Finding Her Fantasy (6 page)

His palm hit her again and her flesh began to burn as though it was on fire. “Erik,”
she pleaded, and his palm met her ass once more.

“We can take care of lunch from here,” she heard Jon say, but she couldn’t bring herself
to look up and see if the cook left.

She closed her eyes tight as the next slap actually drew a moan from deep in her chest.
Her muscles quivered and her thighs began to tense. Erik smacked her again, and again
a moan escaped her lips, much to her intense mortification.

Just as the stirrings of a climax began to sizzle through her veins, Erik pulled her
up. She grasped the edge of the chair as her legs wobbled dangerously, almost unable
to hold up her own weight. She wanted to squeeze her legs together, to put pressure
on her clit and end the torturous hunger his spanking had brought on, but she held
herself back.

Instead, she pushed herself upright and glared down at Erik.

“Assume that you can make demands again and you’ll get another one, only next time
I won’t stop until you come.”

Melinda’s mouth dropped open at Erik’s remark. He ignored her startled expression.
Standing, he walked over to the grill and lifted the lid. Melinda wasn’t sure what
to do. How had he known? Was she that easy to read?

She turned hesitantly and watched as Jon brought over two bowls of food and placed
them on the table. Erik followed with a tray of barbecue chicken from the grill. The
smells of sweet spices and pineapple filled the air and she drew in a deep breath,
trying to ignore the growl of hunger coming from her stomach.

She wasn’t sure she could eat now anyway, despite how hungry she was. She was too
embarrassed.

Jon glanced up and waved her over. Melinda swallowed, unsure she could even sit down.
Her ass still burned.

As though he knew what she was going through, Erik set a pillow on the chair. He placed
his hands on the back of it and leaned over slightly. His eyes on her made the heat
on her face deepen.

“Time to eat.”

She remained rooted to the spot, unable or unwilling to move. She wasn’t sure which.
Erik didn’t say anything, and she couldn’t help but wonder at the narrowing of his
eyes. Just how far could she or even should she push him?

Jon stepped forward and took her hand in his. The understanding look in his eyes made
her want to run into his arms and hide from Erik’s more intense stare.

“Come on, beautiful. I’m sure you’re hungry.”

He coaxed her as if she was a wounded animal, and in some ways she was. Jon was obviously
the softer one—the mediator of sorts. But he’d shown a glimpse of a tougher side,
a no nonsense side, a darker side. She followed Jon silently to the table.

Erik pulled the chair back a little more, allowing her to slide between it and the
table. She braced her hands on the arms of the chair and gingerly lowered her bottom
to the seat. The padding of the cushion was soft, but not soft enough to stop the
wince as all her weight landed on her bottom. The coarse material of the pillow scratched
at her skin as she shifted, and a frown pulled at the corners of her mouth. Outdoor
cushions were not meant to be sat on naked.

She warily watched Erik as he took the seat at the head of the table next to her.
She couldn’t believe he’d actually spanked her. What she couldn’t believe more was
that she’d liked it and how close she’d come to having an orgasm.

Erik smirked. “You don’t need to be afraid of me, Melinda. I’m not going to hurt you.”

She bristled and lifted her chin. “I’m not afraid of you.”

She reached for the platter of chicken and tried to ignore his amused expression.
She placed a breast on her plate and then passed the platter to Jon, who also watched
her with more curiosity than made her comfortable.

“If not me…”

Melinda stiffened as she waited for Erik to continue, but she couldn’t bring herself
to meet his gaze. Unfortunately, Erik wasn’t going to let her hide. He put his finger
under her chin and turned her face toward his.

“Then perhaps it’s the fact that spanking almost had you screaming for release. Maybe
I should’ve kept going.”

Swallowing, Melinda pulled her chin from his grasp. “I think not. I don’t appreciate
what you did.”

“Maybe not. But you liked it.”

Melinda’s anger was about at the boiling point. The only problem was, she had no idea
who she was really angry at. Herself or Erik.

“You’re such an arrogant, infuriating…” She was so angry she wasn’t even sure how
to finish the sentence.

Erik’s lips tilted slightly as amusement flashed in his eyes. “I’m a Dom, Mel. I’m
supposed to be arrogant and infuriating. I also recognize the signs of a woman who’s
about to explode. Especially a woman I find very attractive.”

He leaned forward and chucked her under the chin. She scowled at him, determined to
not pay attention to his flattery, no matter how much it made her heart flutter.

“Just know this. Jon or I will never hurt you. If you’re scared or hurting, you use
your safe word and we will stop.”

Melinda wondered why she hadn’t used it while he was spanking her. Could it be he
was right, and she had liked it?

She returned her attention to her lunch and thought about her question to herself.
Why hadn’t she used it? If she hadn’t been so angry, would she have enjoyed it even
more?

This was insane. He was insane. They both were.

What woman in her right mind has an orgasm from being spanked? She lifted her fork
and stared sadly at the chicken.

Me apparently.

“Don’t think so hard about things,” Jon said. She watched him scoop grilled green
beans onto her plate. “Just relax and enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about how proper
it is or how unorthodox you think it might be. Just go with it.”

“Are you a mind reader now?” she asked with just a hint of sarcasm.

“When you can read women as well as Erik and I can, you don’t have to be a mind reader.
To be a good Dom, you have to be able to read the physical signs. We can tell if you’re
in pain or about to come. We can tell when we need to back off or increase things
based on a woman’s movements, the way her body shifts. When Erik spanked you, instead
of pulling away, you’re ass actually moved toward his hand.”

“It did not,” she argued.

Jon smiled softly. “Yes, it did. Trust me. I kept my eyes on that tight little ass
the entire time. I know exactly what it did.”

“I think we should just change the subject.” She quickly put a bit of chicken in her
mouth and almost moaned at the flavor. Tropical spices filled her mouth as she chewed.
God, she had to get this recipe.

“A change of subject sounds like a good idea,” Erik conceded. “Jon, you, and I need
to talk strategy for the new mutual fund and we need to call the insurance company
about one of our buildings in Manhattan. The sale went through, and we should be closing
in a couple of weeks.”

Jon nodded. “Good.”

“Melinda, while we’re doing that, you’re welcome to explore the house, take a swim
in the pool.”

“I thought you were giving me a tour?”

Erik studied her briefly, making her want to squirm. “It’s not that big, but if you
would like a tour, we can oblige. Can’t promise it won’t end in the bedroom, though.”

“That’s okay. I can check it out on my own.”

She wanted to smack the smirk off Erik’s face. What did he expect her to say?
Oh, yes, please take me now?

“Good,” he murmured. “For now, though, I want you to stay on the grounds.”

“Why? Afraid I’ll run?”

“The thought has crossed my mind.”

“I don’t know where my clothes are.”

“They’re in the room you will be sharing with me and Erik,” Jon replied.

Melinda almost choked on her bite of beans. She grabbed her glass of water and took
a quick sip. “Excuse me?”

“The three of us will be sharing a room,” Jon repeated.

“Why?” she asked.

Jon shrugged as though the answer should be obvious. “How else are we supposed to
be able to take you whenever and however we want?”

“So I have no say?”

Erik stood and murmured in her ear, “You have a safe word, princess.”

His voice that close to her ear made her insides quiver. She watched as he took his
plate to the counter and placed it in the outdoor sink. He ran water over the plate
and then set it back down. It surprised her he would clean up after himself.

In frustration, she brushed that thought aside. What did that matter, anyway?

“Fine,” she said haughtily. “I use my safe word now for the entire duration of my
trip.”

Jon and Erik both laughed.

“It doesn’t work that way,” Erik said over his shoulder as he headed into the house.

“Where the hell is he going?” Melinda asked in impatience.

“Probably to the office to check messages, e-mail, and what not,” Jon replied, his
lips still spread in a wide smile.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m so glad that the two of you find this whole thing so funny.”

“Come on, Mel,” Jon said as he too took his plate to the sink.

He came back and put his arms on the back of the chair. Leaning over, he placed a
gentle kiss on her shoulder. Every inch of her skin heated, despite her attempt to
remain unaffected. He brought his hands around and cupped her breasts, giving them
a soft squeeze. She bit her lip to keep from moaning out loud at the feel of his warm
hands on her still-aching mounds.

“You can’t tell me you’re not having at least some fun,” he whispered in her ear.

He pinched her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, rolling them. Her body responded
instantly, and she could feel herself getting wet all over again. He used his forehead
to push her head to the side, allowing him access to the sensitive spot just below
her ear. His lips were soft and warm as he placed light, nibbling kisses along her
flesh—flesh that now burned with the need to have sex. Real sex, not this playing
around crap.

“See how responsive you are,” he murmured as one hand left her breasts and slid between
her thighs.

His palm cupped her pussy, and she let her thighs fall open just a little to allow
him more room.

“Definitely responsive,” he murmured. “I like that. Nice and wet.” He used the tip
of his middle finger to separate her labia, and she let out a slow, shaky breath.
“By later tonight you’ll want us so bad you’ll beg for it.”

With those final words, he withdrew his hands and followed Erik into the house.

Melinda stared at his back as he moved toward the stairs that would take him to the
main level.

“Damn son of a bitch,” she grumbled. “The least he could’ve done was get me off.”

Jon stood behind Erik staring at the e-mail on the screen. Erik had told him there
was something he wanted him to see, but they hadn’t gotten to what that was yet.

Through his peripheral vision, he saw Melinda stroll by the office door…dressed. Jon
grinned slightly, wondering if she’d walked by the office on purpose, deliberately
letting them know she’d put clothes on.

“Looks like someone found their clothes.”

Erik looked up. “What?”

“Melinda just walked by fully dressed.”

“Well, now. That won’t do.”

Erik pushed his chair back and strolled out the office door. Jon followed and leaned
against the jamb, waiting for the show to start as Erik caught up with Melinda.

“What did I tell you was the first rule of the house?” Erik asked.

Melinda stopped dead in her tracks and glared at him, hands on her hips. She stopped
so fast, the skirt of her sundress continued to swirl around her calves.

“You can’t be serious.”

“I’m dead serious,” Erik replied.

He reached out and grabbed her dress. Melinda gasped and tried to step away, but Erik
held firm and pulled her to him. She stared up at him, her pretty eyes shooting daggers
at his best friend.

“Take it off,” Erik demanded.

She didn’t move.

“Take it off, or I will,” Erik repeated.

Again, Melinda didn’t move. Jon’s lips twitched as he watched the two of them try
to stare the other down. She had spunk, he’d give her that.

With a growl of impatience, Erik gripped the skirt of the dress and tugged it upward.
Melinda gasped and growled and tried to fight Erik, but Erik was stronger and easily
lifted the dress over her head.

Jon raised an eyebrow at the fact that she was naked underneath. His cock twitched
at the sight of her smooth skin and toned body.

“Damn it, Erik,” she snapped, stomping her foot adorably.

“If you really didn’t want to remove the dress, you would’ve used your safe word,”
Erik countered, and the look on her face was priceless. Apparently, the adorable pixie
was learning a few things about herself today.

“Agh, you son of a—”

Erik lifted a finger. “Careful.”

Her lips thinned as she glared angrily up at him. Erik gave her ass a pat and nodded
toward the pool. “Go on now. Cool off in the pool.”

Erik walked back to the office, but Jon stayed where he was, watching her stomp toward
the back of the house, softly mumbling to herself. Jon snickered as Erik brushed past
him.

“She’s going to clobber you before the days out, you realize that, right?” Jon asked.

Erik smiled wickedly. “I hope she tries. I think I’ve witnessed more spunk out of
her today than any of the other times I’ve seen her.”

“You never made any of the other girls walk around naked.”

Erik sat back down in the chair. “Are you complaining?”

“Absolutely not. Although I’ll admit it’s hard to concentrate on work when I know
she’s out there, naked and ready to be seduced.”

Erik’s shoulder lifted in a slight shrug. “Then go seduce her. I can handle things
here. I want to check into something her brother sent me, anyway.”

Jon straightened from the door frame. “Is that what you were about to show me?” He
knew his friend well and the worry in his eyes made Jon tense. “Is something wrong?”