An Old-Fashioned Christmas Read online

  “For not talking to you. For not telling you how I was feeling and lying about going off the birth control.”

  She hadn’t actually out and out lied and told him she’d stopped taking the pills. But she’d led him to believe she had.

  Which she knew was just as bad.

  “I’ve thought all day about what I could do to make you think twice before you keep something like this from me again. Normally, I would use the cane for lying to me.” He kept rubbing her ass with his hand. It hurt and aroused all at the same time. “I did think about taking you out to the stables and bending you over a saddle then using a strap on your butt. But it’s a bit too cold outside and I didn’t want you getting chilled.”

  She was glad to be spared that.

  “I won’t keep anything like this from you again, Sir. I promise.” The guilt alone was enough to deter her, let alone the hurt she’d caused him.

  “I hope you mean that. But you’ll understand if I feel I can’t quite trust your word yet.”

  Oh God. He didn’t trust her. Another sob broke free.

  “Shh, it’s all right. We can get past this, Holly. It’s a dip in the road and I think we’ll come out stronger on the other side.”

  She looked over her shoulder at him. “Do you really think so?”

  He nodded. “I do. As long as we both accept that we need to work on keeping the lines of communication open. Which is why each night after Wyatt goes to bed you’re going to write in a journal. You’re going to write down your thoughts, feelings, what you did that day. Whatever you feel like.”

  She sucked in a breath.

  “And then you’ll sit at my feet and choose a passage to read back to me. Doesn’t have to be everything. Or it can be, if you like. Your choice. But I want to know what’s going in in that head of yours. All right?”

  “Yes, Sir.” It wouldn’t be easy for her but she’d give it a go for him.

  He squeezed her burning ass, making her gasp. “We’re going to talk to each other. Really talk. I know I’ve been busy with work, but that time will be for us, all right?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Good. Now, let’s get you ready for the plug.” He picked up the lube. “Is your leg okay?”

  “It’s fine, Sir.”

  “Tell me if that changes.”

  She tried to relax as he pulled her ass cheeks apart and placed a small blob of cool lube on her hole. She shivered as he ran a finger down the seam of her ass, circling the puckered entrance.

  “I expect a very nice thank you for preparing you for the plug.”

  “Thank you, Sir,” she told him. “You’re a very understanding, kind, and handsome Dom.”

  He snorted as he pushed his finger into her ass. “Don’t overdo the flattery.”

  “Thought it might get me some leniency, Sir.” She gasped as his finger drove in deep.

  “It won’t,” he said ominously.

  Yeah, she’d guessed that. His other hand searched lower, and he ran his finger through her damp folds.

  “So wet. You like having your ass played with, don’t you?”

  “Yes, Sir.” She really did.

  He pressed his finger deeper, moving it in and out of her ass as he lightly ran his other finger over her clit. Up and down. Round.

  Her breath came faster. Need pooled low in her stomach. Frustration built inside her because she knew he wasn’t going to let her come. Not now. Probably not for a while.

  “That’s a good girl. You know you’re not allowed to come, don’t you?” he crooned.

  “I know, Sir.” She hated having to hold back her orgasms and he knew it.

  By now there were two fingers in her ass, stretching her, preparing her. It stung slightly but was nothing compared to her burning butt cheeks.

  He withdrew his fingers slowly from her ass and pussy. “I want you to reach back and pull those ass cheeks apart. As far as you can.”

  She whimpered but reached back and did as ordered. He loved making her do this. He also knew how much she struggled with it.

  “Very nice.” His voice was filled with approval. It didn’t much help alleviate her embarrassment. “Keep hold of those ass cheeks while I coat the plug with lube.”

  She waited impatiently for him to prepare the plug, knowing he was probably taking his time. Then the plug was pressed against her asshole.

  “Right, deep breath in. Then let it out slowly.”

  He slid the plug past the tight ring of muscle, pushing it deep, seating it inside her. It stretched. Burned. And yet she felt her clit throbbing in reaction.

  “You can let go of your cheeks now. Isn’t that a pretty sight?” He tapped his hand down on the end of the plug lightly. Her breath shuddered in and out of her lungs.

  He sat next to her on the mattress. “All right, place yourself over my lap for the rest of your punishment. It’s time for the rest of your punishment. Do not lose that plug. You wouldn’t like it if I had to start again.”

  She carefully shifted, standing then climbing over his lap. Her legs rested over one side of his lap and she placed her hands on the floor to steady herself.

  He ran his palm in circles over her ass, reigniting the heat. Then he smacked his hand down rapidly ten times.

  Tears started rolling down her cheeks and her body shook with her sobs. She’d messed up. She’d really messed up.

  “Here we go, baby. I have the gag. Open up.”

  She lifted her head and then helped him put the gag on. Once it was on, she dropped her head again.

  She felt him shift slightly then her hairbrush cracked down on her ass. Holy shit that hurt! She arched up, her cry thankfully muffled by the gag. Her ass throbbed, the pain penetrating deep. This wasn’t the sting of a hand spanking or the belt. This was something altogether different.

  Brax settled his hand on her lower back. “Hold steady.”

  He smacked the hairbrush down again on her other cheek. She whimpered, trying to shift off his lap but he held her steady. It landed again. Tears flooded her eyes, pouring down her cheeks.

  Oh God. Oh God.

  “Easy now, just a few more.”

  A few more? Really? Shit. Shit.

  Two landed in rapid succession. She tried to pull herself forward. She needed to get away. She couldn’t take anymore.

  “Two more,” he told her grimly, holding her tight to keep her from moving.

  The next one landed on her lower ass. She was beside herself. She was beyond fighting now. She lay on his lap, sobbing her heart out.

  The last one landed and she just cried. And cried.

  Brax shifted her, laying her on her stomach on the bed. He removed the gag then lay beside her, running his hand up and down her back, soothing her. He brushed her hair back and kissed the tears that flowed down her cheeks. He whispered to her soothingly.

  “It’s all over, baby. All over. You did so good. I know that wasn’t easy. God, I hate punishing you like that. Please don’t do this again.”

  She sobbed harder. “I’m so sorry, Sir. So sorry.”

  “I know you are. And you’re forgiven. You and I have some work to do, but your punishment is over.”

  “What about the journal writing?”

  “That’s not punishment. That’s about us. Strengthening our relationship.”

  Brax lay back on the bed and then arranged her so she was lying on top of him. He just held her, running his hand up and down her back, whispering sweet words in her ear.

  Gradually her sobs died to sniffles and she let out a deep shuddering breath. He slipped out from under her and went into the bathroom, returning with two wet cloths. He used the warm one to wipe her face clean of tears and snot. Gross.

  Then he removed the plug before placing a cold cloth on her flaming butt.

  “Thank you, Sir,” she whispered.

  He lay on his side, facing her. “You’re welcome. It’s all over now, baby. I’m so sorry I had to do that, but you understand why, don’t you?”

/>   She nodded. She did. Even more, she’d needed it.

  “Do you feel better?” he asked.

  She thought about it and realized she did. That deep well of guilt was gone.

  “I do. Thank you, Sir.”

  He kissed her gently on the lips. “You’re welcome, baby.”

  Brax awoke to the most delicious sensation. His wife’s mouth around his cock. She took him deep then pulled back slowly, sucking on him as she moved. Her small, smooth hand cupped his balls gently as she took him deep into her mouth again.

  “Well, good morning, darlin’,” he drawled, flicking the sheet off them both so he could watch her.

  She drew back to smile up at him and he was pleased to see the strain on her face had disappeared. She looked happy and more well rested than she had in weeks.

  Nothing like a punishment session to make you sleep well. He should have seen that something was bothering her before now. He’d been busy at work leading into the holidays and he’d neglected to figure out what was going on.

  Never again.

  He slid up so he rested back against the headboard. She gave him a sad look.

  “I didn’t say you needed to stop.” He pointed at his erect cock. “I just wanted to get into a position where I could see you better.”

  She smiled and moved up the bed, kneeling so she could take more of him into her mouth. He reached down and grabbed her hair in his fist, holding on tight. “That’s it, baby. Take me deep. You can do it.”

  Arousal thickened his voice. His balls were tight with the need to come, but he didn’t want to let go too quickly. Not when he was enjoying himself so much.

  “Reach down with your hand and run your finger in your juices. I want to taste your desire.”

  She whimpered, but moved her finger down to her pussy obediently then pulled it back out. It was glistening with her juices. She held it out to him and he took her digit into his mouth, sucking strongly.

  She drew back from his dick with a groan. “Come up here,” he commanded. “I want to feel your pussy around my cock. I want you to suck me into that tight heat.”

  She climbed up his body, his stunningly sexy wife. He reached out and cupped one breast as it swayed, squeezing it lightly, running his thumb around the nipple.

  “Oh, Brax.”

  “That’s it, baby. Ease your way over me. Take me inside you.”

  She straddled his hips and grabbing hold of his dick, held it steady as she took him into her slick pussy. Her heat surrounded him and he had to grit his teeth to keep from coming then and there.

  “Ride me, darlin’.”

  She tossed back her hair and moved up and down his shaft. She looked like a sexy goddess with her dark hair floating around her, her breasts moving with each thrust. He reached down to play with her clit, running his finger over the swollen nub, watching as his cock disappeared into her pussy with each thrust.

  “That is a beautiful sight.”

  “Brax. Please. May I come?”

  “Not yet.”

  She groaned and he flicked her clit harder in retaliation. She whimpered. He squeezed one nipple between his thumb and forefinger. She threw her head back with a cry. He knew he wouldn’t last much longer so he rolled them both so she was lying on her back. He didn’t like her in that position too long in case she hurt her leg. He took over, slamming himself inside her. Their cries mingled. Heat engulfed them.

  “Come, Holly. Come now!”

  She let go. Her eyes shuttered closed as her orgasm over took her. Her pussy squeezed down on his hard shaft and he crashed over the edge into bliss. He managed to roll to her side as he collapsed, not wanting to crush her. He drew her against him, holding her tight.

  “Happy Christmas Eve,” she whispered to him.

  “Now that’s a Christmas tradition I could definitely get into,” he replied, smiling as she chuckled.

  He held her tight, feeling closer to her than he probably ever had. His wife. His sub. His world.

  12

  Heath and Anna

  “Anna, I want you to go into our bedroom, get naked and kneel at the end of the bed. Bottom in the air, face on the mattress, understand?”

  Oh hell.

  Anna bit her lip in trepidation. She’d kind of hoped he’d have forgotten about her punishment. Who was she kidding? She’d need a Christmas miracle to get her husband to forget some promised punishment.

  She was glad he’d approached her when they were alone in the kitchen. The guys had cooked pizza for dinner and she and Holly had just finished tidying up. Brax had come in and swept Holly up a few minutes ago and she’d been wiping down the bench when Heath had come up behind her and whispered those instructions in her ear.

  She turned to face him. “Heath, we have guests.”

  “They’re not guests, they’re family. They can take care of themselves. Besides, Frankie is talking about playing some Christmas carols on the piano and we all know how badly she plays the piano.”

  Anna smiled. Frankie was a terrible piano player, but she had a voice like an angel.

  “Tom’s trying to convince her to watch a Christmas movie instead. Not sure who’s going to win that one.”

  “Was everything okay today?” she asked. He drew her close, rocking her gently.

  “Yep. Ryder tried to jump off the banister a few times attempting to fly but I had a chat with him. Did you know that Charlotte wants a reindeer for Christmas? It’s all she talked about all day. She’s not happy that Tom said she won’t be able to have one where they live.”

  Her grin widened.

  Heath patted her butt. “We were fine. Now off you go. You have time for a bath if you want. Relax.”

  “Relax?” She gave him an incredulous look. “Not sure I can manage that.”

  “You might be right.” He ran a finger down her face. “Did you have a good time today?”

  “Yep.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “You telling me the truth?”

  “I did. It was nice spending time with Holly, Frankie and Bryony.”

  “Good.” He kissed her. “You deserve some time to yourself. I’m going to see that you get it more often.”

  She wasn’t sure how. Could he put more time in the day? If anyone could, it was Heath. He was probably going to bring up hiring some help for her again. And even though she’d originally protested, not liking the idea of having some stranger come into her home, she was starting to feel like it was the only way she was going to cope.

  Half an hour later, after locking up the house and making sure everyone was all right, Heath stepped into their bedroom and locked the door behind him. The kids were all asleep, and his beautiful wife was kneeling on the bed, naked, her ass in the air.

  “Now that’s a beautiful sight.”

  She snorted. “Hardly.”

  He stepped over and laid a smack on her ass. “Don’t disparage my gorgeous wife’s body. Not unless you want to add to what you’ve got coming.”

  She shuddered. He walked over to the chest that sat under the bay window and pulled out a paddle.

  “Oh crap,” she muttered.

  “What was that?” he asked in a stern voice.

  “Nothing,” she said, her voice wavering a little. “Heath? I think there’s something I better tell you before we start.”

  He walked back over to the bed and sat, placing the paddle down. He was always willing to listen to whatever she had to say. Not that it usually changed his mind about her punishment.

  He tapped her shoulder. “All right. Sit up. Tell me.”

  She sat and faced him. She licked her lips, her gaze on her lap. He reached out and touched his fingers under her chin, raising her head so he could look into her beautiful eyes. “Baby, what is it? You know you can tell me anything, right?”

  She blinked away some tears. “You know how we said we were happy with how many children we had and that we didn’t want any more?”

  “Yes, I remember.” His heart thundered in his che
st.

  “Well, ahh, how would you feel about one more?”

  Was it possible? Was that pregnancy test Anna’s? She looked so hesitant. As though she was worried about what he might say. Did she think he would be happy?

  “I think that another child would be a blessing and would make me a luckier man than I already am.”

  Anna felt the tension leaving her body. She didn’t know why she’d been worried about telling him.

  “Hey.” He drew her onto his lap, rocking her. “Were you worried I would be upset?”

  “I wasn’t sure,” she whispered to him. “I didn’t even know how I felt. I mean, another child is a blessing but I already feel so overwhelmed at times…”

  She buried her face in his chest, the warmth of him surrounding her, making her feel safe.

  “Baby, you know I will do whatever I need to do to help you. This actually just moves up my timeline for that chat you and I were going to have about your workload. I can tell you now that things are definitely going to change. I won’t have you running yourself ragged. Being pregnant and having three children to take care of is no easy feat. I don’t want you trying to do it all yourself. You will hire someone to do all the heavy work.”

  She opened her mouth and he held up his hand. “I know you don’t want help with the children, but you’re going to have to accept help around the house. Someone to do the cleaning and cooking. And definitely no more making jam or all that extra stuff. What if you’d fallen off that chair while pregnant?”

  “I didn’t know I was pregnant then.”

  “So why didn’t you tell me when you first found out, hmm? Did you think I wouldn’t be happy?”

  She drew back, to look up at him with a frown. “What do you mean, when I first found out?”

  “Honey, I found your pregnancy test in the trash last night.”

  She shook her head, feeling confused. “Heath, I just took a test now. I bought it while we were in town this afternoon. If you found a test last night, it wasn’t mine.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Well, then, seems like there are two pregnant women in the house because someone took that test.”