by Dina Chapel
Annie had her face in her hands and was sobbing uncontrollably. That had been the worst whipping she had ever gotten; the skin on her backside and thighs burned as if it was on fire. She couldn’t seem to stop crying.
Rafe stood, put the chair back to its place at the table and then put his belt back on, all the while watching Annie and waiting for her to calm a bit. It wasn’t happening. Rafe stepped closer to her and stroked her hair in an attempt to settle her down a bit.
As soon as Annie felt Rafe near her and his hand on her head, without thinking she moved forward and pressed her face into his shirt, grabbing some of his shirt with one hand and sobbing against his chest. She didn’t care that she was seeking comfort from the very person who had caused her to need comforting in the first place. She needed him to hold her. “I’m sorry,” Annie cried into Rafe’s shirt. “I’m sorry I ran off and caused trouble for you.”
How did she do it? Rafe thought. Annie seemed to chip away at the ice that Rafe had firmly in place around his heart. Never before had a woman’s tears done anything but annoy him. He knew a lot of women to use tears as a way to manipulate a man and get their way. But Annie was different. She obviously hadn’t gotten her way. Rafe had already punished her, and harshly too. And she sounded genuinely contrite.
“Shh... hush now.” Rafe did his best to comfort her. “It’s over and you learned your lesson. You need to settle down.” He pulled her closer and rubbed his right arm slowly up and down her back while his left hand continued to stroke her hair. It was as soft and silky as he had imagined. By now, Annie had moved closer and was pressed up against the front of him. Rafe felt his trousers get very tight.
Annie felt it too, obviously, because she backed away from him rather suddenly and looked up at him with teary and questioning eyes. It was Rafe’s undoing.
Both his large strong hands wrapped themselves around her face, tilted her head back and Rafe leaned down to press his mouth firmly on her soft lips. Annie’s initial shock at Rafe’s kiss quickly gave way to a much better feeling. She moved back against Rafe again and felt herself relaxing. Almost too much as, a moment later, Rafe had to wrap his left arm fully around her waist to hold her up. He then used his right hand to seek out her soft breast and began to massage it. When Annie parted her lips to let out a soft moan, Rafe gained entrance to her mouth with his tongue.
Damn, she was the sweetest thing he had ever tasted. Rafe couldn’t remember the last time he had really kissed a woman. It had been a while, that was for sure. He sure as hell didn’t kiss the whores at Miss Sally’s – he paid his money, saw to his basest needs and was out the door. Kissing was for lovers and Rafe hadn’t loved a woman in a very long time. What was it about this young woman that was getting under his skin so quickly and easily? Rafe pushed the thoughts out of his head as he plunged his tongue into her mouth without restraint. Annie hung limp and softly moaning in his arms. Rafe realized he had to stop soon or he wouldn’t be able to stop at all.
Finally, he pulled back, releasing her mouth and breast reluctantly. Annie looked completely dazed. And she had stopped crying. Rafe ran the back of his fingers softly down the side of her face and marveled at the change in front of him. Right now, she certainly seemed a far cry from the woman he had first met. She had seemed a tough hoyden that day, without a tender or feminine bone in her body. And now? She was soft and warm and sweet and...
“You’d best get some sleep now,” Rafe said gruffly. “You’ll take the bed and I’ll sleep out here.” Annie just looked at him, blinking and still dazed from the kiss, not really comprehending anything he was saying. Rafe took her by the shoulders, turned her and gave a little push toward the bedroom. The door was just to the right of the large stone fireplace, designed that way so that the warmth from the hearth kept the bedroom warm also.
“Go on, now. Do as I say.” Rafe was stern. He recalled that Annie seemed to respond to that and he needed to get as much distance as possible between them before he did something he regretted.
Annie looked back at him over her shoulder. Her eyes were still red and puffy from crying. “Goodnight, Rafe.”
Rafe just nodded his head in acknowledgment and watched her as she headed through the bedroom door.
Later that night, Rafe lay wide awake on a bedroll he had set for himself by the fireplace. It was certainly comfortable enough and the warmth from the fire was comfortable too, but he still couldn’t sleep. He could only lie awake and listen to Annie breathing deeply and peacefully in the next room. He thought about how close he had come earlier that evening to simply picking her up and taking her to his bed and having her – all of her. He wasn’t so sure now that he could do without that ever happening. He wanted her. He had been intrigued by her when he first met her; she sure was feisty and he liked that. As nice as Tom’s Jenny was, she was docile and agreeable; that wasn’t the type of woman that interested Rafe. Fortunately, Annie wasn’t anything like her sister. Even if he had to tame some of that feistiness a bit for her own good, she’d still be left with plenty of fire. One week ago, having anyone share his home or his life had been just about the farthest thing from Rafe Stanton’s mind. Now the thought of Annie being anywhere other than right here, in his home and his bed, was unacceptable to him.
* * * * *
The next morning proved almost as dark as the night before as the heavy snow continued to fall and block anything and everything else from sight. Annie woke to the smell of coffee that Rafe must have set to brew before heading out to the barn. She dressed quickly, checked the fire in the hearth and then set to making biscuits and frying some bacon to go along with the coffee.
The smell of fresh biscuits and bacon greeted Rafe as he came through the door, covered head to toe in white. Rafe shook the snow from himself and nodded toward Annie. He proceeded to remove his coat and hat and then took a seat as she placed the food on the table.
Annie winced a little as she sat down at the table after pouring coffee for the both of them. Her backside felt raw from the strapping Rafe had given her last night. It didn’t feel like it would be better for a few days at least. And she was surprised to realize that she felt a bit embarrassed about it. And why should she be? If anything, Rafe should be feeling a bit of remorse over the fact that he had punished her so harshly. Too harshly, as far as Annie was concerned. She sneaked a peek at Rafe to see if he had noticed her discomfort. He was looking at her with his usual serious scowl. Maybe he hadn’t been paying attention.
“Let that sore backside of yours be a reminder to you, young lady...”
No such luck, apparently.
“...to mind me from now on. You’ll do as I say, especially while you’re here on my ranch. If you don’t, I’ll take my belt to your bare behind as many times as it takes for you to learn that lesson. Do you understand me?”
Nope, no remorse there at all. Annie quickly looked down at her plate.
“I asked a question, and I expect an answer.”
“Yes, sir,” Annie whispered, still staring at her plate, unable to meet his harsh gaze. Annie was glad he didn’t insist that she look at him when she answered.
Rafe sensed that Annie was the type that, if given an inch, would take a mile. He didn’t want her to sense any remorse from him over her strapping, even though he did wonder if he had been too harsh with her. He was beginning to sense that she wasn’t as all-fired tough as she wanted folks to believe. Yet he needed to remain firm and resolute, for her own good. If he was to have her obedience, she couldn’t know that he was softening to her by the minute.
He was pleased with the way she had immediately pitched in and begun to do her share of the work without being asked to do so. Rafe hadn’t asked her to fix breakfast; she had just done what needed doing. She wasn’t spoiled by any stretch of the imagination. She hadn’t shirked the few chores she had been given at Tom’s ranch, either. Rafe began to wonder about her upbringing. He realized that he really knew nothing about her.
They ate their breakf
ast in silence, with Annie finishing as quickly as possible so that she could stand again.
* * * * *
By the third day, Annie was ready to be done once and for all with snow. Even though the snow had stopped falling the day before, there was still too much of it on the ground for them to travel back to Tom’s, least that was what Rafe claimed. They’d have to wait another day or two before attempting the trip. That seemed like an awful long time to Annie. She had been stuck inside Rafe’s cabin the entire time and didn’t think she could stand to be inside the same four walls – and most of the day by herself – for very much longer.
Rafe had busied himself with chores in the barn for the better part of the past few days, leaving Annie to her own devices in the cabin. It was large and comfortable for the most part, but other than fixing meals, there really wasn’t anything to do. Annie had already washed, scrubbed and polished every square inch of the place and everything in it. She really didn’t know what else to do with herself. She decided to say as much to Rafe when he came in from the barn for lunch.
“Well,” Rafe started, scratching his whiskered chin and thinking. “I suppose tomorrow we could probably head out for Tom’s.” He guessed she must be anxious to be away from him, although he couldn’t say he felt the same.
Rafe’s attraction to Annie had been growing by the day. He knew that he wasn’t in any position to act on it – not right now, at least – so he had tried to stay away from her as much as possible. Chores in the barn had kept him busy and also kept his mind off the little spitfire who slept under the same roof as he every night. He liked having her here, as hard as it was.
But he knew she didn’t feel the same, not yet. And he also hoped that a little distance from him might help make her heart grow fonder in the long run. He didn’t want to force his attentions on her.
“In the meantime, there’s a crate of books under my bed, if you’re interested. Some reading might make the time go by a bit faster.” Annie ran into the bedroom at this news and quickly pulled the crate out from under the bed.
“Gee, Rafe, you mighta told me about these sooner.” Annie couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
“Just watch that tone, little lady.”
“Yessir,” Annie replied almost absentmindedly. She was already engrossed in looking over the books and trying to decide which one to start reading first. There were quite a few that she hadn’t read yet. Rafe watched her for a moment from the doorway to the bedroom, enjoying her enthusiasm over the old books. He had really forgotten they were under there. Then he set to fetching lunch for himself.
Chapter 5
Rafe returned from the barn that evening to find Annie stretched out on an old wool blanket on the floor, reading. She lay on her stomach, her legs bent at the knees and crossed in the air. She leaned on her elbows, with one hand holding a book and the other cupping her chin.
“Good book?” Rafe’s voice held a bit of tease. The fire in the hearth was just about out and it was very clear that she hadn’t made supper. Annie barely seemed to have heard him.
“Mmm hmm,” she responded. Then realization dawned. “Oh, my goodness,” Annie cried. She jumped up and looked about her. “I’m sorry, Rafe, I didn’t realize the time, and I didn’t even notice the fire was going out.” Annie was suddenly nervous. Would he spank her for this? Sometimes she just didn’t know what to expect where he was concerned. She chanced a worried glance in his direction.
“It’s all right.” Rafe was actually smiling at her. “Don’t fret over it. I’ll just get this fire going again and then, if you don’t mind making dinner, I can use the time to fix that loose shelf in the pantry.”
Annie breathed a sigh of relief as she gathered the blanket off the floor and Rafe brought the fire to life again. Soon enough, the room was warming and Annie set to fixing a meal for the two of them. The pantry was situated off the back of the cabin, with a solid door that kept the warmth out and allowed all the stored food to keep cold. It was convenient and well thought out. With a few tools in hand, Rafe went into the pantry to see to the chore, closing the door behind him.
Annie did her best to make a meal that would be satisfying for Rafe, yet not take too long to cook. It was actually one of Jenny’s specialties, a stew that was quick and easy. Once it was simmering over the fire, she made a batch of biscuits to go with it. She hoped it would do. She felt the unfamiliar need to please.
Annie started a pot of coffee brewing to drink with the meal and set the table. The stew was ready and the biscuits were warm. She grabbed a dishrag to move the hot stew from the fire to the table.
But in her haste, Annie turned too quickly with the hot pan; it caught the edge of the hearth and fell from her hand, landing on the floor with the contents spilling everywhere. It was a huge mess, not to mention a waste of food. Rafe came through the back door just as the pan hit the floor and just in time to hear Annie let loose with a choice of phrase that he had only previously heard in a saloon.
Rafe slammed the door to announce his presence with such force that the connecting wall shook. Annie froze at the sound. Another choice phrase entered her head at that moment, but she was wise enough not to speak it out loud.
“What did you just say?”
Annie didn’t need to turn around to know what look was on Rafe’s face. She could tell by the tone of his voice. Low, controlled yet almost like a growl. She turned around anyway. “Do you really want me to say it again?” Annie honestly wasn’t sure if the question was rhetorical or he hadn’t actually heard her clearly and wanted to make sure he wasn’t mistaken. Rafe crossed the room to Annie in a flash and, grabbing her upper arm with one hand, used his other to plant three fast hard wallops to her backside. Tears immediately sprung to her eyes. How could just his hand on top of her clothing still hurt so much?
“Now is not the time to sass me.” Rafe spoke in a slow menacing tone. He couldn’t believe what had just come out of her mouth. “Where did you learn that kind of talk?” When she didn’t immediately answer him, Rafe landed two more wallops with his hand, making Annie cry out.
“Ow-w! That hurts!”
“Answer me,” Rafe demanded. “Where did you learn language like that?” Annie had to really think for a minute, which earned her another two swats of Rafe’s very hard, large hand.
“I-I don’t really remember exactly,” Annie cried. She tried to squirm out of Rafe’s grasp, but he had a firm grip on her. “Wasn’t just one place in particular – ow, Rafe, ow – stop it!” Rafe walloped her backside as she answered him, and then a few more times when she stopped talking. He then turned her to face him and placed his hands on her shoulders.
“You will clean up this mess,” he ordered, “while I decide on an appropriate punishment. One that will hopefully keep you from ever letting words like those past your lips again.” He turned her around and swatted her behind, hard, one last time for emphasis. “Get to it!”
Annie rubbed her backside to ease the sting with one hand and used the other to wipe the tears from her eyes. An appropriate punishment? And what was the spanking she just got? If Rafe didn’t consider that an appropriate punishment, she was worried what he would deem appropriate. She couldn’t stop crying as she set about cleaning up the mess from the dropped pan.
She hadn’t meant to say that, but sometimes things just come out. Maybe if she could just explain that to Rafe, maybe he would understand and not punish her. Annie could hear him pacing back and forth in the other room, busy trying to think of an “appropriate punishment,” apparently. She had finished cleaning up and stood just wringing her hands and worrying over her punishment, and waiting.
Finally, Rafe emerged from the bedroom and without even glancing Annie’s way, headed straight for the washbasin. He stood for a minute with his back to her, looking out the window that was directly over it. Then Annie saw him reach out and place his hand over the bar of soap that sat on a small dish on a small shelf under the window. When he turned around to fa
ce her, he had soap in his hand.
Annie’s eyes locked on that bar of soap and she immediately knew what was coming. “No, Rafe,” Annie pleaded, “please not that – please!”
“This needs to be something that you won’t forget,” Rafe stated sternly. He knew better than to be swayed by her pleas. Of course, she’d want to get out of her punishment. He’d had his mouth washed out with soap more than once in his youth and he could still remember the awful taste that seemed to stay with him for days.
No, Rafe wasn’t going to be deterred from the chosen punishment; it certainly fit the crime. And he wouldn’t abide a woman cussing. Not in his home and not ever. And most certainly not this woman, whom he was already thinking of as his.
Rafe crossed the room to where she stood and took her by the hand. But when he tried to lead her over to a corner of the kitchen, she dug in her heels and pulled in the other direction.
“Please–please–please,” she begged almost frantically. “Please, Rafe, I promise I’ll never say those words ever again!” Wasn’t being sorry enough? Why did he always have to punish her?
Rafe turned a deaf ear to her and simply picked her up and carried her over to his chosen corner, dropping her down and turning her to face him.
“Open your mouth,” he ordered sternly. Annie kept her mouth shut tight. Rafe had had just about enough of this nonsense. “Open your mouth now, or I’ll spank your backside until its red and then you’ll still get your mouth washed out. You’re just adding to your punishment by defying me.”
Annie looked up at him with resignation in her eyes, and then she took a deep breath and opened her mouth. Rafe pushed the bar of soap in, told her to bite down on it to keep it in place and then turned her around so that she faced the corner. He leaned forward until his mouth was right next to her ear. “That soap stays right where it is until I take it out and you don’t move from this spot until I say so.” Rafe then set about fixing another meal to replace the one that was ruined. He purposely didn’t make too much more than what he would consume since he was fairly certain Annie wouldn’t want to eat.