An Old-Fashioned Christmas Read online

  “No, you’re terrible.”

  “Well, then. I think you owe me an apology for thinking I’d keep something like that from you.”

  “My darling wife, I apologize deeply for ever thinking you’d keep being pregnant from me.”

  He stood and walked over to her, pulling her into his arms. She relaxed into his embrace. He took a few moments to hold her while she was soft and cuddly. Because in a few moments she wasn’t going to be in a cuddling mood.

  “There’s something else I owe you too.” He rubbed his hand over her jean-clad ass, looking at it in the mirror. Hmm, that gave him an idea.

  “What?” She tensed and tried to move out of his embrace.

  “Uh-uh, I didn’t tell you that you could move, did I?” He smacked his hand down on her butt. Not that she’d feel much through her jeans.

  He drew his hands to the buttons on her jeans, undoing them.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I owe you a spanking.”

  “No, you don’t,” she said quickly, grabbing at his hands as he dragged down her jeans.

  “Oh yes, I do. Let go.”

  She reluctantly let go and he dragged her jeans and panties down to her ankles. He grabbed hold of her sweater, pulling it up over her head. Her t-shirt followed. Lastly went her bra. Then she was standing with her back to the mirror, completely naked, her jeans and panties pooled around her ankles.

  “Spread your legs as far as you can.”

  She glared at him. “Why am I getting spanked?”

  “Do you remember our conversation this morning?”

  “Yeah, where you thought I was pregnant.”

  “And where you were disrespectful and swore at me.”

  Her mouth opened and closed.

  “I didn’t address it then and there because I didn’t know yet whether you were pregnant. And the kids interrupted us before I could find out. But now it’s time to pay up, love.”

  She groaned.

  He moved away and grabbed the armchair, carrying it over and setting it down in front of her. “Lean down and placed your arms on the seat of the chair.

  She looked behind her at the mirror. “Ah, Tom…”

  “Now,” he said sternly.

  She leaned over, giving him a perfect view of her ass and a glimpse of her plump, pink pussy in the mirror.

  Perfect.

  She couldn’t believe she was in this position. Her legs were spread as wide as they could go with the jeans trapping them. Her forearms rested on the seat of the plush armchair and her ass…oh God, her ass was on full display in the mirror.

  This was mortifying.

  “Tom, please, can’t you just take me over your knee and do it?”

  “When you’re in such a perfect position already? Why would I do that?”

  More like why would he do it when he was having the time of his life ogling her ass in the mirror. Smack! His hand landed down with a crack and she groaned. This was hard. Heavy. Unlike those few smacks he’d given her in bed last night, he meant business.

  Smack! Smack!

  His hand landed over and over. Her ass started off warm then soon grew hot and was fast on its way to burning. Tears dripped down her face as she bit down on her lip to stifle the cries. There was no damn privacy in this house.

  She shifted from foot to foot, hoping to alleviate the sting. Tom paused. What was he doing? Was he staring at her red butt?

  He rubbed her ass. “Stay still.”

  “I c-can’t.”

  “You can. Or you’re going to earn yourself extra. Why are you being spanked, Frankie?”

  Tom was big on having her tell him exactly why she was getting her butt roasted. She’d rather just get it all over and done with. But she knew from previous experience that the longer she took to answer, the longer her punishment would continue for.

  He moved his hand lower, smacked his hand down several times on the area where her ass met her thighs. She cried out. By now the seat was growing damp with her tears. She sniffed and risked raising one hand to wipe at her nose. Suddenly, a tissue was placed under her nose.

  “Blow,” Tom told her.

  As embarrassing as it was, she knew better than to try and take the tissue from him and do it herself.

  So she blew.

  “Have you got an answer for me?”

  “Because of my attitude this morning,” she told him reluctantly. It seemed like she was old enough that she shouldn’t get corrected for having an attitude anymore. But if she used that argument she was certain he’d point out that she was old enough not to have any attitude anymore. And she was pretty sure she’d still have attitude when she was ninety.

  “And?”

  She scrambled, thinking back. Oh yeah. “And for swearing.”

  “That’s right. Now, have you calmed down enough that you can stay still for the rest?” he asked, almost sounding apologetic that there was more to come.

  Yeah, right.

  “I’ll try.”

  “Good girl.”

  The words filled her with warmth and she almost didn’t feel the next few smacks. But then her ass started throbbing. Tears filled her eyes once more, dripping down her face. She sobbed. Deep, wrenching sobs.

  “Five more,” Tom told her. “I want us to always speak to each other with respect. And I definitely do not want to hear such words coming from my wife’s mouth. Especially now that we have little ears to listen in.”

  She knew he was right. But she was careful around Zeke and Charlotte. The last five landed. The hardest and fastest yet. Each one seemed heavier than the last.

  “Five,” he said.

  Thank God. Frankie collapsed forward against the armchair. Her legs were like noodles, her body trembling. She was completely spent.

  Tom lifted her up into his arms, careful not to touch her flaming ass. He laid her on her side in the bed. He climbed onto the mattress as well, pulling her against him and rubbing her back, holding her until her tears dissipated. She lay there, her ass throbbing and her mind clear. It was amazing how a spanking did that. Took away any guilt or worries or fears. How it made her actually feel closer to her husband. Some part of her had wondered in the beginning if she might have come to resent his disciplinary role in their relationship. But if anything, she appreciated his discipline.

  Not that she’d ever tell him that.

  A girl had to keep some things to herself. Although knowing Tom, he probably already knew. She settled in, secure in his love, knowing exactly how lucky she was.

  15

  Heath and Anna

  “Come on, Heath, you hold him and I’ll get the antlers on.”

  Heath shook his head at his sister. “Honey, these are deer. I can’t just hold them still. They’re not exactly co-operative.”

  “You’ve got a special way with animals. I just need to get antlers on a couple of them. Then we’ll get this lead attached, you can get dressed in the Santa suit and walk them past the window so the kids can see them. Done.”

  He put his hands on his hips. “And how did I get delegated the role of Santa?”

  “Because you’re the oldest. And the biggest.”

  “The biggest!” he said, outraged.

  She bit her lip but a giggle escaped.

  “Tom, will you talk some sense into your wife?” He turned to Tom who stood on the other side of the fence. The deer were all huddled together at the far edge of the corral, as though they knew what Frankie had planned.

  Poor bastards.

  “Frankie, where did you get these deer?” he asked.

  “You don’t need to sound so suspicious,” she answered. “I didn’t steal them. I bought them.”

  “Bought them! What the hell are you going to do with six deer?”

  “Merry Christmas!” She clapped her hands together and deer raced into the other corner.

  “What?”

  “They’re your Christmas present.”

  “Frankie, I’m a cattle farmer. Wh
at on earth am I going to do with deer?”

  He stared at her in exasperation. It was cold and would be dark soon. He would rather be inside, snuggling with his wife than out here trying to wrestle with deer.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Tom, could you not have stopped her?” he asked his friend with exasperation.

  Tom grinned. “Who do you think helped her get them here?”

  Heath put his hands on his hips. “You’re supposed to be the sensible one. You’re supposed to keep her grounded.”

  “I’ve learned to pick my fights,” Tom admitted. “In this instance, it didn’t hurt me to help her. Besides, this is for Charlotte.”

  “Exactly. It’s Christmas Eve and all Charlotte wants for Christmas is to see a reindeer. Well, she wants one for a pet but she can come visit them here. You don’t want to disappoint your only niece, do you?”

  Well, she had him there. He gave his sister a disgruntled look. “You’re not too old to spank.”

  “Hey, save it for your wife. I get enough of that as it is.”

  He cut a look to Tom. “Clearly not enough.”

  Tom’s eyes twinkled in good humor. In truth, he was happy to see his sister so happy. All of his siblings. And he guessed it wasn’t going to be too hard to persuade a couple of deer to wear some reindeer antlers.

  Anna looked up as Tom and Frankie entered the living room. Frankie was trying to wrestle her hair back into her ponytail, she had dirt on her jeans and the pants of Tom’s legs had a rip.

  “Are you guys okay? Where’s Heath?” she asked.

  “He had some chores to do,” Frankie said, winking at her. What did that mean? What was Frankie up to? She’d been acting mysterious all day. Then she and Tom had headed out earlier. On their return, Frankie had come running in for Heath. Now Heath was gone.

  “Oh, what’s that out the window? Is that Santa? And some reindeer?” Frankie pointed towards the big windows at the front of the house.

  Everyone stood and quickly moved to the living room windows.

  “Where? Me see!” Charlotte said demandingly.

  Tom picked her up and she squealed in excitement as a man in a Santa suit walked past, tugging along what appeared to be two reluctant reindeer. Anna bit her lip, holding back a laugh as her husband, dressed in an ill-fitting red velvet suit, limped slowly past the window.

  “Santa! Santa!” Zeke called out.

  Joshua took up the chant.

  She felt a tugging on her hand and looked down at Ryder as he jumped up and down. “Mama, it’s Santa!”

  “See him!” Charlotte tried to scramble out of Tom’s arms.

  “Oh no, darling,” Frankie said quickly. “We can’t disturb Santa tonight. He’s too busy. See, he’s already disappeared. But if you get quickly into bed and go to sleep he might return later tonight with presents for you all.”

  They hustled all the kids out of the living room and eventually managed to get them settled enough to go off to sleep. By the time Anna got back downstairs, Heath was sitting in his favorite armchair, his eyes closed, a glass of whiskey in his hand. His shirt was ripped, there was dirt on his hands and a scratch on his face.

  Anna burst into laughter.

  He opened his eyes and glared at her.

  The others trickled through the door. Cam laughed as he walked in and spotted Heath. Frankie danced into the room, clearly pleased with herself.

  “Best Christmas ever,” Frankie said, clapping her hands together. “Charlotte got to see reindeer and I get two more nephews or nieces. I cannot wait.”

  They’d told the family their good news earlier. Then Bryony, Kent and Cam added their good news.

  Anna moved over to Heath and he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her onto his lap. He glared at his sister. “I am not doing that every year.”

  “But Heath, you have the deer now,” Frankie told him. “You can train them.”

  “Yeah, Heath,” Brax said with a grin. “You can train them.”

  Holly giggled and smacked Brax’s chest with her hand. “Don’t encourage her.”

  “One of those deer head butted me. I’m going to have a huge bruise on my ass tomorrow.”

  “Oh, poor Heath, does it hurt to sit?” Frankie said with false sympathy. “Guess you know how we feel when you guys spank us.”

  “Yeah, but you deserve it. Brat.”

  But he was grinning and he squeezed Anna. “How you doing, baby?”

  “I’m doing good,” she replied. “Really good.”

  Heath wrapped his arm around his wife and looked around at his family. Yep, life was pretty damn good. He knew that his parents were probably looking down on them right now and smiling. Sure, they’d all made their mistakes. Some more than others. But everything had come out perfect in the end.

  And he hoped there would be many more crazy, fun, loving family Christmases to come.

  16

  Roarke, Sam and Ava

  Ava smiled as Lily giggled. Sam was playing peek a boo with her. They were sitting on the shaggy rug in front of the fireplace in the living room. Austin was having an unusually cold winter. It was Christmas Eve and they were snuggled up inside where it was warm.

  The Christmas tree glowed in the corner, presents lined up underneath. Although Sam insisted that Santa was still making an appearance later. She couldn’t wait for that.

  “Do you think it might snow?” Ava asked.

  Sam smiled. “Well, you never know. Christmas is the most magical time of the year.”

  She grinned back at him.

  She looked up as the door opened and Roarke walked in. His frown cleared as he saw the three of them sitting on the rug. Lily laughed and he grinned.

  “Sounds like my girl is having fun.”

  Lily squealed as she saw him and held her arms up. He reached down and scooped her up, pressing kisses to her tummy to her delight. Her little fists pounded up and down.

  “Hey there, pretty girl.” He tucked her in against his chest.

  Ava sat up. “It’s time she was in bed.”

  “I’ll take her.” Sam jumped to his feet, taking her from Roarke.

  Ava lay back down. She’d been working hard at letting the two of them do more. While it had been hard, she was starting to feel more relaxed. And there had been no more sneaking into the bathroom to cry. Although there had been a few times where she’d ended up curled up in one of her men’s laps, which was a little embarrassing as she bawled for no real reason.

  “Did you figure it who has been stealing from you?” she asked Roarke, knowing he’d just got off a phone call with Dylan, the man who helped oversee a lot of his clubs.

  “Nope,” he said, settling on the rug and pulling her close. She lay on her back while he leaned up on his elbow and stared down at her. He ran his finger down the side of her face. Her heartbeat quickened. Damn, he was gorgeous.

  “I was going to say the same about you,” he told her, leaning down to kiss her.

  Had she said that out loud? Either that or they were so in-tune now he could read her mind.

  He pulled back from the kiss.

  “What are you going to do?” she asked as he started to undo the buttons that went down the front of her dress. When they were half undone, he reached in and pulled a breast free. She’d taken her bra off earlier. He ran his finger over her nipple and clit throbbed in reaction.

  “I’m thinking of hiring Black-Gray to go in and investigate.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “You’re sending someone in undercover?”

  “Hmm.”

  “Won’t that be expensive?”

  He narrowed his gaze. “I don’t like that someone is stealing form me. I know each of those employees. I hired most of them. I want to know who’s trying to cheat me.”

  She reached up and pulled him down for a kiss. “I know you do. You’ll catch them.”

  But if it was someone he knew well, it would hurt him. He might have pulled back from managing his clubs, but he st
ill regarded his employees as his people. He watched out for them, looked after them.

  It just didn’t make sense that one of them would steal from him when they had to know they could come to him for anything.

  He drew back and then leaned down to suck her nipple into his mouth. He scrapped his teeth over the hard nub then lapped at it gently.

  “Are you wearing underwear?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she replied breathlessly as he reached for her dress, pulling it up over her hips to bunch at her stomach. “But it’s a G-string.”

  “Roll over.”

  She rolled and he ran his hand over her ass. Then tapped it lightly with his hand. He built up momentum. Spanking softly to begin with. Then harder and harder.

  “Spread your legs.”

  She widened her legs at the guttural command and he cupped her mound.

  “Fuck, you’re so wet you’ve soaked your panties through.” He slipped a finger beneath the material, pushing it deep into her pussy. “You’re sucking me in. Christ, I have to be inside you. Take those off.”

  She had just gotten her underwear off, and Roarke was just reaching for his pants, his shirt already on the ground, when the door opened. Sam stepped through.

  “Ho-ho-well….hoooo.” He grinned as he stared at them both. “Santa’s here to check whether you’ve been naughty or nice. And I can see you’ve both been very naughty.”

  Sam waggled his eyebrows as Ava burst into laughter. “Where did you get that suit?”

  Dressed in a Santa suit, he didn’t look a thing like the Santa at the malls or in the movies. The pants hung low, around his hips. One tug and they would come down. He had black boots on his feet and the jacket was hanging open, displaying all those delicious abs.

  A red hat sat on his head.

  He grinned. “I’m Sam, the sexy Santa. Here to make all your Christmas wishes come true. Want to see what’s in my pants?”

  This time Roarke joined her, his laughter filling the room. Sam winked at her.

  “And just what is in these pants? A snowman? Two balls with a carrot for a nose?” she asked cheekily.