He wanted to fuck. He wanted to spread her legs and eat her pussy and then shove his cock deep, but Alexei wanted to give Holly a lecture. No. Not a lecture. A spanking.
Yeah, that was kind of hot, too.
“I don’t want to talk.” Holly reached out to Caleb. “If you have something to say, say it later.”
Alexei’s face went positively arctic. He looked down at Caleb, and for the first time, Caleb could really, deeply believe that this was a man who had survived in the Russian mob for years, seeking revenge. This was a man who had killed in defense and revenge. He’d read his file, but everything he’d seen of Alexei had been a smiling man who laughed and joked, or a deeply repentant man, asking for forgiveness. But this was a part of Alexei, too.
“No. We need to be discussing now. Caleb, when would you prefer to talk to her? After the fucking? When she is perfectly satisfied and tired? She will not listen then. She will just say yes and turn over and go to sleep, and more than likely will do same thing next time.”
“What are we talking about? What did I do?” Holly tried to squirm, attempting to cover herself, but Alexei held her fast.
Shit. The big bastard was right.
Caleb got to his feet. “You didn’t stop and get help. You didn’t call either one of us.”
“Today? When I wrecked the car?”
Caleb sighed. Why did she go there? Maybe they were better matched than he thought. She seemed to be a worst-case-scenario girl, not unlike himself. “You didn’t wreck the car. You saved your life by properly driving it. I’m not pissed off about the truck. I’m pissed off that you thought you had to walk down the mountain when you could have stopped at a friend’s house and called someone to come get you.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t want to bother anyone. Besides, Nell doesn’t have a phone and Laura’s busy.”
Alexei’s hand wound into her hair. His dark eyes found Caleb’s. “You understand why I do what I do?”
Did Caleb understand why Alexei was about to spank her? Sure he did. “She didn’t even mention calling one of us. That road is dangerous. You could have been killed just walking down it. You had another mile to go. You could have mitigated the risk by calling one of us from the Harper’s place or Mel’s. Even if you couldn’t reach one of us on the phone, you could have called Stella’s or The Trading Post and someone would have found us. Everyone knows everyone else’s business in this town. Would you really rather get hit by a car on that mountain than risk bugging one of us with a call?”
He did understand Alexei’s anger now that he thought about it. What good were they to her if she didn’t bother to rely on them?
“I need to have place with you, Holly. I am not smart man like Caleb. I am not sweet like you. I do not have place in this community. I need place in relationship. I will treat you like princess. I will treat you like queen. In normal life, I will be your lapping dog, but here, in the lovemaking section of life, I will be king and you will obey.” He pulled her head back gently so she was forced to look in his eyes. “If this scares you or you are not interested in this part of me, then I will leave you to Caleb. I can’t ignore these needs I have. I can only promise to be careful with you, to take care of you. Caleb, if you are bothered by it, I will leave, too.”
It was obvious to Caleb that Alexei wouldn’t compromise. Oh, he would share and he would give on many things, but he understood who he was at heart and couldn’t compromise.
Caleb respected that. Caleb wanted that for himself.
“Over his knee, Holly. Discipline is important.”
Alexei smiled.
Crap. They had really just become partners. And maybe they could actually be friends.
Alexei sighed as he realized he’d tackled one mountain. Caleb was in. Holly stood so still in his arms, her backside brushing his rock hard cock. She was soft everywhere. He wanted to crush her against him and show her just how different they were. He could have her on a bed, legs spread and penetrated faster than she could take her next breath, but that wouldn’t start the relationship off on the proper footing.
He’d meant what he’d said. He would trail after her, playing her ever-doting suitor. He wouldn’t care what anyone thought. But in private and when she was in trouble, he needed to be in charge. He needed this.
He let go of her though his every instinct screamed at him to keep her close. It had to be her decision. He would die if she said no, but he wouldn’t force her. He’d never forced a woman in his life. He wouldn’t start with the only one he’d ever really cared about.
“Come.” He sat down on her overstuffed couch and patted his knee.
She looked so vulnerable standing there, her arms covering her breasts. He would break her of that habit, too. She was beautiful. She should be proud of her body. He knew he was proud to have a woman as lovely as she was.
“Holly, satisfy the big guy so we can move on to the fun part.” Caleb’s hands cupped her shoulders. It was obvious that his partner was no longer thinking about the mechanics of the situation.
“Okay,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.
Caleb pulled her close, his hand sinking into her hair. He caught her mouth with his.
Alexei watched, his cock threatening to bust out of his slacks. They were beautiful together. How had he managed to become involved with not one, but two redheads? He could almost hear his father’s voice. He’d constantly teased Alexei’s mother about her hair. Redheads were more volatile, more passionate, more trouble. Then his father would disappear behind closed doors with his “trouble” for hours. Yes, these two were trouble, and he was looking forward to it. Caleb’s red and gold hair contrasted nicely with Holly’s richer hue. Caleb’s skin was tan against Holly’s exquisite porcelain.
Where did Alexei fit? Caleb had everything. Brains, money, a powerful family. He’d simply had a terribly traumatic experience. Alexei had decided after he’d learned of Caleb’s past that the way to repay the doctor was to help bring him back to himself. When Caleb was healed, would he even need Alexei anymore? When Caleb was whole again, would Holly even look at Alexei? What would she need with a former criminal who couldn’t find a job?
Caleb’s hands cupped her breasts. Holly’s moans and little cries were going to make Alexei crazy. He let go of his worry. There would be time enough to worry about the future later. For tonight, he wanted to revel in the fact that he’d won. He’d gotten the three of them in a room together. He’d brought them together.
Holly had practically melted in Caleb’s arms. Their tongues mated. Their hands explored each other’s bodies. Caleb’s hands bit into the flesh of Holly’s ass, bringing his cock in hard contact with her. Alexei watched. He would deeply enjoy watching them make love. He was surprised to discover he didn’t feel any jealousy. He’d worried about it, but Holly needed this. And Caleb, whether he ever recognized it or not, needed Alexei. It was good, so good, to be needed.
Caleb let her go and turned her in Alexei’s direction. He gave her ass a little pat. “No more stalling, baby.”
She walked toward Alexei, her breasts bouncing slightly. Her lips were swollen from Caleb’s kisses, and her skin flushed a pretty pink. He was going to make her skin even pinker. “You’re going to spank me because I didn’t call you?”
He shook his head. She should understand. He was not an unreasonable man. “No. I don’t have phone yet, dushka. I’m spanking you because you didn’t call Caleb. He would have been easy to reach. He would have taken care of you. He would have made sure you were safe.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t know how I feel about this, Alexei, but I’m willing to give it a try.”