stay …

Chapter 7

JENNA

Two weeks ago a laptop computer was sent to me anonymously. The package came to my parents’ address and Mom called and told me I had something there.

I called Reed, who told me he was the one who sent it and I was to click on the Arizona State Icon when I turned it on. He’d set everything up for me somehow.

He enrolled me in the college, setting me up in the basic classes and paying for it with a scholarship from his business.

I’ve been doing the work online the last couple of weeks and hiding the laptop from Rod in the top of the closet every day before he gets home.

I’m loving taking the classes and using my brain for the first time since I graduated almost three years ago. And with my twenty-first birthday coming up, I’m feeling like I’m really doing something for myself. For my future.

And I have Reed Manning to thank for that.

I open up my math class on my computer and see the grades for last week’s test have been posted. I open up the grade book and see a perfect score there. I jump off the sofa and dance around while wiggling my ass.

Then I grab my cell phone and type in a quick text to Reed. Wanted to let you know I made a perfect score on my math test. Thank you so much. This is so appreciated.

I don’t even get the phone sat back down and hear the ping of a text. I look and see he’s texted back.

Jenna, I’m so happy to hear that. You should give me a call if you can.

I look at the words then hit the button to call him. My heart’s beating all fast, and I pace around.