“Liebchen,” he whispered, bending to kiss her, enjoying the fact that she pressed her entire body against his—as if to remind him what pleasure she was ready to provide. He chuckled as he released her, picking up a piece of chalk and tapping it against the slate. “I promise I will enjoy watching you write every single letter of every single one of the one hundred sentences you will write for me.” He grinned as she scowled at him, snatching the chalk from his hand. A pop to her already very tender, bare butt had her giggling as she lifted her hand and began to rewrite the words she’d chalked onto the smaller slate board.
My dream is Haven’s promise.
By the time the last letter had been written, Elizabeth’s shoulders were relaxed, a contented smile on her lips as she finally accepted the words from her heart not only into her mind, but into her very soul.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Logan stood on the veranda, his arms around Elizabeth as they watched the first car pull up the long drive. “Haven is going to knock their socks off.”
A soft giggle escaped her lips. “I’m praying more than socks come off. After all, that’s sort of the entire premise of our hotel, remember?” The giggle turned into a squeal as his broad hand came down against the seat of her linen pants, instantly reminding her of their session the night before. She had indeed written her sentences, knowing that he was seated behind her, enjoying the view of her red, bare bottom as it jiggled with every glide of the chalk against the blackboard.
He was pleased when, instead of pulling away, she pressed her bottom into his palm, urging him to swat her again. Complying, he watched the car pull to a stop in the parking lot at the side of the hotel. “I’m thinking perhaps my co-owner should remember that all I have to do is pull down her pants to give our guests a personal demonstration on the benefits of signing up for one of the slots for the woodshed.”
Elizabeth felt warmth flow through her and could swear she smelled chalk dust. Turning and lifting onto her toes to plant akiss on his lips, she whispered, “I think you should leave that element of discovery until tomorrow, Sir.”
Knowing she was speaking about their commitment ceremony, he cupped her face, deepening the kiss. “Relax,liebchen, don’t you worry about a single thing, not today, and not what is going to happen tomorrow. This is your dream come true, enjoy your success.” She barely had time to nod before turning back to greet the man and woman walking up the sidewalk, their faces showing their excitement.
“Welcome to Haven,” Elizabeth said, holding out her hand. As the man shook his head, she giggled. “God, it’s so great to see you!”
The last vestige of professionalism disappeared as Ethan set down the suitcase he was carrying and picked Elizabeth up off her feet, twirling her around before giving her a kiss. Setting her down, he drew Jeanette to his side.
“This is absolutely amazing,” Jeanette said. “I’ve been so excited ever since Ethan bought the tickets. The moment we pulled through those incredible gates, my heart started pounding. Seriously, I don’t think there is a more beautiful property anywhere.”
Ethan loved her enthusiasm and knew her words were ones that Elizabeth was so glad to hear. Seeing Logan, his grin as wide as Liz’s, Ethan chuckled. “I’m just glad to see so many trees. It gives a Dom such a wide variety of choices.”
Logan stepped down to shake Ethan’s hand. “Believe me, you are going to discover you have so many choices your head will spin. Wait until you see the woodshed.” The four were laughing as they entered the hotel, Logan carrying the suitcase as they welcomed their first guests to Haven.
The afternoon passed quickly as more and more guests arrived. Logan and Liz greeted each couple, thrilled to hear repeats of Jeanette’s earlier praise. Ariel and Garrett led thosewho had rooms inside the hotel proper to their rooms, pleased to discover that all the additional touches like fresh flowers and waiting gift baskets were well received.
Jason and Nancy led those who would be staying in the equally fabulous, renovated barn to their rooms. No one minded that they had to walk an additional distance, as the entire path was landscaped beautifully, a large flagstone patio with gliders and chairs ready to offer comfort when a guest wished to sit outside. The bottom floor of the barn held only two suites as the rest of it had been converted into a large seating area, with comfortable love seats, cushions and small tables arranged so that couples could either find a private spot or gather with other guests when not in their rooms. Jason explained that all meals would be served in the hotel dining room, but the barn also had been stocked with all sorts of snacks, fruits, soda and even wine and beer. Nancy made it a point to mention the brochure in the gift basket contained a coupon to her boutique and advising them to sign up early for the woodshed as she was positive it would be a huge hit.
“We’ll be over as soon as we unpack,” Alicia promised. “I need something special to wear tomorrow. It is so exciting that we are not only here to celebrate New Year’s Eve, we are going to witness Logan and Liz’s commitment ceremony and wedding. Derek and I are so thrilled for them—they are perfect for each other. I mean, can you believe what they’ve done in less than a year!”
Echoes of her words, and continuous exclamations of amazement and praise were repeated over and over again. By the time the last guest had signed the registration book, Elizabeth’s fears had long since disappeared. She found herself having more fun than she had ever imagined. Logan had to chuckle when she looked slightly lost as she realized that not a single guest was left to talk to.
“Feeling abandoned?” he asked, pulling her into his arms.
“A little,” she confessed. “I mean, where did everybody go?”
He chuckled. “Liebchen, remember Haven is a hotel for very special couples. I’m pretty sure that besides meals and the parties, our guests will often be behind closed doors, and I guarantee it won’t be to watch television.”
She was slapping at his arm when Nancy came from the back of the hotel. “Remind me to increase my next order. Oh, and up my prices.”
“You’d better not tell me that you conveniently forgot to put aside my birthday gift to Garrett,” Logan warned. Nancy rolled her eyes, assuring him that she already had it wrapped and ready for him to pay for. Liz laughed and the three moved toward the kitchen to take a much-needed break.
It wasn’t long before the break was over. Elizabeth and Nancy lit the candles in the center of the intimate tables for two. “Oh wait, shouldn’t we add a chair to a table? Angel’s family makes three.”
“We need to add two more to that table,” Logan said, as he placed new logs in the fireplace. “Craig told me that Angel has permission to eat in the kitchen with Barbara, but that Mom and Dad have been invited to share the meal with John and Betty. Craig’s evidently been assigned to keep the girls in line while the others get to know each other better.” He paused and grinned. “You know, maybe I should sit with them as that conversation is sure to be very educational.” He ignored Elizabeth’s swat to his arm as she passed him by, telling him to behave. “Watch it,schatzi, I’m pretty sure I can have Daddy Craig accept one more naughty girl at his table.” Nancy giggled as Elizabeth rolled her eyes and then quickly scooted out of Logan’s reach.
Ariel placed a single rose across one of the two plates on each table, a small placard placed on the opposite plate, as it would be proper to expect the dominant of each couple to place theirchoice for dinner. Craig and Barbara would be offering both a lighter fare as well as a meal that would satisfy and replace any expended calories. They had no doubts that the quality of the food would more than make up for the lack of choices.
Guests began to arrive, exclamations of pleasure heard as they were led to their tables. As more and more tables were claimed, Elizabeth spoke quietly to Logan. “Any idea where Ethan and Jeanette are? I know he was looking forward to dinner.”
Logan grinned, his hand slipping to run across her ass. “As the proprietress of this hotel, I’d think you’d remember we have a very tempting woodshed. If you’d check the sign-up sheet, you’d find it claimed. I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
“Oh, then as a caring hostess, as well as someone who has personal experience under Ethan’s paddle, I think I’d better ask Barbara where she’s storing the extra pillows.” Liz was smiling as she entered the kitchen, happy that Ethan had decided to take advantage of the woodshed. “Barbara where are… oh.” Her question was left incomplete as she took in the activities in the kitchen.
Betty and John were seated beside Ben and Helen at the island, glasses of wine in their hands. All turned, smiles on their faces as they watched Elizabeth’s gaze fall on Barbara as well as Angel. The two Littles were standing, hands on tops of heads, nose to the wall. Craig’s lips curled into a smile as Liz shook her head, her own smile bright.
