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I gulp and my pussy floods. Hidden facets to Joe are suddenly flashing in the sun.
“Have you ever…” I hesitate, not sure I want to know the answer.
“Have I ever what, baby?” Joe asks gently.
“Have you ever spanked a woman… like that?” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “Nope, and don’t feel any particular need to, either. But if I were attacked out of the blue, no telling what depths I might plumb.” He reaches over blindly and brings my hand up to his lips for a searing kiss to the center of my palm.
He’s letting me know it’s safe to explore with him, but it’s only on my initiative. I file that away with a pleased hum of appreciation. And more than one mental image of being bent over his knee, my handcuffed arms dangling to the floor. I shift restlessly in my seat and Joe’s lips quirk ever so slightly. I sigh and cast my mind back, trying to remember if I ever said anything inappropriate while chatting with him. Possible. Probably if I’m honest. I often talked about the books I was reading, particularly spicy romance, to try to get a hint of response out of him, even if it was shock or outrage. Although I mostly let my mouth run on autopilot so I could soak up being in his presence.
“What else did I say?” I finally give in with a groan.
“At least fifty years’ worth of things to explore, Short Stack. No need to blow through them all today.” He whistles cheerfully as he signals before changing lanes ahead of the exit to his condo.
11
Joe
A naked Nira is virtually impossible to walk away from, even for an hour. But the jeweler called and said he’d be there only until noon. If I can’t make it, her surprise will have to be delayed until Monday and I don’t think I can wait that long to see her reaction.
“Be good,” I order before pulling back from her sleepy smile.
“Where are you going?” she pouts beautifully with a wicked glint in her eye — something she only started doing after she noticed how hard it makes me.
“None of that, Short Stack. I have to pick something up. It’s important.” I escape out the door before she lures me back to bed by flashing me her tattoo.
When the jeweler pops the lid on the vintage red leather ring box, I smile with satisfaction. Perfect. I pay him the final balance and tuck the box safely inside my jacket. I was going to wait until we got to the lodge this afternoon, but now I don’t think I can.
I do at least stop at the good bakery and pick up some pastries and coffee for breakfast. Nira has a definite sweet tooth and I’m addicted to cleaning up the flaky crumbs she inevitably scatters down her front.
When I arrive back at the condo, Nira is up and staring into the open refrigerator. “How about a chocolate croissant instead?” I murmur, making her jump.
“Jesus, Joe, you scared me!”
I pull her into my arms. “What was so fascinating in the refrigerator?”
“The sheer emptiness. Very metaphysical,” she retorts loftily, snagging the bakery bag from my hand. I tug the tie on her robe until it pulls free. I’m completely uninterested in crumbs that land in plush fabric, I want them on her warm skin. Plus, I need the silky tie for something else. Nira rolls her eyes but indulgently lets me pull her onto my lap with her robe spread open.
“So what was so important you had to pick it up on a Saturday morning?” she finally asks. I’m impressed it took her this long. She must have been starving.
“I’ll show you, but I have to blindfold you first.”
“Why? Is the location top secret?” She glances around the living room, looking for what I’ve brought in.
“No. You ready? Close your eyes.” I hold up her robe tie and she frowns.
“Really, Joe?”
I nod firmly so she pouts again just to get my goat and closes her eyes. I wrap the tie around her head loosely but a few times so she can’t peek. Then slide the ring on her finger. I can’t hold back the possessive growl, seeing my claim on her in such a deeply personal way.
“Joe! Let me see!” She’s bouncing on my lap now, so before she does herself an injury, I slip the blindfold off and focus on her face. Nira blinks, then looks down at her hand. Wonder and delight fill her expression.
“Is that really? How did you do it?”
“That’s your real wedding ring, Short Stack, both ways. They made it by using the actual twist tie so there’s possibly a bit of the wire left inside the gold.”
She’s getting teary-eyed, which I think is a good thing. Her ring is a model of the original twist tie ring I made for her, but now in yellow gold with tiny diamonds scattered in the gaps.
