Gideon's Redemption by Maddie Taylor Page A

“Yes, she told me about it, and I walked in one time when she was getting a spanking. She didn’t seem to be objecting to it at all.”
    She seemed to thrive on it, Shannon thought. She had kept up with Roxie and Justin in the tabloids and they were still going strong after all this time, which was rare with celebrities. Maybe it had something to do with their lifestyle.
    “Then you know how domestic discipline works.”
    It was Shannon’s turn to be surprised. The kind of relationship he wanted had a name? It was a real thing? Wow! Who knew? Maybe she was naïve, after all. Half listening, she heard him continue, “Justin doesn’t rule with an iron fist, just a firm, guiding hand. That’s what I want for us.”
    “So you’d spank me for real? What would earn me a spanking, Gid?”
    “We’ll establish some ground rules that we both agree on. The primary rule will be honesty always, Shannon. We’ll rebuild trust as we go along, but we can’t allow anything like what happened before to split us apart again. If you walk in on me with twelve naked bimbos in my bed, I want you to trust that I love you and am faithful to you first, then ask questions.” His hand came up and curled around the nape of her neck. “You can’t react by running away and hiding like you did last time, Shannon. You can’t risk what we have together on a misunderstanding.”
    “I know that, Gid, and I’m really sorry.” She bowed her head, guilt-ridden over a stupid case of mistaken identity.
    “I’m not saying the whole thing is your fault, babe, but I am holding you accountable for not trusting me and not even giving me a chance to explain.”
    “Where were you that night anyway?”
    “I was waiting at the hotel, like we planned.”
    “Didn’t you get my message?”
    “No. I don’t remember getting a message.”
    “I was running late and called Ray while you were still on stage. He seemed pleased, said he wanted you to stay for the wrap party anyway since there would be media there.” Silently they stared at each other as another piece of the puzzle fell into place. “Oh, Gid, he told me to come by the Palladium instead, that he’d give you the message.”
    “I’m not surprised.” His eyes were near black as he seethed with rage. She could tell he was trying to get his anger under control when he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. If she were a nice person, she’d warn Ray Reynolds to get out of town—maybe out of the country. Except she couldn’t muster the energy to feel nice at the moment, let alone be charitable toward the slimy agent.
    Finally, he opened his eyes and she could tell his anger was in check, his eyes once again their usual appealing green. “Never mind Reynolds. I’ve taken him out of the picture.” His lips claimed hers in a kiss full of love, warmth, and seduction. He broke it off much too soon, for Shannon’s liking, and she moaned in disappointment.
    “Sorry, babe, I don’t want our reconciliation to be rushed. Making up and getting married are hurried enough. I want you settled at home before we move on to—” He paused for a moment before continuing, giving her a flash of his sexy trademark smile that melted panties round the world. By now, hers were surely smoldering. “I was gonna say before we move on to make-up sex, but that kind of trivializes it, I think.”
    “I don’t mind make-up sex. I’ve never had it before, but I hear it’s fantastic.” She rubbed against him, pressing her face into his.
    “Shannon, don’t tease me. I’m not starting something on your couch that will be hurried or interrupted midway. Our reconciliation is going to be celebrated with romance, a little wine, soft lights, and music, and it’s happening in my bed. Got it?”
    Nodding, she cuddled up against him; she couldn’t bear to let him go. His groan when she hitched a leg over his lap was music to her ears.
    “Don’t make me start our new beginning with a spanking, Shannon. I said