Chapter 9

• Her body temperature rose as a result of the possessive grip, as did her heart rate. She could see it in his dark gaze and feel it in his stronghold that he was dead serious in his threat.
• "And don't think Donny's a soft touch," he continued, his face so near to hers that she could smell mint on his breath. "He's even more of a stickler for good behavior than I am."
• "Good behavior?"
• "You understand what I mean. Being a brat, for example, bragging about riding firemen's poles at a family meal. It's not acceptable to him, and he'll redden your ass faster than you can say, Balthazar."
• "Neither of you are spanking my ass." She squeezed her buttocks, trying to suppress the peculiar excitement that had surged through her at the prospect of being over Alan's or Donny's knee. Would having her in that situation turn them on? Is that why it was threatened? Were they planning to spank her? Were they clumsy? Would she like it as well?
• "Whether you get a spanking or not is entirely up to you," Alan remarked, letting go of her hair and fixing the collar of her pajamas. "Apply for your PGCE, hold your landlord accountable," he cocked his head, "and quit sleeping with strangers and there'll be no need to go over my knee."
• She swallowed loudly in the otherwise silent room. "I've been doing what the hell I like for years, you know."
• "And it hasn't exactly got you very far." He took a breather. "As I previously stated, things are about to change for you. You might as well stop protesting because it will happen, and whether you like it or not, you will do what you are told."
• ****
• "Please be upstanding for the bride and groom," the master of ceremonies commanded. "Mr. and Mrs. Talbot."
• Jenny and Benjamin entered the magnificently adorned dining hall of Woodford Country Manor, raising champagne flutes in the air. As they took their places at the top table, a wave of polite applause silenced, leaving just the sound of two violins dipping and parrying.
• Jenny sat across from Blair, her white gown flowing about her. On this particular occasion, she'd chosen a Disney princess.
• Blair looked around at the sea of people. She recognized half of them from her mother's previous weddings. When the lights darkened and the music began, she examined the males, wondering whether there was anyone worth getting to know.
• Donny and Alan sat at the other side of the top table. She hadn't even said anything to them. Alan had still irritated her by barging into her home and basically informing her that her life was a shambles. Who did he believe he was? She was also irritated with Donny. Tom hadn't come up for his normal morning coffee for a week, and she was missing his banter.
• But she couldn't deny her stepbrothers were handsome. And it seems that every other lady, young and old, felt the same way. They were toned and sharpened beneath their attire, which were black morning suits with purple neckties, waistcoats, and pocket flowers. They were a magnet for attention because of their gloomy, slightly distant, yet utterly appealing demeanor.
• It's not hers. She didn't want their attention, spanking threats, or bossiness. With a couple more glasses of champagne, she'd be well on her way to having some fun...hopefully.
• She'd noticed a handsome man with wavy blond hair. Perhaps Benjamin's nephew? Perhaps a friend's son. Godson? She had no idea. I didn't give a damn. But once the speeches were finished and everything calmed down, she'd see if he was up for some bedroom down and dirty. He wasn't going to be as amazing as last week's hottie—Alec or Anders?—because he'd been outstanding.
• Her dinner was smoked salmon mousse, lamb cutlets, and passion fruit sorbet. Everything is amazing.
• After assisting her mother in using the loo (the dress required support), Blair reapplied makeup and perfume before heading to the bar. She was shocked to see the blond beauty propping it up.
• "Hi," she murmured, tapping her nails on the smooth surface. "You're with the groom, right?"
• "Yeah." He grinned, his gaze falling to her cleavage, which was on display in her low-cut, figure-hugging purple bridesmaid's gown. "Which means you must be with the bride."
• "Daughter." When he smiled, his cheeks dimpled, which she appreciated. "How do you know Benjamin?"
• "I'm his godson."
• She'd guessed correctly.
• "I'm Wayne," he introduced himself. "My father is talking to the groom over there." They attended Eton together."
• Blair swung around to see an elderly gentleman with blond hair and square shoulders. He was wearing small round spectacles and had removed his suit jacket.
• "Eton," she explained. "You go there, too?"
• "For my sins." He sipped from a full pint while grinning. "Want a drink?"
• "Sure, I'll have a white wine, thanks."
• He raised his hand to the server and, once he had his attention, he ordered her a New Zealand sauvignon blanc.
• "Great venue," he commented. "I'm sure Benjamin bought it cheap. He goes golfing with the owner."
• "Really?"
• "Oh yes, he's talented, could have gone professional." Wayne nodded, clearly impressed.
• "I didn't know that." She returned her gaze to her new stepfather. His boys stood to his right. Both of them were staring at her.
• "Do you play?" she said, coming in closer to Wayne, settling down for a moment.
• "Sure thing, I was in The Algarve just last week getting a few rounds in."
• "You any good?"
• "I'd like to be humble and say I'm average, but the truth is, yeah, baby, I'm good." He chuckled and softly squeezed his fingers over hers. "Do you play?"
• Were they still discussing golf?
• "No, I don't have the time."
• "Busy with other pursuits, huh."
• "Something like that." She burst out laughing.
• Music began to play in the adjacent room, signaling the beginning of the evening's disco.
• "Ladies and gentlemen, will you please come this way for the first dance?" said the master of ceremonies.
• "Ah, and so it begins," Blair said.
• "What begins?" Wayne extended the crook of his elbow.
• Blair ran her hand through it. "The evening phase of the wedding, the point when people let their hair down." She cast a peek behind her. "Discard their inhibitions."
• Alan and Donny were both looking at her with a grimace.
• "Will you discard yours?" Wayne leaned up close, whispering. "Or do you have a burly boyfriend about to arrive and keep you in check?"
• "No burly boyfriend." She smiled, savoring Wayne's cologne aroma and the glint in his eye. She was certain he'd be up for some fun in her room on the second level. He was a little snooty and a little proud of himself, but if he had a hot body and his dick functioned, she wouldn't mind.
• They stood off to the side of the dance floor, watching Jenny and Benjamin perform 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston. Blair knew it was the second time her mother had used the music, but she decided not to mention anything.
• Suddenly, she noticed Alan standing immediately across from her. He was looking at her with his arms folded, not watching the first dance.
• "Do you know Donny and Alan well?" She inquired of Wayne.
• "I guess so. We've hung together at a lot of family gatherings throughout the years."
• "What do you think of them?"
• He laughed. "You're trying to suss out your new stepbrothers, right?"
• "Isn't that what everyone would do?"
• "Of course." He came to a halt when Benjamin grabbed Jenny's foot off the floor and twisted her around. "Donny works in the city, he's focused, determined, and doesn't take fools gladly."
• "I gathered that."
• "And Alan, he's always had a bit of a thing for adrenaline, I suppose that's why he does what he does."
• "What do you mean?"
• "He's been known to throw himself out of planes, off cliffs, head underground for cave diving."
• "Really?"
• "Yeah."
• "So Donny's not into adrenaline?"
• "I wouldn't say that; it just manifests itself in different ways." Donny is all about making money, closing the deal, and outwitting the adversary, or rather, his competition." He took a breather. "In any case, Donny and Alan want the best outcome possible, even if it means taking risks and living on the edge." I suppose they expect the same from everyone around them. At least, that's what I've seen."
• "I think you've summed it up well." She kept Alan's stare, which didn't make her feel at ease. It seemed as if he was passing judgment on her, and the verdict was negative.
• "Ah, I see, they've already shown their true colors, huh."
• She did not respond. "What about the other one, Evan?" she said instead.
• "Evan." He made a shaky motion with his head. "He's the eldest, a cross between them both, I'd say." Even though he's pumped up on adrenaline by playing with live rounds of ammo."
• "Is he as…heavy?"
• Wayne laughed once again. "Heavy is a fair word to characterize all of the brothers. Some might say intense, but I prefer hefty." He nodded his head towards the dancing floor. "Come on, let's bust a few moves."