Unforgettable (8 page)

She shook her head.

“Eden,” he growled. “You may not know all the rules and I would never spank you for something you didn’t know.” She relaxed. “But, I warned you of the consequences of disobeying me tonight, did I not? I’m sorry I didn’t think about your comfort in the dark, but you could have climbed into the car. Instead you chose to follow me inside, knowing full well you were going to get your butt roasted, didn’t you? I’m worth nothing to you as a man and a partner if I don’t stick by my word. And part of me thinks you were testing me on that. Now, I was going to go easy on you because you’re still feeling your way around me, but the longer you procrastinate, the harder it will be. Come to me now, Eden.”

Had a part of her deliberately disobeyed in order to see what he would do?

Maybe.Probably. God damn it. Had part of her actually wanted this? Surely not. And yet, he had warned her.

“A relationship with me isn’t always easy. I’m demanding. I’m arrogant. I snore,” he told her. “But I love you with everything I have. I’m sorry if I’m scaring you with too much too soon when you don’t know me. But know that everything I do is to look after you. You will never find someone more devoted to you. When you disappeared, Eden, I was terrified. I didn’t sleep, I didn’t eat. I would never have stopped looking for you and if I found out you had died, I would have hunted down your murderers and once you were revenged I would have followed you to the afterlife.”

She gulped, knowing he was completely serious. Having so much intense attention centered on her was scary, intimidating and made her body flush with need. She pressed her thighs together as moisture gathered in on her folds.

“I could not survive something happening to you and that is why I am so serious about this. I know it’s frightening, we don’t have that trust between us that we once did. But I would never hit you, never harm you. I will give you a sore bottom so that the next time you think about disobeying me, you will hopefully hesitate.”

Eden stared at him and just knew he spoke the truth. Not giving herself any more time to think about it she took a step towards him. Then another until she was standing before him, her hands clasped tightly together.

“Good girl,” he told her, reaching out to clasp her hands and separating them. “Normally you would have to place yourself across my knee, but I think you need some extra help tongiht, don’t you?”

She nodded, her breath coming in quick pants.

“Take my hand then, honey.” He held his palm out to her. Eden took it, her own hand shaking slightly.

“Shh, settle down, baby,” he told her in a low croon. He ran his hand over hers.

“Sorry, I know I’m being silly, I just...”

“Come here,” he said gently, pulling her so she sat on his lap. He held her tight, rocking her until she calmed. His touch had a dual effect, lending her a feeling of safety while stirring her blood with an arousal that threatened to overwhelm her. “Better?” he asked.

She nodded. Before she could take another breath, he’d flipped her over until she was face down over his knees. Her upper body lay comfortably on the sofa, while her lower stomach and upper thighs rested over his hard legs.

Eden whimpered as he ran his hand over her bottom, squeezing. “You have a gorgeous ass, you know that? Damn, I’ve missed your body, darling. I wish I could spend the night showing you how much I love every inch of you. But I know it’s too soon for that. Besides, I don’t think you’re going to want me touching you after this,” he said regretfully.

He raised her skirt up over her back.

“Is that necessary?” she squealed. Her skirt was thin, but she thought it might provide some protection or at least let her maintain some modesty.

“Sorry, baby. Spankings are given on the bare.”

Suddenly he pulled her hips up slightly and whipped down her underwear.

“Galen, no!” she cried out trying to turn around.

“Shh, honey. It’s not like I haven’t seen your naked bottom before. And damn, you’re even sexier than I remember. Now lie still and keep your hands above your head. If you reach back I’ll have to hold you down and I don’t think you’re ready for that.”

With a loud gulp, her face flaming red and legs closely pressed together to try and hide her pussy from his gaze, Eden held her hands above her head. Seriously, though, how hard could he hit?

Smack!

Oh God, that hard.

“Ow, no!” she screeched, nearly falling off his lap as she tried to move out of the way of that hand. He caught her easily, holding her down with a heavy palm on the small on her back.

“Hold still, kitten. This is only just starting.” He smacked his hand down steadily. Over and over. Each smack seemed heavier than the last.

“Galen, please, it hurts,” she cried out, her buttocks flaming. She’d kind of imagined, a few light taps that would be more embarrassing than painful. Instead he was whaling into her bottom, his hand heavy and sure as he covered her butt and upper thighs with stinging smacks.

“It’s meant to burn, kitten. I want this to make an impression.” Smack! Smack! He continued to spank as he talked. “I want you to have no doubts that I am very serious about your safety.”

Eden kicked her feet, she couldn’t help herself. But he continued on. Tears welled, dripping down her cheeks.

“Please, I understand, please,” she cried, a small sob escaping.

Another dozen searing spanks later he stopped. Eden lay over his knees, sobbing her heart out, tears flowing down her cheeks as he rubbed her lower back. All her fears over the last few months, all the sleepless nights and the worry exploded out of her.

“That’s it, baby,” he crooned. Pulling her right side up, he lay back on the sofa with her sprawled over his front. Galen rubbed her sore bottom with one hand, his other hand holding her close as she cried against his chest.

Gradually, she calmed. Exhausted, she simply lay there, just breathing and enjoying the feeling of having him so close. Galen ran his hands up and down her back. He kissed the top of her head.

“Okay?” he asked.

She snorted. “Well, I’ve got a flaming sore backside and I’ve just completely wet your shirt with my tears, plus I’m lying on top of a man who is rubbing said bare backside. I’m not sure okay is quite the word I’d use.”

“Overwhelmed?” he asked with such understanding that tears welled again.

“A bit.”

“I’m sorry if I’m pushing you, honey. But I just can’t stand by while you put yourself at risk. I love you.”

There was such feeling in his voice, and for the first time she realized how hard this must be on him. God, she was selfish, she hadn’t given much thought to his feelings. How horrible it must be to love someone who had no knowledge of you.

“I’m sorry, I’ve been so selfish,” she told him.

He stilled then sat up, pulling her with him. She winced as her bottom came into contact with his hard lap, but he quickly shifted her so her bottom hung off the end of his lap. “And just how have you been selfish?” he asked curiously.

“Because all I’ve been thinking about is how hard this is on me. But it must be equally hard on you. How awful it must feel that I can’t remember you. All I’ve been doing is complaining about how hard things are for me, but they must be just as horrid for you.”

Galen pressed a finger under her chin, lifting her face up so she stared up into his face. “Listen to me, sweetheart. There is nothing selfish about you. You’re trying to cope with a horrible situation as best you can. And then in I walk with all these orders and rules, it’s a wonder you haven’t shot me.”

Her lips twitched.

“I’m sure you’ve thought about it. This situation is terrible for both of us. But you will get your memories back and you will remember me. Until then, I’m going to take care of you best I can.”

“And that means I have to follow your rules?” She made a face.

“Yes.”

“I’m a grown woman. I shouldn’t have to follow rules.”

He ran his hand over her hair. “Everyone has rules they have to follow, kitten. Just do as I say and you won’t be spanked again.” His lips twitched.

With a sigh, she sat back and shook her head. “Why do I feel like you enjoy spanking me?”

“I don’t like making you cry, and I don’t like you putting yourself at risk, but I do enjoy having you butt-naked over my lap.” He winked at her and she grinned.

“Pervert,” she muttered.

Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. “You’re exhausted, kitten. I’m going to put you to bed.”

She grabbed his shirt as he made to rise. “Can you stay a bit longer?” she asked, not particularly liking the vulnerability in her voice but she didn’t want to be alone right now. She felt exposed and sensitive. Whether it was the spanking or because she felt closer to him, she didn’t know, but she wanted him close by.

“I won’t go far. I’ll get you into bed then I’m going to sleep outside tonight. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

“Ahh, no you’re not.”

“No, I’m not what?” He looked down at her, one eyebrow raised in question.

“No, you’re not sleeping outside.” She’d never heard something so ludicrous.

“So you want me to sleep inside? Kitten, I thought you’d never offer,” he teased. She blushed. Yeah, she wasn’t offering that either.

“I didn’t mean that and you know it. I just wanted to sit here for a bit longer before you leave and go to your bed at Rick’s house.”

He grinned. “Kitten, I don’t have a bed at Andrews’ house, I’ve spent each night outside your place watching over you.”

Eden’s mouth dropped in shock. “You’ve been spying on me?”

Galen narrowed his eyes. “Not like that. I’ve been watching over you.”

“Why? Why would you watch me? Why didn’t you tell me?” Feeling exposed, she desperately tried to think what she’d done over the last few days. She thought back but she couldn’t remember any karaoke sessions. Eden loved to sing but she knew her voice was crap.

“I have that right. You are mine, Eden. Come on, it’s time you were in bed. You don’t get enough sleep.”

“And you’d know, seeing as how you’ve been spying on me,” she shot back grumpily. But even though a part of her felt shocked, another part felt protected. Safe.

Galen shifted her in his arms as he entered her bedroom. Luckily she’d tidied up her bedroom a bit that morning, although the dirty laundry was piling up in one corner and her bed wasn’t really made. His lips twitched as he stopped and looked around. “I see some things never change.”

“I’ve been busy,” she defended.

“You’re working too much, particularly when you sleep so little. No wonder you’re exhausted. And grouchy. Go do what you have to in the bathroom. I’m going to check the house out and then I’ll come back to tuck you in.”

Part of her wanted to protest that she wasn’t two, but it felt so long since someone had taken care of her that she couldn’t bear to push him away, even supposing he would go.

So she got ready for bed without a word, and when she returned from the bathroom he was already there. He held back the covers for her, tucking her in when she climbed into the sheets.

Leaning down, he kissed her forehead.

“Sleep well, sweetheart, let me worry about everything for a change.”

It was the best night sleep’s she’d had since she’d woken in the hospital six weeks ago.

Chapter Six:

“He’s keeping something from me. I want you to tell me,” Eden urged Rick the next night as soon as he picked up the phone. She’d slept like a log the night before, but somehow it had only made her feel more tired and wound up. Work had seemed never-ending.

She’d been embarrassed when Galen had arrived to drive her in that morning, but he’d acted normal, seeming more concerned about the fact her car was making some strange noises than the state of her butt.

 “Eden, you know what the doctor said,” Rick said patiently.

“I don’t give a fuck what the doctor said. I know there’s something more than he’s telling me. And I know you know what that is. Tell me.”

“He’s a good man, honey. I would never have gotten in contact with him if I wasn’t one hundred percent sure that he was one of the good guys. I wouldn’t risk your safety.”

Eden forced herself to take a deep breath and calm down. “I know you wouldn’t.”

“Look, he’s the one you need to talk to about this. Maybe the two of you should go back to the doctor, see what he says.”

“Yeah, maybe,” she muttered. “It just sucks, you know. He says he loves me and I don’t know anything except what he tells me. How do I know it’s all the truth?”

 Eden stared out the corner of the window, shocked to see Galen out there setting up some sort of camp on the edge of the forest. He turned, as though he could sense her watching him, and she jumped quickly back, away from the window.

“Look, I did some background checks on him, would you like me to show you?” Rick offered.

Eden shook her head then realized what she was doing. “No,” she told him. “That will get you into trouble if anyone finds out. I guess I just wanted you to reassure me again he is one of the good guys.”

“He is. I promise.”

“What is he doing?” she muttered, forgetting she was on the phone to Rick.

“What?” he asked sharply. “Who?”

“Galen. He’s setting up camp in my backyard.”

Rick chuckled. “Do you blame him? Must be uncomfortable as hell sleeping out there night after night on the damp ground.”

“Why did you call him in without telling me first?” she asked. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to ask him that before, couldn’t understand why he would do that without first talking to her. It made her feel betrayed by the one friend she thought she had.

“Honey, I did that because I wasn’t sure you’d agree to me contacting him and I had to. I knew he would be able to protect you. I’m worried about your safety, sweetheart. There are things I wish I could tell you, but it’s not my story to tell. Just be patient, Eden, and know I would never have called him if I hadn’t thought it was the best thing for you.”

“Seems like a lot of people think they know what’s best for me lately,” she said disgruntled, rubbing her forehead tiredly. “I guess I understand, doesn’t mean I forgive-”