Back in Charge Read online

  "Not quite the reaction I was going for," he scolded lightly.

  "Oh, come on! It didn't work ten years ago, and it's not improved any."

  "Hey, I stand by my opinion. I still think it's a decent line."

  "You keep tellin' yourself that, buddy."

  "I will, thanks, and you better watch that sass." He gave her a playful swat and she winced comically.

  Okay, so she could admit it—at least to herself. She was having fun. And by God, it felt good. She couldn't believe how good it felt to laugh again, to not take everything so seriously.

  "Now why don't you get ready?"

  "I should probably feed the baby first," she commented.

  "He's been fed." She arched an eyebrow and he explained, "I took some milk out of the freezer."

  "But that's only for emergencies."

  "Yes, and my wife getting the sleep she needs is an emergency," he countered, giving her a stern expression that dared her to contradict him.

  "Yes, Sir. Thank you."

  "There." His expression softened as he smiled at her and trailed a finger down her cheek. "That's my good girl. Be downstairs in thirty minutes."

  ***

  "You're late."

  Sadie's smile slipped just the tiniest bit as she looked quizzically at her husband. She'd showered and slipped into a dress—the first time since LJ was born—pleasantly pleased that it still fit. The soft fabric hugged her in all the right places and the soft peach brought out the green in her eyes. "What?"

  "Oh, don't get me wrong." He offered her a hand and helped her down the stairs. "You look fantastic. But that doesn't mean you're not still thirty minutes late."

  "It hasn't been that long!"

  He held out his wrist so that she could check his watch.

  "Oh," she gasped.

  "Oh," he echoed, deadpan.

  "I'm sorry. I was just trying to look nice for you."

  "You succeeded," he told her, letting his eyes rove her body appreciatively. "Pull down your panties and spread your legs, please."

  Her eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

  He arched an eyebrow, giving her his no-nonsense look while tapping his watch meaningfully.

  With a long-suffering sigh, she did as he asked.

  "Pull up your dress. Good, right there." He knelt down to the floor and spread her thighs wider.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Hmm, I'm not sure if I should explain, or let you see for yourself," he mused.

  Sadie nibbled her lower lip as she felt him spread her pussy lips. The next thing she knew, she felt something cold to the touch being slid inside her. "Robert…"

  "Let's call it your punishment," he said, reaching around to give her a firm pat on the ass before he put her panties back into place and pulled down her dress.

  "My punishment?"

  "Yes. When I ask you to do something, I expect you to do it, Sadie."

  "I was just a few minutes late."

  "That's not the point, and you know it. For today, whenever I ask you to do something you can either obey or suffer the consequences."

  Her brows knitted together as she tried to understand. "What consequences?" Just then, she felt a zap between her legs. "Did you do that?" she asked, looking at her husband with wide eyes.

  "It's a vibrator," he explained with a wolfish grin.

  "A what? I can't go into public wearing a vibrator!" she protested, her cheeks warming at the thought. "Take it out!"

  "No, I won't," he answered, calm despite her growing exasperation. "I told you what is going to happen, and I'm not going to change my mind."

  "But, Robert! This is too embarrassing."

  "Good. Maybe you'll remember that embarrassment the next time you choose between doing what I asked and doing what you want."

  "That's not fair! I was just getting ready—"

  "I know it seems like a small thing," he interjected, taking her by the hand. "I know you think I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but I'm trying to get us back on track. That means that I'm going to have to be strict for a while."

  Sadie stuck out her lip in a pout. "For how long?"

  He grinned and tapped her pouty lip. "Until I know we're back where we need to be. Then I'll be able to lighten up a little."

  She sighed loudly, but decided to change the subject. "How are you even controlling that thing, anyway?" She eyed him suspiciously. She didn't see a remote control.

  "That's the best part!" he enthused.

  The best part? She wasn't a toy. She thought of enlightening him to that fact, but decided against it.

  "See?" he showed her his hand, and she noticed a black rubber ring on his pointer finger. "One ring to rule them all."

  "You are such a dork," she groaned, smiling despite herself.

  "Careful," he warned, matching her grin. "I'd hate to forget which setting is the lowest. You know how loud you get when things are… intense."

  She opened her mouth to challenge him, but snapped it shut again, which only made him chuckle.

  "Come on, let's get going. I told Mother's Morning Out that we'd be there half an hour ago."

  "Oh, I just have to grab my purse. And I left my sunglasses upstairs—"

  "Scoot," he commanded, giving her a firmer swat.

  "But—"

  "To the car."

  She almost protested again, until she caught sight of that ring again. Sometimes, she forgot what a wicked sense of humor her husband had. She knew that he wouldn't hesitate to use the damnable thing, even in public. He'd probably enjoy every minute of it, too.

  ***

  Sadie sat back in the plush chair and sipped her mimosa, closing her eyes and letting the taste of spiked orange juice roll over her tongue. Pure Heaven. She must have died and gone to Heaven.

  "How's your drink?"

  She lazily opened her eyes and looked at her husband, who was smiling at her as though he already knew the answer. In fact, he was looking pretty pleased with himself, but he had every right. She hadn't realized just how stressed she'd become, how much she needed a few quiet hours with just the two of them, away from the constant Mama, Mama, Mama or the cry of a tired infant. There were no meltdowns playing out on the floor of the restaurant, or the whining that had become her daily background music. She must be glowing with contentment and relaxation. At least, she felt like she was.

  "It's delicious."

  "Would you like another?"

  "Please."

  Robert leaned forward and whispered, "All you have to do is say 'Yes, Master'."

  She did a double-take, which only made him throw his head back and laugh. She glanced around, suddenly self-conscious. She felt like all eyes in the restaurant must be on them, as though every guest must have heard what he'd whispered to her. To her surprise and immense relief, no one was so much as glancing their way.

  "Robert!" she protested in a hiss, bringing her hands to her cheeks to hide her blush.

  "What?" he casually took a sip of his own mimosa as though nothing was out of the ordinary. "I just asked if you want another."

  That was only part of it, and well he knew it! The way his eyes twinkled at her told her that he was still waiting for her, listening out for the words he wanted to hear. But she couldn't do it. Part of her wanted to be that bold, that fearless, but she just wasn't. She was shaking like a leaf at the mere thought. What if someone actually heard her?

  "Sadie," he murmured across the table, his grin wide and unrepentant. "I'm waiting."

  Without warning, her temper flared and she sat up a little straighter in her chair. She was an adult, damn it. At least, that was what all the boring ads she got in the mail kept telling her. If she wanted another drink, she'd have one, and there was nothing Robert could do to stop her. She narrowed her eyes at him and signaled the waiter, daring him to say a word.

  "Yes, ma'am?"

  "I'd like another mimosa, please."

  "Of course. I'll bring it right away."

  She gr
inned triumphantly at Robert, who smiled back without a word. Her brow wrinkled the slightest bit as she tried to figure out what he was up to. He was surely up to something—she knew that animated look in his eyes all too well. It meant trouble, and she'd begun squirming in her seat long before her mimosa got there.

  She tried not to show it, though, as she smiled in gratitude at the waiter. "Thank you." She turned that smile on Robert— Okay, so her lips quivered just the tiniest bit before she put them to the glass. As the cool, tangy liquid hit her hit tongue, she started to relax. And then she felt it—a vibrating buzz between her legs that made her set her glass down with a loud clang and practically spit out her drink. She recovered just in time, thankfully, or she really would have created a scene.

  She'd never used a vibrator before, so the sensation was entirely new to her. It titillated her most intimate spot, but the sudden stop made her ache for something real—preferably her husband's big, hard cock—to fill her. Part of her wanted to demand he quit using that thing on her, while the other part clamored to beg him to do it again.

  He seemed to sense her indecision and it showed in the smug lines of his handsome face. "Weren't you going to say something, darling?"

  Oh, so that was his game. He was trying to break her, to get her to call him "master". Well, she'd show him. She was made of tougher stuff whether he knew it or not. "Yes. Are you going to order the pancakes?"

  "Wrong answer," he murmured, his lips curving into a sexy smile.

  Sadie braced for it, but when the jolt hit her, it was clearly more powerful than before. Oh, God. She was dripping. She could feel her panties dampen with the juices of her pent-up sexual longing.

  "Come on, baby. Two little words and then we can eat our breakfast in peace."

  I'd rather you eat something else, she thought, swallowing a moan at the thought. God, she wanted him. When was the last time she'd needed him this badly? Not since after the twins were born, she was almost sure of it. But right now, she was a ball of sexual tension and she didn't know what to do to diffuse it. She supposed she could leap across the table and rip his clothes off, but they might be asked to leave and there wasn't another decent brunch place for miles.

  "One… two…"

  Oh, he was killing her! What was she supposed to do? If she gave in, he'd win, and if she didn't, she'd feel another delicious shock between her thighs…

  Buzz.

  That did it. She almost came then and there. His eyes were laughing at her as though he could read it in the purse of her lips and the heat in her cheeks. He was a dangerous man. "Yes, Master."

  "Not so loud," he whispered. "Someone might hear you." Before she could form an answer, he smiled, showing off his perfect teeth and he calmly picked up his glass and took a deep sip of his mimosa. When he'd downed the glass, he signaled their waiter. "Yes, we'll take an order of blueberry pancakes with the syrup on the side and your cinnamon French toast." He met Sadie's eyes and winked meaningfully. "We'll take it to go."

  Chapter Five

  They'd barely gotten in the door when Robert began kissing her. It was a desperate, passionate kiss that robbed her of breath and yet left her craving him all the more. She grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and clung to him—her life-raft in this sudden, unexpected storm of passion. They hadn't kissed like this since their college days. It had been so long that she thought they both would have forgotten, but it all came flooding back.

  "Just like riding a bike, huh, babe?" he asked when he came up for air.

  "You read my mind," she told him right before she pulled him back in for another kiss. Their lips melded and their tongues danced. It was a dance they'd done a thousand times before, but never quite like this. Never had she felt this hot with desire, pulsing with pure sexual need.

  When they broke apart once more, both gasping for air, Robert knelt between her legs, using his hands to spread her thighs. He had her panties down in seconds, while she was still gulping in breaths of air.

  "Next time, should we try it on the highest setting?" he suggested, cocking an eyebrow at her.

  "Who said there's going to be a next time?"

  "Hmm, your pussy. I could smell you before we left the restaurant, and it's only gotten stronger."

  "It has not!" she protested, although she knew he spoke the truth.

  "Don't be embarrassed," he said, reaching inside to pluck the tiny vibrator from her pussy. "You smell delicious." He put his fingers in front of his nose and inhaled deeply to illustrate his point.

  Somehow, the sight seemed erotic and Sadie wanted to tear his pants off him more than she'd wanted anything in her life. She moved toward him, poised like a lioness, ready to strike. When he stood, she grabbed his crotch, squeezing the bulge she found there. "Take your pants off," she panted.

  Robert arched a brow and before she knew it, he was turning her around and propelling her to the wall. He was behind her, his body pressed against her own even as he lifted her dress and squeezed her left buttock. "Excuse me, have you already forgotten who gives the orders around here?"

  Half a dozen witty replies rose to her lips, but all she could do was utter a groan. Right now, she'd be willing to call him master a hundred times over as long as she got to come.

  "I asked you a question," he reminded her, nibbling on her shoulder blade.

  "No," she gasped, shutting her eyes so that she could savor the feeling. "No, I haven't forgotten."

  "Glad to hear it," he rasped out, letting his hand wander around to her pussy. "You haven't been a bad girl, have you?"

  "Hmm?" she whimpered.

  "You've been keeping your hands to yourself, like we talked about?"

  "Yes, Sir."

  "Good girl." He slid his finger in, swirling her wetness around before he plunged inside.

  The contact made her gasp aloud. He fingered her pussy until her toes were curling and she wanted to come so badly that she was weak in the knees. Just when she thought she would find release, he withdrew.

  "What…"

  The word was barely out of her mouth before he swung her up in his arms and carried her upstairs. She wrapped her arms around his neck, thinking that she felt like she was in a movie. Hopefully it wasn't a romantic comedy—she didn't much like the idea of being dropped down the stairs.

  But her handsome, athletic husband managed her just fine and made it to their bedroom before dropping her onto the bed. She leapt up, ready to pounce on him. His eyes laughed, matching the curve of his lips. In addition to the smile, there was a warning in his eyes, one that she did not heed. Instead, she threw herself at him, determined to take what she wanted. Her pussy was pulsing and she was determined to find release.

  He caught her wrists easily and with a playful grin, he tossed her back onto the bed. Once she was down, she had no time to catch her bearings before he was on top of her. She fought to get away, but he was kissing her all over, the imprint of his lips searing through her skin.

  "What if I wanted to be on top?" she demanded, trying to maintain her surly façade, even when all she wanted to do was melt into him.

  "You have to earn it," he growled, making her thighs quiver.

  She didn't think she could bear it another second. His hot, sultry kisses were just making her squirm even more. If she didn't come soon, she'd go crazy. "Baby… put it in, please. You're killing me."

  "You know; this is the second time today you've told me what to do." In one quick motion, before she even saw what was coming, he sat back and pulled her over his knees. "I think you need a reminder of who's in charge here."

  "No, Rob, please—"

  "Shh. You know you want me to."

  Turning her head, she watched as he reached for the nightstand and when he opened the drawer that hid all their implements, her heart plummeted into her stomach. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo in her chest, that wild mix of thrilling fear and excitement that only came with domestic discipline.

  He delved into the drawer, and while she could hear the impl
ements as they bumped against one another, she didn't have any idea what he'd select. She held her breath as she waited to see what he would come up with. He certainly wouldn't be empty-handed, she knew that.

  She ran through all of the possibilities in her mind. The plastic bath brush. No, surely not. The riding crop? But he reserved that for serious punishments also, not play… or whatever this was they were doing.

  When she caught sight of his hand and the small wooden ruler, she was vastly relieved. It wasn't until it came swinging down on her exposed cheeks that she remembered how much it could hurt. It had a mean sting that built with each and every swat and had her squirming over his lap in no time.

  "Robert! Please stop, baby! I'm sorry!" she cried, though she couldn't remember what exactly she was sorry for.

  "Just a few more." With that, he swatted her tender sit spots four times before tossing the ruler aside. By then, she was sniffling and her poor bottom was burning with a fierce sting. "Now." He turned her to face him and gently, lovingly pushed her hair out of her face. "Who's in charge in this relationship?"

  "You are," she replied, looking up at him in confusion.

  He seemed to sense it, because he went on to explain, "I arranged for my mother to watch the kids because we need to get back on track. Consider this weekend a boot camp of sorts."

  Sadie's eyes widened in surprise. "The kids are going to be gone all weekend? Are you sure we have to do boot camp? Can't we do something fun?"

  "We're going to have fun." Robert chuckled. "Don't worry. But the most important thing is taking care of our marriage, don't you think?"

  Reluctantly, she nodded. She knew he was right, of course, but if they had to do boot camp couldn't they do it somewhere else? Like the beach? It wasn't every day they got a three-day weekend!

  "And if our marriage is the most important, then we've got to get us back on track. I know it's my fault that we stopped DD."

  "You were just worried about LJ." She was quick to rush to his defense.