Risky Chance

by Tabitha Marks

  It had seemed like the only solution at the time. She didn't want to worry Gram, and finding out her other granddaughter was pregnant, and not getting married, would have upset her terribly. So Sara kept it from her, and now she couldn't very well announce Carter's existence without admitting to keeping secrets. And blatantly lying to Gram whenever she asked about Molly.

  "I'm glad you're not working at that horrible clothing store anymore," Gram said, patting her hand gently. "You're such a good girl, Sara. So sweet and kind and honest." Sara almost winced at the compliment, guilt washing over her and tightening her belly. She felt awful, but it didn't change anything. She'd fess up eventually. Just not today.

  After a nice long visit, Sara headed home to change for dinner. Thankfully, Grandma hadn't asked any more questions, instead regaling Sara with silly stories about the other residents. Keith called while she was talking to Grandma, but her phone had been in her purse on silent so she missed it, and instead of returning the call, she texted him on the way to her house to let him know she'd be over in an hour and a half. Sara knew she was avoiding the inevitable questions about why she didn't take him with her for the visit, but she just wasn't ready to talk to him. Maybe she'd be ready after she had a few minutes alone to prepare. Hiding the truth from her Gram exhausted her, and Sara just needed a little while to regroup before facing Keith. The guilt from hiding the truth from the two most important people in her life sickened her stomach, but she didn't know how to break free from the web of deceit she'd spun.

  Exactly an hour and twenty-seven minutes later, Sara quietly let herself into Keith's house through the back door, after parking her car in the garage. Carter should be down for his nap and she didn't want to risk waking him when he'd need his energy to deal with the excitement the rest of the day would bring. The house was still and silent, which was odd since Keith usually had the television or a video game going when he had a free moment, but maybe he'd decided to take a nap too since he'd worked late the night before. Stepping out of her heels so they wouldn't make noise on the hardwood floors, she set the pie and cookies she'd baked this morning on the counter and went in search of Keith.

  It didn't take long to locate him, and what she found made her pause.

  Keith sat in the middle of the living room, facing the couch, in a straight-backed chair from the dining room. The house was silent, except for their breathing as they took each other in. He wore a strange expression, not angry exactly, but definitely unhappy, and maybe resigned? And he'd definitely been sitting there waiting for her.

  Sara's mind struggled to figure out what he intended to do. From the looks of it she was about to be punished, but she didn't know why. Unless he was that upset about her taking off this morning and going to visit her grandmother without him?

  "Hi," she said brightly, breaking the tense silence. "Is Carter down for his nap?"

  Keith nodded. "I just put him down about fifteen minutes ago. Come over and sit down," he instructed, gesturing to the spot on the couch directly in front of him.

  "What's going on, Keith?" Sara asked, nerves making her voice wobble ever so slightly and her legs tremble as she walked across the room and sat down. His face gave her no clues about what was about to happen.

  "How was your visit with your Grandma this morning?" he asked, ignoring her question. "I'm assuming that's what you did when you left here at the crack of dawn."

  Okay, he definitely wasn't happy that she'd gone alone. "It was good; I went first thing in the morning and brought her some breakfast treats." He nodded again, but didn't say anything and Sara felt the need to explain. "I wanted to let you sleep since you worked so late and I figured I'd just go and get my time with her out of the way early so we could spend the rest of the day together."

  There. That was a truthful statement. Unfortunately, if the way he was staring at her was any indication, he wasn't buying it. The silence stretched between them, and Sara was just about to spill her guts and tell him everything when he spoke again.

  "That was very thoughtful of you, Sara, since I did work very late. In fact I didn't get home until after one in the morning. And do you know what I found when I went to open the door when I got home in the middle of the night?" He bit out his last words as if he were fighting the urge to start yelling. Her brain raced to figure out what could have possibly upset him so much, running through the events of the evening.

  She'd made their dinner while feeding Carter his baby food. Then she gave him a bath and let him play in his jumpy saucer thing for a while. Then she put him to bed and started studying on the couch, where she fell asleep. There wasn't anything wrong with any of that.

  "No, I can't think of anything. Unless you're mad because I didn't put the dishes that I washed away?" She made the suggestion, but knew that couldn't be the reason for this conversation. Keith always told her to leave them for him to put away, since she did all the cooking he said he didn't mind helping with the clean up.

  "No, this isn't because of the dishes and you know that," he snapped, appearing offended she'd even made the suggestion. "Did you go outside for anything yesterday?"

  "No," she answered without thinking. "It was too cold to go for a walk and we didn't run any errands."

  "Think again," he insisted and patiently waited while she wracked her brain, until finally it came to her.

  "I went outside to get the mail after dinner." His regular mailman must have been on vacation because it wasn't delivered until almost five o'clock. She'd heard it while she was cooking, but didn't get a chance to grab it until Carter went to bed. It was freezing and she didn't bother putting on a coat to take three steps across the porch to where the mailbox was mounted to the house, so she'd dashed outside and was back in the house in three seconds. Then she tossed the mail on the kitchen counter and went to the living room to study. What was the problem with that?

  Her confusion must have showed on her face because Keith prompted, "Did you forget to do anything after you got the mail?"

  Sara started to get frustrated with all his questions, and opened her mouth to tell him so, when she finally realized what his problem was, and her heart sank when it clicked.

  "You remember now?" he asked, obviously seeing her face fall.

  "I'm sorry, Keith; I forgot to set the alarm."

  This was not good. Not good at all. He'd been very clear about wanting the alarm on at all times, but especially at night. To have him come home and find her and Carter asleep and the alarm off…well, she was surprised he wasn't screaming his head off at her right now.

  "That's not all I found when I got home, Sara," he said, making her head whip up from where she'd been staring at the floor. "Not only had you not set the alarm, the door wasn't even locked!"

  She hung her head again, not even bothering to protest. It wasn't the first time she'd fallen asleep without locking up, though that had only happened at home before. She was usually so vigilant at Keith's because she knew keeping Carter safe was her responsibility.

  "I'm sorry," she repeated, then offered the only excuse she had. "I was so stressed about that project and I didn't want to have to work on it today, so I must have just been distracted and not paying attention."

  "Do you have any idea how scared I was when I found the door unlocked?" he asked.

  She shook her head forlornly, unable to meet his eyes, but Keith was having none of that.

  "Look at me, Sara."

  She forced herself to do what he demanded, even if it was the last thing she wanted, but she'd screwed up and had to deal with the consequences. If Keith hated her after this, she wouldn't blame him, she just didn't want to see it looking back at her.

  However, when she finally managed to lift her head, she didn't find any hatred on his face. Sure he was mad, but mostly he looked disappointed. So disappointed that tears pooled in her eyes even though he hadn't said another word.

  "All I could think of when the door just opened and the alarm didn't go off, was that something awful
had happened to you and Carter. That you two had been hurt, or taken, and it terrified me."

  The tears spilled over as his words penetrated and she imagined how he must have felt. Tired after a long day of work, then to come home and find the house wide open. The worst-case scenarios that must have run through his head.

  "I'm sorry," she whispered. Though it was the third time she'd said it, there wasn't really anything else she could say. Nothing could change the fact she was so preoccupied with her schoolwork that she'd left Carter vulnerable for hours.

  "I know you're sorry, I know you didn't do it on purpose and that you would never want anything bad to happen to Carter," Keith said gently. "But I also know I made it very clear that I expected the alarm to be on at all times and the house to be locked up tight. Isn't that right?"

  "Yes." Sara knew what was coming next, and knew she deserved it.

  "And what did I say would happen if you broke that rule?"

  Sara squirmed under his direct stare, feeling like a child again. Why couldn't he just get on with it! She didn't want to say it out loud, but apparently he was going to make her.

  "That you would punish me if I broke that rule."

  "You knew that I was very serious about that rule, correct? That I take Carter's, and your safety very seriously."

  "Yes." Next he was going to point out that it wouldn't have even been such an issue if Sara hadn't invited Molly over to his house in the first place. That would just be the icing on this cake layered full of guilt, remorse and bad decisions, but Keith surprised her again.

  "Good. I just wanted to make sure you understood why you were being punished." Keith sat back and patted his lap. "Now stand up and get over my knee."

  Her head hung in shame, Sara did as she was told, lowering herself across Keith's strong thighs. He moved her into the position he wanted with warm hands, hands that would momentarily be heating her backside. Her head and arms hung over one side while her legs dangled over the other, leaving her behind front and center.

  "Are you ready, Sara?" Keith asked. He sounded confident and in control, much more so than the first time he spanked her.

  She answered him with the only answer he wanted to hear. "Yes."

  He didn't waste any time once she uttered the word. The first blow landed hard and stung through the thin jersey of the skirt she'd worn for the holiday. That one still burned when he spanked her again, and Sara knew this spanking wasn't going to be like the last one. Not. At. All.

  Keith didn't let up or give her a break to breathe. Just kept up a steady pace of smacks leaving not even a centimeter of skin untouched. Thirty seconds in and Sara's butt was on fire, and she couldn't help yelping in pain.

  "Ow, Keith. Ow!" she shrieked, thrashing her legs to try to get away. "That hurts!"

  "Keep it down, Sara, or else you'll wake up Carter," he replied, not slowing down at all. "And stop kicking."

  Smack. Smack. Smack.

  "Keith, please stop," she whined trying to be quieter, but it was awful hard to do with his huge hand blistering her bottom.

  "No, Sara. You deserve this." Smack. Smack. "You broke a rule and were unbelievably careless with my son's safety and with your own safety. Anyone could have just walked right into the house and done who knows what to you two. How do you think I would feel if something happened to either of you? I'll tell you. It would break my heart."

  Each word hit her harder than all his spanks combined, though he never let up blistering her behind. He was right. She did deserve this. Every single painful moment.

  "I'm sorry, Keith," she sobbed, tears and snot running down her face. "I won't ever let it happen again. I promise."

  As swiftly as it started, Keith stopped, but kept his hand on her bottom.

  "Are you going to be more careful and make sure you lock the door and set the alarm?"

  "Yes, yes, I promise." She'd never, ever break that rule again. Her butt throbbed and it felt like the entire thing was on fire. Between the pain and her tears, she could barely catch her breath, until Keith started rubbing in small circles to ease the sting. Unfortunately, that only lasted a minute before he helped her to her feet and set her in front of him.

  "I don't want to have to address this issue again, Sara," he said, giving her a look that promised an even worse punishment if there was a next time.

  "You won't, Keith," she promised looking straight into his eyes. Eyes that now held relief and caring. No more anger.

  "Good. Why don't you go get cleaned up while I check on Carter," he said pulling her in for a hug. "We have to get going soon.

  He got up and put the chair away in the dining room. Sara trailed behind him on her way to the bathroom to fix the mess her face surely was after all that crying.

  "I can't go see your family like this, Keith," she protested, rubbing her sore behind.

  He turned and gave her a look that would have stopped any further protests on its own. "You're not skipping out on Thanksgiving because you got spanked. Consider it part of your punishment."

  Chapter 8

  How Sara made it through dinner she had no idea. Her ass throbbed and burned the entire time, and she constantly struggled to keep from squirming in her chair. A few times Keith caught her in the act and stopped her with a gentle squeeze of her thigh under the table.

  Everyone else chatted and ate, enjoying the meal, but all Sara could think about was how hard the seat was, and why oh why couldn't Angie and Kevin have cushions on their chairs! When the men started taking second helpings, she almost screamed in frustration.

  Despite trying hard to be still, she was sure Angie and her sister Gina knew something was up. And they probably suspected exactly what her problem was if the knowing glances they were shooting her way were any indication. At least Keith's father seemed oblivious to her uncomfortable situation, but he was so focused on his food she doubted an elephant stampede would have garnered his attention.

  As soon as Kevin announced it was time for football, Sara shot out of her chair and grabbed whatever dishes were close to take to the kitchen. All she could think about was getting out of that tortuous chair and relieving the pressure on her bottom. If anyone thought her quick escape was strange, oh well.

  Sara concentrated on scraping the remains of the meal off plates and into the trash when the other women followed her into the room, hoping they'd just ignore her weird behavior. Of course, Angie wasn't about to leave her alone.

  "So," Angie drawled, sounding very amused. "I guess you found out what Keith's opinion on spanking is."

  Sara took a deep breath, preparing herself for the questions to come. Turning, she found Angie smiling at her, a knowing twinkle in her eye. Gina looked sympathetic, but not at all surprised by Angie's statement. Sara suspected Gina lived in a similar situation with her boyfriend, Derek, but didn't know any of the details.

  At least they weren't mocking or judging her. Sara had very little experience having female friends other than Molly and her crew from high school, and even on their best days she'd never consider them nice or caring. Which was exactly what she saw reflected on Angie and Gina's faces right now.

  "You don't have to tell us, Sara," Angie said when Sara didn't reply after a moment. "I was just teasing because you were so squirmy during dinner, but if you're uncomfortable talking about it, we don't have to. Though personally, I found having other women to share that part of my life with really helped."

  "I know you were teasing, Angie, don't worry about it. I'm just not used to having girlfriends to talk to," Sara admitted with a sigh. How embarrassing to admit you don't have any friends.

  "I didn't used to have many friends I'd trust enough to share something like that with either. Before Kevin, I was quite a bitch."

  Gina laughed under her breath at Angie's confession, which earned her a scowl in return. "Don't look at me like that. You know that's a huge understatement my dear sister. You were terrible." Angie made another face, but didn't contradict Gina's words and Sara wonder
ed just how bad she used to be. "In all seriousness, Sara," Gina continued, "it is good to talk to other people who live this lifestyle. You only have to share what you want, but know that we understand the kind of relationship you have. And all the good and bad that comes with it."

  How could Sara turn down such a sincere offer of an outlet for her to vent her frustration at Keith's punishment. "Thanks. I really appreciate your support. Keith does share his brother's sentiments when it comes to spanking. Today was only the second time, and I deserved it, but I wish he would have waited until after we got home tonight instead of doing it right before we came over." She rubbed her butt at the memory without thinking about her audience. "Your chairs are too hard, Angie! My ass was killing me the whole way through dinner."

  Both Angie and Gina burst out laughing, and when Sara realized what she must look like, she joined them. The stress and embarrassment of sitting down to dinner with Keith's whole family with a freshly spanked behind melted away.

  * * * * *

  Keith sat in his brother's living room pretending to watch the football game while he listened intently for any sound from the kitchen. Sara had taken off as soon as everyone was done without a backward glance, and Angie and Gina had followed, though at a much slower pace. He was worried Sara was either going to have a melt down or call a cab so she could leave as soon as she could. In hindsight, spanking her right before they came may not have been such a good idea. She'd been so uncomfortable at dinner she barely ate anything and hardly talked to anyone. Instead, she spent the whole time fidgeting in her chair and pushing the turkey and mashed potatoes around her plate.

  By the time she'd gotten back to his house, he hadn't wanted to wait any longer to talk about what happened the night before, but now he felt like he'd ruined her holiday. To top it off, he knew Gina and Angie were in there, questioning her about what was wrong. They'd been giving her, and him, strange looks throughout dinner, and he knew they'd ask Sara why she practically ran away from the table.