Mastering Maeve Read online

  “Only one way to find out, Maeve; get on out there. Ring his father, tell him you’re coming and that way you can make sure Larry is there. And sure if he rejects you, there’s always Sean…” she laughed.

  “Why are you always so horrible about Sean?” Maeve asked with interest. “He’s always been a good friend, always there when I need him. I like him.”

  “Ach, he’s all right, I just think he’s a bit of a wuss the way he’s always fawning at your feet. At least this Larry fellah keeps you on your toes. Now come on. Let’s go back and book you a flight.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Halfway through another sleepless night, Larry was fed up tossing and turning and got up to make coffee. Finally he was ready to deal with things and he opened his email account. Although tempted to skip to the last and read in reverse, he decided it would be best to read them in the order he should have got them in. The first one was dated Maeve’s birthday, asking why he didn’t make it for the video call and telling him exactly the details of the trust fund, and her anger she felt towards her grandmother. Her parents had been insured for a million euro each. He whistled as he realised she was now a millionaire, a real rags-to-riches story, but minus the obligatory man. Such a lot changed in twenty-four hours for her. In a perverse way it sort of pleased him to think she would never have to be dependent on anyone else.

  The second had details of her grandmother’s explanations. He laughed out loud about her leaving the sticky note reminding her to call nursing homes. That was just like Maeve, impulsive. He didn’t wonder if she had actually called one or two; he hoped she had, and in Bridie’s earshot at that. He’d even have done it himself. Maeve was right all along; Bridie was now exposed for the manipulative old woman that she was, but he doubted Maeve was laughing like she had once promised. He could understand how let down she must have felt. He should have been there to comfort her.

  The next informed him that she was returning his money; this one he was really interested in, as it had been the nail in the coffin as far as he was concerned. He read it a couple of times to really digest it.

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Subject: PLEASE READ URGENTLY, IT’S ABOUT THE HOTEL

  My Dearest Larry,

  I don’t know if you have read any of my emails or if you will read this one, but I hope you opened it after seeing the header. You need to read the first paragraph, after that I hope you’ll read the rest of it.

  I have instructed the bank to return your money to you because I feel you were coerced into investing in McNamara’s. I can assure you, whatever schemes were afoot, I knew nothing about them. It was my pleasure to work with you: even aside from the personal stuff, you really taught me a lot and I’d like to learn more. But for now, I want to lease out the hotel and I don’t want to put your money at risk. While it has been a remarkably successful summer, who knows how the new manager might work out?

  Now I’m going on to the more personal stuff. Please, please, Larry I’d really love if you would continue reading… It’s not the first time I begged your indulgence. I hope you’ll be as generous this time.

  I miss you. I swear to you, I had no clue about the money or about Granny’s plans. I haven’t told her I’ve forgiven her yet, but I do kind of understand what she was about. If I got the money while I was still at college, or even straight after, I’d probably have gone off the rails altogether: travelling, drinking, and spending, or maybe even worse. Now I’ve learned the value of money and earning a living; I’ll hopefully be wiser. But you know I’m much more sensible when you’re keeping me in line. None of it is any good without you. She found you for me, then she took you away. Whatever happens, I’m still glad she did find you though; you made me look at myself and I didn’t always like what I saw. You’ve made me a better person and for that I’ll always love you. I really wish I could talk this through face to face, instead of a sterile email, but I’m still hoping someday soon we can.

  Your loving Maeve

  For the first time Larry felt like a real shit; deep down he always thought Maeve knew nothing about it. If he ever doubted her innocence, it was only through his own insecurity. It took all his self-control not to hit reply. Really, with all the changes in her life, it was sensible to give her freedom to experience her new reality. It would easier to do that if he kept the silence up, her anger would surely follow and an angry Maeve was a formidable Maeve. She’d survive anything. He read through another half dozen emails, each one pleading or explaining, then bingo, there it was—the angry email. For a moment or two he was almost pleased to see it.

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Subject: Why are you being such a shit?

  Larry,

  I spent a couple of hours finding flights to Texas to see if I could make you see sense and had finally managed to book one, but I’ve been lying in bed stewing half the night and have changed my mind. I let you humiliate me once, why would I do that again?

  I can’t believe you still haven’t had the decency to contact me. Only a couple of weeks ago we were planning a future together and now you haven’t even got the basic courtesy to answer my calls or correspondence. And to think you had the cheek to think you could correct my behaviour and to call me spoiled and selfish. It’s time you took a look at yourself, sunshine; if there is anyone around here in need of a good spanking, it’s you. You said you loved me; well, let me tell you what love is: (You find it in the Bible)

  1 Corinthians 13:4–8a

  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

  Love certainly does not fall at the first hurdle, or refuse to listen, Larry. You failed me. If this is the best love you can offer me, then it’s just not good enough, I will arrange the return of your ring in the morning. Maybe Granny did me a favour after all.

  Have a good life

  M

  She really knew how to push his buttons. He did fail her—failed her and doubted her. He did envy and was proud. He couldn’t believe she’d actually booked a flight. She was bothered enough to do that. And she was totally right; he was being a jerk. He should at least have the courage to face her. He should have trusted her more. The only decent thing to do would be to go back to Galway one more time. The ranch issue was sorted; the missing employee had finally been discovered, and was being prosecuted and the insurance company had agreed to pay out at a reasonable rate. Clive had confirmed that he would take on more responsibility. There was nothing keeping him here but his own stubborn pride.

  Tapping into flight sites, Larry discovered the next available flight was the next day, but it was a long-winded one; worse than usual. He’d have to fly to New York that very day first, have a one-night stopover, then New York to Dublin early the following morning.

  He rang Maeve’s number, but it went straight through to voicemail. He left her a grovelling apology and asked her not to FedEx her ring until they talked first. All day he expected a reply but got none. Truth was he didn’t deserve one. In the end he decided to take his chances and head for New York anyway; he didn’t blame her for not taking his calls and probably the only way to work through this was in person. When he stopped in New York, Larry checked his emails, perturbed that she still hadn’t called. He called her number again, still getting voicemail. It was a long way to go if he wasn’t sure that she’d be there. He tried the hotel and was dismayed to be told that she was gone on an extended trip and no return date had been given. He was afraid it may be too late.

  He was left with a total dilemma—to travel or not to travel. Larry finally got hold of Bridie, but she could tell him nothing more of Maeve’s plans than the
receptionist could. After a couple of hours he realised his cell’s Internet connection had crashed and his emails weren’t updating. He managed to access a computer at his hotel and at last he had contact. An email was waiting for him.

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Subject: Your ring is on its way…

  But it’s still on my finger. You’re right, Larry, we should talk. I got your voicemail so I decided to use that flight I booked. I’m emailing you as I will have to leave my phone switched off for the journey.

  I’m going all around the houses though; I have to fly to New York first. I’ll be there later today, and then tomorrow I will get to Angelina County Airport. I hope to God it’s the right one but I think that’s where you said you fly to. Can you email me if I need to change it? And please, please see me.

  He dialled her number again and this time she answered on the first ring.

  “Maeve, I’m so glad I caught you. Where are you?” he asked.

  “Larry,” she shouted over the background noise. “I was afraid you wouldn’t see me so I didn’t want to call before I was on the way. I’m in the Big Apple. I can’t believe how crazy it is here.”

  “Where exactly are you?”

  “Right now? Feck, I’ve no idea, I went out for a look-about after checking into my hotel. Hold on, I’ll ask someone.”

  “No, don’t you dare do that; hail a cab and tell them to bring you to the Waldorf Astoria, and wait, I’ll meet you there. I’m in New York too, on a stopover on my way to Dublin.”

  Now that he was actually going to see her, he felt very nervous. He deserved her scorn. When he got to the hotel, there was no sign of Maeve. He was afraid she had changed her mind. Finally on asking at reception, he found she had left a message for him to join her in her bedroom and he was escorted to her luxury room by the bellhop, who had been instructed to open the door and let him in. Maeve was sitting hunched over on an opulent sofa, her hands on her lap with her back to the door. She turned her head to the sound of the door and he could see she had been crying.

  * * *

  “You didn’t say you were staying here. I was waiting downstairs. I was worried.” Larry had approached the sofa and was standing imposingly over her. She didn’t know if he was being deliberately intimidating or if he was just too nervous to sit on the sofa beside her.

  “You don’t contact me for over a week and still you manage to scold me for worrying you…” she snapped.

  “Ok! I’m sorry, I don’t want to argue with you anymore.”

  “We weren’t arguing, Larry. You just disappeared off the face of the earth. Why?” Maeve replied, her eyes welling up once more.

  “Because you don’t need me now, Maeve. You need freedom to enjoy your youth and money.”

  “It was never about needing you, Larry. It was about want, desire, love, respect. How could you cheapen it to a financial transaction? You’re almost as bad as her.”

  “I know, I’m sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing… well, to be honest I didn’t know what to think. My brain stopped working. Shit, I’m sorry.” He stopped towering over her, and sat on the floor at her feet, taking her hands in his.

  “You don’t get to make unilateral decisions for us; we’re supposed to face them as a couple. You can spank me, because I choose to submit to it, but you can’t ever forget I’m your partner, not your possession. You need to consult me in all things that have an effect on us, as you would expect me to consult you. Is that clear?”

  She was trying to speak firmly, not to let her tears make her look weak. This was something that would have to be cleared up once and for all if they ever had a future together. While she could willingly submit her body to him, he had to realise she was still his equal in intelligence and reasoning or else she would lose her sense of self, and she wasn’t prepared to do that for anyone, not even Larry.

  “I’m sorry. At first I doubted you, I admit. But in the end I thought if I really loved you, I should let you enjoy your youth.”

  “If you really love me, you’ll give me a choice. I choose to be with you, but only if that’s what you want too.”

  “God damn, of course it is. I’m sorry.”

  “Will you stop saying that and do something about it? God, I missed you.” She pulled on his hands, guiding him up on the sofa beside her, and kissed him softly. He returned it cautiously.

  “So what is that something I am supposed to do? How can I show you I mean it?”

  “You can start with this, but be under no illusion, I do intend to punish you.”

  “What do you mean, punish me? You’re not spanking me. No chance, that’s not the way we work.”

  “Oh, you’re not so brave now! Don’t worry; I have no desire to hit you. I was wracking my brain to think what to do; the traditional way of punishing a man over the years was to hit his bank account. Now that’s no good, as I have more than enough money, but I’ve come up with the very thing. I’m going to put you through a week of torturous shopping detail; you’ll come to every shop, wait uncomplainingly as I pick what I want, and you’ll carry my bags.”

  “I think I’ll take the spanking,” he volunteered with a groan. “At least that’s over more quickly.”

  “No deal, you’re a bit big for me to hold down. Now in the immortal words of that classic movie, Top Gun, take me to bed or lose me forever.” She smacked his arse playfully as he rose, laughing her joy at having him back.

  Larry turned on her. “You’re gonna pay for that, miss,” he threatened, failing to hide his grin.

  “Not if you can’t catch me,” she taunted, springing behind the sofa. Naturally when she arrived, Maeve had compared the room to those in McNamara’s hotel and it seemed immense. She had been staggered by the decadence of the plush sofa and armchairs, the rich décor, and the super-sizing of everything. It wasn’t simply a hotel room; it was a sublime experience. Right now as she looked for a place to run, it seemed way too small. She giggled as he vaulted across the back of the sofa as if hopping a fence at the ranch. He caught her easily and dragged her to the bed.

  “What’s the holdup? Get naked now,” he demanded, emboldened by his victory. Maeve shivered in anticipation as she quickly tried to obey his command. It wasn’t as easy as it sounded as his hands were roaming her body as she tried to remove her clothes, his arms clashing with her nervous, excited movements. She had managed to lose her shoes and pants, but that was all.

  “You’ve got thirty seconds to be bare or I start spanking,” he warned. “One, two, thirty!” he counted as he dragged her across his fully clothed lap. He pulled her pale blue panties down as far as her knees, leaving her exposed. He trailed his hands across her soft white behind as she bucked in protest. She settled under the eroticism of his touch and melded into his lap awaiting his pleasure. His smacks were gentle to start, as if he was glorying in the miracle of having her back and she purred her pleasure. But there was a sense of disappointment; she wanted him to possess her.

  “Come on then, where’s the spanking, Mr Hard Man Williamson,” she taunted. “Ouch,” she squealed as she felt the sting of his hand on her buttocks.

  “You want this?” he asked, surprised.

  “Mmm, sure do,” she agreed and felt another slap. Over and over he alternated cheeks. The heat was rising as he moved his hand up and down, cheek to cheek. Harder and harder as she yielded to his mastery. She didn’t fight him or fuss. It felt good as he scorched her behind. She had missed him and she had missed this. It wasn’t penal; she was the one wronged, but it was simply a type of communication, a rekindling of their united flame. It hurt her ass to be sure, but it helped heal the rift.

  “Ok, enough,” she said, breathless.

  “I’ll be the judge of that,” Larry replied as he continued spanking. “You’ve not given yourself to me yet.” Sure enough, she was holding back, resentment still holding the pole position. The smacks got harder and she could no l
onger keep still and just accept them. She had to fight them, wriggling and kicking. Still he kept it up, holding her firmly in place. Harder, sharper, more frequent slaps thudded down on her punished bottom and he kept going until she stopped resisting his dominion. Then he ceased and resumed the gentle rubbing. His touch seemed to be like a knife spreading hot butter on the pan. The almost liquid heat spread from her bottom to her genitalia as she lapped up his softer ministrations. Her breathing subsided from the sharp pained gasps and became pants of pleasure, and he allowed his hand to slip to her crotch, to find her milky moisture waiting his touch. She arched her hips, pushing against his enormous hand that, although all too harsh five minutes ago, was achingly gentle now.

  “Harder, please,” she urged.

  “You’ll get what I want to give you; now be still or I’ll spank you again,” Larry replied. She hated and loved him for it. It increased her arousal tenfold, but that made her want to press her pussy into his touch all the more. She wanted, no, she needed more, but he was determined to tease her.

  “Don’t you dare come until I give you permission,” he hissed, bringing her to an almost immediate climax. “Uh oh, it looks like a naughty girl needs to be punished some more.” He moved his fingers to both of her erect nipples and pinched hard, pulling down on her breasts. She squealed but didn’t pull back. Her hips began to sway. “Oh, you like this, I can tell.”

  “No, it hurts,” she protested, but he let one hand slip back to her now flooded pussy.

  “Liar,” he scolded, thrusting his fingers in and out. She wanted to come, but was holding back, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. He was still pinching hard with his other hand and although painful, it was making her insides do the most weird and wonderful jumps and skips. Maeve almost resented her body for displaying her want. A sharp wallop to her rump caused her to jump, making her pull back and causing more tension on her nipple.