Summer Solace

by Maggie Ryan

  “I asked you a question, Susan. Answer me immediately or I’ll spank you first and then you can attempt to explain,” Brian said in a tone she had never heard before.

  Susan gasped when she looked around and realized that the entire family – minus the children or her in–laws – were all waiting for her response. She knew that not a single one of them would come to her defense. She was about to look to Tanya, certain she’d find support there, when her gasp turned into a yelp. Brian’s patience had ended. He took hold of her upper arm and pulled her towards the picnic table. When his destination was clear to everyone, Scott reached down to help his wife up from her seat.

  “Not a chance,” Dana whispered. He knew he should pull her up but grinned. If he were honest, it was about time they all witnessed Brian taking a stand. Instead of insisting she move away, Scott folded his tall frame and sat between her and Karen. Dana grinned and chanced missing the action for the moment it took her to lean over and kiss her husband’s cheek. The sound of Susan wailing moved her attention back to the table. Brian had his wife bent over the end of the picnic table, one hand in the small of her back holding her down while the other was tugging her shorts down off her bottom.

  “Please! Please, no! Stop! I’ll answer, Brian, but don’t do this!”

  Brian totally ignored her pleas. Her shorts were soon at her ankles and his hand was resting on her panty-clad bottom. Susan stiffened when he moved it to take hold of the waistband of her last remaining barrier. Her voice broke into sobs as she poured out the story.

  “I - Gabe told me that he - he had no interest in Tanya. I tried to change his mind even though he kept asking me to stop. I - I just wanted Tanya to be a part of our family. She loves Gabe and - and I thought if she came, I could get him to love her too! Please, please let me up, Brian. I won’t interfere again, I swear! You don’t have to spank me, honey, I just want Gabe to be as happy and as in love as we are.”

  Feeling his palm return to simply lay open and flat on her bottom, she relaxed slightly. Her tears were still falling, her shame at being bent and almost completely exposed before everyone was horrifying. She prayed that her confession would be enough to pacify her husband; it had always worked before. Brian was softly stroking his wife’s bottom when he heard his sister snort. He looked up to see Dana rolling her eyes and saw that Scott was also looking at him as if wondering if he was stupid enough to fall for Susan’s pathetic attempt at manipulating him.

  Looking around the clearing, he was aware that he had center stage. Gabe was standing, arms crossed as he simply waited to see what Brian’s next move would be. Brian adored his oldest brother and had always looked to him for guidance. He wished he could take a few moments to ask for advice, but knew that time was forever gone. Susan was his wife and his responsibility. He looked to see Tanya looking a bit unsure of herself, but saw her smile as she met his eyes.

  “Come on, Brian,” Tanya said. “Don’t blame Susie. I talked her into it. She asked if I wanted to come and I did. I just want to talk to Gabe. There is no need for anyone to get spanked. That’s a ridiculous idea anyway. Women just don’t bend over and let their partners spank them anymore. Come on, let her up and we can all sit down and discuss this like adults.”

  Tanya thought her plan was the perfect one, after all, did people really expect to bare their butts to their ridiculously dominate men simply when told?

  Gabe finally moved. He took hold of Tanya’s arm and pulled her towards him. She was about to protest when she realized this was what she wanted. She was positive he would soon see what he was missing. No one else moved as Gabe moved Tanya to the end of the table where her best friend was still bent over. For a heartbeat, Tanya froze.

  “No fucking way,” she snarled, thinking that she was about to be put down beside Susan. She was shocked when she heard Gabe laugh.

  “That’s the truth. No fucking way I care enough about you to take you in hand. We’ve never been together Tanya,” Gabe barked. “No matter what you cooked up in your twisted little mind, I have never given you reason to believe we could have a relationship. Brian, give me your keys.”

  No one spoke as Brian released his wife only to dig in his pocket for his key ring. He tossed the keys to his brother. Gabe caught them and then looked up. He saw Jake and tossed him the keys. Jake easily caught them and grinned. He moved to where Gabe was pulling Tanya. They stopped by the dropped luggage and Gabe grabbed the bag. “Jake is taking you home, Tanya Do not ever approach me again. I can’t control your friendship with Susan, though that might even be changed after she asks Brian to spank her for her disobedience.”

  “She won’t do that! She isn’t stupid. She isn’t ever going to beg to be spanked,” Tanya said not believing her friend could ever do such a thing.

  “Don’t bet on that, Tanya,” Gabe said, his voice softening. “The women in our family know that they are loved and treasured and protected. They submit to their husbands because they love them just as much. Susan understands she had been disobedient and disrespectful not only to me but to her husband as well. Susan understands that asking for a spanking will allow her to submit to her husband. Having a spanked bottom hurts for a time, but having a hurt heart hurts far, far longer. Maybe Susan will share what happens with you at some later date. For now, this is good night and goodbye. I don’t ever want to see you again.”

  Tanya’s mouth was open, her eyes showing her disbelief and shock. She was an incredibly beautiful woman and knew it. She had plenty of men drooling all over her, begging for her attention. However, after meeting Gabe at Susan’s birthday party, all she had wanted was for him to want her as well. Despite her and Susan’s plans to constantly have them thrown together, Gabe never once showed interest and that drove Tanya wild. No man had ever so totally ignored her before. She had persuaded Susan that she could change Gabe’s mind. All she needed was some time alone with him. She convinced Susan that the family reunion would give her the perfect opportunity to convince Gabe that she was the woman he desired. Susan had fallen for the plan because she was desperate for her friend to become part of her extended family.

  As Tanya took in Gabe’s words, she was shocked to hear her friend crying louder. She looked back, thinking that Brian must have swatted her. Instead, she saw Brian standing two feet away from his wife, both hands now at his sides. Susan was still bent over the table, her tears falling fast. Susan had heard every word Gabe had spoken and felt incredibly guilty. For the first time in her marriage, she finally understood the dynamics of the domestic discipline lifestyle.

  She had known that the women of the family submitted to their husbands, and had seen how satisfied and content every couple was together. She had wanted to feel that sort of deep, abiding love with Brian. She knew they did love each other, but she finally understood she had not ever truly submitted to him. She felt abandoned when Brian’s palm left her bottom and then felt him step away from her.

  Though she was embarrassed, she pushed herself up off the table and turned to her husband. She didn’t bother to bend and pull her shorts back up. Instead, she wiped her cheek with one hand. “I’m so sorry, Brian. I was wrong and - please forgive me? I promise I will stop matchmaking. Please - will you please sp - spank me?”

  Her tone rose at the end as if asking if it would be okay to actually ask for a spanking. Brian saw her flushed face and the tears shimmering in her eyes. For the first time he felt like she was truly going to submit to him as the head of their family. His heart swelled and his throat tightened. Sure, he’d spanked her a few times as he never would have married anyone not open to his chosen lifestyle. However, those few times had not satisfied either of them. Seeing his wife, shorts at her ankles, her tear stained face turned up to his, he nodded at her request.

  She didn’t hesitate; her mouth turned up into a smile. “Thank you, Sir. I promise to obey you from now on.”

  Brian turned to see Gabe smile and nod. Gabe didn’t wait to witness the event. He knew Brian would make sure
his wife got her request fulfilled. Instead, he went to his tent, grabbed his own keys and then motioned for Jake and Tanya to follow him.

  Tanya had been shocked into silence when she heard Susan’s request. For some reason, she felt very sad and alone. These people – this family had something she had never experienced. Seeing Gabe following her and Jake towards the cars, she knew she’d never be a part of this group. As Jake opened the door and then tossed her bag into the backseat, she turned to Gabe.

  “I know you don’t believe me, Gabe, but I am sorry. I won’t bother you again. I hope you find your mate. You deserve to be happy,” she said quietly.

  Gabriel believed her. He allowed his face to loosen and released some of his anger. The small woman was gorgeous and that had been part of her problem. She expected to be worshipped and denied nothing while never truly giving of herself.

  He opened her door and said, “Thank you, Tanya. I have found her. If you don’t mind a bit of advice?” He waited until she nodded her head. “Learn to give instead of taking all the time. I know you are beautiful on the outside. Show everyone the beauty of your heart because that is what truly matters. You do deserve a good man, Tanya. Find one that loves all of you.”

  She felt his words wash over her and knew she would think about them for a very long time. She slid into the car and before he closed the door, she smiled up at him.

  “Thank you. Whoever she is, I hope she knows she is a very lucky woman,” Tanya said.

  Gabe prayed that Joanna would agree, as he shut the door. He would owe Jake big time for this, as it would take several hours for him to take Tanya home and return to camp. Gabe knew he would need to help with the kids and also knew that dinner was going to be really late unless someone stepped up. He was about to return to the site to ask Scott to take over when he heard his best friend’s voice behind him.

  “Where’s Joanna? What happened, Gabe?” Scott asked.

  Gabe tilted his chin down the road at the disappearing car. He said, “Tanya happened.”

  Dana gasped.

  “What did Tanya say to her that made her leave?” Scott asked while Dana rolled her eyes. Gabe saw her but didn’t reprimand his sister.

  “They didn’t actually meet. Jo just heard her say she was the love of my life.”

  Scott looked confused. Gabe sighed, “We weren’t actually, um, ready to make introductions.” Seeing Scott look down the road and then back to his best friend, Gabe admitted, “We were making out in the truck, okay? Get the picture?”

  Scott grinned. “Aren’t you a little old for necking in a car for God’s sake?”

  Gabe heard Dana try unsuccessfully to stifle a giggle. He glared at her, but then he grinned. “Okay, okay. Not exactly my best decision but, hell, I couldn’t exactly make out with her up at camp now could I?” he said as if it made perfect sense. “I was trying to decide if I should let her calm down or -” His smile faded as his eyes also drifted towards the road.

  Dana had heard enough. “I know I’m not exactly in the position to give you advice, big brother, but would you like a suggestion?”

  Gabe looked at his sister and saw her smile. He wondered why she had questioned her position but nodded.

  “Go get her, Gabe. Don’t waste any more time. Go to her, explain what happened and don’t you dare come back without Joanna!”

  Scott looked down at his wife. “I agree. Don’t worry about things here. You have more than enough help. Hurry up and get going as I need to remind Dana that cursing isn’t allowed and those kids are going to get sick of swimming at some point.”

  Gabe chuckled seeing Dana reach out and punch her husband’s arm, understanding her comment about her position. Scott grinned down at her and wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her in even closer.

  “Seems like a lot of spankings are in the works. Did Brian take Susan’s request seriously?” Gabe asked and when the answer came on the wind, her voice promising to be a good girl, followed by the crisp smack of Brian’s hand on a bare bottom, his smile grew. “If you need more privacy, Jo said there was an isolated spot up to the left of the beach. Follow the path and you should come to it.”

  Scott thanked him and Dana did as well. Before the door shut on the truck, Dana reminded him not to bother coming back without Joanna. Accepting her order as it was meant, out of love and caring, he assured her that he would obey. The couple watched him drive away and then turned back to camp.

  “I thought you changed you mind about spanking me, Scott,” Dana said. “Are you really going to spank me?”

  Scott pulled his wife towards him. He smiled, “When have I ever changed my mind about a spanking, Dana? I think you need at least a few swats to remind you to behave. Besides, I feel the need for some privacy after all of this drama.” He reached down and cupped her bottom in his hands.

  Dana smiled and felt her insides both churning and tingling. It seemed like forever since her last really good spanking. When he ran his hands over her bottom, she was as anxious as he to find somewhere private.

  “Ye - yes, Sir,” she managed, her breath ragged and her pulse racing. She no longer was thinking about Susan, Tanya or even Joanna. Her mind zoned in on one thing – her husband. She tightened her grip on his hand and allowed him to take control. They returned to the campsite and when Dana paused at the table to whisper where she was going and why, Karen smiled and assured them that Jessie was just fine with her. Dana knew that the women of the family would always be willing to step in and help with any of the children should a need arise.

  Scott held his wife’s hand as they passed the children and then Shelley. This time it was Scott who stopped and informed Eric that they would be away from the group for a bit. Eric shrugged. When Amber saw the way the two were looking at each other, she grinned. Scott quietly asked her to keep everyone away from the area.

  “How long?” she asked, a smile on her face. She grinned even larger when Scott simply growled at her and pulled Dana up a path to the left. She heard Dana giggle and then her voice drifted down to Amber.

  “A long, long, long time. Don’t hold dinner. I’ve been a very naughty girl.”

  Amber heard the couple laugh and a short yelp as Scott popped his wife’s bottom. Amber continued to smile as she walked back to camp. She was starving and anxious to discover what she had obviously missed. It was startling to think that something exciting was always going on out in the middle of the woods!

  By the time Amber climbed back down to the camp, it was bustling with activity. The children were being dried and changed out of their swimwear. Eric had set up Jessica’s playpen under the shade of a huge oak tree and was enjoying a beer while keeping an eye on his niece. Karen was busy seasoning steaks and wrapping huge potatoes in foil to be baked among the coals of the fire. Shelley was prepping hamburgers while watching the hot dogs that had been started for the children. Brian and Susan had arrived and they were working on getting their tent up. Amber walked across to help.

  “Hi! Glad to see you finally made it,” she said as she picked up a tent stake and began to hammer it into the ground. She looked up and realized that her brother wasn’t responding. She rolled her eyes when he bent to kiss his bride tenderly where she was kneeling as she wrapped rope around a stake he had previously placed. As he straightened, Susie bent forward even more, and her shorts drew up. Amber could swear she saw red blooming across her sister–in–law’s lower bottom cheeks. Amber shook her head and stood. She dropped the hammer next to the stake and simply walked away, the two never even saw her go.

  Amber joined Karen who was now setting out plates and silverware. “Since the love birds don’t even know I’m alive, how about you? Need some help?”

  Karen grinned and glanced over at the couple. “Always, thanks. Hey, don’t blame them too much. I think Brian just wants to make sure that Susan feels forgiven and loved after her spanking.”

  Amber’s eyes widened and she stared at the couple. She noticed that they both were constantly
reaching out and touching each other. She shook her head. “Hey, where are Gabe and Joanna? Where’s Jake and didn’t I see Tanya earlier? What happened?”

  Karen filled her in with low voice as she didn’t want to get into trouble for gossiping. She looked to make sure Eric was still busy with Jessie while the story came out.

  “It was something! Gabe stormed out of here like a bat out of hell. Jake is taking Tanya home and believe me, I think Susie will behave far better from now on. Scott dragged Dana off somewhere and I have no idea what happened to Joanna.” Karen paused, grinning. “Geez, to think we’ve only been here a few hours. It’s a little scary thinking about how much trouble we could get in during an entire week!”

  Shelly finished putting the hamburgers on the grill and joined them. She was just in time to hear Amber explain the whereabouts of Dana and Scott. “They said not to wait dinner on them and I think they’ll be a while,” Amber finished and Shelly laughed.

  “Poor things,” Shelly said. “With a new baby, I guess it is hard to get some alone time even if it comes with the price of a spanking. Hey,” she said with a huge grin, “Perhaps we need to designate that area as the parlor.” The women giggled even as they seriously considered her suggestion. There was a room in the large family home designated as the punishment parlor. Every single female in the Jamison household had spent time there. It was used for tending to naughty bottoms and though the sounds of a plaintive woman were not totally inaudible, the walls had been built thicker and with more insulation than normal. Karen grinned and soon all three women were giggling.