Just Right for Me Page 9

  His warm breath fanned her ear. “Do you trust me to know what you need?”

  Mia sniffed. “I trust you.” A surge of relief washed over her. She did trust him and she deserved this punishment. She had jumped to the wrong conclusion as always. “I love you, Ross Garrison.”

  His taut body relaxed, his anger seemingly calmed somewhat, the grip on her hair relaxed. “I love you too, Mia Adams. Now, give me your hands.” Ross held her steady as Mia shifted to follow his command.

  She hung her head and kept her gaze on his shiny black shoes as he grabbed her hands in one of his, leaving her helpless. He shoved her shirt above her lower back, baring her ass. Cool air breezed along her skin and centered on her girly parts. She was wet and aroused. Mortified, Mia flushed. She pressed her thighs together and earned a sharp slap.

  “Stop that.” Ross pushed her legs apart. WHACK.

  Fire blazed across her bottom. Before she could catch her breath, another crack filled the air and landed right on her sit spot then another. He delivered strike after strike in swift succession. Gosh almighty, she’d be surprised if she could walk afterwards without feeling each spank. On and on the belt came down lashing her buttocks, thighs, and sit spot.

  Finally, when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, she heard the belt land on the floor and was lifted to stand between his knees. Ross tilted her chin so she had no choice but to look him in the face.

  “Lesson learned?”

  Mia wiped away the tears falling down her cheeks with the back of her hand and walked slowly to the bed. Each step was agony. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Bewildered, she pointed to the bed. After a spanking she’d lay on her belly and he’d make her feel better by rubbing aloe into her skin, but this time his stern tone coupled with the frown on his face seemed to suggest otherwise. He took hold of her waist, spun her around and pushed her toward the corner by the window. “Stick your nose in that corner and lift up your shirt. I want this punished bottom on display. And no rubbing.”

  Mia’s heart pounded in her ears. She hesitated, shocked that he would embarrass her this way.

  “Is there a problem?”

  Their gazes locked and held. Ross’s brows were drawn together in an agonized expression, his blue eyes filled with regret, which had Mia lowering her head in shame. Physical pain would diminish and eventually disappear, but emotional pain was a lot worse because it tended to linger much longer.

  She knew all about the burden of guilt. Her hasty actions had done this to him and it was all her fault. This was not the carefree lenient Ross she had come to know these past few days. Apparently, he wanted this lesson to stick.

  She could refuse and tell him to get out and never come back again, but she’d take her punishment like the woman she claimed herself to be and show him just how much she loved and respected him. Mia straightened her shoulders, stiffened her spine and walked proudly to the corner. She made certain that her bottom was visible for him to see his handiwork.

  * * * * *

  Ross rubbed his tired eyes and rolled his shoulders. For a split second, he thought Mia would refuse his command to stand in the corner. His heart swelled with love for the independent, sassy woman who valued her pride, yet in the end obeyed his orders and had done so with class. Like a beacon, her striped red bottom drew his attention and he winced. Sympathy welled inside him at the sight of her punished flesh, but every crack of the belt had been well earned on her part. He fought the desire to gather her in his arms and tend to her swollen flesh. He had made that mistake after each previous punishment, but not this time.

  Each time her phone had gone immediately to voice mail he promised himself to add another strike to that sexy full ass. He fully understood her trust issues. At the age of twelve, her uncle, the one person she thought she could trust, had hurt her in the worst possible way, while her parents treated her as if she was a nuisance. Those feelings would no doubt remain with her for a long time to come, but with tender love and discipline, he’d replace those hurtful memories with happier ones. He stood up and deliberately hardened his tone. “Stay where you are. Move and we’ll repeat the lesson.” Ross left the room.

  * * * * *

  Mia stood in the corner, twisting the engagement ring Ross had given her around her finger, trying desperately to keep her hands from straying to her bottom to rub the bite of the belt away. She’d have difficulty sitting for the next couple of days. Her short temper had landed her in this predicament and she didn’t know which was worse, the physical pain or the abundance of guilt she felt for jumping to conclusions… again. She wouldn’t blame Ross if he packed up and left. Right now, she couldn’t stand herself.

  She blew out a breath. It seemed like hours had passed since he left the room and she wondered if he’d stay true to his word and not leave. He could be packing his bags now. Tears spilled down her face and she lowered her head. But she had to be reasonable. How many times did she expect him to forgive her? Surely, he had met a lot of women in California who were prettier than her and never gave him as much sass as she had these past few days.

  But he told her he liked her sass. Her habit of jumping to conclusions is what chapped his ass. Hearing footsteps coming down the hall, Mia cleared her throat.

  “Come here, Mia.” He spoke in a calm, gentle tone and she wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands before turning around.

  He stood there in a pair of worn jeans and flannel shirt with his arms spread out in front of him. Mia moved as fast as her sore sit spots allowed and he gathered her into his warm embrace. Right here, in the shelter of his strong arms, is where she wanted to be. She’d learn to stop jumping to conclusions and told him so between sobs and loud hiccups.

  Ross cupped her face with his hands. “I know you will and I realize it won’t be easy. Bad habits are hard to break. I would have been home from the airport sooner, but I stopped at Aunt Maggie’s house to think for a bit before coming home.”

  She dropped her gaze to the buttons on his shirt, but Ross tightened his hold, forcing her to keep her attention on him. “Leaving you again is not an option. I just needed some time to cool down so I wouldn’t say something in the heat of anger and hurt you. I should have done that years ago, instead of packing my bags and joining the Marines right off the bat. I don’t regret the time I gave to my country, but I learned not to react rashly.”

  He pulled her against his chest, burying his face in her hair. “God, I love the way you smell. Sweetheart, I promise never to leave you again. I may go for a walk, you know, just to cool off, but I’ll tell you, okay?”

  Mia sniffed. “Okay. And if I need some time to cool off I’ll let you know.”

  His lips tenderly brushed across hers. She closed her eyes as he kissed his way down the side of her neck, along her collarbone and grazed her earlobe. She moaned low in her throat. He expelled a harsh breath and set her away from him. “I need to go to Aunt Maggie’s house for a bit. Did you want to come with me?”

  Confused at his abrupt change in mood, she shook her head. “No, it’s already nine o’clock. I have to work tomorrow.” She moved slowly into the kitchen for a glass of water. Darn, her sit spot hurt. “How’s the renovation coming along?”

  Ross blinked as if she had caught him off guard. “Uh, good. I’m almost finished. Are you hungry? I can whip you up a sandwich before I go.”

  Mia could have sworn she saw a flash of apprehension in his eyes, but she pushed it aside. She was not going down that road of doubt again. She grimaced and rubbed her behind. “I’d rather not hear the word ‘whip’ for a while if you don’t mind.” She trusted him. Truly, truly trusted him, and it felt wonderful. “I’m not hungry anyway. I think I’ll go to bed.”

  * * * * *

  Ross waited until the last customer left The Doggie Sweet Shop and got out of his truck. He went into the store and smiled as Celia came toward him holding Samantha in her arms. He rubbed the kitten’s soft chin. “I wasn’t sure I’d get her
e before you left. I didn’t want Mia to get suspicious so I made a point of asking her if she wanted to come along with me to my aunt’s house. Thankfully, she said no. I don’t want to spoil my surprise. Do you have everything I need to take care of this new addition to my family?”

  Celia pointed to the supplies on the floor behind the register. “All you need for this little lady is right here.”

  “And you’re sure she’ll be okay at the house by herself?”

  “Oh yes, Samantha is very docile. As long as she has a place to sleep and her dishes nearby, she’ll be fine.”

  Ross nodded. “Great. It’ll just be for one night anyway. Let me put all this stuff in the truck and I’ll be right back.”

  It took him only a few minutes to load up.

  “Now, how much do I owe you?” He opened his checkbook. Celia gave him the receipt and he scribbled in the amount. He handed her the check in exchange for Samantha. As soon as the kitten was in his arms, she fell asleep. He grinned. “She’s spoiled already.”

  Celia cocked a brow. “I wonder why.” She looked at the check. “Ah, Ross, you have way too many zeroes on this check.”

  “No, I don’t. Thanks for everything, Celia.”

  Ross unlocked the door and set Samantha down on the floor in the kitchen. He filled her water dish and food bowl. “There you are, Samantha.” The kitten stood there, shaking with her green eyes opened wide. Ross picked her up and fondled her ears. “I know. This is a strange place, but you’ll get used to your new home. There’s no need to be afraid.” He held her up in the air and looked her directly in the face. “Now, you eat something, young lady, while I get your new bed out.”

  He set her down and patted her little behind. Ross shook his head when she went straight to her dish. Another female who needed a firm hand. After Samantha ate, she made her rounds of the house. Seemingly satisfied with her new surroundings, she sniffed out her litter box and did what she had to do. Afterwards, she rubbed against Ross’s leg a few times.

  He reached down and gave her a pat on the head. “Be a good girl and go to sleep, Samantha. I’ll bring Mia by tomorrow.” As if she had understood everything he said, Samantha curled in her bed, yawned and fell asleep.

  Ross fired up the truck and went back to the apartment. He found Mia fast asleep with her hands folded under her chin. He showered quickly and slid under the covers. Gently, he curled his arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest. The sweet scent of her hair reached his nostrils and closed his eyes.

  * * * * *

  Mia squinted against the bright sunlight and groaned. “Ross, pull that shade back down. I’m trying to sleep.”

  “Come on, lazybones, it’s time to wake up.”

  “Today is the first Saturday I’ve had off in a month. I’m staying in bed all day.”

  Ross yanked the covers to the bottom of the bed. “It’s too nice to stay in bed all day. The air is crisp and it’s a nice day for a drive.”

  Mia rolled her eyes. “The price of gas is sky high and you want to drive around and sightsee.” She reached for the blankets and tugged them up to her chin. “I’m sleeping in.”

  “Fine, then I’ll go to Dunkin’ Donuts myself.” He left the room. Within minutes, Mia was dressed and joined him in the kitchen.

  “Drat, you know my weakness. I haven’t had coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts in ages.” She put on her coat and fetched her sneakers from the closet in the mudroom. She had to admit they were a lot easier to find when she put them back where they belonged. Mia hopped into the truck and smiled. “It is gorgeous for a fall day. Let’s go and get that coffee.”

  Ross went to the drive-thru and ordered two cups of coffee. He parked the truck off to the side and they both enjoyed watching the sparrows pick at a half-eaten donut someone threw away.

  “Are you perked up enough to go for a drive?”

  Mia giggled. “Yes, sir.”

  He raised a brow. “It’s about time.” They didn’t go very far when Ross made a right turn and pulled into a stone covered driveway. Puzzled, Mia twisted her head this way and that.

  “Why are we at your aunt’s house?”

  Ross turned off the engine and jumped out of the truck. He circled round to her side and opened the door. “I want you to see the changes I made. I figured I’d wait and see what you think before I did anything else.” He took hold of her hand and helped her to step down.

  Mia noticed the bare rose bushes and the dark leaves on the lilacs. Winter would be here soon enough. She followed Ross to the door and waited while he inserted the key into the lock. He pushed open the door and Mia squealed when she saw Samantha stretched out on the floor beneath a window. The kitten rolled onto her back and let out a loud meow.

  Mia rushed over and rubbed her belly. She heard Ross rummaging through the drawers in the kitchen. She gave Samantha one last rub and went to see what he was doing. “Ross, I don’t understand. What’s Samantha doing here and why are you making breakfast?”

  Ross wiped his hands on a tea towel. “Don’t you want to eat breakfast in your new home?”

  “My new home?” Mia’s mouth dropped open. She frantically searched his face for some kind of a sign telling her that she had misunderstood what he just said, but he merely smiled. Something warm bumped against her leg and she looked down to see Samantha gazing up at her.

  “Becky mentioned that you two couldn’t have a pet, so I thought I’d adopt Samantha and give her a good home. What about you? Would you like to call this house your home from now on?”

  Mia was too choked up to reply. Her hands shook and her legs trembled as she walked toward Ross. She stopped a few feet in front of him and placed a hand over her mouth. “Is this for real?”

  Ross held out his arms. “Your wish is my command.”

  Mia threw herself into his embrace and laughed out loud as he picked her up and spun her around. He set her on her feet and kissed her soundly on the mouth.

  Mia brushed the lock of hair that fell across his forehead. “Ross Garrison, have I ever told you that you’re just right for me?”

  He remained silent for a moment. “No, but now that you mentioned it, you better not forget it.”

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  Mary Wehr

  Northeastern Pennsylvania is my home. I live with my husband, a silly pet dove and a long-haired guinea pig. I adore animals and spend more money on pet food than I do for groceries. Reading romance novels is my fun way of passing the time and I'm alw
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