“What about maintenance spankings? Is anyone interested in that?” Peter asked, raising a finger.
“I’m not!” Becca’s eyes crossed dramatically, but only the girls laughed.
“Maybe we should leave that up to personal discretion. I know Chrissy benefits from a weekly reminder every Sunday.” Max wrapped a strong arm around his wife and kissed the side of her head.
Becca raised an eyebrow at Josh, who seemed very interested in the idea.
“When are we going to have private author meetings?” Lizzy asked Max.
“Since we’re scheduled to write late in the afternoon, I think we should compare notes every morning and assign each other chapters, so we don’t overlap ideas. Let’s plan to meet daily out on the patio for coffee at seven sharp. Oh, and don’t forget to pay attention to the section that emphasizes the need for all three girls to get along. Not only does our work depend on it, but it is essential in order for peace and harmony to remain in the house.”
“Can we adjourn the meeting, now? I’m starving,” Chrissy whined, poking Max in the side.
“Sorry, Chrissy,” Becca said, pointing to the starched white piece of paper. “But according to this document, there’s no whining like a little girl until five o’clock.”
Chapter Four
After breakfast, Max stood by the sliding glass door next to Becca and Lizzy, calling out across the room to their husbands, “Can I steal your girls for a few moments? I’d like a quick brainstorming session with my co-authors.”
“Have at it! I feel a nap coming on,” Josh answered first, yawning and stretching his muscular arms.
“What about me? What am I supposed to do?” Chrissy strolled out onto the patio past Becca and Lizzy as the corners of her lips lowered into a frown.
“I promise to only be a few minutes. Maybe you and Peter could do something together.” Max looked pleadingly at him for some support.
“Let’s take a walk and search for seashells, Chrissy. We’ll be the first ones to put our hands in the sand on this beautiful beach. How about it?” Peter cocked his head toward the outside.
“Fine,” she said, edging past her husband with arms crossed.
“I’ll take good care of her, Max,” Peter promised with a wink, following immediately behind her.
* * *
“I vote for you and your wife to be the hero and heroine,” Becca remarked as she, Max, and Lizzy each pulled up lounge chairs around the brick fire pit.
“That certainly might help her feel like she’s a part of our project, and I’m beginning to think that every day here will be an adventure,” Max said, watching Chrissy and Peter head out for the beach. “Now let’s call to order our first official meeting. If all goes well with our audience, maybe we can do this annually.”
“Max, I know you have an idea, but what do you think about my thoughts for a storyline?”
“Wait a second. I can’t believe you two didn’t include me on those e-mails,” Lizzy spewed with obvious frustration. “I thought this was going to be a collaboration.”
Max held up both hands. “Becca took it upon herself to send me a few possible plot scenarios. From your recent blog posts, Lizzy, it seemed you were finishing your latest book, and we didn’t want to distract you.”
She exhaled a long, deep breath before speaking. “I have been busy, but it still would’ve been nice to be in the loop.” Obviously trying to rein in her emotions, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and stood beside the chair. “I could use an iced tea. Can I get either of you anything from the kitchen?” But before either Max or Becca had a chance to answer, Lizzy had disappeared inside.
“Ooh, that didn’t go well,” Max stated, rubbing the back of his neck.
“She didn’t give me a chance to respond, and I really could use something cold to drink.”
Lizzy returned shortly with a tray of beverages along with a sheepish expression on her face. “Sorry for the outburst. I’ve never done anything like this before, and really want to be included. You both have been such successful writers… I suppose I’m just a little intimidated.”
“Thanks, I’m sorry, too,” Becca said, reaching for a tall glass of iced tea. “I haven’t co-authored a book either, so this is all new ground for me. I’m sorry I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
“I apologize and take full responsibility for the misstep since I’m the one who organized this trio. But hopefully, we’re back on track now.” Max reached forward as she handed him a drink. “Thanks so much, Lizzy. Now, to answer your question, Becca, I have a sneaking suspicion that our two-week so-called vacation here will give us plenty to write about.”
“Are you suggesting that our scenes only include interaction with each other, or something more intimate?” Lizzy asked with excitement.
“Both,” Max answered, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Look, there’s plenty of reality in what we write individually, and that’s why our books are popular. But I think adding the experience with each other will be even spicier. Our readers will feel like they’re voyeurs watching our vacation through a large picture window. What do you think?”
“It sounds good to me,” Becca said, turning toward Lizzy for a reaction, who immediately sported a wide, toothy grin.
“I assume your smiles mean we’re in agreement?”
“I’m in!” Becca answered.
“Thumbs up for me.” Lizzy lifted her glass in a mock toast.
“Wait a minute. Did you mention this idea to the guys while the three of you were busy planning all the logistical details of this trip?” Becca asked suspiciously.
He nodded. “Which is why the guidelines were drawn up…”
“Okay, it’s all making sense now,” Lizzy said, turning to Becca.
Just returning from the beach, Chrissy pulled up a lounge chair next to Max while Peter stood with his arms crossed, gazing at the group. “Well, our Three Musketeers seem to be pretty happy. Does that mean the big pow-wow is over and you are all on the same page?”
“It was important to agree on a storyline and choose our hero and heroine, so I thought it might be nice to get that out of the way today,” Max said, pulling his fingers through Chrissy’s hair while throwing a wink to his fellow authors.
Her intense blue eyes darted from one smiling face to another. “Hey, are you talking about us? Does this mean we won’t have any privacy while we’re here? Oh, for God’s sake… Maaax!”
Chapter Five
Max pulled his rented black Mercedes onto the road that led to the exclusive Palm Beach Country Club.
“How in the world were you able to arrange for us to play golf here?” Josh asked, staring wide-eyed at the clubhouse from the backseat of the SUV.
“I have friends in high places,” Max managed to say jokingly, without moving his jaw.
“I’m probably a little rusty,” Peter chimed in. “I only hit the little white ball when the CEO gets desperate for a fourth. This extravagant place isn’t for a duffer like me.”
“Don’t worry, from what I understand there isn’t much play here this time of year, so we should pretty much have the course to ourselves.”
After Max pulled up to the club drop-off area, a young man in a white golf shirt stitched with a fancy Palm Beach logo opened the back hatch, reached for the clubs, and asked for a name.
“I’m Max Bowman—we’re guests of Mr. Patterson.”
“Yes, sir, the locker room is right up the walk and your clubs will be waiting for you on the practice range. I’ll take care of the car. Welcome to Palm Beach Country Club, sir!”
Max handed the keys over then tipped him generously. Walking around the side of the vehicle, he met up with Josh and Peter.
“You weren’t referring to James Patterson, were you?” Peter asked, scratching his head.
Max smiled, raising one thick eyebrow in acknowledgement.
* * *
As they warmed up on the first tee, the fore caddie explained the layout of the hole,
warning them not to hit the ball in certain places because of potential danger. Peter took his stance, swung, and striped his ball straight down the center of the fairway about two hundred sixty yards. “Center cut!” Peter yelled as he bent over and picked up his tee. Only the caddie grinned.
Josh looked at Max in disbelief. “Didn’t Peter just get done telling us he wasn’t any good?”
Peter chuckled, replacing his driver back in the bag. “Seriously, I haven’t played in six months, guys.”
“Does he seem like a duffer to you?” Max asked Josh, shaking his head.
As they stood on the ninth green, Peter sank a twenty-foot putt. Josh and Max grumbled.
“Okay, you managed to beat me by nine and Josh by ten, so are you satisfied yet, Peter?” Max called out, adding up the front nine scores.
“Do you see what I mean by rusty?” he answered with a hint of sarcasm.
“Let’s take a break and have a drink. I need to figure out a new strategy for the back nine. It seems we’re in the company of a sandbagger,” Max said, staring at his putter.
The three of them sat on the veranda overlooking the tenth tee, each with a beer in hand. “Jesus, it’s hot out here,” Josh muttered, holding the bottle up to the side of his face. After taking a large gulp, he immediately set his beer down on the table and turned toward Max. “Becca mentioned that another call came in on the landline while you were getting ready this morning.”
“Did they leave a message?”
“No, whoever it was just hung up after she said you weren’t available.”
“Was it a man or a woman?”
“She said it was a man.”
“That’s the second caller who didn’t leave a message since we got here. I’ve already reached out to the realtor, but he said it wasn’t him.”
“Could it be a fan who knows you’re staying here? After all, you use your real name with the mystery books,” Peter commented, seeming a little pensive.
“I haven’t really given it much thought, but anything is possible. Besides my name, I have a picture splashed on the back of all the jacket covers, so I’m not exactly invisible. But if someone is really interested in stalking me, this is not an imaginative way to start.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve written and read plenty of suspense in my day, so it will take something a little more interesting than that to grab my attention.” A look of surprise sprang into Max’s eyes as he gestured with his hands. “The caller should reveal himself slowly, like a brilliant striptease. You know, to create a slow chill up the spine.”
“Okay, now you’re making me nervous. Maybe we shouldn’t have left the girls alone,” Peter said, crossing his arms.
“I’m sure they’re fine. Becca probably talked the others into heading downtown to spread some credit card cheer among the high-priced merchants of Palm Beach. And if that’s the case, then they are in for a real treat because she has a PhD in shopping. And there’s nothing more pleasing to her then teaching her skill to undergrads,” Josh said with a wink.
Max laughed. “Sounds like Chrissy is in good fiscal hands.”
Peter’s long fingers hooded his eyes from the sun. “Well, let’s get on with this game and head back. I hate to be a worrier, but Lizzy just put her real picture on Twitter and Blogger, so I’m not feeling good about this mystery caller right now.”
“I’m with you on that one, Peter,” Josh said. “I always thought Becca should have been more secretive with her identity.”
* * *
Josh patted the mattress, signaling for Becca to sit down beside him. Slowly crossing the room, she couldn’t decide whether to go with defensive or contrite.
“I’m really sorry.” Her eyelids and head lowered heavily at the same time.
“That apology should be given to Lizzy. You know how sensitive she is.”
“I know it seems rude that I was whispering behind her back, but I didn’t want to frighten her.”
“Tell me the story again, and start from the beginning, please,” he requested in a stern, but loving manner.
“We were sitting around the pool drinking an iced tea this afternoon, when I felt someone’s eyes staring at me. Do you know the feeling that you’re being watched?”
“Yes. Tell me, Becca, did you actually see anyone?”
“No, but I’m sure someone was in the neighbor’s yard the whole time we were sunbathing,” she said, biting her lip. “That’s when I leaned over and whispered to Chrissy. You know how fragile Lizzy is, and I didn’t want to scare her.”
“Of course you always need to be careful of strangers, especially since we’re not home and aren’t familiar with our neighbors here. But you know how easily Lizzy’s feelings get hurt. We have group rules on this vacation, and you disobeyed them. I hear this is the second time you made her feel like a third wheel since we arrived.”
She knew it was a mistake to roll her eyes at that moment, but did so, anyway. “I also whispered to Chrissy after the last phone call came in on the landline. Are you really going to spank me for that?” Looking downward, she played with the hem of her short cotton dress.
Josh took her by the hand and positioned her over the side of the bed. “Lift up your dress and slide those panties down, please,” he said softly, opening the end table drawer.
As she complied, the loud snap of a latex glove prepared her what was to come without turning around. As her husband’s wet finger slowly rubbed and teased her smooth rear entrance, she whimpered and squirmed in a small show of defiance, earning her a brisk swat of disapproval.
“Be still, young lady.”
Josh seductively moved his finger in and out of her anus, delving his digit a little deeper than usual. Finally, he stopped to reach into the drawer again, and she watched in disbelief as he pulled out a shiny object.
“Oh, my God. That looks like an implement straight out of a Max Bowman book. Has he been giving you punishment ideas?” Her body snapped upright as he walked behind her.
“Get back into position, please,” he said, placing his hand on the small of her back. “I’m going to insert this instrument into your tight little tushy, and there it will stay while we eat dinner with the others. I think it will be appropriate for you to squirm with this inside your bottom while our new friends watch. Maybe the discomfort will help you become more sensitive to Lizzy’s feelings.” He paused to let her reflect for a moment on his quick lecture. “Now be a good girl, reach back and separate your cheeks for me.” Josh generously lubed the shiny butt plug, touching the cool steely tip to her warm, smooth anus before gently pushing it in between her soft mounds.
“This is not an appropriate punishment for a little girl,” she muttered under her breath.
“Since you’re not in a position to check the time, let me advise you that it’s not five o’clock yet. Naturally, that means you’re still eligible for adult discipline.”
“And I’m missing my designated time to write,” she added defiantly, attempting to stand.
He kept a firm hand on the small of her back. “You usually think on your feet, Becca. Unfortunately, you were a little off balance today.”
Squeezing her eyes shut, she finally relented, blowing out a dramatic deep breath as the cool steel instrument stretched and burned, moving through the narrowed dark channel until her body finally accepted it. “It’s bad enough that you bought this thing,” she spat out through clenched teeth, “but bringing it on vacation was just pure evil.”
“Unfortunately, my naughty little girl’s mouth never closes at the right time. At least we can count on the fact that you’re consistent.” His tone was light as he removed the glove and gently tugged on the plug.
“Can I please get up now? Maybe I could at least write a couple of chapters before dinner.”
“The only place you’ll be going is to assume your position in the corner while I go look for a hairbrush.” He swatted each soft buttock with the palm of his hand before guiding her
off the bed. “And let’s get rid of these,” he said, helping her to step out of the panties around her ankles. “Your bottom will be bare under your dress at dinner tonight.”
As she walked over to the dreaded corner, he followed closely behind, stopping quickly to retrieve the dreaded brush from her dresser.
“Steady your hands against the walls, and present your bottom to me,” he whispered in her ear, lifting and bunching her dress above her backside.
“Oww,” she yelped as he smacked her rump with the hard plastic.
“And why are you being punished, Rebecca Sue?”
“B-Because I disobeyed the group rules and caused Lizzy to feel uncomfortable,” she whimpered before the object came in direct contact with her other soft cheek.
“And how many times have you made her feel uncomfortable since we’ve been here?”
“Twice! Ouch, that hurts!”
“Well, now you have two rosy red patches on your tushy, but I think you need a couple more for your defiant attitude. And keep that bottom extended and soft,” Josh warned, applying two more swats to her lower globes. “You will not be rude to anyone for any reason. Do I make myself clear?”
“Aagh, I get it! I’m sorry! I’ll apologize!”
“You certainly will apologize to Lizzy—in front of the entire group,” he said sternly but quietly, smoothing her blotchy bottom before leading her back across the room to sit down on the bed.
She sniffed, smoothing her hair behind her ears. “Can I cuddle on your lap before facing the lion’s den?”
Guiding her onto his strong thighs, he placed kisses on the back of her neck.
“Does everyone in this house know that I was punished?” she asked, turning her head enough to peer into his warm raisin brown eyes.
“My lamb chop better watch her step,” he warned. “This is a very strict group of daddies who are extremely protective of their little girls. If this episode had happened after five o’clock, I’ll bet your round, red adorable fanny would’ve been publicly presented in the living room corner instead of our bedroom.”
Their Strict Daddies Page 3