Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

He chuckled underneath her. “Does my baby like having her bottom played with?”

She blushed a little let the words. “No one has ever touched me there before.”

“Well, you can expect to be touched there often. And I’m going to enjoy every minute.”

13

She settled in at the dining table. Okay, they were still loud and boisterous, and they stole food from each other’s plates, but that was who they were. They were crazy, and she loved them. She was really going to miss them when she had to leave.

But she didn’t want to think about that right now. She didn’t want to think about the trial coming up. That she had a hit man still after her. That, at some point, she’d have to say goodbye to the Malones. To Alec.

After that small spanking earlier and one truly amazing ass massage, which had had her squirming with arousal, he’d left her lying on her bed aching and unfulfilled.

Bastard.

Nerves stole over her as she thought about the night to come. He’d told her to come to his office after the boys were all gone. Was he going to spank her again? Would he let her come? Please let him let her come. Her clit was still aching and she’d seriously considering giving herself a little relief. But the thought of displeasing him had stopped her. It had been a damn close call, though.

Suddenly, silence fell over the room. She blinked in shock at the suddenness of it. Everyone was turned towards the door. And there stood Alec.

He gave everyone a nod then moved into the room. West walked in behind him and stepped around the table to an empty seat next to the head of the table. She expected Alec to move to the head and take a seat. This table sat twelve and she’d laid out plates for everyone.

Instead, he moved to where she was sitting, part way down the table, sandwiched between Jaret and Raid. He reached over and grabbed her plate, which was currently still empty. She’d been too busy daydreaming to put any food on it.

“Bring your cutlery,” he told her. Then he turned and walked up to the head of the table. He nodded at Beau who was seated to his left. “Go sit in Mia’s seat.”

Okay, so obviously he wanted her to sit by him, and he wasn’t in much of a mood to ask. Hell, when was he ever in the mood to ask?

Beau went without a word, but he flicked her a wink as she passed him. “You’re obviously his favorite, sweetheart.”

She blushed, even though he couldn’t know about their conversation earlier. At least she hoped Alec hadn’t told his brothers. No, he wouldn’t have.

“Beau,” Alec said in a low, warning voice as he held out the chair for her. Okay, so at least it seemed he had manners.

“What? I can totally see why she would be. She’s my favorite too.”

“Mine, too,” Raid added quickly.

The rest of them quickly added their agreements, making her flush in pleasure.

“Sit down, Mia,” Alec told her quietly. She sat, staring over at West. He was the one brother who hadn’t added his agreement, but then she hadn’t expected him to. He didn’t seem to like her much.

But he did give her a small nod. So, that was progress. Everyone kept eating as they passed dishes down to West. He spooned out some food before handing it over to Alec, who shocked her by filing her plate before his own.

Yep, he’d definitely gotten all the manners in the family. Well, he and West. By the time he was finished, she had an enormous plate of food in front of her.

“Um, you do know I’m a lot smaller than you are, right?” she joked, leaning towards him so she could be heard over the racket his brothers were making.

“Do the best you can,” he replied. “But you don’t clear at least a third of that plate, we’ll be having a chat.”

He gave her a firm look then glanced down to where she was shifting around on the chair, trying to find a comfortable position. She froze, felt her cheeks fill with heat. Okay, yeah, her bottom still stung from earlier.

“Whatever you don’t eat, I’ll finish off, doll,” Maddox told her from where he sat next to her.

Shoot. There was no privacy around here. She needed to remember that. She then dodged one of his elbows as he enthusiastically dug into the pot roast. She leaned into Alec. “How come you and West have table manners and the rest of these guys . . . well . . . ”

“West and I had a nanny who was a big believer in manners. She lasted longer than the rest. What? Eight years??

?? He glanced over at West who was clearly listening. The other man nodded. “She taught us some table manners. How to treat those that were important to us.” He stared at her as he said that, and a little shiver ran over her skin.