“Well, I was kind of hoping you’d help with the bookwork at the ranch,” he told her. “You know how much I hate that.”
It was true, he detested bookwork. Everyone knew to stay out of Gavin’s way when he was doing the accounts.
“I’d be happy to help out with the bookwork, but I don’t expect you to pay me for that.”
He frowned. “If you’re working for me then I’m paying you, baby, and I don’t want to hear another word about it.”
“And I say you’ve already done enough. You guys are paying all the bills and groceries, hell; you’re even paying my doctor’s bills. I don’t want you paying me, Gavin.”
He growled. “We’ll see.”
Yes, they would.
*****
Two nights later, Lila followed Gavin and Trace into the house. They’d just taken her out to Frieda’s for dinner, one of only two restaurants in town.
She walked into the living room and threw herself down on the couch after dinner. “I am stuffed.”
“Me too,” Trace groaned, patting his stomach.
“How are you feeling, Lila? Tired?” Gavin asked as he sat in his favorite armchair.
“Well, other than being really full, I’m fine,” she moaned. She’d been surprised by how many people had stopped to talk to her tonight. She supposed they’d been at the funeral, but she’d been in a bit of a daze that day. No one had acted shocked by the way Trace and Gavin touched her constantly.
They took every chance they could to touch her, in fact, and even though their caresses remained over her clothing, Lila was about ready to burst with need.
And if the hard erections she often felt pressing against her were any indication, then her men felt the same way. She’d been thoroughly spoilt, although they never missed an opportunity to remind her that she had a punishment coming her way, something that filled her with a mix of dread and curiosity.
The only downside of the night was that Colin had been unable to join them.
“That’s good,” Gavin replied silkily. “We’ll give your dinner a chance to go down and then we’ll address the spanking you have coming.”
And just like that she forgot about the discomfit of her stomach and started to think about the comfort of her butt.
“Gavin, you really don’t need to spank me. I won’t forget my phone again, I promise.”
He stared at her seriously for a long moment. “And a spanking will help you remember. You know the rules. You put yourself in danger or risk your health and your butt gets spanked.”
She chewed her lip, watching him nervously. “I’m scared.”
Trace took her hand. “None of us would ever abuse you. I hope you know that.”
Lila nodded. “I do. I know it.”
“Then trust us,” he continued. “Yeah, your butt is going to pay, but we will never push you beyond what you can take. We do this out of love, Lila.”
She took a deep breath. They needed this from her. Hell, a part of her kind of figured she did too.
“Come here, baby.” Gavin patted his lap. But instead of pulling her over his lap as she’d expected, he tugged her to sit on his knees and held her tight, rocking her.
“Don’t ever be scared of me, please?” he whispered to her.
“I won’t,” she told him. She couldn’t be. They were hers. All three of them.
Gavin kissed her, taking her mouth, slipping his tongue inside to play with hers until she was breathing harshly.
He then helped her stand. “Okay, baby girl. Strip off your pants and panties then over my lap.”