Gentle Control (9 page)

Gentle Control

shirt which crept up to show a sliver of her belly every time she moved. “This shirt’s too small.”

“It’s perfect. You really do need to eat. You’re crabby.”

Her lips pressed together. She wouldn’t argue with him. She’d only lose—

particularly since she was starting to feel a bit crabby. Looking away, she tugged at her shirt.

“Stop,” he said, stepping close to her. He closed his fingers around her wrists and pulled them behind her. Carefully he slipped her fingers in her back pockets. “Just like that. Don’t move them.”

Don’t move? Like this, her breasts thrust forward, her nipples no doubt poking against the thin cotton. The position lifted the hem of the top, exposing a few inches of flesh.

Josh circled her navel with his thumb and shook his head. His tender gaze pierced her. “You have no idea… It amazes me how unaware you are. This softness… What more could a man ask for?”

She could think of a whole lot of things.

His fingers splayed and slipped beneath her waistband to graze the upper slope of her mound. “Don’t you dare say what you’re thinking or I’ll force feed you Oreos.”

“Oh the torture,” she quipped, a little worried that he might actually do that.

What would it take for Tempest to understand how attractive she was? Her family had done some number on her self-image. Her stomach growled loudly, dragging him from his thoughts. Maybe he would feed her those Oreos. He’d love to taste them on her lips. The sugar buzz would keep her going through their next session in bed until it wore off and she collapsed into his arms. In the deep sleep to follow, she wouldn’t question her presence here or ridicule her perfectly healthy body.

Holding her took him to a heaven he hadn’t visited in years.

63

Brynn Paulin

Going to the door, he held it open for her. “C’mon, slave. We need to find food and the general store. We have one condom left.”

Her eyes widened in surprised, then a sultry smile curved her lips. Obviously, Miss Smarty Pants had mentally calculated and realized that yes, they had fucked enough times to run through the modest box he’d brought. He should have planned better. He couldn’t get enough of her.

“I’d guess we’d better hurry then,” she conceded. “I’m feeling kinda needy.”

His cock jerked back to attention. He’d only just gotten the thing to relax. Tempest was out of control. Purposely angling for punishment.

“Your hands don’t come out of your pocket unless you’re in danger of being snapped by a branch or you trip and must catch yourself. Understand?”

She lowered her gaze, appearing appropriately submissive, even though he knew she was anything but. “Yes, Master.”

He gritted his teeth. She sidled past him to the pitted, crumbling sidewalk outside the cabin. Was it his imagination or were her hips swaying more than usual? She smiled at Grizzly Adams who happened to be crossing the parking lot, presumably on the way to the Dumpster judging from the black trash bag in his hand. He stopped dead in the middle of the pavement, ogling Tempest. Obviously, he didn’t see hot women out here in the wilderness. If she didn’t watch it, she’d find herself kidnapped and married by some backwoods minister.

Damn it! Josh caught her elbow and guided her toward the path through the woods just as she winked at the man. Obviously at the hands of her Dom her self-confidence was improving, at least a little, and that pleased him. However he was not impressed with the way the Four Star proprietor consumed her with his eyes.

“Who do you belong to?” Josh growled near her ear.

She smiled serenely. “You, Master.”

“You like being punished,” he accused.

64

Gentle Control

She gave him a “duh” look that had him hard in less than a breath. “Yes, Master,”

she replied, her voice husky. Her eyes darkened, obviously, remembering the last time he’d disciplined her. He’d failed there. There was something about Tempest that sent him to his limits and destroyed his control. Yet he needed to dominate her and feel her submission. He swallowed against the tightness in his throat. It didn’t matter how much Tempest misbehaved when it came right down to it—she obeyed him. It didn’t matter if they were parted eight years or eight minutes. It was as if she was programmed to be everything he wanted in a woman. Sassy yet compliant. Subservient yet as naughty as hell.

And strong. The image of the Strength card Keera had shown him on his birthday flashed through his mind. Tempest could easily be the woman pictured closing the lion’s mouth. She had inner strength she’d never recognized. It pleased him that with his guidance, she seemed to be coming into her power.

She swayed seductively as they walked through the woods to the general store. He frowned knowing she was teasing him, yet she didn’t so much as slide her fingers a centimeter from her pockets. Any of his three brothers would turn their sub over their knee for the behavior Tempest displayed. He suspected his sisters-in-law would enjoy it too. That wasn’t the way he operated. He’d always been the rebel in the family. He had a different way, even in the way he lived the D/s lifestyle.

Without a word, he brushed the backs of his fingers in a deliberate line down her hip. She couldn’t mistake it was an intentional touch. She stopped, looking askance at him.

“Behave,” he ordered quietly. “Taunting me won’t get you anywhere. I left the only condom back in the room.” He held up a finger when she opened her mouth. “And don’t suggest something else either.”

She blinked slowly then nodded.

Leaning toward her, he cupped the back of her neck and gently kissed her. “Not that I wouldn’t really like to have you on your knees, bringing me off.”

65

Brynn Paulin

She bit her lip making a small sound in her throat. Oh yeah, he felt the same way.

Splaying his hand on the small of her back, he guided her in what he hoped was the right direction. There did seem to be a distinct dirt path through this densely wooded stretch. White pine and maple towered over them while unseen birds twittered merrily.

As they continued, they passed a secluded waterfall. Josh was tempted to stop. He could easily envision Tempest naked beneath the modest fall, water sluicing over her while he explored her body.

His steps quickened. Food… He needed to feed his woman before surrendering again to the desire zipping between them. There was a lot more to their relationship than sex, but right now when reuniting was so fresh, nothing else really seemed to matter. He needed the reassurance of her body connected with his—and she wanted him just as much. That knowledge only served to incite his drive.

A good ten minutes later, they exited the woods onto the main street of Trent, the only town for miles according to the Four Star owner. It was actually bigger than Josh had imagined. Directly to his right stood Fischer’s Grocery and Bait. A small hand-painted placard below the store’s sign declared there to be a pharmacy on site, as well.

Condoms
, he thought, thankful the pharmacy would be easy to find. A bakery-restaurant was at the end of the street with a Chinese restaurant two doors down.

Chinese? He wouldn’t have expected something so specialized in such a small place. He glanced at Tempest knowing her fondness for crab rangoon and saw a bright spot in this vacation disaster.

A gas station, the Trent church, a post office and Marv’s garage rounded out the town. To the north, a smattering of white houses with peeling paint had sprouted up along the main road leading to and from the main drag.

Josh guided Tempest toward the store. “Snacks,” he said.

“Condoms,” she retorted, knowing his mind.

He leered at her, sliding his hand down to give her ass a squeeze. “Like I said…snacks.”

66

Gentle Control

A blast of stale, cold air hit them as they stepped into the musty store. Except for the long counter doubling as a pharmacy station near the door, the set-up of the place vaguely reminded Josh of the convenience store around the corner from his house.

Ignoring the couple standing near the soft drink cooler, he headed down the nearest aisle. It didn’t take long to find what they needed. Between the sleep aids and the prenatal vitamins, a sole row of boxed condoms had been slotted.

“Don’t people use birth control around here?” Tempest asked as he wiped a thin layer of dust off the box. Considering this was the only store in town, there seemed to be dust on everything. Where did people shop if not here? “Check the expiration date,”

she suggested. He squinted at the date imprinted on the side, deciphering the garble to the proper numbers.

“We’re good,” he confirmed, noting the date was still months off. They shouldn’t have any mishaps.

“Can I help you two?” the man at the counter called.

“Got what I need, thanks.” Heading down the next aisle, Josh grabbed a box of strawberry Pop Tarts and a few juice boxes. It wasn’t exactly the fare he’d wanted to provide Tempest on their trip, but it would do for now.

“You all staying at the Four Star?” the clerk asked when Josh set the supplies on the counter a moment later.

“Yeah. We were supposed to be here a night, but this morning my truck wouldn’t start.”

The couple exchanged a glance. “I’ll see what I can do to get Marv over to help you sooner than he may have told you.” The man held out his hand. “Tom and Maggie Fischer. I run the store and she’s one of the local rangers.”

They chatted with the couple for a few minutes while Tom rang up the order and Josh paid. Tom promised once again to speak with Marv, who happened to be his brother, about getting over to the Four Star to check out Josh’s truck.

67

Brynn Paulin

Feeling better about the situation, Josh led Tempest from the store. “Chinese?” he asked. Her eyes lit up and he knew her hunger would override her inner voice, which would chide her to diet. He’d squelch that voice as quickly as possible. He wanted it to be his voice she heard in her head, telling her how beautiful she was and how much he loved her.

He froze, right in the middle of the street stunned by his revelation. Tempest turned to him. “What is it?”

Could he tell her how he felt? Was it too soon? Probably. “Nothing. I’ll talk to you about it later.” He shrugged and smiled. “Nothing to worry about, angel. Come on.” He laced his fingers through hers. “I’m starving.”

* * * * *

“I hope the rangoon isn’t cold,” Tempest commented as they entered their room, although she didn’t care if it was cold. She was starving and for some reason. Josh had insisted that they come back to the Four Star to eat their meal.

He constantly surprised her. Even after all this time, he remembered her favorite foods and made sure that they’d ordered them. She honestly wondered what else he remembered. It seemed to be an awful lot.

Sliding a hand to its favorite position on her waist, he led her to the small table in the corner of the room. Setting the grocery and take-out bags on the surface, he started to remove the white take-out boxes. The scent of orange chicken and stir-fried vegetables saturated the air. Her stomach rumbled.

Methodically, he handed her the bottled water and plates the restaurant had provided with their meal. Then he handed her the containers and she took a bit of each.

She noticed that Josh took even less. He had to be starving, too.

“I’m not very hungry,” he lied when she raised her eyebrows at him. “Saving room for dessert.”

68

Gentle Control

“What’s for dessert? Pop Tarts?” she asked, putting a bite of chicken in her mouth.

The sharp taste exploded across her tongue and she groaned.

“You,” he replied.

“What?” she choked. He handed her the bottle of water she’d set near her plate. As she recovered, he took a few bites of his food. Had she imagined what he’d said? He seemed so nonchalant.

“Full already?” he asked.

She shook her head. “What happened to the rangoon?”

He pushed back the food he’d barely touched. “You know, I think I’m ready for dessert.”

“But—”

“C’mon, slave…I’m hungry for something sweet. I need you to feed me.” He rose, pulling her to her feet. His eyes shone with the devil. Grinning, he removed another white box from the take-out bag along with the jar of sweet and sour sauce he’d purchased at the restaurant. He threaded the metal spoon he’d insisted on needing between two of his fingers.

Good lord, did he intend her to feed him like a Roman prince? No, he’d said
she
was dessert. Her belly clenched and cream flooded her lacy panties. Any desire that had temporarily subsided came rushing back. A bite of Josh was way better than orange chicken.

“Come with me,” he directed.

“Come with me,” she mimicked in a deep voice, giggling. Josh worked hard, just like the other men she knew—her research had revealed that. But he liked to play, something she’d always valued about him. Her father, her brother,
Phillip
…none of them knew the meaning of play, beyond a rousing round of golf to talk business.

69

Brynn Paulin

Josh set the food on the table beside the bed and turned to her. His eyes darkened, turning the gray almost black as he drew her toward him and slipped her T-shirt over her head.

“Tempest,” he whispered. Her barely there green lace bra revealed more than it hid and he tweaked her nipples, tormenting them with the fabric until she moaned and her head dropped back. A storm of need lashed at her pelvis, electrified by his touch.

Lightning surged through her limbs.

She shivered as he skimmed his fingers over her skin to the clasp of her bra. They shook slightly as he released each of the hooks. A moment later, he cupped her freed breasts in his large hands and scraped his thumbs over the hard peaks. Her pussy tightened. She wanted him now. Naked. Beneath
her
this time.

She almost giggled manically at that thought. The likelihood of riding him was slim in his current state of mind if the tension vibrating from him was any indication. He needed her pliant body undulating beneath him. She was happy to comply.