Monday's Treat

I have a real treat for you today.  Instead of one of my stories, this is a chapter from PK Corey's Cassie's River Living. Cassie has been keeping us entertained for years and now PK has expanded these adventures into a series of books.  This is the fourth in the series, yet each one is a stand alone volume.  If you are not familiar with Cassie, you are in for a surprise. This is one special gal that keeps life interesting for husband Tom and her friends.  Expect the unexpected with Cassie, her antics will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Enjoy.

Summer was upon us and it was beginning beautifully. I was especially happy to have the children off school for the summer. I just loved hearing their voices around the neighborhood. Sue and I weren’t together consistently, but we often had coffee together in the morning. We’re working to turn Allie into a coffee drinker, but she insisted on her Dr. Pepper. We continued to try to convert her.

Much of our time is spent on the water. My skiing skills are returning in full force. The children are teaching me to kneeboard, and I’ve been pestering Tom for a jet ski. He insists I’ll soon be growing gills. I sometimes felt like my life has become one long vacation and I loved it. Sue and Steve’s being here has been amazing. We often join together with them and Kate and Chris for large cookouts, and as icing on the cake, Ryan’s here for the summer too. His skills as a landscaper, rather than just someone to mow lawns, have many of the neighbors here clamoring for his help. He decided staying here would be better than driving back and forth every day. He was more than welcomed to stay at our house, but having just turned twenty, he jumped at a chance to have a place of his own. Sue and Steve have a guesthouse, a tiny little thing that is just perfect for Ryan, with a kitchen/living room combination and a small bedroom and bath.

I was delighted that he was to be here with us, and I wasn’t the only one. Allie was thrilled, even thought there continues a strict – you and Ryan may not be alone in his house – policy in effect. The only down side, I realized, for Ryan being here, has been my having to deal with two watchdogs around me. Oh well, I suppose there are worse problems to have.

I’ve done a pretty good job of staying out of trouble, that is until the other afternoon. Sue and I were having a peaceful glass of wine as we watched the river. Allie had just headed off to her new job as a waitress, and Tom and Steve were at a meeting with the town planners, something that often stretched into hours.

One afternoon as Sue and I visited over a glass of wine, were sitting in our rocking chairs like two little old ladies when I kept hearing a strange cry. I thought it sounded like our oldest cat, Maco, but she rarely meowed. I was afraid she was hurt, but I couldn’t find her. One more cry and I spotted her, my baby was up a tree and couldn’t seem to get down. I had no idea how long she’d been up there.

Sue stood with me as I called to her, but it was clear she was stuck.

Sue, who is no help with animals, suggested, “We could throw rocks at her ‘till we knock her out of the tree.”

I won’t repeat my reply, suffice to say Tom would not have approved. I called Ryan, but he didn’t answer. Kate and Chris weren’t home, and I was growing concerned.

“Just leave her, Cassie. She got herself up there, she’ll get herself down. She’s a cat.”

“She could have been up there all night for all we know. She needs food and water. She’s old and scared. I’m going to get her.”

“How?”

“Look, if I go out on the upper deck, I can almost reach the tree.”

“So? You still can’t get her,” Sue pointed out.

I stared a bit longer. “Okay, I’ve got a plan.” I hurried to the garage and returned dragging the aluminum ladder.

“What the hell?” Sue started. “You can’t climb that thing.”

“I can too,” I assured her. “Now hold it while I run upstairs.” I came out on the upper deck and with Sue’s help from below, I hauled the ladder up. Now it easily reached up into the tree. “Come up here and hold it steady for me,” I called to Sue.

Sue commented, “If you don’t fall and break your neck, Tom is going to break your butt. Just leave her until one of the fellows gets back.”

“Tom might not be home for hours, and you’re going to keep your mouth shut about it, so he won’t know. Now come hold this ladder,” I repeated.

With a huge sigh, Sue put down her drink and came upstairs to steady my climb. I wasn’t worried about the climb. I’m in pretty good shape from swimming and biking and such, but it was a little scary as I reached the tree and drew myself into it. Maco, however, was not cooperating and the commotion caused her to climb higher. Cursing under my breath, I tried to follow.

“What the hell are you doing now?” Sue asks somewhat alarmed for the first time.

“I just need to get a tiny bit higher,” I answered as I tested each branch.

“Cassie, get your butt down here. You’ll break your neck and Tom’s going to blame me. GET DOWN!”

“Oh hush!” I told her. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

Meanwhile, I was getting close to Maco, she hadn’t climbed any further. Now the tree was a very safe one – good stout branches well spaced. By climbing up no more than a couple of feet from where the ladder stood against the tree, I could finally touch her, and I quietly stroked her cheek. But as I reached to grab the scruff of her neck, she tried to leap over me, scratching my neck and arm in her dive toward the ladder. She landed solidly on the top rung, surprising Sue who let go. Maco’s leap caused the ladder to slide sideways and fall down onto the stone patio beneath. In one graceful leap Maco landed on the lower deck rail, calmly leaping into the very chair I had vacated and curled up contentedly.

Blood dripped from my wounds and I spent the next few minutes remembering and practicing all the bad language Tom won’t let me use. Sue, listening to my diatribe and seeing that I had a firm grip, grinned up at me.

“Can I throw a rock at her now?” She wanted to know.

I didn’t have a free hand to flip her off, though it did cross my mind. I assessed my situation. It wasn’t very good, and I suddenly wasn’t feeling very secure. I’m not a tree climber by nature, and I was now afraid to let go. I was going to need some assistance and I was going to need it in a hurry. Tom would be home eventually.

“Can you get the ladder back up here?”

Sue went to the ladder. “Cassie, it’s messed up,” she called up to me. “I don’t think it’s safe.”

“Try Ryan again,” I called down.

Praise God, he answered. “Ryan you have to get right over to Cassie’s. She’s really got herself up a tree this time.” She paused to listen and then shouted, “I just told you – she has herself up a tree. Now get over here and help us.”

It seemed to take forever, but I suppose it was only minutes before Ryan pulled up and came around back. He looked questioningly at Sue, who simply pointed up at me.

“Cassie, good grief! What in the world…”

“Ryan, hush and get me down from here. Tom is going to be home any minute and he can’t find me up here or he’ll kill me,” I commanded. Ryan didn’t look happy at all.

He stalked to the garage only to return asking, “Where’s the ladder?”

Sue, actually seemed to be enjoying herself, waved her glass of wine toward the patio and announced, “She broke it.”

Ryan saw the bent brace and just shook his head. Without so much as another word to me, that boy took out his phone and called the rescue squad. I know now he was worried about getting me down safely by himself, but at that moment I could have shot him.

“Why did you do that?” I flared.

“I could ask you the same thing,” he shot back. I told you he was getting more like Tom every day.

Ryan did ask them to come without lights and sirens, and they complied, but in a small town everyone and their brother seem to follow a fire truck, even a small one.

Can you imagine how foolish I felt sitting in a tree with the whole neighborhood staring up at me laughing?

But of course, with my luck holding true to form, it was only moments later that someone joined the crowd who was not at all amused by my predicament. From my perch I could see Tom pull in and my heart sank. I had the distinct feeling that sitting on that small hard branch was the most comfortable my rear was likely to be for a while.

Ryan had had one eye on me and the other watching for Tom to get home. The minute Tom rounded the house, Ryan was headed his way saying, “She’s fine, just fine.”

“What’s going on?” Tom’s question was quickly answered as the firemen got the ladder placed and one began rapidly climbing toward me. My rescuer was very professional, but still had a hard time suppressing a grin as he guided me carefully onto the ladder and assisted me in my decent. I thanked him quickly, but sincerely, and turned to Tom.

“Don’t worry, honey, Maco’s just fine. Me too,” I added as I saw his serious look.

“You’re bleeding,” he observed, his eyes narrowing. He hugged me and I felt him sigh. “Cassie Jane, what am I going to do with you?”

I didn’t like the ‘Cassie Jane’, but he said no more.

Ryan approached me with a truly guilty look on his face. “I’m really sorry, Cassie. I just wasn’t comfortable getting you down by myself. I had to call them.”

There was no way I could ever stay mad at my boy. I hugged him and told him, “I know.”

“You did exactly the right thing, son. I appreciate the way you handled this.” Tom was telling him. “And now would you mind driving Sue home, please?”

“Oh that’s all right, I think I’ll stay a while longer,” Sue answered with a grin. Bless her heart, she was trying to help me out.

“Oh, fine! I’ll go,” she snapped at Tom, after a pointed stare from him. “But for once could you not be yourself?”

Ryan gave me another hug and said, “I love you, Cassie. Please keep both feet on the ground, okay?” As Tom shook his hand, Ryan grinned at him and said, “I think I’m beginning to understand.” Now what the heck did he mean by that?

Tom took my hand and led me to the bedroom. “Take off your blouse,” he told me. Well I supposed that was better than my slacks. He carefully washed my neck and arm – that stung, but I knew better than to complain. He bandaged the place on my neck, which did look bad. He frowned as he did it. He does not like seeing bandages on me – to him it’s proof of unladylike activities.

He took my hand again and led me out into the bedroom where he sat on the bed and asked me, “Cassie, would you care to tell me what in heaven’s name possessed you to climb up in that tree?”

I gave him a quick kiss and said, “No, honey, not really. I would rather forget the whole thing. I’m hungry. Let’s go out tonight.” I turned to leave the room, but he grabbed my hand.

“Huh-uh!” Tom said, holding me firmly. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“I did too!” I said, looking at him sternly. “You asked me if I cared to tell you, and I said no. Now can we go eat?”

All right, I knew it wouldn’t work, but you can’t blame a girl for trying. Tom pulled me over his lap and began, once again, to prove that he is a master at the hand spanking. He was making quite an impression already, but yet he stopped to take my pants down. He didn’t make a move toward the ivory brush and I was grateful – for a moment. He continued with his hand, but bare bottomed it was stinging like crazy. He finally started talking.

“You know how dangerous that was. Maco could have gotten down by herself or someone would have helped her without you climbing up there after drinking all afternoon with Sue.”

Now that wasn’t fair. We hadn’t ‘been drinking all afternoon’ we had had a glass of wine or two, but I made the mistake of saying this to Tom. Owww! That didn’t lighten his hand one bit.

“I don’t like you drinking at all when I’m not with you and you know it. I haven’t said anything since you haven’t been going out in the car or the boat. I didn’t realize I had to add ‘no ladders or tree climbing’ to your list of don’ts when you and Sue have your afternoon drink.”

Tom is so good at multi-tasking, talking doesn’t slow him. I was beginning to worry that the radiant heat might cause his hand to burst into flame.

“Stop! Please, Tom, that’s enough!” I begged.

Tom paused and rubbed a bit. His voice was softer and more serious when he started talking again. “Cassie, you are not invincible. And you are not thirty any more. You are going to keep tempting fate until something happens to you unless I can get your attention somehow.” He proceeded with the spanking, but not quite as hard.

“Stop! I know exactly how old I am,” I insisted. “You have my attention and my promise. I won’t climb any more trees.” I had actually been a little scared up there, but I didn’t intend to share that information with Tom. “Now let me up.”

Tom helped me to my feet and continued with some aftercare rubbing. I slipped on a skirt and blouse feeling that might have a cooling effect – it didn’t. Tom gave me a hug. “You know I don’t want anything to happen to you, don’t you? You have got to use your common sense. I’m assuming you have some.”

I often wonder how he can think of my rear as being made of cast iron and the rest of me as fine china - delicate and easily broken.  This can be so annyoing, he can't have it both ways.  I vowed to work to stay on Tom's good side for the rest of the summer.  As controlling and bossy as Tom can be, I still love him better than life, and he loves me back just as much.  That's all that counts.  But I still need to find out what Ryan meant by, "I think I'm beginning to understand.  I thought I probably knew, but I hope I was wrong.

 

          
I know you want to know what happens next, so click here or here and the book will be on your Kindle or E-reader in seconds.

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.

Another Week Has Whizzed By

I did it again.  A whole week has passed and I have not posted anything since Monday.  Where does the time go?  In all fairness, this has been a busy week.  Ray had the surgery on his hand the other day, so I been chauffeur and everything else since then. I'm running all the errands because he doesn't feel comfortable driving with his left hand all wrapped.  Later this morning, I'm taking us to our nephew's (about two hours away).  My great nephew's 8th birthday is today and tomorrow his newest brother gets dedicated.  (I'm not religious so I have no idea what this means, but it happens in church).

We finally had a taste of fall, but it's not lasting.  It's going back to the 90's next week.  Yuck.  The other day on my morning walk, I passed a tree that had a couple of red leaves and since it is the only color I'm seeing here, I was excited.  We're going to be here longer than we thought again.  Ray's surgery was more extensive and the stitches will be in two to four weeks.  We've been in Texas so long, I feel like a resident.  If there was a state tax, they would start charging me. As it is, we bought a new car while we have been here and it has Texas plates.

Today, we got the renewal for the RV and it's listed at our old address, but our current one has our new address.  Go figure.  Of course, I should have known.  I tried changing my DL address and now I have two DL's with the same address.  FloriDUH for a reason.  Why would I want to change my old address to the same damn address?

Only from walking

Not a lot of dancing going on here and probably not much in the near future because of Ray's hand , so I'm going to have live vicariously through my characters.  I've not done a lot of writing lately, on either stories or books.  No one told me promoting books would take so much time, I'm not complaining but it is time consuming.

Have a good weekend everyone.  I have a post up on my other blog to day also.  On Monday, there's a special treat so be sure to stop by.

Until then, I'm through Aimlessly Rambling for  now.

TIMED OUT

The elevator door opened, and Marcus Taylor stepped out.  He navigated the lobby, acknowledging the greetings he received.  As he approached, the doorman opened the door and held it as he walked through to his waiting limousine. 

Once inside the limo he gave his driver the instructions for the evening.  He slid the glass closed and turned to the person sitting next to him. His demeanor was calm and his face  void of  any emotion. The only telltale sign of his displeasure was that vein above his eye that twitched when he was annoyed.

“So what’s your excuse for not meeting me on time?”

“Marcus?”

“You heard me, what’s your excuse?  You were supposed to meet me at 7:00 PM.  I waited.”

“But you came out before I could get upstairs.”

“No buts, I wouldn't have had to if you had been on time.  You were supposed to be here by 7:00.  I had everything arranged.  Now you know the consequences for making me wait.  Assume the position.”

“But Marcus, Gregson is in the front.”

“Of course he is, did you think the car was going to drive itself?  I’ve closed the partition, and it is one-way glass. He’s been my driver a long time, and I am sure of any thoughts he has he will keep to himself.  Whether or not he knows what’s going on back here depends on you or his imagination.”

“But.”

"Didn't I already tell you no buts. Enough, now assume the position, or it will be worse.” 

Carolyn was desperately trying to be respectful.  She didn’t like disappointing him and both hated and loved that he was demanding.  She never realized that getting involved with a billionaire business tycoon would be so daunting.  She wondered if it was the same with all of them.  Finally acquiescing to his commands, she placed herself across his lap. She tried to concentrate on something other than what was happening; the scent of the lemon oil used to keep the leather seats supple and yielding, the cool air coming through the vents, the soft music playing in the background, anything other than the reality. Marcus brought her into focus with a hard slap to her ass.

“Your bottom is not bared. Now get yourself up and pull down your panties.” She hesitated.  NOW, Don’t keep me waiting any longer!!”

She started to remove her panties when he realized she was wearing a thong.  “Don’t bother.” He told her when he saw the black slip of silk splitting the crack of her ass.  He smiled to himself as he rubbed his hands over the alabaster skin.  He loved painting her ass red and loved she had obeyed his instructions to wear a thong when they were together.  He knew she hated them, but he loved the idea of her bare ass being accessible to him at all times. 

Marcus didn’t believe in warm-ups. When he spanked, he spanked hard from the initial slap to the last.  His hand was as unyielding as a paddle, and she didn't have a chance to process the first spank before the next spank followed.  In all, he delivered a quick volley of ten spanks, each one harder than the last and when he was done, he pulled her up and sat her on his lap. She was determined not to cry, but her eyes were wet.

“Now tell me you’re sorry for being late.”

“I’m sorry?”

“You don’t sound contrite enough. Show me how apologetic you are?”  He moved her off his lap and onto the floor and unzipped his pants.  His cock tented his black jockey shorts.  She smiled at him, pulled his shorts aside and licked up and down his shaft before taking him into her mouth.  She heard him moan as she moved her hand along the base, leaned down and took him deeper. Her lips and teeth slid up and down his length, swirling her tongue around the tip and began a steady rhythm of in and out.  He moaned again; she continued to maintain the rhythm until his legs went rigid, he threw back his head and let out a powerful groan.  She smiled when she saw him relax.

“I accept your apology.”  He opened the side cabinet in the door and pulled out a package of wet wipes. He remained gruff and stern, the way he always was after he disciplined her.  He handed them to her and told her to clean him off.  She did as he requested and began to put him back together.

“Do you need to go upstairs to freshen up before we head to the benefit?”

“I would like that Marcus.”

“Then go.  You have fifteen minutes before I come up after you.  You know what happens then.”

“Yes, Marcus.”   Marcus slid the partition open and told Gregson the new plan.

He watched her ass sashay to the door.  He knew she was being provocative, and she would pay for that later. He loved that sassy attitude.  He might spank her, but she held the upper hand.  Just watching that ass, and he could already feel the tightness in his shorts. 

Right now though, he had to settle for the view.  He enjoyed spanking her and the blow job she gave him was incredible. He liked her much more than he let on. In addition to being beautiful, she was intelligent, poised, witty and a fantastic lover.  She was a surprise, starting with accepting his terms of their relationship, and that she continued to keep him interested astounded him. He never knew what to expect, and he found it charming.  He found that most of the women he had dated too predictable, and he bored easily, not so with Carolyn.  If he didn’t watch himself, he could be in real trouble.

He looked at his watch.  Twelve minutes passed.   Would she make it within his assigned time frame?  If not, would it be on purpose?   He looked at his watch again and as the second hand turned to the deadline minute, she walked out of the door.  Gregson stepped out to open the limo door for her.  Marcus extended his arm to her when she said:

“I have to go back upstairs, I forgot my clutch.”   He was sure she did this on purpose.

“Then you will have to do without it,” he told her as he watched her starting to pout.

“Don’t you dare pout,” he ordered.

“Now I can’t pout either,” she sassed at him.

“You do realize that Gregson can hear you sass me. Do you not remember the reason for your first spanking?  Are you being naughty on purpose?”

“Now why would I do that? You’ve already spanked me once tonight.”  She looked at him with a face as innocent as an angel.  He tried hard not to let her see his smirk. 

She held out her hand and offered something to him.  When he looked down, he realized she was handing him the black silk thong she had been wearing.  “You’ll have to put them in your pocket now because I don’t have my clutch.”   He took them from her and felt how wet they were and felt the twitch in his lower regions. He brought them to his nose and took in her scent before tucking them safely away in his pocket.

                                               ___________________

Carolyn Hendricks met Marcus Taylor at a fundraiser.  Her sister worked for Bennett Industries, and The Friends of the Library  was one of their pet projects.  Her sister needed someone to run the ticket booth and tapped Carolyn for the assignment.  Carolyn was reluctant but Melissa prevailed. 

“Thank you Carolyn, you won’t be sorry.  Wait until you see all the gorgeous men who attend these things.  Walter Bennett is friends with some of the wealthiest bachelors in the state, and most of them owe him favors for one reason on another.  He calls in those favors when it comes to these charity events.”

Melissa was right; she never saw so many handsome men in one place at any one time ever.  The men who came to buy tickets all flirted with her, but she paid them no mind until Marcus Taylor stepped up to buy his raffle tickets. He was six feet of gorgeous with black hair and steel-blue eyes and shoulders that barely fit his custom tuxedo.  His torso tapered to a perfect V. He had the longest of legs and wore a smirk more than a smile that made him look almost sinister.  He looked fabulous in a tuxedo, and she found her mind wandering as to what he looked like without the tuxedo. 

“You’re blushing, girl.  Whatever is making you blush?” were the first words she heard him speak.  His voice was well modulated, with a hint of a southern drawl, just enough to add to his already overwhelming presence.

“Am I?”

“Yes you are, and it is charming.”

“Thank you.  How many tickets do you want to purchase?”

“How many do I have to buy in order to have you give me your name?”

Melissa walked up then and seeing Marcus went to him and gave him a hug.

“Marcus, you buy one hundred tickets, and I’ll not only tell you her name, but I’ll get you a date with her.”

Marcus whipped out his checkbook and wrote a check for $10,000 payable to The Friends of the Library, signed it and handed it to Melissa.  She took the check and handed it to Carolyn.

“Marcus Taylor, I’d like to introduce my sister, Carolyn Hendricks.  Carolyn, this is Marcus Taylor, and he just bought a date with you.”

Carolyn didn’t know how to react to that statement.  Before she could find her voice, she heard Marcus tell Melissa that she deserved a spanking for the stunt she just pulled. Now, she really didn’t know what to do or say.

“We’ve been there, done that.  Remember Marcus?” Melissa asked.

“Yes, I remember.”  The awkward moment passed and Marcus turned to Carolyn and asked if she was free for dinner the following night.

“It’s okay Carolyn; he's a good guy except for some of his proclivities.  Have dinner with him and make him take you to the finest restaurant in town.  He can afford it,” Melissa told Carolyn.

                                                                                                                              

                                         

                                             

Carolyn found out about his proclivities on their third date.  She sassed him in front of a business associate and that evening. She found herself over his knee receiving a spanking.  While smacking her behind, he lectured her on her insolence and told her it wouldn’t be tolerated, ever. He said this was her first and only warning, and all future spankings would be bare bottomed and depending on the offense, might involve an implement. 

When Carolyn recovered from the shock of the spanking and began to process the words he uttered, she remembered what Melissa had said that first evening.

“You expect me to agree to this?”

“I do, if we are going to continue to date.  It is your choice.  If you don’t agree, then when this evening is over, so are we. As I said earlier, your choice.”

                                         _____________________________

 

Carolyn made her decision that evening and so here she was, three months later in the back of his limousine.  He was demanding, but he treated her wonderfully taking her to the best restaurants and on weekend trips. She liked how she felt when she was with him and even when she was over his knee, she knew she could trust that he wouldn’t go further than she could handle. If she was honest with herself, she liked it.

 “You do know that as soon as we get home tonight you are getting another spanking for your naughty behavior.”

She gave him another of those innocent looks, all puppy-dog eyes and trembling lip, and he had to turn away.

                                    

 He patted his jacket pocket.  It’s going to be a very long night, he said to himself.


Good Day Everyone - First day of Fall here in the US, meaning it's the first day of Spring for my friends down under.  I actually like fall, I love that first taste of cooler weather, you know the one, when you open the door in the morning and you can smell the freshness.  I can't wait for no more AC, I don't know how much more my sinuses can take, but I couldn't live w/o it so I better stop complaining.

Ray's first surgery went well, got the stitches out and although its a long scar and runs from the tip of his ear to almost his eye, he heals fast and when he's wearing his glasses you don't even see it.  This week he gets his hand done.  He's left handed and that's where it is so it will be interesting to see how it turns out.  

Can I ask a favor of you?  If you have read my latest book, could you take the time to post a review on Amazon or LSF, wherever you purchased. By the way, thanks Meredith and Katie for your review and thank you Ami for the email. They help sell and I would so appreciate it.  Besides I love reading comments.

Okay, enough, here's this weeks story.  It is a little different from my norm.


So what did you think? A little different, huh.  

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.

Spanking Fun

It's Saturday and I realized I haven't posted all week.  Shame on me.  Blondie gave me an idea so I decided to post something I think you would all enjoy.  Let me know if I succeeded.

So, am I forgiven?  See you on Monday for another new story.  And tomorrow morning, come on over to my other blog for Saturday Spankings

Learning the Ropes, Part III

This was the week we were originally going to travel to Arizona for the winter.  A couple of weeks ago, Ray noticed some funny looking things on his skin.  Long story short, they are more squamos cell spots that need surgery.  He had one procedure last Wedensday and another one on the 25th.  Hopefully, this will go as well as the last bunch, but it is something he is going to have to be very conscious of for the rest of his life.  They can pop up anywhere and as long as there on the outside it's a good thing.

This is the conclusion of the story that began here on AR last Monday and then continued on New Beginnings last Friday.  Hope you are enjoying the story.

PART THREE

The arriving guests were a husband, wife and two children and two girls who looked to be in their twenties. Sadie introduced herself and Paula.  The two children were so cute; you could feel their excitement and hear it in their voices as they asked all kinds of questions about cowboys and horses.  Their folks tried to settle them down as Sadie explained about their accommodations.  The two girls were more interested in the cowboys than anything Sadie had to say.  One of them was already flirting with Jace as he came over to assist with the luggage.  The other gal was ogling Caleb.  Jace and Caleb acted as gentlemen, but they were all business.  She knew Caleb would act this way; he was a married man. However, she now knew that Jace liked her and was treating her as just another guest.  She felt like a teenager.

She helped Kate and Jerry Jensen, and the kids settle into their cabin.  “There are all kinds of activities for the children.  I don’t know if you want to do anything this afternoon,  if so, we can arrange something.”

Kate Jensen said they had an early start and thought it would be best if they rested the remainder of the afternoon and put the activities on hold until the next day. 

“Well then, dinner is at 6:00 at the main house, and everyone usually gathers on the front porch around 5:30 for conversation and cocktails.  Settle in, and I’ll see you later. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone, if there is anything you need.”

As she reached for the door, she saw Jace swiftly walking away from the girl’s cabin.  Caleb was still at the door, and she heard him say that he appreciated the invitation, but he was married and perhaps another of the ranch hands could take them to in town and to show them the hot spots.

                                                  ___________________________

The Jensens, the Hawkins Men and Paula were sitting on the front porch when the two girls, Darla Meacham and Leah Hanson arrived.  All the gentlemen stood as they arrived and the girls just twittered.  They were dressed in full Hollywood-style western attire, sparkly western cut shirts tied at the waist, creased jeans that were so tight Paula wasn’t sure how they were going to sit down, and the requisite cowboy boots, no doubt newly purchased for this trip.  She giggled to herself as she watched Jace roll his eyes.

“You smell good,” little Chris Jensen told Darla.

“Why thank you.  I hope some of the bigger boys think so too.”

Paula introduced herself and the others, and she was getting to Caleb as Carrie walked out with another tray of crackers. He put his arm around her waist and brought her close to him.  “This here is my wife, Carrie.  Carrie meet Darla and Leah.  I think you’ve already met the Jensens.”  Paul chuckled to herself.  Caleb was letting the girls know, in no uncertain terms, that he was taken; leaving poor Jace and Josh as fair game.  When Sadie came out to announce that dinner was ready, the girls hooked their arms in Jace and Josh and asked if they would escort them into dinner. 

“Miss Jensen, will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you into dinner?”  Jack Hawkins asked little Carly Jensen.  Jerry Jensen escorted his wife leaving young Chris Jensen and Paula.

“I guess that leaves you and me partner,” Paula said to little Chris.

“I guess so.”  Paula could see his disappointment that he didn’t get to escort one of the prettier girls. Once in the dining room, Jace lifted her spirits by holding a chair for her next to him.  He still had one of the ‘newbies’ on his other side, but at least she had part of him.

Dinner was great, and the conversation was lively.  Jack knew how to stir the pot and Sadie knew how to put the lid on when it got a little too much for the Jensens.  Darla and Leah asked Josh and Jace if they would take them into town. The boys knew their mother expected them to be cordial to the guests.

“I already have a date.” Jace told them.  Josh raised his eyebrow as if he didn’t believe him. Knowing that Sadie expected the boys to be cordial and show the guests a good time, he suggested that Jace and his date join them.

“Paula and I are going riding.  Maybe you would like to join us?”

Leah spoke up.  “What kind of riding?”

“Horseback riding, of course, this is a ranch.”  Jace’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

“I think I’d rather go into town.”

“Of course, you would.  Well, Josh maybe you could round up one of the other guys to help you out.” Jace answered.

                                         __________________________

Bucky and Jody jumped at the chance to accompany Josh and the girls into town.  Josh tried getting out of it altogether but Sadie said they needed a chaperone, at least on their first night.  They all piled into the pick-up with Leah making sure to sit right next to Josh. He spent the night dodging her advances, and by the time they got back to the ranch, he was ready to go to San Diego just to get away from her. 

“Josh, are you sure you want to call it a night.”

“Yes Leah, I’m sure.  I have put in a long day, and I’m tired.” She reached down and grabbed his gonads.  “Are you really sure.”

“Leah, yes I’m sure and don’t do that again.”

“Why, don’t you like it.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Are you sure?” and she grabbed him again.  Josh wanted to put her over his knee and spank the daylights out of her, but she was a guest and he had to control himself.  He wanted this night to be over and started walking away.  She ran ahead of him and instead of grabbing his gonads, she locked her lips onto him.  He extricated himself from her embrace.

“Leah, if you touch me again I swear I’m going to paddle you.  I’m not interested in you; save your attentions for someone who is.”  He turned her back toward her cabin and gave her a little shove, when what he really wanted to do was swat her backside.  He practically ran to the house and up to his room, not trusting her, not to follow him. 

                                               _______________________

Meanwhile, Jace wasn’t having the same problem.  He liked Paula, and he found out the feelings were reciprocal.  Their ride was at a slow meandering pace, over the pasture and down toward the creek.  He hobbled the horses and pulled out a blanket, and they lay on the sweet grass.  They listened to the sounds of the night, the creek rippling over the rocks, the frogs and cicadas singing their mating calls.  A gentle breeze cooled the warm air and kept the mosquitos at bay. 

“I can’t believe how many stars are in the sky. It’s as if you could walk from one to another.”

“That’s what getting away from the city lights will do for you.  Here’s something else getting away from the lights will do” as he reached over a placed a gentle kiss.  Her lips were warm and inviting as she beckoned him in. 

They drifted off to sleep and when they awoke, they were snuggled together with the blanket both under and over them.  Covered in dew with the faintest trace of daylight could be seen in the eastern sky, Paula was a little embarrassed as she reached for her panties and jeans.  Jace told her how beautiful she looked, and it immediately put her at ease.  She kissed him, and saw his response and moved in closer. She shivered.

"Are you cold?"

"A little"

"I can take care of that." and he lay her down and covered her body with his. He nipped her nipple while his hands caressed her torso and reached around to cup her bottom.  The next thing she knew he was totally beneath the blanket and she wasn't chilly any more.  She tried to reciprocate.

“I like it better knowing you owe me.  Don’t worry, I plan on collecting but right now I  have to get back to the ranch.  There are chores with my name on them and these horses are not to happy with me right now.”

“I’m sorry I detained you.”

“I’m not and don’t even think it.  If you say it again, I might have to spank you. Understand?”  She nodded and started getting dressed.

Paula thought they managed to make it back to the ranch house without anybody being any the wiser.  She was wrong.   Sadie watched as Jace kissed her before leaving and heading to the barn to take care of the horses.  She smiled her mother’s smile and knew this was going to be a good day.  She made herself a mental not to speak with Jace, but he was a big boy and she didn’t think Paula would cause any trouble.

There weren’t many at breakfast – only the Jensen’s, Leah, Darla and Sadie.  The men were doing ranching chores, and Sadie figured Paula was sleeping in after her night with Jace.  The girls said they would just hang out, but the Jensen’s were excited to find out about ranch life and had scheduled a horseback tour and picnic for later in the morning.

After last night with Jace, Paula had trouble going back to sleep.  She allowed herself get involved and lost her professional perspective.  There is no way she would be able to write a story that wasn’t clouded by her feelings for Jace and his family.  The story she would write now was not what her editor expected.  She was going to have to call him and see if he wanted her to continue.

Paula dreaded making the call but she didn’t want to put it off any longer.  She typed out a memo explaining the situation and asked for further instructions. She planned on e-mailing it but their internet was down so she went to the house to use the fax.  While she waited for a response she told Sadie the situation and said she may be leaving sooner.

“What about you and Jace?  I saw you this morning, there’s something there.”

“I know but it’s too soon.  We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Later that afternoon, Paula received a response from her editor.  He agreed the story wasn’t what was planned but wanted to see her notes before he made any decisions. That evening, she spoke with Jace and confessed why she really came to the ranch and that now she wasn’t sure how much longer she would be able to stay.

“I guess we’ll have to make good use of the time we have.”

“I was hoping you would say that and not be too angry with me because I lied about being here.”

“Oh, make no mistake that good use, is going to include a backside paddling for lying, just so you know.”

“What, are you kidding me?”

“I’m not kidding.  Now I don’t have to make up an excuse to get that cute little ass over my knee. There're all kinds of spankings you know.”

“No, I don’t know. To me, a spanking is a spanking.”

“I guess you have some lessons to learn.  I hate that I’m going to have to start off with a discipline spanking, first off, but lying is never acceptable.  It erodes trust.”

Paula didn’t know how to react to this conversation.  She experienced a sudden wetness in her jeans when he said he was going to spank her but then logic took over.  Where would he do it, when?  These were all questions to which she wanted answers. Now that her fantasy was about to become a reality, she wasn’t so sure about anything. She saw the look on his face and started to back away from him.

“Jace,” 

“Paula, it’s only a spanking, nothing more.”

He took her hand in his and started walking toward her cabin.  Now that she no longer had a roommate, privacy wasn’t and issue.  The cabin’s location was far enough away from the others, and because it was at the end of the trail, there wasn’t any foot traffic.

“I know you are nervous. Would you rather we not do this?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“There’s always a choice and it’s yours.  The thing is I think we have something going here, and if we’re going to have a long-standing relationship, I think it’s important to set up parameters from the very beginning.”

“Okay, so how does this happen?”

“First, I take you in my arms and tell you how much your doing this means to me.  When you’re ready, I will tell you why I am going to spank you, ask you if you understand, and if you have anything to say for yourself.  Once we get through those things, since  this first time I will not ask you to disrobe,  then I’ll ask you to lay across my lap and make you as comfortable as possible and then...

“and then you start to spank me.  Do I get to say when I’ve had enough?”

“Not in this instance.  You can choose a safe word if you think it would be necessary.  If you use that safe word, I will immediately stop the spanking.  Bear in mind though, using that word has meanings beyond just saying stop, it…

“This is all sounds too damn clinical and contrived. Just do it and get it over with.” 

By this time, they reached the cabin. Jace followed Paula in, closed and locked the door.  He took her in his arms, kissed her and led her over to the bed.  Sitting down, he took her between his legs and looked at her and held her hands.  When she looked away, he pulled her over his lap and began massaging her back. He rested his hand on her cheeks for a moment.  He heard Paula sigh.

“You ready,” he asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be, let’s get on with it.”

His hand came down hard on her jean clad tush.  She was surprised how much it hurt and could just imagine how much more it would hurt if she was bare assed.  She only had a second to process the sting before the next smack came down just as hard.  He stopped, rubbed and asked if she was okay.

“Damn it, Jace.  Get on with it.”

“I don’t think that’s a good attitude when you’re over my knee.  You asked for it.”

With that he began a flurry of hard spanks that peppered every inch of her bottom.  She tried putting her hands back to stop the barrage only to have him take her hand in his and hold it behind her.  It didn’t break his rhythm for a second.  She was finding it hard to catch her breath and just when she thought she could take any more; he stopped.  He rubbed her back, then rested his hand on her punished back end. 

‘Okay, pretty girl.  Get up and let me give you some loving.”

“Suppose I don’t want to.”

“Come on, sweetie, it’s as significant as the spanking itself.  It’s important to know the situation is resolved, and we start anew. Let’s cuddle.”

He pulled her down to lay next to him on the bed and she blended into him, placing her head in the crook of his shoulder.  He gently ran his fingers through her hair and listened for the change in her breathing.

“I’m sorry Jace.”

“Shh sweet girl.  It’s over.  Tomorrow is a new day.  We’ll take it one step at a time and figure out a way to be together.” He kissed the top of her head.

“I’d like that.”

"It's all part of learning the ropes."

 Bear Creek Ranch, Meredith Meets Her Match and Destiny Takes a Hand are all available now.

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.