Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
“What game are you playin’ at now?” he scowled, leaning forward.
“’Tis no game, Sean,” she insisted.
“I think ’tis definitely that. One you’ve been playin’ with me for months now. Do you think I’m so easily fooled, lass?” he laughed. “I’ve been wonderin’ how long t’would last.”
Maeve paled.
“Aye, I’ve known what you were up to from the moment I stepped off the plane and you met me wearin’ that hideous outfit and offered me your cheek. A leopard doesn’t change it’s spots, my girl,” he pointed out, cutting a piece of his steak and putting it in his mouth.
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talkin’ about,” Maeve sniffed, tilting up her chin.
“Ah, see that’s what I mean,” he said, pointing at her with his fork. “I wish you could see yourself with your eyes flashin’, cheeks blushin’ and that arrogant toss of your head.”
“You are full of crap!”
“I have to admit, I’ve enjoyed watchin’ you. At times you were so demure and sweet, I began to doubt my own mind.”
“I’m ready to leave,” she croaked out, standing.
“I’m not. Sit down and eat your supper,” he ordered calmly but firmly as he narrowed his eyes.
Maeve remained standing.
“If you think I won’t pull you over my knees and spank you till you’re howlin’ like the proverbial banshee right here, right now, you better think again, love.”
Maeve glanced around the crowded restaurant and sank back onto her seat.
“What do you want from me, O’Malley?” she asked, holding her head in her hands. “Why do you insist on goin’ through with this when we’re so obviously unsuited?”
“Because I know we’re right for each other?”
“How? How do you know? You’ve had nothin’ but criticism for me since I was fifteen,” she snapped, raising her head and glaring at him.
“That wasn’t so much criticism as advice,” Sean defended himself. “I just didn’t want to see you get into trouble or end up hurt. I was lookin’ out for you, tryin’ to prevent you from makin’ mistakes that couldn’t be undone.”
“Makin’ mistakes is part of growin’ up,” she insisted. “It builds character.”
“Let’s hope you’re right,” Sean said with a grin, “because you’ve made a big one thinkin’ you could get away with these shenanigans of yours.
I love you, Maeve,” he said turning serious.
“And that means I love all the parts of you. I love your spirt and sass, your insightful and curious mind, and your sweet little body whether you’re movin’ with grace or stumbling away from me after smackin’ me with your shoes. Don’t you understand that?
“Seein’ this other side of you where you were accommodatin’, gentle and soft didn’t kill my feelin’s for you, it only made them stronger. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed. I’ll never release you from your commitment to me, darlin’, not while there’s still breath in my body.”
Maeve’s shoulders slumped and a tear slid down her cheek.
“So what are you goin’ to do to me?” she whispered, brushing it away.
For a moment Sean almost weakened. It near broke his heart to see her so downhearted, but he knew what he must do.
“Two things,” he replied. “First I’m goin’ to prove to you I’m not a man who’ll tolerate lyin’ and deception,” he began, pausing for a moment when she gasped and tightened her hands on the edge of the table.
“Then I’m goin’ to show you exactly why you’ll love bein’ my bride,” he promised, staring into her eyes.
Maeve snorted in disbelief and then laughed despite herself.
“I’ll say one thing for you, O’Malley, you may have your flaws, but havin’ a low opinion of yourself isn’t one of them.”
“Nor will it ever be,” he assured her, “at least not with you. I’m fairly confident I can take care of one small Irish lass with a lovin’ heart, a firm hand and a few other unmentionable parts.”
“If you say so.”
“I most definitely do. Now eat your supper, I’ve a feelin’ you’ll need your strength.” Maeve picked up her fork and took a bite of her cold steak.
Sean had taken a temporary job at Woodies as assistant manager while he waited to hear from the job in the States. As an added benefit, the position included a small two room flat above the store and that’s where he took Maeve when they left the restaurant.
Carefully he led her up the outside stairway and unlocked the door.
“Keep your coat on for a bit, darlin’, while I light the heater,” he instructed, seating her on a well-worn sofa. “Soon you’ll be toasty.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Maeve mumbled.
“You should have thought of that before you misbehaved, I’m thinkin’,” Sean retorted, switching on a lamp.
“This was all ma’s idea,” Maeve pouted. He sat next to her and pulled her head to his shoulder as he waited for the room to warm.
His fingers toyed with the end of her braid until he managed to free her hair.
Gently, he stroked his hand through it until the strands fell about her shoulders in shining waves.
Sean remained silent as he fondled her curls. As soon as he deemed the room warm enough, he leaned over and unbuttoned her coat, slipping it from her shoulders.
“All right now, lass, over my lap and take what’s comin’ to you,” he coaxed kindly.
“Sean, please. ’Tis sorry I am that I deceived you. Can’t we just forget this,” she pleaded prettily, looking up into his eyes with her bottom lip quivering.
Sean sighed and kissed her sweetly. “Oy, lass, I wish I could,” he replied, stroking her cheek.
“But I know you well, Maeve Donahue, and while you’re all soft and sweet right now when you’re facing a good skelpin’, you’ll lead me a merry dance in the future if I let you get away with what you’ve done. I know it sure as I know my own name.
“Now are you goin’ over my knee under your own power or do you need encouragement?”
Maeve pulled away and lunged across his lap, keeping herself stiff as a board.
“You’re a bully, Sean O’Malley,” she hissed as she clutched the cushion with her hands.
“Aye, but a bully who’s happy to see your ma’s influence didn’t extend to your underthings,” Sean stated whipping her skirt up and exposing her bottom covered in black lace panties. “These are lovely, darlin’. Too bad they have to come down.”
“Sean, no,” Maeve squealed as he slowly pulled her panties down to her knees.
“Unlike you, my lessons are not oft repeated,” Sean informed her. “You color quickly, lass, and a red bottom does not mean you’re repentant. I like to see what I’m doin’.” Softly, he stroked and cupped one cheek and then the other as she squirmed in obvious embarrassment.
“Settle down, love,” he ordered when her feet began to kick. “You know that won’t do you a bit of good.”
“Beat me if you must,” Maeve sniffed in indignation, “but that does not give you the right to fondle me!”
“I’ll not beat you, not now or ever, but the fondlin’ is open for negotiation,” he replied with a laugh just before he swatted her.
Like the first time Maeve held her tongue, her stubborn pride preventing her from apologizing or pleading for mercy. Sean knew her tolerance now. After five hearty spanks, her bottom was a fiery pink and she was trying to wiggle away, but not a word of repentance passed her lips.
At ten, she was bright red and swearing like a drunken sailor, insulting him with various terms of animal husbandry which only increased his ire.
“You’re not helpin’ your cause with such language, lass,” he advised her as he tipped her forward and concentrated on the delicate skin of her lower cheeks.
“Bugger you, O’Malley,” she screamed out.
By the fifteenth swat, Sean was beginning to sweat and he moved to her thighs.
It only took two sharp slaps to the back of her thighs to inspire her to shriek out a plea for forgiveness.
He stopped immediately and carefully turned her over.
As before, she was not sobbing, although her cheeks were wet with tears.
It wasn’t until he cuddled her against his chest that Maeve’s stubborn pride released her from its grip and she clutched him closer, her tears soaking his shirt.
“T’was a stupid plan,” she sobbed out as he soothed her.
“Aye,” he agreed, kissing her hair. “As though a few ugly clothes and tight lipped smiles could hide the fire in you. I’m surprised you managed to hang onto your temper so long, especially when my ma got after you.”
“I didn’t,” she sniffed. “I let the air out of her tires three times.”
Sean laughed and patted her flaming bottom.
“Such a naughty lass,” he scolded, shaking his head. “I hope the laws against a man spankin’ his wife are not harsh in America.”
“Sean,” she squealed, pushing away from him. “You got the job?”
“Aye, I was plannin’ on tellin’ you tonight, but I got distracted,” he grinned.
“Oh, that’s grand. When can we leave?” Relaxing onto his lap, she immediately squeezed him tight and lifted her bottom off his trousers. He pushed her back down.
“I like feelin’ your hot bottom against me,” he informed her, nipping her ear lobe. His heavy arm across her thighs kept her firmly in place while he tugged her hair, forcing her face up and claiming her lips in a searing kiss. She shivered on his lap, opening her mouth at his urging.
Kissing soon turned to petting, and without stopping to consider the consequences, Maeve pushed him away and pulled her sweater over her head.
“Lord, you’re fair.” Sean stroked the tops of her breasts spilling over the edge of her black lace bra.
His fingers seemed huge and dark against her delicate skin.
“I’m goin’ to have to taste you,” he pronounced, tracing a tiny blue vein under the surface.
Flicking his fingers behind her, the bra fell away and he grew harder beneath her warm cheeks as she squirmed on his lap.
Lifting one breast, he moved his thick thumb across her nipple, savoring her gasp of surprise. Ever so slowly, he eased her back against his arm and lowered his head, licking her once, then again before he drew her tight bud into his mouth.