Caught in the Net (17 page)

“Then I insist you accept this offer.  I think we do
our job pretty well, huh?”

“You’re the best, Daddy.  Except when I’m in trouble,”
Sam grinned.

Scott sighed.  “That’s too frequent for our liking. 
Jen?  Would you be up to taking a little boat ride?  The kids wanted to go
night fishing.”

“That sounds like fun, Scott.  Thank you.  Both of
you.  I needed this tonight.”

“Anytime, darling.  Sam?  Go get the boys for dinner
and then we’ll go down to the dock.”

“Yes, sir.”

It was four in the morning when they finally returned
from the boat ride.  Dr. Quimby refused to allow Jen to drive herself home and
ordered her to bed.  With his daughter at her heels, the two girls, dressed in
Michael’s extra-large tee shirts, climbed into the large bed and giggled.  Dr.
Quimby tucked them both in, kissed them on the foreheads, and turned off the
light. 

Jen sighed, “You don’t know how lucky you are.  I
could live here forever.”

“That’s because you haven’t seen the other side yet. 
Talk to me when that happens.”  Sam yawned. 

Jen looked over at her.  “I like strong men.  They
make me feel safe and secure.  They all have the same vibe, too.  I should tell
you something about myself.  You have to promise not to laugh.”

“Why would I laugh?  You’re not really a guy, are
you?”

“No!  It’s just that I know you’re really strong and
secure, and you might not understand.  I like being submissive.  You know, the
old-fashioned thing.  The guy runs the house, takes responsibility… that whole
deal.”

“Again, why would I laugh?  My men are all very
dominant.  I’m not as submissive as they would like me to be, but in my
situation, I really can’t be.  I’m learning to become more that way with Rich. 
It’s easy because he’s so in control and I trust him.  I feel like a woman with
I’m with him, not like a soldier.”

“Then you do understand?”

“Yep.  I also know my brother.  He needs a submissive
woman as a partner. Someone he can trust and care for, who has a mind of her
own, but will also obey his wishes.  He needs a girl who will trust him
completely as well, and believe that he will do anything to protect, honor and
show his love for her.  Michael hates fighting.  He and I have never really
fought, except at work.  I trust him with my life and my heart.  He’s more than
my big brother.  He’s my best friend, my partner and my commander.  I’ve killed
for him.  And he’s done the same for me.  To be his girlfriend would mean being
able to accept him completely in the role he was designed for without
question.  Can you do that?”

“You’ve killed someone?”

“We both have.  We are Special Forces and have
diplomatic immunity.  There’s a lot of stuff you need to learn about us before
you really get involved with Michael.  If you can handle it, then that’s a good
start.”

“I need to know something, Sam.”

“Sure, just ask,” Sam said, propping her head on her
good hand. 

Jen did the same, looking at her.  “Please don't think
I'm weird, but I get a very strong feel from your dads, as well as the boys.  I
can’t ignore it.  How do they handle you when you get in trouble?  I know it’s
a silly question, but I need to know.  I hate yelling.”

“My family rarely yells beyond an initial ‘Samantha! 
What the hell did you do this time?’ ” she mimicked, with a giggle. 
“Seriously, they don’t get into shouting matches very often.  Certainly not at
us.  It takes a lot to get Daddy to blow a gasket, and Uncle Scott just has his
grumpy days.”

“That’s good to know.  And Michael doesn’t yell?”

“Only when he and I are brainstorming.  You’ll get use
to that in the lab.  Don’t ask me why, but it’s always how we’ve problem
solved.  It’s probably the only normal thing we do.”

“Then what am I sensing?  It’s almost primal.”

“Testosterone?  A lot of it?  This place oozes with it
sometimes.”

“Maybe.  I can’t put my finger on it.”

Sam hesitated to say anything, but then, Jen did ask. 
“Daddy told you that they really are strict and they don’t put up with very
much nonsense, especially from me.  You are sensing strong boundaries and the
strength of discipline.  They are also incredibly old-fashioned.  Tell me
something, when you were little, did you ever get into trouble?”

“A lot.  My curiosity always got the best of me and I
was notoriously late because I got sidetracked.”

“What did your parents do?”

“Mother would tell Dad and, depending on the
circumstance, he handled the discipline.  He used a wooden spoon for bad
offenses, or I was grounded.”

“When was the last time he used the spoon on you?”

“I was probably 12 or 13.  I hated it.”

“My parents still spank me,” Sam admitted quietly. 
“So does my brother.  He’s a firm believer in corporal punishment.”

Jen was silent, staring at the girl.  “Michael spanks you?”
she choked out her question.

“Yes.  You don’t seem surprised about my dads.”

“Truthfully, I’m not.  It’s almost a relief to find
that out.  I could see either one of them easily doing that.  But Mike?  I
mean, yes, I can picture it.  But you’re his sister.”

“I’m also his responsibility and one he takes very
seriously.  Rich does as well, although I haven’t been with him long enough to
have to face his wrath yet.”

“If I stayed with Mike, you don’t think he would…”

“Yes, he would, if deserved.  I strongly suspect my
dads would too, if you got deeply involved with the family.  I saw how my
father was nurturing you tonight.  I really think he would take the discipline
approach if it meant helping you.”

Jen was quiet for a moment, thinking.  “Part of me is drawn
and intrigued; the other part wants to run.  I know I need the strength of this
family, and I hate feeling this way.  I’ve never experienced this before.  I
just met you guys.”

“This is not the first time I've heard this, Jen.  The
men in our command feel the same.  No matter their age, they come to the
commanders for advice, assistance and even confessions.  They trust them to
take care of the problem and be fair about the consequences.  We’ve never had
office hours in our unit because of the honesty they share.  Of course, the men
don’t get their butts whipped,” Sam snorted. 

Jen looked at the ceiling.  “I feel like I can trust
you.  I have always fantasized about being with a man like Mike, especially the
discipline stuff.  I long for that strength.  I need a man I can respect.”

“I'm the same way.  I hate being punished by any of
them, but always feel forgiven and like I’m starting fresh.  If you want to
fully earn my parents’ respect, you’ll be straight with them, if you screw up
and need their help.  And, if they feel consequences are to be faced, you
submit to them.  I probably should follow my own advice because I usually
submit kicking and screaming,” Sam admitted.

“Do you ever try to provoke Rich into spanking you?”
Jen asked.

“Yeah… But once I felt how strong he was, I regretted
it, at least for a little while.  I do try to avoid Michael, though.  He’s
really hard on me.  I think more than my parents at times.”

“You realize we are a couple of kinky little bitches,
right?” Jen snickered.

“I do believe you’re right.  And I’ll let you in on a
little secret.  Michael loves your ass.  He’s hankering to get his hand on it. 
Just don’t provoke him yet.  I’m sure the time will come naturally.”

“There’s gotta be something wrong when you are more
interested in what it feels like to be spanked by a hot guy than in kissing or
making love to him.”

“I want it all, but I promised to try to wait six
months before I jump Rich.  I’ve never had a boyfriend before.  He’s my first
in everything and I want it all.”

“Trust me when I tell you that rushing into sex is not
good.  I did it and wish I didn’t.  They lose respect for you.”

“Michael gave me the whole lecture about waiting and
not trying to seduce Rich.  I should make Michael take me to a toy store,” Sam
stated.

“You would ask your brother to go with you?”  Jen
sounded surprised.

“Michael still tries to dress me like when I was
little.  He and I have no secrets.  In fact, I have access to his mind at
times.  Now let’s get to sleep, I’m fading.  I hope you brought your books with
you to study for your tests.  Michael will not be pleased if you don’t do
well,” Sam advised.

“Hmmm, I can drop my lowest grade.  Maybe I should
fail my final?  I bet that would earn a talking to.” 

“By both Michael and your new fathers.  I wouldn’t
risk dealing with all three at once.”

“But I’ll have my kid sister and big brother Rich to
defend me, right?”

“Even we don’t have power against the Mighty Three. 
Good night.” 

* * * * *

Sam woke at 9:30 the following morning, sitting up and
stretching.  Her hand throbbed painfully, with sharp stabbing shooting up into
her shoulder.  Jen was still sound asleep, her blonde hair strewn over the
pillows.  Sam thought about their conversation.  She had chosen well; Michael
will be happy with this one.  Speaking of big brother…

“You little shit!” Michael yelled as his stomach was
pounced upon.  “Get over here!”

“Can’t catch me!” shrieked his sister, running from
his grip.  He chased her out of the room and down the stairs.  Rich and Jen,
wakened by the noise, leaned over the top rail of the stairs to watch the
activity.

“Does this happen all the time?” Jen asked sleepily.

“Too much.  Enough you two!” Dr. Quimby said, coming
up from behind.  “You will have hell to pay if you wake your uncle!”

“Like I could ignore your big mouth?”  Scott came out
of his room and scowled up at his friend.  “You two, sit!  Stay!” he barked. 
Giggling, the two obeyed.  He wagged his finger at them.  “Consider yourselves
fortunate we have company and I’m in a good mood.  Make me coffee.”

“Okay, Uncle Scott.  Good morning!” Sam laughed,
running into the kitchen.

“Does this family ever sleep?  Cute shirt, Jen,” Rich
said, rubbing his neck.  Jen’s eyes opened wide as she glanced down and then
ran into the bedroom to put her clothes back on. 

Dr. Quimby leaned over the railing as he yawned.  “I’m
so tired.  This is what you have to look forward to in the mornings, my
friend.  She doesn’t sleep.  And she loves to annoy her brother when he tries
to.  Been that way since she could walk.”

“Believe me, Joe, if she tries to wake me like that,
she’ll not be so cheerful.  I’m cranky in the morning,” Rich promised.  “By the
way, I need to talk with you and Scott later.”

“Sure.  Everything okay?”

“Everything’s great.  I just want to keep it that
way.”

“No problem.  Now, go grab my grumpy son and hit some
waves.  Use my board.  The surf’s at about 8’ this morning.  I want to get some
more shut eye.”

“Are you trying to make me the responsible adult?  Oh…
Very well.  MIKE!  Suit up, we’re going surfing.  Jen!  Hurry up, we’re going
down to the beach.”

“But I only have my jeans from last night," she
said, emerging with her hair tied back in a ponytail and no makeup.

“You are way too cute,” Rich complimented her.  “Sam
might have something you could wear.”

“My ass is too big to fit into anything of hers.”

“Tsk, tsk, no swearing in this family, young lady.” 
Dr. Quimby stroked her hair before hugging her to his side.  “Your ass is
perfect.  Samantha?  Do you have something Jen could wear?”

“Yeah.  Are you going back to bed?” his daughter
asked, bounding up the stairs. 

Her father nodded, holding out his hand for her. 
“Right after I look at your ow.  Come on.”

“Do we have to?  Oh, all right,” she said, seeing him
nod.  “Jen, go into my dresser on the right, I have lots of cut off sweats and
stuff.  Pick whatever you want.”

Dr. Quimby smiled as he changed her dressings.  “This
looks good.  Keep it dry.  I like Jen.  She’s a sweetheart.”

“Me too.  She’s going to fit in with us really well. 
She’s already adopted you and Scott as dads.”

“We happily accept that.  Just behave so she doesn’t
have to witness what my girl has to face if her dads are unhappy with her.”

“She picked up on that last night.  I guess you guys
have a strong Dom vibe,” his daughter stated.  Her father raised his eyebrow. 
“I warned her not to cross the Mighty Three.”

“Really?  You do realize it might become the Fearsome
Four with Rich involved, don’t you?”

“Daddy, he spanked me Friday night!” she confessed.  “Not
hard, but enough to make me cry a little.  Is that right for him to do?”  

Her father looked at her.  “What did you do?”

“I swore a little.  And got a bit mouthy.”

“I see.  Well, as far as I’m concerned, he may do
whatever he feels is best for your relationship with him.  What did your
brother say?”

“It was Michael’s suggestion in the first place.  Rich
was threatening to tell Uncle Scott.”

“Hmmm, well, I can’t say that I blame him.”

“Aren’t you going to defend me?  Or make him stop?”

“Absolutely not.  I suspect that is what he wants to
speak with Scott and me about later.  Do you trust him?”

“Yes.”

“So do we.  You need a man like us, honey.  It won’t
always be pleasant for you, but it’s the best you could have.  Neither Scott
nor I would refuse that for you, even if it means some domestic discipline. 
Sorry, but we love you.”  He kissed her hand.