as. I often used to wonder what she saw in my cold father. I think he was different before we came along and stole her attention. She would tell us stories of all the places they’d been to. It always sounded so magical. My father took her to Paris for their honeymoon, which was why she wanted to return. The bastard wouldn’t take her. It wasn’t like he couldn’t afford to take the time off, he’s filthy rich.”
“Yet he kicked you out with nothing?”
“That’s my father for you. I always thought that he at least cared about my mother, but he barely waited until she was gone before he found someone else. He remarried a few years ago. Needless to say neither Ben nor I were invited to the wedding.”
“Ahh, baby. I’m so sorry. Is that why you find it hard to lean on other people and let them help you? Because of your father?”
“After Mom died, I only had myself to rely on. I was in charge of taking care of my brother. I had to make sure that we didn’t make our father angry. I didn’t want him to separate us. I guess I just got used to relying on myself. There was no one else. I think he expected me to crawl back to him after he kicked me out, you know? To beg him for help.”
“Well, you showed him.”
She smiled and glanced back at him. “Yeah, I guess I did. And my life turned out pretty damn good.”
Chapter Fourteen
Nerves butterflied through her stomach as Alex tied her to the spanking bench. Tara could feel the eyes of the other club members on her, watching.
The time had come for her punishment for walking out on him that night she’d been shot and Alex had decided to punish her at the club.
“Are you sure you feel up to this?” he asked her quietly.
She opened her eyes to find him watching her in concern.
“I’m fine, my arm doesn’t hurt anymore.” It had been nearly four months and while it still got stiff and sore at times, it was only when she overdid things.
He watched her carefully. “You’re pale and you’ve gone all tense.”
“I guess it’s because everyone is watching.” Sure, she was used to having people watch, but it seemed like everyone in the club had stopped what they were doing to come over and stare at them.
Alex glanced around with a small frown. “You know why we’re doing this here, don’t you?”
“Because I left the club without telling you.”
“Yes, but not just that. You put yourself in danger. I know you weren’t expecting Eloise to be there with a gun. But you knew there was something going on and you could have waited and taken someone with you.”
He gave her a stern look. “You’re not alone, Tara. You’re always there for everyone else, but you won’t let them help you when you need them. You need to learn to lean on other people. They want to help you. They love you and they can’t stand the idea of something happening to you.”
Tears filled her eyes. She nodded. “I understand. But can we just get on with it?”
He smiled. His gaze was filled with sympathy but as he stood it grew stern. “We’re going to start with my hand.”
Start with? Great.
He moved out of her sight and she tensed. He rubbed her ass gently, causing her to jump.
“Easy, baby. Don’t tense up or this is going to be a lot more painful for you. I want you to say your safe word immediately if your arm starts hurting or if it all becomes too much, okay?”
“Yes, Sir,” she said, trying desperately to relax.
His hand descended in a steady rhythm. The spanks were firm but not unbearable and she found herself relaxing into them slightly. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Alex stopped and moved up beside her. “Okay?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. That was your warm up. Now onto the more serious stuff.”
Her eyes grew wide as he picked up a paddle and held it in front of him. Tara gulped. It had been a while since she’d felt the sting of the paddle. Alex disappeared behind her. The paddle landed with a sharp thawp and she jolted, letting out a small cry.