She groaned against his chest as it shook in laughter.
“I knew you needed a little something extra when you pounded your fist on the table instead of tapping it like I’d requested. Shaped you right up, didn’t it?”
“Humph,” she answered. But he was right. The effect had been so shocking and embarrassing she could do nothing but comply with her punishment after that. She pulled away slightly so she could look up at him. “It was exciting to be punished,” she said boldly.
“I know how you feel,” he said, grinning. “It was exciting to punish you. You’re exciting, Victoria. I only hope you’ll agree to see me again after all this.”
In response, she stood to her tiptoes and kissed him. He returned the kiss, caressing her lips with his. His hand traveled from her back to her flank, igniting desire in her with every firm touch. He kneaded and gripped her hip and her sore bottom. She lost all inhibition, her body naturally opening and responding to his touch.
He groaned. “You make my heart race, woman. I have the hankering to bend you right back over that desk and give you an entirely different kind of seein’-to.”
She would not have resisted. The thought of making love to him right then and there was tempting, but Frank must have thought better of it. He didn’t release her, but his caress changed from passionate to comforting. He disconnected from the kiss and touched his lips to her forehead. “We’ll wait ‘til the time is right,” he said.
“Yes, Frank.” Aroused as she was, she was also relieved. Frank had already brought more excitement into her life than she had ever experienced, and she felt like she needed to catch her breath.
Chapter Seven
Victoria gazed out the windowed door of her shop and watched contentedly as townsfolk passed by. It was after church on a sunny morning, and people were strolling about, dressed in their Sunday best. Seeing the ladies in their finest dresses was a high point of her week. It gave her a sense of pride to observe a woman wearing something she had made, and when she spotted an ensemble she liked that had been bought elsewhere, she would often make a pattern of it and add it to her own clothing repertoire.
She was happier than usual on this particular morning. Frank had made plans to stop by with a meal from Mary’s Restaurant. In the last week, he had visited her every day after he finished teaching, and each time he’d insisted on helping her with unpacking merchandise, organizing the top shelves, and anything else she might need. She was pleasantly surprised by this. No one had helped her since her parents died, and though she had managed well enough on her own, having a man around eased her burden.
His presence also caused a quickening of her pulse. Even his light touch on her shoulder brought sparks of pleasure, and when he would take hold of her shoulders to land a kiss, she would become instantly inflamed with desire.
The bell on the door jingled, and Frank walked in, balancing a plate of food in one hand and his cane in the other. “The princess’s royal vittles have arrived,” he announced.
Victoria smiled. She took the plate from him and inclined her face for a kiss. “Was it busy at the restaurant?”
His lips pressed against hers briefly. “No. In fact it was quite empty. I talked to the cook for a spell before coming here.”
Victoria’s fingers gripped the plate tighter at his words. A sense of disquiet filled her whenever she heard about another woman talking to Frank, which was often because his friendliness attracted people like moths to a flame. She’d already experienced what it felt like to have a woman unexpectedly swoop in and steal the heart of the man she was interested in when Willow McAllister won Heath Wolfe over. The thought of Mary stealing Frank’s attention was worse—far worse.
Victoria walked to the back of the shop, where she had already arranged two table settings on her countertop and placed chairs for them. She spooned the carrots onto each plate and then did the same with the chicken and biscuits.
“I understand that you and Miss Appleton are friends,” Frank said.
“Yes, I suppose,” she said flatly. If anyone could be called her friend, it would be Mary, who unlike other townsfolk seemed immune to Victoria’s frequent sarcasm and ill temper. Mary had always been sweet, ever since they were schoolgirls, and while Victoria liked her friend, at the thought of Frank taking an interest in her, Victoria felt like throttling her.
They sat down, and Frank took hold of her hand. A zip of pleasure caused her senses to sharpen, though he was only preparing to say grace. He uttered a prayer of thanks for the food, and Victoria picked up her fork. She popped in a bite of chicken and chewed it thoughtfully, wondering to herself what Mary and Frank had talked about.
“Hungry?” Frank had a smile in his voice.
“Yes,” she said, in between bites. “And you sure brought plenty.” The plate was still piled high with food even after serving their two portions.
“That’s because I asked your friend to stop by and join us when she has a minute,” he explained.
Victoria set down her fork. “You invited Mary? Why would you do that?” she asked. “It was supposed to be just you and me.”
Frank frowned. “We can spend the whole rest of the day together. I thought you would be pleased to see Miss Appleton for a spell.”
“You thought wrong. I’m not in the least pleased. When there’s a plan, I like to stick to it.” She knew she sounded cranky, but she didn’t like when things didn’t go according to how she anticipated, and she especially didn’t like the idea of sharing Frank’s attention with another woman.
Frank let out a low whistle. “Land’s sake, I do apologize. It won’t happen again.”
She crossed her arms and refused to look at him. “See that it doesn’t,” she huffed, unwilling to let go of her annoyance, especially since she still had to sit through a meal with Mary.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him dab his mouth with the napkin and set it down. His voice was serious. “There’s no need to be rude, Tori. I’ve apologized, and it would be best for you to accept it or at least mind your manners.”
Her eyes snapped to his, and she opened her mouth to speak.
He lifted a finger in warning. “And before you say another word, think about what happened last time you disobeyed me.”
She pursed her lips together. Flashing through her mind was being bent over a desk, her bottom bared and exposed for punishment. If she hadn’t been so annoyed, she might have let the matter drop. “I’m not the rude one here. What’s rude is you changing our plans without consulting me.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake, Victoria! Welcome to life. Things happen that are unexpected. Everything is not neat and in order like your shop here,” he said, looking around.
“So now you’re criticizing my shop?”
“No, I’m complimenting your shop, criticizing your behavior,” he said with an exasperated voice.
She shoved a slice of carrot into her mouth, then chewed it so vigorously that she bit the side of her tongue. “Argh!” she exclaimed and winced, pressing her hand against her cheek. She could taste blood.
Frank’s stern expression vanished, and he leaned forward. “What happened?”
“Bit my tongue,” she said piteously. It didn’t hurt all that bad after the initial shock, but it had managed to add insult to injury.
Frank must have decided she was recovered when she took another bite of food because he chuckled. “That’ll teach you not to get so bent out of shape when something doesn’t go exactly your way. You must learn to be a little more flexible.”
She scowled at him. It wouldn’t do her any good to explain to him that she wasn’t merely inflexible. She was also afraid he would like Mary more than her.
“But if biting your tongue didn’t teach you, I’m certain a good spanking will,” he said.
She swallowed and peered at him, unsure of whether he was serious. Regardless, hearing him speak about spanking out loud made her squeeze her legs together in sudden awareness of the lower half of her body. “That won�
�t be necessary, Frank.”
“I disagree.”
At that moment, Mary Appleton whooshed in, clanging the bell loudly and making her way noisily to where they sat. “Yoo hoo! It took me ages to get out of the kitchen, but I escaped.” She laughed as though she’d told a joke.
Mary brought with her the scent of freshly baked bread and coffee grounds. She was a tall woman and with a large presence, as much due to her height as from her personality. Mary was as friendly as Victoria was standoffish.
Frank rose from his chair and greeted her while Victoria moved a chair to the table. “I have to find another setting,” she mumbled. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Don’t put yourself out,” Mary said, waving her hand dismissively. “All I need is a fork and good company.”
“A fork is all I can promise,” Victoria retorted, handing it to her.
Mary guffawed and slapped her hand on the counter. To Frank, she said, “That right there? That is what I like about Victoria. Not a day goes by when she doesn’t make me laugh. She’s as clever as a fox.”
Frank grinned. “Can’t argue with that.”
“One of a kind, she is,” Mary continued. “You got real lucky, getting on her good side. She doesn’t like most people.”
Victoria waved her hands in the air. “Hello? Are y’all done talking about me like I’m not even here?” She was concerned that Mary would share too much, like how she had a reputation around town for being prickly.
“Sorry, sorry,” Mary said. “How are you doing, Victoria? I haven’t seen you in a coon’s age. I guess Mr. Bassett has kept you busy.”
Victoria straightened in her chair and took a dainty bite of her chicken. “Frank comes to see me every day after school. He helps around the shop.” She proceeded to give Mary details about how much Frank had done for her, and as she spoke, her heart swelled with pride and happiness. Talking about it out loud made his attention seem even more real and important.
“My goodness,” Mary exclaimed. She turned her attention to Frank. “You took quite a shine to my friend, didn’t you?” She sounded pleased about this.
“Sure did,” Frank confirmed, giving Victoria a wink.
As they continued to chat, Victoria began to enjoy herself. She felt like a schoolgirl again, sharing lunch with mixed company during recess. When had friendship and togetherness become so scarce in her life?
Without thinking much, she knew the answer. It was after her parents died. People had stopped by to see her after the funerals, bringing food and comforting words, but instead of accepting sympathy, she’d withdrawn from them. In her grief, socializing was simply too much work, so she’d broken the connections she’d had prior to her parents’ death, with Mary being the one exception.
Victoria found refuge only in her work. It became her reason for existing as much as it provided for her existence. As a result of pulling away from everyone, most people moved on in their lives without her being a part of it. Now sitting with Frank and Mary, she realized some of what she was missing out on.
Mary stood and took her leave after a short time. “I’d better get back to the restaurant. I have to prep for the supper crowd.”
“Thanks for stopping by,” Frank said, standing.
In a sudden rush of affection, Victoria hugged her. “Thank you, Mary.” She wanted to say more, but the words didn’t make it past her throat. She wanted to thank her for remaining her friend even when she hadn’t been a good one in return and to assure her that she would be a better friend in the future.
Perhaps Mary understood, without Victoria saying anything. She squeezed her back tight. “Have a hog-killin’ time, you two.”
Victoria stared out the front window as Mary walked back toward the restaurant. Frank came up beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
She sighed. “You were right to invite her, Frank. It was a jolly time, the three of us talking and laughing. I didn’t realize how much I missed people’s company.”
Frank gave her a squeeze. “I’m glad to hear that, princess.” He walked to the door and locked it, then proceeded to pull down all the shades over the windows.
Victoria watched with curiosity. “What are you doing?”
“Giving us some privacy. You don’t want the whole town to see you getting a whupping, do you?”
She coughed a laugh. “What?”
“Don’t act surprised. You were rude to me when I told you that your friend was joining us, and you pitched a fit.” He returned to the back of the store, pulled out the chair he had been sitting in, and planted it in the center aisle. “I want your naughty bottom over my lap.”
Victoria couldn’t move. She felt like her shoes had been nailed to the floor. Her jaw dropped open and she stared at him with disbelief. Though there had been a sort of unspoken understanding that he would punish her if she misbehaved, a big part of her didn’t believe a moment like this would ever materialize. When she’d bitten him and he’d punished her over the desk, it had felt as much like an erotic game as it had a punishment. But this felt only like punishment. She hadn’t purposely incited him. Was she really expected to turn herself over his knee to receive a painful spanking for acting badly?
As though reading her mind, he said, “You must have known this would happen if you stepped out of line. I made it no secret that I wanted to tame you.”
“But Frank, I admitted you were right. I liked eating lunch with you and Mary.”
“While I’m glad to hear that, it’s of no consequence. Your behavior before she arrived is what I’m going to deal with.”
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Frank, please… I don’t want a spanking.”
“Of course you don’t. Spankings hurt, that’s why they’re effective.” He held out his hand. “Come here. If I have to say it again, your punishment will be worse.”
Victoria considered her options. She could turn and walk out of the shop, or she could order Frank out. It was her place of business, after all. But she didn’t want to do that. As much as she didn’t want a spanking, she did want Frank. She respected his judgment and the way he so easily made friends in town after only being there for a short time. Maybe she needed to accept that Frank could help her become a better, more open person.
She was just about to step forward and place herself into position, but at that precise moment, Frank determined that her time was already up. “That does it,” he said, standing. “You’re about to learn that dilly-dallying on my instructions will only make it worse.”
She rushed to him and took hold of his sleeve. “I was just about to come to you. A second later and I would have been over your lap.”
He remained stiff, and his lips thinned. “It was a second too late.” He looked around the room, and his gaze stopped on her assortment of hats, ribbons, handheld mirrors, brushes, and combs. With purpose, he strode in that direction and picked up the largest wooden hairbrush. The flat of the brush was nearly the size of his hand. As he walked back to the chair, he slapped it against his leg, creating a loud smack. “This will do nicely. I’m going to purchase this brush, Victoria, but it will be yours.”
She guessed that he intended to spank her with it, and the prospect seemed painful. Though she’d never endured such a thing, imagining her tender bottom being paddled by wood even thicker than a ruler was not a comfortable thought. “Thank you, how thoughtful,” she said, unable to resist a sarcastic quip.
“You’re welcome, princess. You’re going to respectfully thank me for this punishment too by the end of it.” He sat back down, took hold of her arm, and pulled her over his lap. She let out a squeal and clawed the air for balance as he fastened his hand firmly against her hip and pulled her tight to his body.
“I won’t thank you,” she vowed, indignant over the thought. Wasn’t it enough that she had to endure being spanked?
“Oh, you will,” he promised. “Now hold on to the legs of the chair. That’s right. And touch your toes to the f
loor. Good girl.”
She stared at her freshly swept floor and tried to concentrate on anything but what was happening as Frank lifted her skirts, one by one, and placed them over her back. She dared to hope he would leave her satin drawers in place, but that hope was quickly dashed when she felt him fiddling with the ties.
It wasn’t enough for the material to be split and her bare cheeks exposed. He tugged at the waistband and pulled them down until they reached her ankles. A waft of cool air over her bottom served to accentuate her nakedness. She squeezed her eyes shut as humiliation washed over her.
Frank ran his hand lightly over her bottom. “Damn, you’re gorgeous,” he said under his breath.
Her pulse skittered. She was trapped over a strong man’s lap, helpless to endure the punishment about to ensue, but Frank’s utterance revealed that he was also vulnerable to her body’s effect on him.
“I should punish you for being too lovely. Having curves like this should be against the law.” He struck her bottom with the flat of his hand, causing a sharp sting.
“Ow! I can’t help how I look, but I’m glad I please you.”
“Ha,” he scoffed. “I’m not pleased with you, princess. That’s why you’re over my lap. Or did you forget already?” He smacked her bottom again. “And I know you can’t help how you look. But you can help how you act, can’t you?”
She sighed. “The lecture is even more painful than a spanking, Frank. Can you get to it, please?”
He chuckled darkly and did as she requested. He smacked her bottom, again and again, not very hard, but enough to cause discomfort. “Mark my words. You’re going to beg for the lecturing once we’re a ways into the spanking.”
As his hand continued to descend with growing force and speed, she was inclined to believe him but silently vowed not to degrade herself by begging.
Frank varied his smacks so that every inch of her bottom smarted. The discomfort soon grew into pain, but it was bearable, and Victoria gritted her teeth. The swats were loud in the unoccupied space. The sound and the feel of the smacks caused her to blink each time, and she silently prayed they couldn’t be heard outside the shop.
Taming Tori Page 5