"Ow! That hurts!"
"It's supposed to." Brady loosed another series of sharp swats, heating her bottom up nicely.
"Come on, Brady, I was just messing with you."
"Believe me, I'm aware of that." He smacked the spot at the lower curve of her butt where it met her thigh.
"Ow, ow!" Jessie squirmed frantically.
Brady spanked her tender sit spot, turning her bottom a nice, fiery red. She had kicked her jeans and panties all the way off and now she kicked and struggled. Brady just threw one leg over hers, keeping her trapped over his leg while he continued to smack her butt. When her struggles slowed, his spanking slowed. Finally, Jessie lay still, accepting his final swats on her tender, heated flesh. He let her legs go and she sniffled a little as he gathered her into his arms and settled her on his lap.
"Big meanie," Jessie pouted.
His chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Darlin', you got exactly what you were asking for. That's what you call a brat spanking."
"I never heard of such a thing."
"Well, now you've experienced it. If you don't want one, don't behave like a brat."
Jessie cocked her head and considered his words. "And if I do want one?"
Brady laughed. "Then I'd say you know just how to get it. Or you could just ask for it."
Jessie was a little shocked at her own words and then at his. "Ask you to spank me? Is that normal? Isn't it a little perverted?"
"It's normal for a lot of people, just not for everyone. I have some friends who consider it a totally normal part of life."
Jessie's eyes were huge. "You do?"
"Yes, in fact, they live in a domestic discipline relationship. They have rules, and when Miranda breaks the rules, she gets the appropriate punishment. And sometimes she needs a spanking to release tension or for sexual play. She has a safe word, and if she says it, the spanking or whatever stops right there."
"And they like living that way? Both of them?"
Brady said, "Yep. They're very happily married, and it works for them."
Jessie digested that for a while. "I guess as long as they both want to live that way, it's not perverted. I guess it's normal for them, like you said. I guess what consenting adults do together is their business. I just never heard of anything like that before."
"Spanking is a very stimulating activity."
Jessie was suddenly acutely aware of the feeling low in her groin and the dampness between her legs. Her face turned pink. Brady was watching her reaction with interest.
"Why, Jessie, what are you thinking about?"
Her face was flushed. "So it wasn't really perverted for me to push your buttons so I could find out what happened when I went too far. And it wasn't really weird for me to wonder what it would be like to have you spank me on the bare butt? After you spanked me the first time, I mean."
He chuckled again. "No, you're not perverted. Although that first spanking was for a different purpose than this one. You were completely out of control and you needed it for altogether different reasons. That spanking released a lot of pent up emotion and frustration. You had a lot of stuff bottled up that you needed to let go."
Jessie nodded slowly. "It's true. And afterward, I felt like the world had been lifted off my shoulders. Although I was really ashamed of that tantrum. But asking you to spank me. I don't know if I could do that."
"You did a damn good job of it today. You just didn't come right out and say the words."
Startled, Jessie laughed. "I guess I did. But that spanking hurt."
"And?"
She squirmed a little on her tender bottom. "And it was very stimulating."
"I could tell. You were lifting your butt to meet my hand and squirming to get away at the same time."
Jessie felt a rush of heat and knew that his spanking was still stimulating her. Brady stood up, still holding her, and carried her to her bedroom. He undressed her the rest of the way and then laid her on the bed on her belly. He went to her attached bathroom and came back with a tube of lotion. He sat down on the edge of the bed and gently smoothed the soothing lotion into her scorched bottom. Jessie drifted on a warm sea of sensations and gave a little moan when he was finished.
Brady pushed her legs apart and stroked her between her thighs. Thrills of desire shivered up her spine, and she squirmed against his hand.
The heat in her bottom had spread to her whole body as she murmured to him, "Brady. Make love to me. Please?"
Brady was out of his clothes in seconds. He lay next to her on the bed, gently stroking and caressing her soft skin. She turned on her side, and he fondled her pert little breasts and her flat, firm belly. Jessie reached for him, squeezing and stroking him until he moaned and pulled her on top of him, rolling onto his back. Jessie straddled him, and now she felt like the one in charge. She settled onto his erection, slowly lowering herself until he was deep inside her. She moved slowly at first, then faster and harder. Brady rose to meet her, gripping her sore butt to pull her firmly against him.
They climbed higher and higher on the waves of passion until they burst over the top in spasms of pure pleasure. Jessie could feel him throb inside her, and she shuddered with the power of her climax until she collapsed on top of him, her heart pounding and her breathing coming in ragged gasps.
"Brady, that was amazing. Every time, I think it can't be any better, but then it is."
He was stroking her hair, his heart full. He wondered when Jessie would realize that she loved him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her, sending a silent thanks to Jake for sending him to her.
Jessie lay on top of him, savoring the aftermath of their lovemaking. Her body felt delightfully used, loose and relaxed, although her butt was still burning and she could still feel the heat there. She marveled at the way he made her feel and at the utmost trust that she had in him. She instinctively knew that he would never do anything to injure her, even if he spanked her every day. In fact, she knew that he would do everything in his power to protect her.
Jessie thought again about Brady's friends and their relationship. She was intensely curious about it. What kind of rules did Miranda have to follow? And what kind of punishments did her husband dish out if she broke the rules? She just had a hard time imagining that they lived that way on a daily basis. But she also found the idea curiously intriguing. On the other hand, she couldn't quite imagine herself following a set of rules that Brady set for her. The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. Well, the thing to do was to stop thinking about it for the time being. Maybe she could ask Brady to tell her more about it later.
Brady kissed the top of her head and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Truth?"
"Always."
Jessie said slowly, "I was thinking about your friends. How did they ever start that kind of relationship? Did he just make up a bunch of rules that she has to obey? Is it like a religious thing? What happens—"
"Whoa, slow down," Brady said with a laugh. "Okay, it's not a religious thing for them, although it is for some people. He didn't just make a list of rules. They talked a lot and agreed on what the rules should be. For example, Miranda has a habit of taking on way too much and ending up sick when she goes without sleep and works way too hard. So one of their rules is that she doesn't over-extend her commitments. It's for her own good. And Miranda really, really wanted to break the habit of biting her fingernails. So that's one of their rules. They agreed to it because she wanted it. There's nothing on the list of rules that Paul just chose and decided to enforce. Except for endangering herself. If she ever does that, it's a red line for him, and she accepts that."
"Well, that doesn't seem unreasonable. I mean, if they want that kind of relationship. So what kind of punishments does Paul…administer, I guess, when she breaks the rules?"
"It depends. Spanking is the main one, but sometimes I know she loses privileges, like time on Facebook or something like that."
Jessie said, "It sur
e sounds like something religious. You know, like the man is the head of the household and rules the wife."
"I know what you mean, but it's really a mutual thing with them. Their marriage was pretty stormy before they decided to live this way, and they're a hell of a lot happier now." Brady was intrigued by how fascinated Jessie was by the subject.
"But, don't people who do things like that end up in abusive situations, or women who have no self-esteem?"
Brady said, "I guess some are, but I'm pretty sure they're not people who go into it willingly. Miranda is definitely not a woman with no self-esteem. She's one of the most secure people I know. Maybe you'd like to meet them one day."
Jessie said thoughtfully, "That would be interesting. I mean, if they didn't mind talking about it. It's awfully personal."
"They don't go around advertising how they live, but it's no secret with their close friends and family. I'm sure they wouldn't mind talking to my woman."
Jessie laughed. "Is that what I am?"
With a low growl, Brady said, "You bet you are."
She cuddled a little closer, if that was possible when she was lying on top of him. "So, I feel safe and secure when I'm with you, even though you've spanked me twice. Do you think that's how she feels?"
"I imagine she does."
"Huh. You learn something new every day, don't you?"
Brady laughed and ruffled her hair. "Yep, I guess you do."
Chapter 12
A few days before Christmas, Jessie went out to gather eggs and feed the chickens. When she got close to the chicken coop, she was alarmed to see blood and feathers on the couple inches of snow they had had overnight. She looked around and Indy sniffed at the spot in the snow. A moment later, the dog set up a frenzied barking, dancing and growling under a nearby tree. Jessie ran toward her dog and skidded to a stop, looking up in shock. One of her chickens hung from a low branch of the tree. It was a frozen, bloody mess.
Jessie ran for the house, slipping and stumbling in the snow and calling for Brady. The back door flew open and he ran outside and caught her in his arms when she stumbled again.
"What is it? What happened?" Brady's arms were around her, holding her steady.
Jessie was crying and stammering, trying to explain. She led him to the tree, and he let out a string of curses.
"Go back in the house, Jess. I'll be in after I check around the place."
Jessie wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "No, wait, Brady. You don't even have a jacket on. I need to get the eggs and feed the chickens."
Brady put his arm around her and said, "You're not going out there to do anything until I make sure it's safe. But I do need a jacket. Come on, I'll take you back inside, and then I'll take a good look around."
Brady took her back to the house and poured her a hot cup of coffee, gulping down half a cup himself. He said, "Jessie, I want you to call the sheriff while I check out the place."
"But, Brady, you can't go out there by yourself. Especially if you think the sheriff needs to be called."
Brady went into the mudroom and put on his jacket and then picked up his shotgun, checking it from habit to make sure it was loaded. "You don't worry about me. You call the sheriff and tell them what we found. And lock the door behind me when I go out."
When Jessie started to protest again, he gave her a stern look. "Don't make me feel the need to spank you again. Do what I said."
Jessie closed her mouth, thought for a second, and then said, "Okay. But don't you dare let anything happen to you."
"Not a chance, baby. I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm pretty sure there's nobody out there now. For one thing, that chicken appears to be frozen stiff. The son of a bitch did it a while ago, and I'm sure he didn't hang around. Now do what I told you, and I'll be back before you know it."
Numbly, Jessie locked the door behind him and went to call the sheriff's office. True to his word, Brady was back in a few minutes. She let him in and looked at him anxiously. He carefully pulled eggs out of his pockets and laid them on a towel on the kitchen counter.
"Just like I thought. There's nobody out there. I fed your chickens. Did you call the sheriff?"
"Yes, I did. Here, have some hot coffee. Thank you for feeding."
Brady sipped the coffee and gave her a hug. "You're welcome. I didn't tramp around too much out there, just in case there are footprints or something."
"God, Brady, who would do a thing like that?"
"Nobody good," Brady said grimly.
It wasn't long before a sheriff's SUV pulled into the driveway. The deputy on duty came to the door and introduced himself. He asked Jessie to go out and show him what she had found. The three of them went out, leaving Indy in the house. He took some pictures and looked for footprints or other evidence. The freshly fallen snow didn't help any, and the deputy promised to write up a report. He told them that it was probably a teenager with too much time on his hands but asked them if they had anybody who would want to do something like that.
Jessie said, "No, not anybody. We don't have any problems with anyone."
Brady gave her a look and said, "Actually, there might be someone."
Jessie's mouth dropped open and the deputy said, "Who would that be?"
Brady explained about Dan Whitman and the ugly things he had said to and about Jessie. The deputy made a note and asked them for the details.
"We're familiar with Mr. Whitman," he said. "I would keep a close eye on your place here, and call if anything happens, even if you think it's no big deal. We don't have anything out here that'll really lead us to him, but just be careful."
Brady shook his hand as he took his leave, and Jessie thanked him.
"Now, listen, I know you've said several times that Whitman is harmless, but you're going to be careful from here on out," Brady told Jessie sternly. "When I'm not in here, I want you to keep the doors locked. And if you see or hear anything at all, you make sure you tell me right away. This guy is a nutcase, and I'm not going to let him do anything to you."
"Brady," Jessie protested. "We don't even know if he had anything to do with this. You heard the deputy; he said it was probably a kid. I'm not going to go around here scared of my own shadow."
Brady put his finger under her chin and tipped her head up so she was looking squarely at him. "No, but you are going to take reasonable precautions until we know what happened and we're sure that there's no threat from that asshole. And I'm going to find him and have a talk to him."
"Brady, why would he come out here and kill one of my chickens? Why?"
Brady said, "Because he's a hate-filled, vindictive, drunk son of a bitch. Jessie, I'm putting my foot down here. You are going to keep the doors locked and be extra careful. And you're going to keep an eye out for any sign of him or any other jerk that doesn't belong here. And you're going to tell me about anything you see or hear. And if you don't, I'm going to blister your ass for you. Have you got that?"
Jessie heaved a huge sigh. "Brady…okay, yes, I've got it. And when we find out who actually did it, you're going to apologize."
"Happily. I'd like nothing better than to find out it was just some dumb kid. But I have a pretty good instinct, and it's not telling me that some drunk or high teenage asshole did this."
Jessie felt a little chill of unease and forced it away by going to the refrigerator to pull out eggs and sausage. "I'm going to fix breakfast now. Do I need to lock the door?"
Brady regarded her grimly and said, "Don't be a smartass. I'm not feeling the humor in it right now."
"Okay. Okay, how do you want your eggs?"
By the time they had finished their breakfast, Jessie had relaxed and gotten some of her normal good disposition back. Brady gave her a kiss before he went out to start working, and he reminded her to lock the door.
"I will. I promise," Jessie said, rolling her eyes.
"That little eye roll is going to get you in trouble one of these days," Brady observed as he went out, waiting to hear
that she turned the deadbolt.
Jessie stuck out her tongue at the locked door and turned back into the house. She busied herself wrapping Christmas presents she had bought for Brady's family, who she couldn't wait to meet. Caleb's big toy tractor was already wrapped, and she had bought a soft, pretty sweater for Kayla, along with a really fine bottle of wine. She put together some tins of sweet treats she had made and then put a chicken on to stew for dumplings. When Brady came in for lunch, she had grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and loaded potato soup ready. There were oatmeal raisin cookies to satisfy his sweet tooth, and they had lunch without discussing the morning's events.
When Brady went back outside, bundled up against the chill, Jessie locked the door with an exaggerated eye roll and wondered how long she would have to do it. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that it was a teenager out to make mischief. She still thought that Dan Whitman was all talk, and since she hadn't run into him in quite a while, she figured he had probably gotten over his grudge against her.
* * *
Brady was making a careful inspection of Jessie's property, looking for any signs of an intruder. Red would be there the next day, and Brady needed to have a long talk with him so he could be prepared for trouble, just in case. He didn't find anything, but when he poked around in the bushes at the edge of the yard, the hair rose on the back of his neck and his senses heightened with the familiar feeling that he always got when something just didn't feel right. Searching more carefully around the little cluster of bushes and the tree that they flanked, he finally caught sight of a little spot that was trampled down. He stood close to it and turned slowly, his eyes scanning what he could see from that spot. There was a direct line of sight to the kitchen and the big window opposite the kitchen table.
"Son of a bitch," Brady said softly. "He's been here. I knew he was real trouble."
Jessie’s Dusty Dreams Page 11