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  CJ let out a long sigh. “Look at that beautiful ass. After I teach you a lesson with this paddle, I’m going to fuck that ass so deep and hard you won’t forget it for a long time.” The second the words were out of his mouth, Paden heard the sharp crack of the paddle against her flesh followed by a light sting.

  Over the next few minutes, CJ brought his arm back again and again as he continued his sexy assault on her bottom as she cried out his name over and over again. After each couple of spankings from the paddle, CJ would stop momentarily to lightly rub her bottom before spanking her some more. Although this was Paden’s first time being spanked and paddled, CJ had plenty of experience and knew how to give hot, sexy, firm spankings without them becoming painful or unpleasant.

  He could easily tell by Paden’s dirty talk and moans of pleasure that he had her right where he wanted her and that she was relishing it completely. Unable to hold his much needed climax back for much longer, CJ climbed up on the bed behind her, grabbed her hips, and guided his hard dick deep inside her. Paden was overwhelmed with pleasure as she felt him thick and deep inside her. When he started pounding her back and forth, she immediately called out his name again as her building orgasm sent shivers though her.

  “That’s it baby,” Paden cried. “Fuck me so I’ll never forget it!”

  CJ loved her spunk and he especially loved how much she enjoyed sex. It was in that moment as he spilled into her and heard her cry out her release when he knew this was a woman he would never let go.

  Around 8 a.m. the next morning, Paden awoke to her back being gently rubbed. Although she and CJ had fallen asleep in each other’s arms, somewhere during the night she had rolled over and slept the rest of the night with her back facing him. Remembering it was Sunday and that she was in Memphis with CJ made her roll back over toward him and give him a sleepy smile. CJ was every bit as handsome first thing in the morning as he was up on stage and her female area tingled involuntarily.

  Curling up next to him with her head on his shoulder, she gently rubbed his chest and stomach while the fog of sleep attempted to clear. There wasn’t a sound in the hotel and a soft ray of sunshine was peeking through the curtains. Paden had never remembered feeling so relaxed and cared for. This man had very quickly captured her heart and her soul. As she continued to lightly caress his chest and thighs, he stroked her head like one would a sleeping child. After lying in each other’s arms this way for a short time, it was very clear to both of them that they were both aroused even though they were still a bit sleepy.

  At the same time she felt her nipples start to pucker, she noticed he was fully erect as her hand slid from rubbing his stomach down to his thighs. Unable to stop herself, she wrapped her hand around his manhood and very gently but methodically began to stroke him. Paden had always loved sex in the morning and her entire body was responding to the feel of his cock in her hand as she pleasured him.

  It was only moments later when CJ reached over with his free arm and began pinching her nipples while she continued to stroke him. Paden took a sharp intake of breath as his finger tips pulled and squeezed her very hard and puckered red nubs. As they continued to pleasure each other in the warmth of the bed, they both realized this time they were not fucking but rather making love.

  Leaning closer to her, CJ’s lips sought out her mouth and began kissing her passionately as he started to massage her breast one moment, then pinch her nipple the next. Paden loved how he kissed her and made her feel like the most special woman on earth. She could feel his cock twitching in her hand and growing harder. She knew it wouldn’t be long until he was inside her again and she prayed she could hold out so they could cum together.

  Releasing his mouth from hers, CJ pulled her over so she was lying on top of him. He wanted desperately to suck her nipples so he easily pulled her into position with her breasts right above his face. As he cupped one breast with his hand, he took the other between his lips and played with them.

  Every time he gave her nipple a little bite she would gasp slightly. Moving his mouth from one breast to the other, CJ ravaged both of her nipples to the point that she thought she was going to go mad. Her legs were bent on either side of his hips and she could feel his cock digging into her thigh as she remained leaning forward so he could play with her tits.

  Stopping for just a brief moment, CJ whispered, “Put my cock inside you, baby. I want you to ride me until you can’t take any more.” Sitting up straight, Paden reached between her thighs, grabbed his shaft and placing the smooth head at her slick opening. She sat down on it and moaned as he filled her up. Placing her hands on his stomach for support, she used her legs to move her hips up and down.

  Last night they had had sex hard and fast, but this morning she wanted to do it nice and slow. She was so wet from her earlier arousal that he slid in and out easily.

  “That’s it,” CJ groaned. “Take me nice and slow.”

  Then without warning, CJ flipped her on her back without his penis ever leaving her vagina and continued making love while his hands held hers above her head.

  Wrapping her legs around his hips, she thrust upward to the same rhythm he was driving into her. Paden loved how he was holding her hands down against the mattress so she couldn’t move them while the weight of his body left her completely trapped and at his mercy. Knowing that he was coming very quickly to the brink, Paden gave a few last hard thrusts in tandem with his and just as she had hoped, they climaxed together.

  CJ had told Danny, his drummer the night before that he would be going home with Paden and that he didn’t need a ride. After taking a hot shower and getting something to eat in the hotel dining room, they grabbed their bags from the room and went to the lobby to check out.

  Handing over the door key card and his credit card to the gal at the desk, they waited while she pulled up what she needed on the computer. Looking up at him with a smile, she pushed his credit card back toward him and said, “You’re all set, Mr. Tanner. Your bill is paid for.”

  Looking confused, he turned to Paden, wondering if she had anything to do with this.

  “Don’t look at me,” Paden said with a shrug of her shoulders.

  Looking at the clerk, CJ asked, “Are you sure? I don’t know of anyone who would pay my hotel bill. My band and I all pay for our rooms separately.”

  Looking at the computer one more time the clerk confirmed, “I’m sure, Mr. Tanner. It seems someone paid your bill last night around 10 p.m.”

  Looking even more confused, CJ asked, “Do you know who paid for it? Is there a credit card name?”

  Looking back up at CJ, now equally confused, the clerk explained, “That’s odd. It looks like the bill was paid in cash. There’s no credit card or transaction receipt.”

  CJ was dumbfounded, and instead of being happy that his bill had mysteriously gotten paid, he was becoming more and more unnerved.

  With a joking voice the clerk dismissed it as nothing and simply stated, “Perhaps you have an admiring fan! Have a good day and we hope to see you back here again soon. Drive safe back to Nashville.”

  Chapter Nine

  The first part of the ride back home CJ was very quiet while questions ran through his head. Why would anyone do that? Why the secrecy of the gesture? How did anyone know he was staying at that hotel? Why would someone pay his bill in cash at ten o’clock at night while he was still on stage?

  The whole situation felt very suspicious and he couldn’t help feeling again like he was being watched, if not stalked. As he and Paden talked it through, they both agreed that it was a bit creepy.

  Once again CJ had an uneasy feeling and wondered if Paden was safe being around him. The thought really upset him because he had fallen hard for her. It was then that Paden told him the story of the woman at the bar who had looked at her with such venom. When CJ asked her what the woman looked like, Paden could only remember that the gal had red hair. The club had been too dark and she was sitting at the other end of the bar, too far away for
Paden to describe her in any more detail.

  As he listened to Paden’s brief description of the woman, something in the back of his mind was bothering him but he couldn’t figure out what it was. All he knew was that something wasn’t right and he didn’t like the feeling one damn bit.

  ***

  When Paden arrived at the radio station Monday morning, she was feeling rested and happy from being with CJ that weekend. The sex between them had been fantastic and she could still feel a little sting on her bottom from her spankings. She could hardly wait to be with him again. Although she loved the physical intimacy that they shared, she also truly adored the man himself. He was kind, honest, funny and he treated her with the utmost care and respect. She felt confident that he felt the same way about her, too. After finishing up her shift, Paden left the station, stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner, and got home feeling good about how well her day had gone. When she walked up to the front porch, she saw a wrapped box waiting for her on the doormat. She instantly thought of CJ and wondered what he had left for her. Smiling broadly, she unlocked the door, picked up the box, and walked into the kitchen, dumping everything on the counter. She was so excited to open the box she didn’t even take time to put her groceries in the refrigerator. Carefully undoing the wrapping paper, Paden reached for the lid of the cardboard box and yanked it off, curious about what was inside. If anyone had been outside of her house at that moment, they would have heard a death curdling scream.

  What Paden saw when the top came off the box was a dead black rat lying inside with a folded piece of paper. She instantly dropped the box and just stood there, screaming and shaking. Unable to be in the same room with the vile, disgusting rat, she ran into the living room and immediately called CJ.

  Hearing her hysterical crying, CJ didn’t even bother to ask her what was wrong. Instead, he instructed her not to move and that he would be right over. Jumping into his truck, CJ couldn’t imagine what was going on. He didn’t know if she was hurt or just petrified of something. He was incredibly worried and concerned and he couldn’t get to her house fast enough. Fortunately, they only lived ten minutes from each other.

  Pulling into her driveway, he saw her shaking on the front porch. As he got out of his truck, she ran across the yard and threw herself into his arms.

  “What’s happened, Paden?” CJ asked with fear and concern in his voice. “Are you hurt? Did someone hurt you?”

  Paden was so upset he couldn’t make out her words. Taking her hand, he pulled her into the house and watched as she pointed to the kitchen. CJ couldn’t even imagine what had upset her so much, but following her non-verbal request, he went into the room with his radar up. At first, everything looked fine and he couldn’t fathom what she was so upset about. Everything looked neat and orderly with only a couple of plastic grocery bags unopened on the counter.

  As he walked further into the room, looking along the countertop for what had her so agitated, he kicked something on the floor. When he looked down, he couldn’t believe what he saw.

  ***

  After a minute or so of silence, Paden heard CJ say, “What the hell?” Another moment later, CJ walked back into the living room holding and reading a piece of paper. Paden had been so distraught seeing the dead rodent that she had forgotten all about the piece of paper that had been in the box.

  Seeing a grim look on CJ’s face she became even more frightened. Their eyes held for a moment and then he silently handed her the paper. Paden knew deep down that whatever was written on that paper wasn’t going to be good. Eyeing it cautiously, she read, Stay away from my man, bitch. Or this could happen to you. Re-reading it again, she focused on the words “my man” and her fear instantly turned to jealousy, mistrust, and anger.

  Looking him square in the face, Paden crumpled up the note, threw it to the floor, and said in a deadpan tone, “I didn’t realize you were seeing someone else, CJ. I guess I just assumed I was the only one. Apparently I was wrong.”

  As she started to turn away from him and walk away, CJ grabbed her in his arms and made her face him. Sounding scared himself, CJ countered, “Paden, I’m not seeing anyone else. This is all a horrible, cruel misunderstanding. I have no idea who or why anyone would be trying to break us apart. But I assure you, there is absolutely no one else in my life but you.”

  All at once Paden felt tired and defeated. First his truck was vandalized. Then her car was damaged. Then there was the curious payment of his hotel bill, and now this.

  Whoever it was knew both of their vehicles, where both of them lived, and where CJ’s gigs were and what hotels he stayed in. It was just all too much for Paden to get her head around and she needed time and space to try to figure things out.

  Whoever was doing this to them had achieved their objective. She was scared out of her wits. She now understood completely that she would be safer out of CJ’s life, as much as it cut deeply into her heart.

  Trying to feign a tone of voice that sounded much braver than she felt, Paden looked at him with resignation in her eyes. “CJ, I don’t think we can be together now. Whoever is doing this isn’t letting it go. I simply couldn’t bear something else happening to you because of me. I think we need to take a break and see if things calm down. This situation is much more than I can handle. I hope you understand.”

  CJ was completely floored and devastated. He couldn’t believe his ears. He had only just found her and now he was losing her. His whole world had changed for the better since she had come into his life and he had never been happier. He had already begun thinking about the future and she was always in those plans. And now it was over?

  Pulling her close to his chest, CJ wrapped his arms around her and begged, “Please don’t do this, Paden. I promise, we can figure this thing out. Please don’t say goodbye. I can’t bear it.”

  All Paden could do was cry as he held her while both of their hearts splintered into tiny pieces. CJ knew something very bad was happening because of them being together and it was a risk he didn’t want to take, as hard as it was to let her go.

  CJ could tell by her silence that she felt the same way and his whole world came to a crashing halt. Giving her forehead a gentle kiss, he whispered, “I love you,” and walked into the kitchen to get the box with the dead rat. Knowing she wouldn’t want to see that box again, he slipped out the back door and walked around the house to his truck as a single tear ran down his cheek.

  The rest of that week was hell for both Paden and CJ. He had tried to text her numerous times but she never responded. What made matters worse, he and his band were going to be out of town for close to a month playing at clubs across the state. The band was now making enough money from their gigs that they were finally able to quit their jobs thanks to their record company. Although he was excited about the exposure and the opportunities the band was being given, it was hard to get really excited because of what was going on with Paden. Every day that passed that month felt like a week and the only way he could feel close to her was to listen to her on the radio when he was within signal strength of the station. He was completely miserable and heartsick, and now more than ever, very distracted.

  Like CJ, Paden was also devastated and kept looking over her shoulder in fear. She had become paranoid and still wrestled with whether CJ was really telling her the truth about not being with any other women. At least the note that came with the dead rat let them know that it was a woman causing all this trouble. Deep down, Paden knew she was being irrational. But the words “my man” from the note kept ringing in her ears. Every day that went by, she wanted to call CJ and run into his embrace. She missed him and her body ached for him.

  But something very dangerous and sinister was going on and it was fear that kept her from picking up the phone. If something horrible happened to CJ because of her, she would never be able to live with it.

  When CJ got home, he stopped into The Cat’s Cradle one afternoon to have a beer and talk to his good friend Arch
ie Bowan about the band’s recent tour.

  When he finished recounting how well the band had been received, Archie poured him another beer and asked, “Hey, man. What aren’t you telling me? You don’t seem like yourself. Is everything okay?”

  Needing someone to talk to, CJ unfolded the whole story about the damage to Paden’s car, the mysterious paying of his hotel bill, the redheaded woman who gave Paden the evil eye at the Memphis bar, the dead rat, and how Paden had broken up with him for the sake of their safety.

  Archie remembered vividly that night when CJ’s truck had gotten vandalized in his parking lot and he still felt a bit guilty about it even though it had nothing to do with him. The monitor to those outdoor cameras he installed sat behind the bar and Archie had instructed all of his bartenders to glance occasionally at the monitor to keep tabs on what was going on out in the parking lot. Archie felt horrible for his friend. He thought CJ and Paden made a great couple and he liked Paden very much, even though he didn’t know her all that well.

  “You’re in a tough spot, my friend,” Archie sympathized. “But I’m glad you’re back in town and I look forward to you guys coming to play this weekend before you go back out on the road again.”

  Thanking his friend for his sympathetic ear, CJ paid for his beer. “See you Saturday night,” he said as he pushed away from the bar.

  ***

  Just as Paden was about to leave the radio station after her Monday shift, Russ Farrell, her program director, pulled her into his office with a happy smile on his face. He explained, “Paden, we just closed a deal with The Cat’s Cradle to do a live appearance Saturday night. They requested you to be the announcer.”