Full Moon (12 page)

“No,” she said at last. “I don’t think that would help.”

“Then I guess I’ll just have to punish you.”

She wondered if she’d heard him correctly. “What?”

“You’ve been a very bad girl, Josie. You let another man move into your house when you’re supposed to be my full-moon lady.”

He hadn’t forgotten her fantasy at all. Tonight’s full moon was spanking. She didn’t know why she’d included it on the list. She wasn’t even sure it was something she really wanted.

“So you’re angry?” She didn’t think he was, but she couldn’t be sure. Her relationship with this man was too new and she felt like she was flying blind.

“I would never strike a woman in anger, Josie. But if she needed me to spank her, then make love to her for hours on end as a way of cheering her up or as stress relief, I would.”

It was all she had to hear. She’d spent five nights with this man and yet she trusted him more than she’d ever trusted anyone. And while he was definitely offering her escape and happiness and taking away all her anxieties, it also felt like more than that. Much more. But it was far too soon to start talking about feelings. She didn’t want to scare Jake away.

She recalled his response to the news she was living with her ex. God, he was amazing, self-possessed, calm. And he was offering her a retreat from the hell that was currently her life. Giving her a chance to get away from reality. It was a beautiful gift and there was no way she was rejecting it.

“Even so,” she teased, getting into the spirit of the fantasy, “I have been a very naughty girl.”

Jake’s friendly smile faded as he assumed his role with ease, suddenly adopting a stern face. “Bedroom. Now.”

Josie led the way, ignoring Jake’s quiet chuckle as she all but ran to his room. When they crossed the threshold, he gripped her upper arm and turned her to face him.

“If this gets to be too much or if you don’t like it—”

He didn’t have to finish his comment. Josie knew him. “I’ll ask you to stop.”

He nodded. “And I will.”

She rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him. The action had nothing to do with the fantasy. She wanted to show him how much his words, how much
he
meant to her.

Jake accepted the kiss, then deepened it. His hands flew to her hair, cupping her head, turning it this way and that as his lips pressed harder to hers. She loved his kisses, loved the way he took control of the moment and turned special into sheer magic.

When they parted, they were both flushed from the heat and panting softly.

“Go to the bed. Take off your panties. Lift up the back of that sexy fucking dress and bend over the mattress.”

Josie moved instantly. Every thought, every worry drifted away as she threw herself into this moment…and Jake’s very capable hands.

Once she was panty-less and in position, Jake crossed the room. She could sense him standing right behind her. He didn’t touch her right away, so she started to look over her shoulder to see what he was doing.

“Eyes forward.” His voice had deepened, hardened.

Josie couldn’t ignore what it did to her body as she jerked her gaze away from him. There was something very exciting about not knowing what was coming and Jake was a master at drawing out the anticipation. He let her squirm for several moments, the silence in the room almost deafening as she longed for him to touch her, spank her—hell, she’d settle for having him pinch her ass. Anything.

Juices gathered at the juncture of her legs and her nipples budded. She wished he had commanded her to undress completely. Her breasts felt constricted by her bra, her skin suddenly sensitive to the lace.

Finally, unable to wait any longer, she whispered his name.

Jake responded instantly, placing a firm slap to her ass cheek. It caught her unaware. And it hurt.

“Ouch.”

“You’re not to speak unless I give you permission.” He backed up that proclamation with a slap to the other cheek.

Josie groaned. While the initial contact stung, the flesh soon heated, driving her arousal higher. This was unexpected. And fucking hot.

The room fell silent again, only the sounds of Jake’s spanking permeating the dark. He hadn’t turned on the bedside lamp this time. The only light was provided by the streetlamp outside. It cast the room in shadows, heightening the suspense, the dark beauty of the experience.

“Open your legs.”

Josie complied immediately. She had gone into overdrive with the first smack. She was a beggar at the table, willing to accept any scrap of relief he’d throw her way.

He thrust two fingers roughly inside her pussy. Josie gripped the bedspread and cried out. She was already so close to coming. God. So fucking close.

He pressed inside her twice more, then retreated, peppering her ass with more smacks. The impact of these was lighter than the first, but that fact was made up for by the sheer number of hits. She lost count after a dozen, giving in to the animalistic need he was provoking.

She lifted her ass, inviting more. Jake alternated his spanking with those firm fingers thrusting, thrusting, thrusting.

He drove her to the edge time after time, never allowing her to take that final step. The one that would push her into oblivion, bliss.

Finally, his hands left her all together. She heard the rustle of his jeans dropping, the crinkle of the condom and then…he was there. Inside her. Pumping deeper and harder than he’d ever taken her before.

Josie came rapidly. Then she came again, but Jake didn’t relent. Didn’t give her a chance to rest or recover.

She felt his body stiffen, the signal that he was about to come. It pushed Josie into a third, more powerful climax. They yelled out together, their voices hoarse.

Jake shoved away when the last tremors settled. He lay on his back next to her, his chest rising and falling as if he’d just run a marathon.

Josie studied his profile, tracing the curve of his brow, the bump on his nose that indicated it had been broken once, his strong jaw.

“Damn.” She didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud until Jake turned to look at her.

“You can say that again.”

He’d misunderstood her sentiment. While the sex had been amazing—as usual—she’d just come to the realization that she was falling head over heels in love with Jake Stewart.

“Damn.”

Jake lifted her and pulled her closer. Both of them were half-dressed and hanging off the edge of the bed, but that didn’t prevent Jake from wrapping his arms around her.

Josie closed her eyes in contented bliss. She needed to be careful not to fall asleep. It would be so easy to give in and spend the night here. It was where she wanted to be, but she’d promised Tommy she’d come home.

“I can’t stay,” she whispered, halfway hoping Jake would talk her out of leaving.

“Why not?”

“With Tony living at my place, Tommy’s home tonight. I just can’t—”

Jake cupped Josie’s face, tilting it until she looked at him. “So you’re going home for your son? Not because your ex doesn’t like you spending the night with another man?”

“How did you know he was angry?”

Jake placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. I’d tear down the walls if I knew I’d lost you and you were heading out to see someone else.”

His words were yet another arrow fired at her heart. He’d broken down all of her protective walls and was now laying siege to the most vulnerable parts. He’d stripped her bare, left her defenseless. Maybe that idea would bother her tomorrow, but tonight, it felt like he’d carried her straight to heaven.

“Besides,” Jake continued. “You were madder than a wet cat when you got here. I assume that was because you had a fight with Tony?”

She nodded. “He backed me into a corner when I said I was going out. Used Tommy as a way to get what he wanted.”

“And what he wanted was you at home in your own bed tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Josie, if there are still feelings between you and Tony, I would never stand in your way.”

She sat upright, looking down at Jake. “I can’t stand the man. Believe me, reconciliation is the last thing on my mind.”

Jake propped himself up on his elbow. “I learned a long time ago there’s a fine line between love and hate. And it seems to me that as much as you say you hate Tony, you love Tommy more. You let Tony stay because it made Tommy happy. I suspect if you and Tony got back together, your son would be over the moon. If your situation, your feelings, should suddenly change…” He paused.

Josie knew where he was going, but she didn’t know what to say. He was offering to take himself out of the equation if it would make her and Tommy happy. It was a generous gesture, but one she didn’t want him to make. “Jake, no.”

He raised his hand to stop her. “All I’m saying is you have to do what’s right for you. For your family. I get that.”

She pressed a hard kiss against his lips. “Thank you, but—” She started to tell him there was no way in hell she was taking him up on his offer, but her cell rang.

A glance at the clock told her it was still early. Only nine thirty. She hesitated.

“Go get the phone, Josie. You’ll worry otherwise.”

She reluctantly crawled out of bed and walked down the hall to where she’d left her purse.

Her home number. Tony. Josie fought to control her temper. “I don’t appreciate—”

“Mommy?”

“Tommy? What’s wrong, baby? Why are you calling?” Panic quickly replaced her anger.

“You said you were coming home. Me and Daddy were wondering if you could bring us ice cream.”

And just like that the fury returned. “Listen, Tommy—”

“Daddy said I could stay up late on account of it being the weekend and all.”

Josie recalled Jake’s offer to have a chat with Tony. She wondered if he’d be up for coming home with her now and helping her beat the shit out of her ex-husband. Instead, she opted for revenge.

“Well, I don’t think that’s going to be possible. I’m going to be home very, very late.” So late, she decided, it would actually be early…tomorrow. “Tell you what. Why don’t you and your dad take a quick trip to Dairy Queen for blizzards? I have a coupon in the kitchen.”

“Really? Dairy Queen?” It was her son’s favorite treat. She’d commit Tony to taking Tommy out for a Snickers blizzard, getting the little boy good and sugared up and then let her ex struggle to get their son to sleep all on his own. Welcome to single parenthood, Tony.

“Yep. Let me talk to your dad. I’ll get it all set up for you.”

She listened as Tommy handed the phone off, excitedly telling Tony about the trip they were about to take and how he’d go get the coupon.

“Hello.” Tony didn’t sound happy with the way his plan had backfired.

“I’ll be home when I’m good and ready and not a second before.”

“Josie, listen, it wasn’t like that. Tommy just wanted—”

“Pack up your shit. You’re moving out tomorrow morning. Have fun at Dairy Queen.”

She disconnected the phone before Tony could reply.

“Damn. I’m sort of reconsidering that fine line between love and hate comment.” Jake was leaning against the dining room wall. He’d pulled his jeans back up, but he’d lost the shirt. Josie tried not to drool.

She laughed. “I have approximately five hours to kill before it will be safe to go home.”

“What constitutes safe?”

“I predict it will take my ex that long to get my son to sleep after the sugar-rush they’re about to indulge in.”

Jake walked closer. “Five hours, you say?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I think I’d like to explore this spanking concept some more.”

“Aren’t you sore?”

She grinned. “It wasn’t
my
ass I was talking about spanking.”

Jake lifted her over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold as Josie squealed with surprise.

“Come on, sweet stuff. It’s still a full moon and I’m game.”

Chapter Six

Josie’s Howl List—June

1. 1.      Sex with a stranger
   
2. 2.      Sex in public
   
3. 3.      Anal
   
4. 4.      Bondage
   

5. Spanking

6. Double Penetration

Josie waved as Shelly and Tommy walked—hand in hand—down to the parking lot. Her stupendous best friend was taking her son to the movies and then having him stay at her place for a sleepover, so Josie could get Tony out of the house.

It had been nearly three weeks since her date with Jake and he’d called every day since then. They’d fallen into a regular Tuesday lunch date and they’d gone out to dinner and to the movies once. Her heart skipped a beat every time she saw his number flash on her cell screen. She felt like a teenager with her first crush. Twice at work this week, she’d actually doodled her name and his in hearts. It was ridiculous. Fun.

Tony had moved out—briefly—going to stay with his brother. That set-up had lasted less than two weeks and last weekend, he’d reappeared on her doorstep with his luggage in hand once again. The only reason she’d consented to let him back in was because he showed her a contract agreement to the apartment he was leasing. He had supposedly been moving into it Wednesday. Then it got pushed back to Thursday, then Friday. And now, it was Saturday and he was still here.

Georgie had given her shit for letting him come back at all, calling her an easy touch. Maybe she was, but it was impossible to live life in black and white. Josie resided in the gray zone, which meant she could still recall the times when Tony was charming and sweet. He had been her first love and he was the father of her son. Despite all the pain—and sweet Lord there was plenty of that—there had also been some wonderful times. Those memories were all mixed up inside her.

Jake hadn’t been wrong when he mentioned that fine line between emotions. Actually, she wasn’t sure she did hate Tony anymore. While he drove her nuts and pissed her off constantly, she wasn’t able to summon any sort of powerful feelings toward him. Hate took energy and she’d decided a long time ago she needed to channel all her drive into taking care of Tommy, raising him in a loving home, not one that was filled with resentment and bitterness.