Behind the Mask

Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Sean's POV

I woke up with my head resting on Owen's chest, his breathing even, letting me know he was still asleep. I replayed the events of the last day and a half in my mind. When Marissa had slipped it had pushed me into little space as well. I think seeing how responsive my husbands were to her needs made me feel safe enough to let go. I've never really given any of them other than Owen the chance to interact with me in my little space moments. A soft smile crossed my face as I remembered coloring with her in Owen's office, then watching cartoons on the living room floor in our blanket fort. I'd felt more relaxed and accepted than I had in a long time. Marissa was making her mark on this family and I admit I enjoyed having her around the house.

Doing my best not to wake him, I climbed out of bed and tiptoed down the hall to get some coffee. The kitchen was empty except for Marissa who sat looking out the window with a mug gripped tightly in her hands. "How are you feeling this morning?" I asked her as I poured coffee into my own cup.

She looked around at me and gave a small smile, "Much better. How about you?"

I gave a short laugh, "I think my brief regression did wonders. I haven't slept that well in ages." I gave an exaggerated stretch to prove my point.

She giggled and pointed to the pictures on the refrigerator, "Apparently we are fridge-worthy artists." I looked at the pages and instantly recognized the coloring pages she and I had done in the office yesterday. Below them was a snapshot photo of the two of us on our stomachs coloring on the floor. I'm casting a side glance at her, while she has a look of deep concentration as she is coloring. I let out a series of giggles and rolled my eyes.

"We really should frame those and the picture too," I said. "Our first date." She raised her eyebrows, but I just gave her a smile, then scooted next to her as we sipped our drinks and watched the sunrise. After a while, the others began to trickle in and both of us were peppered with kisses as they each filled their own cups, and soon the room filled with the smells of North and Silas cooking.

"So, can anyone tell me where my bag went?" Marissa asked when North handed her a plate piled with fruit and eggs.

Gabe gave a guilty grin, "Well, spitfire, it might just be in our closet."

"Do I dare ask why," she said.

"You look really good in just my fucking shirt," he said simply with a proud smile on his face. "Matter of fact, I refuse to return your fuckin clothes."

She made a small noise and threw a strawberry at him, "Gabriel Joseph Coleman, give me my clothes back!" He sat with a shocked expression as he stared between her and the offending strawberry that had hit his face, then fallen on his plate. I think she realized her mistake because her cheeks flushed and she quickly tried to run from the room, but he caught her around the waist, hauling her across his lap, lifted the shirt to expose her bare bottom, and quickly landed a slap on her ass. "Gabriel!" she gasped.

"Try again, little girl," he growled as he gave her another slap. She struggled and whimpered loudly. "I warned you once that brats get fucking punished, spitfire," he said and landed a third spanking on her bottom.

"Yes Daddy," she breathed and her body shook. Tears ran down her cheeks as he gave her two more swats, then pulled her upright.

"Why did I punish you," he asked, putting his finger under her chin and forcing her to look at him.

"Because I was a brat and threw a strawberry at you, Daddy," she whispered, her chest rising and falling as she tried to calm her breathing. She looked beautiful with her tear-stained cheeks. "I'm sorry."

"Good girl," he praised her as he cradled her. "Now, let's go upstairs and find something for you to wear." She nodded and held his hand as they went up the stairs, her red asscheeks peeking out under his shirt as she walked. We all groaned slightly and had to readjust ourselves at the sight.

"Can I just say thank you, Silas?" Kota said finally. "I'm so damn glad she's here." With laughter, we all agreed with his sentiment.

****

"Not a fucking chance, spitfire!" Gabe yelled as they came down the stairs. She was in her office attire and gathering her briefcase. "Will someone help me talk sense into her? She says she's going back to work."

She shot a glare at him, "Gabriel, I'm not a child. I have a company to run and yes, I realize my father is still in town, but you are not my only clients. I have a meeting at one that simply cannot be rescheduled nor done remotely as the files are at G&R. If it makes you feel any better, my office is wired."

"What do you mean wired, sweetie?" I asked.

"Video and audio recordings. The whole damn building is. I mean, I really don't look at the tapes unless we run into a breach of contract issue, but Winston was a very cautious man. We had a deal that cost us close to a million once all because we couldn't substantiate the original deal that was a verbal contract." She shrugged and I noticed Victor's eyes were glassy with adoration.

"Would you allow one of us to come with you?" Owen suggested.

She paused, "To the office, of course, but you can't be in the meetings. That would be a breach of attorney-client privilege."

"I'll go," North offered, "I can wait in your office if you're using a conference room, otherwise I'll wait in the lobby."

She shook her head, "I still say you are all overreacting, but that will be fine, North." She clicked her tongue as she looked him up and down, "Um, not that you look bad, but you might want to change clothes."

He looked down at his sweats and tank top and chuckled, "Hmm, you think I look good?" He moved closer to her and bent his head a bit, "I promise I look better without the clothes," he said in a low growl as her cheeks turned crimson, and she made a small squeaking sound that made my dick stand to attention instantly. He grinned and headed up the stairs after gently tapping her ass.

She mumbled something under her breath. "What was that, sugar?" Luke asked with a grin. She just shook her head and pretended to be busy sorting papers until North came down looking gorgeous in his three-piece suit. I smiled when I noticed his undershirt matched her soft grey blouse in shade. I knew that wasn't a coincidence. Our protective husband was staking his claim to anyone who saw them. We all gave him a knowing smile as goodbye kisses were given and the two headed out the door.

"So, are we going to talk about it, or just see what happens?" I asked my remaining husbands.

"What's there to talk about? We've all had hard-ons since she hit the door with Silas. I think it's safe to say we all want her," Nate said.

I nodded, "Yeah, but the question is how do we want her? Is this we want to have sex for a while then move on kind of thing, or is this we want to see if this could be permanent kind of thing?"

"I was fucking curious after the gala, but having her here, well, fuck, now I don't want her to go home," Gabe grumbled.

Victor paused, looking worried. "I like her, not just sex. I like her - the way she is, how she makes me feel, the way she respects us and accepts us - and it scares me. I'm not sure I'd survive another situation like Sang."

"She isn't Sang," Luke quickly said, "She's like night and day from her. For one thing, she doesn't have a filter - if we upset her, she says it. While I think she may have had some abuse in her past, it isn't controlling her life and she's her own person. The confidence she has is enough to let me know she would never leave like Sang did. If she has a problem or concern, she'd tell us face to face." 

Author's Notes:  A bit of a transition chapter.