Page 143 of Ink's Devil

He shoots me a glance. “Why would I be, Beth? Neither I, nor the club, have anything to do with the man.”

Chapter Forty

Beth

Things happen fast after the funeral. Whether it was that Alder had turned up, or whether there was no point in delay, the final arrangements are quickly made for Mom and Connor to relocate.

I have no idea where, if either of them knows, they keep it to themselves.

I force myself to be strong, joking with Mom that I’ll be jealous if they’re heading into sunshine, as here winter seems in no hurry to give way to spring. It hits me hard after I spend a while talking to Mom, telling her I’ll watch out for her new designs on the internet, with some hints about the type of clothes I’ll want designed. When I realise I’ll be buying online from now on and not just popping upstairs to her sewing room, I have to leave the room to pull myself together.

I realise while she’s upset, Mom’s also excited. She’s given the best years of her life to raising her children, and now she’s got the chance to go somewhere new and start afresh. While I’m also beginning a new life with Ink, I can’t help but be a little envious that I won’t be the one sharing her adventure with her.

But again, I let none of this show. I force myself to pretend I’m completely okay with their move.

I keep a smile on my face as the car is packed and then tell them to take care.

When Karl slides the gate open and the car turns out into the road, Ink holds me to him tightly as though fearing I’m going to run after it.

“It’s for the best,” I turn to tell him, still with my lips curved upward. “Connor will have a fresh start. Mom too. She’s still young enough to start a new life. Perhaps she’ll find a man of her own.”

He doesn’t buy my fake pleasure. “They’ll be fine, Beth.”

“I know they will,” I reply. But I can’t stop my head turning back in the direction where the car had driven away.

“It’s okay to be upset, babe.” Ink’s hand is caressing my back.

“I’m not upset. I’m happy for Connor and Mom. Connor will be safe.”

Ink gives me one of his intense stares, then his lips thin. “Come on. There’s a matter that needs to be resolved between us.”

What?My confusion must show as he takes a firm hold of my hand and leads me back into the clubhouse, across the main room, up those industrial metal stairs, and into his room. He locks the door, then turns with an eyebrow raised.

“Get naked.”

For probably the first time that I’ve met him, I’m not feeling aroused. I’ve kept my despair deeply buried, hoping he doesn’t know how empty I’m feeling having watched my family drive off. Them leaving was the right thing to do, it’s just going to be awhile before I can accept it. But I don’t want that to show. I have to be strong, the woman Ink expects me to be.

“Babe, take your clothes off.”

“Ink. I’m not…”

He pushes away from the door against which he’d been leaning. He comes into my personal space. “Trust me,” he says, softly. His hands go to the bottom of my sweater. “Lift your arms.” As he uses that commanding voice, I obey automatically, though doubting however skilled he is as a lover, that today I will be able to respond.

I stand, only helping as far as I lift my feet when he asks. Soon all my clothes are lying on the ground, and he’s fully clothed. My mind’s miles away, already thinking of everything I hadn’t said to my mom. And now I’ve lost my chance, maybe forever.

I don’t object as he takes my hand and leads me to the chair, but when he pats his lap, my eyes widen in horror and I shake my head. “No.”

My reaction doesn’t seem to take him by surprise. Pulling me down like he had once before, he traps me with his strong muscular legs. I struggle, but within seconds there’s a sharp sting on my right ass cheek, followed by one to my left.

“Stop,” I cry out. “Ink, no.”

But he doesn’t stop.

It’s not erotic. It hurts. He continues. There’s no getting away from this, I go limp, and then the tears start.

“That’s it,” Ink murmurs, rubbing my sore ass. “Babe, you needed to cry. You’re keeping everything bottled up and that’s not good. I’ve watched you holding it together for days, but you don’t need to keep it up. Just let it out. Give it to me, let me help you with your pain.”

He stops the spanking, pulls me up and holds me tight in his arms, his hands now smoothing up and down my back. I’m ugly crying, letting out everything that I’ve held back, covering his shirt with snot and tears, snorting and hiccupping, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

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