Page 6 of Everything Christmas

Growling in frustration, he kicked off the covers and shucked his confining boxer briefs. Hoping getting off would relax him enough that he could sleep for an hour or two, at least, he fisted his cock again and stroked himself to a quick release.

It wasn’t until later, after he’d cleaned up and returned to bed, that he flung a forearm over his face and groaned in frustration. His long-time fantasy woman who’d always knelt before him, eagerly taking him into her mouth, had transformed into a curvy redhead with stunning green eyes, wearing skimpy shorts and a tank top with smudges of dirt on her nose and cheek.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he roughly scrubbed his hands over his face and then buried his fingers in his hair. She was driving him nuts and had been for weeks. He preferred a tall, sturdier woman who could handle the rough play he enjoyed. Although Merry had plenty of curves, she was petite, sweet, with an innocent air about her, which he found as disconcerting as it was arousing.

Reese didn’t know how to proceed. Ever since things ended with Hannah, his only long-term girlfriend, his head had been messed up. He believed marriage and kids were in their future, but she couldn’t handle his old-fashioned ways and bailed on him. That was over six years ago. Since then, he had played the field, not willing to risk his heart again. One-night stands and brief liaisons were his standard now, but that was getting old. He always expected by thirty-six his life would be settled with a good job, a wife, at least two kids, and a house in suburbia. He had half of it but couldn’t find the right woman to make it complete.

He knew his needs were unusual, but from what he’d read online, not totally out there. How did he find someone with matching beliefs, values, and desires without resorting to the whole online thing?

As a cop, he knew firsthand how many nut jobs were out there. Some might even consider him one. He worried about coming off as a pervert, or worse, as abusive. There were just too many ways a situation could turn bad quickly. But he wasn’t getting anywhere with traditional dating.

When was the right time to disclose the kind of relationship he wanted? On the first date, the fifth, or the tenth? Did he just blurt out that he preferred traditional roles for men and women and believed in rules and discipline?

He’d become a cop because he wanted to protect the vulnerable and serve the public good, but also because he liked order. And he wouldn’t settle for less in his personal life.

When he married, he expected it to be forever. His bride would need to know up front and be fully on board with him being the head of the household. If she wanted a career, he was fine with that. And he didn’t want to lord over every aspect of her life. But two captains steering a ship in different directions would run it aground. And a marriage with two strong personalities constantly butting heads was destined for failure.

Reese liked to think he wasn’t a complete asshole, even though more than one woman he’d dated had insisted he was. He wasn’t too strict to bend sometimes, but rules without consequences were asking to be broken. Call if you’re going to be late, stick to the budget, and don’t take unnecessary risks, like speeding in the rain. These were all common sense rules that showed self-respect and respect for your partner. If his woman needed to be taken to task for breaking them, she could expect to find herself with her bottom bared over his knee.

He enjoyed swatting a rounded ass in the heat of passion as much as the next guy—okay, probably more so—but punishment time was serious business, not play.

How did he broach all of this with a woman he was interested in? Did he give her a questionnaire or come right out and say, “Hey, babe. I really like you and think we’re going somewhere. Would you have me brought up on charges if I spanked your bare bottom for being a bad girl?”

He snorted because he had tried the direct approach. Initially, the women were shocked then intrigued and even aroused. But when they looked at his big, paddle-sized hands, they had bowed out quickly. Hannah had tried longer than most, but her submission was more kink than a natural inclination, and when the novelty had worn off, that was the end for her.

Since then, he hadn’t really tried again. In fact, he eliminated the possibility by dating women he would never even consider settling down with. He couldn’t imagine Ashley pulling up her skirt and bending over the kitchen table for anything other than sex. Her language had been as rough as a biker, and her manners appalling. He knew without a doubt if he’d even hinted at spanking her for it, she would have punched him.

That’s why those dates never went beyond a night, maybe two. He just couldn’t picture himself settling down with someone like Ashley.

Then there was Merry. There was something about her. He liked how she got all flustered around him and, considering the number of times he’d caught her staring, he knew the attraction was mutual. It seemed like maybe... No... What was he thinking? She was a neighbor. If it turned out as badly as the last few attempts, it would blow up in his face and he would still have to live across from her. How awkward would that be?

Cursing under his breath, he flopped back onto the bed, rolling to his side with his back toward the front window. He’d noticed that Merry’s light was off across the way and she was probably sleeping blissfully, unaware of the torment she was causing him. He was hard-pressed not to stomp across the street, haul her warm soft body from her bed, and paddle her bare butt. The thought made his dick rise uncontrollably again.

He glanced at the clock and groaned. Three a.m. He was going to be a bear in the morning which, according to the men on his squad, was the rule not the exception for the last few weeks. Funny how his surly mood coincided with the arrival of the tempting little elf across the way.

Chapter Three

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