Cheyenne and Jason (Last Chance Program Book 1)

by Malone, Misty

  Mr. Stone took her checkbook and punched in the account number. Giving her checkbook back, he nodded. “You’re right, it’s the same check number, but a different amount. That’s rather odd.”

  Jason saw Cheyenne getting annoyed again, and decided to try to diffuse the situation. “Your teller, Linda, explained that it was impossible for the bank to have made such a mistake, as two different people would have had to make the same mistake. She told us, in a not-so-polite manner, that Cheyenne had to have made the mistake, not the bank.”

  Mr. Stone’s eyebrows rose. “I’m sorry if she was rude.”

  “Thank you,” Jason said. “She was a little rude, and that upset Cheyenne, but what I’m wondering is if she’s claiming it’s impossible for the mistake to be on the bank’s end, could we see a picture of the check? I know the checks aren’t returned any longer, but I will assume the bank has to keep them, or a copy of them, for occasions like this. Could we see the check, please, so we can satisfy ourselves as to what it does truly say?”

  “Absolutely,” Mr. Stone said. “And Linda was correct in that two people would have had to make the same mistake, but she’s wrong in saying it couldn’t have been the bank’s fault. It, in fact, could have been, and in this case I tend to think writing a check for seven hundred dollars more than intended is not too likely. It’s also not real likely that whoever the check was written to didn’t catch the error, either. It will take a few minutes to get a picture of that check, but if you can wait, I’ll get someone on that right away.”

  “We would appreciate it,” Jason said.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back,” Mr. Stone said as he left his office.

  Once the door was closed, Cheyenne, who appeared calmer now, looked at Jason. “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”

  “Yes, you are,” he confirmed. “But the question now becomes how much trouble you will be in by the time we get home.”

  “Hopefully it will stop now,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry, Jason.”

  “Then prove that to me, Cheyenne. When he comes back in here, show him and anyone else you speak with at this bank before we leave the charming little lady I know you can be.”

  She nodded and looked down at her lap. He knew she was doing some thinking, and he hoped she was thinking straight now.

  Mr. Stone came back in a few minutes later with a picture of a check. He handed it to Cheyenne. “I’m very sorry, Ms. Guthrie. As you can see, the check was indeed written for seventy-seven dollars, as you said. If you’ll give me a couple minutes here I’ll have our error reversed. This shows you had a check that was not honored and an insufficient check charge was added onto your account. Once I get this check straightened out, I will reverse the charge. The check was not actually returned yet, so I can stop it before it is. That should take care of everything. If you do have any further problems, please give me a call and I'll take care of it right away. I'll put a note on this account as to what occurred, so if there are any further problems, we'll know exactly what was done.”

  She looked at Jason, who was smiling at her. After a few minutes, while Mr. Stone worked on his computer, he shook hands with both of them. “Again, I apologize, Ms. Guthrie, and thank you for your patience.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Stone,” she said. “I’ll be able to cash my fifty dollar check now?”

  “You certainly can. Any teller will be able to help you. If you have any problem, tell them to give me a call, but there shouldn’t be a problem any longer.”

  “Thank you,” Jason said as he shook hands with Mr. Stone again. He guided Cheyenne back out to the lobby.

  The only available teller at the moment was Linda, and Cheyenne headed toward her. “Are you sure you want to go to her?” Jason asked. “We can wait a minute or two for another one. We’re in no hurry.”

  “No, I need to do this,” Cheyenne said. Jason put his hands on her shoulders again as she approached Linda. Cheyenne turned toward Jason and winked. “Thanks,” she whispered, before turning to face Linda. “I’d like to cash this fifty dollar check now, please.”

  Linda rolled her eyes, but took the check. She punched in some numbers on her computer, and her eyes widened. She stood a little straighter as she looked at the computer screen again. “What happened?”

  Before Jason could intercept the answer, Cheyenne was already speaking. “Mr. Stone looked into the matter for me. He found the check, which was indeed written for seventy-seven dollars, and corrected the error. So I’m here to cash my check.”

  Linda didn’t say a word, other than to count the money out and push it toward Cheyenne.

  Jason watched Cheyenne and could tell she wanted to say something very badly. He was proud of her when she rather quietly said, “Thank you,” and turned to leave.

  Back in the car, Jason praised her. “Much better. Linda wasn’t very polite. She didn’t apologize like she should have, but you were the bigger person, and I’m proud of you.”

  Cheyenne had a mischievous grin on her face as she said, “Thank you. Are you proud enough to forget about the first part of that whole fiasco?”

  He looked over at her with a smile. Instead of starting the car, he took one of her hands in his. “That’s actually a hard question to answer. I am proud enough of you that I could overlook the first part, but my pride is not what you need. What you need is my consistency, and I care too much about you to not give you what you need.”

  Without saying anything further, he started the car. She was quiet, obviously thinking, and he suspected dreading the upcoming spanking. They were almost home before she spoke. “You said your pride is not what I need.” He nodded. “You may be right, but it means a lot to me. I love knowing you’re proud of me.”

  He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m glad.” That’s all he could manage to get out over the lump in his throat that seemed to have suddenly appeared.

  They got to her apartment and he carried the groceries in while she put them away. When they were finished, she looked at him with those sad puppy dog eyes he’d come to love and hate at the same time. She was so cute when she looked at him like that, but at the same time, he knew it meant he had to do something he dreaded. He sighed, not wanting to do this any more than she did. Funny, he couldn’t remember feeling quite that way with the other women he’d worked with. He never looked forward to spanking them, but he always knew it was for their own good and saw it as just another step in helping them progress.

  In Cheyenne’s case, it was different. He wanted to help her and knew it was what she needed, but it was different. He had feelings for her. He knew he shouldn’t, but he’d admitted to himself it was something he couldn’t control. He’d just have to keep it on a professional level until they were through the program. The good part is she was progressing quickly, and he could see her finishing on the short end of the six weeks minimum. That put them about halfway through the program, maybe a little more. With that encouraging thought in mind, he suggested, “Let’s go get this taken care of.”

  She nodded and reluctantly followed him into the living room, looking down at the floor the whole time.

  Once she was over his lap, with her jeans and panties down to her knees, he began the spanking. He had a lot he wanted to say this time, and started his talk almost immediately. “Cheyenne, it’s become pretty clear to me that you’ll be able to finish this program in a pretty short amount of time, with the exception of one area. What do you suppose that could be?”

  She quietly answered, “My temper?”

  He gave her two harder smacks as he agreed. “Yes, your temper. You’ve made wonderful progress in other areas, but we’re going to have to get this temper under control. I think you know now how to treat your clients and the people you work with, and I don’t think either of those will be a problem.” With another harder swat he added, “Until something happens that causes you to lose your temper.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I believe you, Cheyenne. I be
lieve you are sorry, but I believe you’re going to be much sorrier in a few minutes.” He tightened his grip on her and put a little more strength behind the spanking. He knew it hurt, but he squared his shoulders and kept spanking. “This is not the first time you’ve been spanked for your temper, and it probably won’t be the last. I can assure you, though, that you can look forward to being over my knees like this every time it happens. Losing your temper like that is not acceptable. You’re too good a person, Cheyenne. And you’re too smart a person to let that happen.”

  “Oww! Jason, it really hurts this time.”

  “I know it does. I mean for it to. This is a lesson you need to learn, and I have to get your attention for that to happen. Have I gotten it yet?”

  “Ow! Yes! Yes, you’ve got it. It really hurts!”

  “Good. Now, listen carefully to what I’m about to say. It’s become obvious to me that you’re a very intelligent lady. When someone upsets you like the teller did today, you need to use your intelligence.”

  “Oww! What do you mean?”

  “You’re smarter than she is, Cheyenne. Use your brain, not your mouth. Stop and think about how you can get her to listen to you long enough for you to prove your point. Cussing at her obviously didn’t work so well today, did it?”

  “No,” she admitted.

  She was struggling, and it was hard for him to keep going, knowing she was in some serious pain now, but he forged ahead. “Arguing over who’s right won’t get you anywhere. In this case, you had to prove it. I know you’re smart enough to know they had to have a picture of the check, and that that would solve the problem once and for all. You need to start thinking about how to outsmart the other person and prove your point, rather than stooping to their level and arguing. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  She slumped over his knees, and he stopped. He knew she was exhausted, but he also knew she’d heard what he said. He rubbed her back and gave her a minute to catch her breath. “Do you understand what I’m saying, Cheyenne?”

  “Yes,” she said. “I guess I didn’t use my head, did I?”

  “No, you didn’t, and looking back on the past temper tantrums you’ve had, it’s been the same way. The minute someone disagrees with you, you start arguing. Honey, that won’t get you anywhere. Proving your point will. It’s sometimes difficult because you have to come up with a way of doing that, but if you stop and use your head, I know you’ll think of something. Then once you know what you have to do to prove your case, use your head again to come up with a way of getting them to listen to you long enough to hear your suggestion.”

  She was quiet, and he knew she was again thinking about what he was saying. After a bit she tried to get up, but he stopped her. “No, Cheyenne, unfortunately, we’re not done yet.” She sighed, her tears started coming down faster again, but she didn’t argue. “I have to make sure you heard what I said. While I finish this up, what are you going to think about?”

  “About how to use my head instead of my mouth to solve a problem, and not have a temper tantrum.”

  “That’s my girl,” he praised. “It’s important that you think about that while I finish your spanking. I think it will help you associate the pain you’re feeling now with a temper tantrum.”

  She nodded, tears still falling down her cheeks. He gave her ten more solid, he was sure painful, swats, then put her panties and jeans back in place and helped her sit up on his lap. His arms were around her and she was laying against his chest almost instantly. He couldn’t believe how right it felt.

  Chapter 10

  Jason whispered, “It’s over now, Cheyenne. You’re safe here, go ahead and cry all you want. I’ll hold you through it all.” He wasn’t surprised when his words brought more tears, and true to his word, he held her tight until the last tear had slipped down her cheek. “Are you okay now?”

  “I think so, but you spanked a lot harder this time. My bottom is really sore.”

  “I know,” he said soothingly. “I’m sorry I had to do that, but this is a big problem, and you need to get on top of it. You have too much going for you not to.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m serious. I see so much potential in your life. Not just your career, but your life. A temper can be a big obstacle to overcome, but I think you have what could be thought of as a secret weapon. You’re smarter than most people. You just have to start looking at these instances as a challenge to get them to see things your way. The best way to do that is to prove it. That can be difficult, but your intelligence will help, if you’ll start using it.”

  She was quiet for quite some time, but still cuddled into his arms. He gave her the time to think. After a bit she chuckled a little.

  He looked at her, a little concerned. “What do you find funny about this?”

  “The fact that only you would make me look at this like a challenge.”

  He had to smile. “I know you,” he said. “I know how you take a challenge seriously and attack it head on. Your temper truly is a challenge to you. But I know that you’re smart enough to out-think the other person if you want to. But you have to see it as a challenge and want to outwit them while maintaining your composure to prove your point to them.”

  “What makes you say I’m smart enough to outwit them? I never got good grades in school.”

  “That has nothing to do with how smart you are. I’ve watched you the last several weeks, and we’ve had lots of long talks. I’ve seen how you attack your work. You have a brilliant mind. I mentioned something about that to Dan and he agreed wholeheartedly. The books and magazines you choose to read are not something the average person would enjoy reading.”

  She sat up and looked at him a bit more carefully. “You’ve noticed my books and magazines?”

  “Of course,” he assured her. “For me to help someone I have to get to know them. The better I know them, the easier it is for me to help them. Books and magazines are one insight into a person, as far as I’m concerned. There’s a big difference between someone who reads science or history or politics than someone who looks at nothing but fashion magazines. I’m not saying one is better than the other, just that there’s a big difference.”

  She nodded her head, but he could tell she had another question. “Something’s still on your mind, Cheyenne, I can tell. Why don’t you get it out in the open so we can talk about it?”

  She looked up at him with her eyes narrowed. “That. That’s exactly what’s on my mind.”

  “What is? I don’t understand.”

  “You know me really well. I mean, you explained what made you say I’m smart, but you said you know how I look at a challenge. You’re right, but we never talked about that. How did you know it? And how did you know something was on my mind right now?”

  Jason sighed and his face actually turned a bit red. “Cheyenne, I have a confession to make, and I suppose now is as good a time as any to talk about it. I need to apologize.”

  “For what? For spanking me too hard?” He loved the impish grin she had on her face. “If that’s it, I totally agree, but I can forgive you. Just don’t let it happen again.”

  He had to chuckle, and he leaned in to give her a quick kiss on her forehead. “No, not for that. I will admit I spanked you harder than I have before, but I won’t apologize for it. I did it on purpose, trying to get your attention to make you see this is an ongoing problem and it has to stop. Did I succeed?”

  “I think so,” she admitted, “but it still really hurts.”

  She had the cutest little pout on her face, but he could tell she wasn’t serious about it. He shook his head, and she smiled. “Then what do you want to apologize for?” she asked.

  He thought back to what she’d said a few moments ago and copied her. “For that, in a way.”

  Now it was her turn to look confused. “For what?”

  He slowly began his confession. “Cheyenne, I think I told you, I’ve worked with nine other girls before you.”

 
; “Yes.”

  “Well, you’re different than all of them.”

  She looked worried. “How? Please tell me you’re not giving up on me. I’ll try harder to control my temper.”

  “No,” he quickly assured her. “No, it’s not that at all. I’m extremely happy with your progress. It has nothing to do with that.”

  “Oh, good. I was afraid you were going to tell Dan you’re quitting.”

  “Well,” he said slowly, “I might, but not for that reason.”

  Cheyenne looked crushed. “You’re going to quit? Why?”

  He tried laying her head back against his chest, but she wouldn’t allow it. “Jason, I’ve been trying really hard. What did I do?”

  The tears in her eyes were his undoing. “Oh, honey, you didn’t do anything wrong at all. In a way, that’s the problem. You are a special little lady, Cheyenne.”

  “Then why?”

  “Because I think I’ve fallen in love with you.” Jason couldn’t read the look on her face at all, and it worried him. “Cheyenne, I don’t care how many other women I’ve worked with before. None of them have made me feel this way. I tried not to let those feelings affect me, tried to push them aside until after you finished the program, but it’s not working. When I look at you I don’t see a client; I see a beautiful young lady I want to get to know better.”

  After several moments of quiet, she asked, “Why can’t you do both?”

  “Now that I can’t fight my feelings any longer, and you know what my feelings are, that’s going to change the dynamic of our relationship. It’s going to change the way we look at each other.”

  She looked up at him and caught his gaze. “I agree. But I don’t see it as a bad thing, as you must.”

  Jason studied her eyes carefully. He thought he’d gotten fairly good at reading her feelings, but now he wasn’t quite so sure. Noticing her body language, he allowed himself a little hope. “Cheyenne, what are you trying to say?”

  She seemed small and vulnerable as she answered him slowly. “You said you want to get to know me better.”