Returning to Us: Back to Corbin’s Bend

by Corey, PK

  Hal bent her over the island and administered three sharp swats to her derriere before standing her up and giving her a kiss. “Why don’t you straighten up in here and I’ll start the laundry.”

  Susan, puzzled, watched him retreat into the laundry room. That’s it? I break four of his five rules and he basically pats my ass? Susan quickly put the few dishes into the dishwasher and wiped down the counter before heading to the bedroom.

  Hal soon joined her. “If nothing’s started, we can go out tonight if you’ve been cooped up all day.

  “Sure, that’s fine. I’m going to take a shower,” she told him.

  Hal stopped her. “You okay? Is anything wrong?” he asked.

  “No, everything’s fine,” she assured him. Might as well make it five for five.

  They’d wanted to try Amore. They both loved Italian and the restaurant was every bit as good as they’d been told. Susan relaxed over dinner. It wasn’t a big deal, she mused. Hal wasn’t going to bust her ass over every little thing. But still, she had expected more—a lecture, a warning. Something. Maybe he was waiting until bedtime.

  No warning or lecture came. As they got ready for bed, Hal teased her that she needed a little color in her cheeks and he quickly pulled her over his lap for a short sexy spanking before moving on to an even sexier part of the evening.

  Afterwards, Susan had trouble falling asleep. Was sex the only reason Hal spanked her? Well what was wrong with that? she asked herself. But it didn’t feel right. It felt superficial. She needed to stop worrying. They lived in a spanking community and they belonged here. Hal had made rules. And except for a few lapses, she was sticking to them. Hal had no reason to give her a serious spanking. Everything’s fine, she told herself. But it was a long time before she fell into an uneasy sleep.

  Chapter 14

  Susan was excited. She felt like a child going on a field trip as the day of the workshop arrived. “Hal, you know I’ll be gone all day. Venia says we might be home as early as six, but that sometimes she stays for dinner. I’ll text and let you know.”

  “You better have Venia text Jeffery. There’s something wrong with my phone. It’s working, but not getting texts consistently. Some texts come through, but others not all. If you’re not going to be home by eight, find some way to let me know.”

  “I will. I love you,” she told him. Seeing Venia turn into the driveway, she gave Hal a quick kiss and was out the door.

  “Hey, Venia!” Susan sang out. “I have my laptop and a notebook. I’m ready to pick up any pearls of wisdom that fall.”

  Venia laughed. “They’ll be falling all over the place,” she assured her. “I told Jeffery we’d probably be home by six-thirty, but that if we decided to stay for dinner, I’d text him.”

  “I haven’t had a day with a girlfriend in forever. I say we shoot the works and make it a late night, eight or eight-thirty even!” Susan told her with a laugh.

  * * *

  The gathering was more than Susan had hoped for. She’d never really talked to other writers. She was so interested in the different ways the women approached their work. Some had everything plotted and outlined completely before writing a word. Others seemed to begin with only the vaguest idea of where they were going and simply sat down and began typing.

  Susan took notes on everything. She was especially interested in the promotion ideas. She was going to have to start learning about Instagram and Twitter. She decided she’d have to begin another Facebook account just for her writing persona. Ideas were coming fast.

  When they took a lunch break, Susan’s attention was drawn to one of the other writers. Her nametag read Megan. As Susan watched her more closely, she saw that the woman was fixated on Venia. She never took her eyes off her and she seemed to hang on every word out of Venia’s mouth. It seemed that Megan didn’t realize that there were others present. Weird, Susan thought. During a break, she asked Venia, “Do you know that Megan lady? She hasn’t taken her eyes off you once today. It looks like she wants to crawl into your lap. Is she a friend of yours?”

  Venia looked puzzled. “I hadn’t noticed. I know her from these meetings. We’ve had some good discussions, but only about writing. She’s very intelligent and a great writer, mostly science fiction. I think she’s been quieter than usual today.”

  “Well, she is certainly interested in everything you have to say,” Susan told her.

  “In that case, I’ll try to say something interesting this afternoon,” Venia teased.

  Susan absorbed all she could during the afternoon session and was happy and excited about all she had picked up. She couldn’t wait to get back and start sorting through her notes. She and Venia were saying their good-byes and gathering their things when Megan approached.

  “I’m sorry to bother you Venia, but I really need to talk with you,” Megan told her earnestly.

  Susan wondered if something was wrong. She thought the woman looked like she was under a great deal of stress. Her face was red and blotchy. Sweat was popping out on her forehead. She glanced at Venia who looked bewildered.

  “Megan, is something wrong? You seem upset.”

  Megan gulped. “No, no nothing’s wrong. Not like that anyway. I just need to talk with you. Could I buy you dinner?”

  “We can certainly talk for a bit, but I’m here with my friend. I’m her ride back home and I can’t abandon her.”

  Megan glanced over at Susan before turning back to Venia. “Is she a neighbor of yours?”

  “Yes…” Venia answered slowly. She eyed Megan warily. Her manner was a little cautious as she said, “What was it you wanted to speak to me about?”

  The woman’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m messing this all up.” Megan took a deep breath and began again, still using hushed tones. “I wanted to talk to you about your last book… and where you live. I’ll be happy to buy you both dinner. I’m staying here in the hotel. I’ll order room service.”

  Venia visibly relaxed. Smiling broadly as she realized the source of stress in the younger woman, she told her, “I’ll be happy to talk with you about my book and about Corbin’s Bend if Susan doesn’t mind staying.”

  “Oh, count me in. I think this could be fun,” Susan enthusiastically agreed. “Would you ask Jeffery to let Hal know we’re staying for a while? He won’t mind, but I want him to know we’re going to be later than we thought.”

  Venia nodded, then texted Jeffery: We’re staying for dinner and interesting conversation. This may run late, but we’ll call as we’re leaving. Hal’s phone isn’t working. Could you please get word to him? Love you, V

  “All right, Megan, we’re all yours.”

  Chapter 15

  Susan and Venia followed Megan to her room. Megan called in their dinner orders before sitting on the bed and facing her two guests.

  “I’m not sure I can get all this out. If I die of embarrassment halfway through, please don’t try to revive me.” Turning to face Venia she told her, “I read Safe in His Hands several months ago. I just can’t tell you what that book did to me. I’d read Fifty Shades, but somehow a billionaire and a red room of pain just seemed so far out, it never grabbed me. But your book… well it sounded like real people and real discipline and… and… Well, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

  “I’m glad you liked the book,” Venia told her. “But that’s not the reason you got us here. You want to know about the real lifestyle, don’t you?”

  “Yes, but if you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t push. It’s just…” Megan’s embarrassment was so thick she could hardly speak.

  Venia quickly rescued her. “It’s okay. It’s not a topic that embarrasses us. Although, I don’t normally discuss these things with people outside my community. As you can imagine it can lead to all kinds of problems. But I feel I know you and you obviously want to learn a little more about domestic discipline. I don’t mind being a sounding board for you and answering your questions as long as this is just a friendly discussion among
friends.”

  “Oh yes, I promise. I just need some answers from someone who knows,” Megan assured her. “Trust me, I’ll not say a word to anyone outside this room.”

  Venia grinned, “Okay, but let’s make an exception of your husband. I have a feeling that at some point you’ll be wanting to discuss some of this with him.”

  Megan blushed even deeper. She was quiet for a moment longer, then questions burst from her as if they could no longer be contained. “Was the book real or did you make everything up? Does your husband really spank you?”

  Venia smiled at her intensity. “The book is just that, a book, a work of fiction. It all came out of my head. Those people never existed, and those spankings never occurred.”

  Megan’s face fell before Venia quickly went on.

  “But yes, you have come to the right place for your questions. Corbin’s Bend is a community where the idea of domestic discipline, complete with corporal punishment, is fully accepted. And yes, my husband spanks me. Mostly for fun, but occasionally I do something to earn a punishment spanking. I’m not as happy with those, but they come with the territory.”

  Megan stared in wonder, then shot a quick glance at Susan. Taking a deep breath, Susan waded in. “My husband spanks me, too. It was the way we started off in our marriage but then we stopped for a long time. Now that we’re empty nesters, we wanted that lifestyle back and when we found Corbin’s Bend, we knew that was the place for us to start over.”

  Megan obviously wanted to ask more questions. But she was so uncomfortable and embarrassed. She had her knees pulled up to her chin and her arms wrapped around them as she leaned against the headboard. “But… but doesn’t it hurt?” she finally managed to say, in a small voice.

  Susan and Venia laughed together. “Do spankings hurt? Good grief, yes! And they can also feel wonderful—and that can be the very same spanking!” Venia confirmed.

  “Don’t you get mad?” Megan wanted to know.

  “No, I really don’t. Like I said, most of my spankings are for fun. When I have done something that really upsets Jeffery, I feel guilty, so I’m more sorry than angry.”

  “I sometimes get angry,” Susan admitted. “Since we’re just now getting back into it, there are days when I don’t feel very submissive and so I can get mad, but it doesn’t last long. Like Venia, sometimes I realize I’m madder at myself than Hal.”

  Megan sat up straighter, as if something Susan said had struck a nerve. “That’s what I wonder about too! Submission! I’m forty years old, I’m raising two daughters and I want them to be strong and independent. I can’t do that then turn into a doormat.”

  Venia grinned. “Do I seem like a doormat to you?”

  Megan looked at Venia and finally smiled. “No, not in any way. That’s why I’m confused. You’re not a meek, timid person. So I can’t picture you letting your husband spank you.”

  “I’m not sure you could find a meek or timid woman in all of Corbin’s Bend. I think it’s our very strength that allows us to accept, to crave, this lifestyle. We can take on the world. But there is such comfort in knowing that there is someone who is strong enough to catch us when we need to fall into their arms.”

  Megan’s embarrassment seemed to be giving way to her avid curiosity. She now sat on the edge of the bed as her questions bubbled out. “So, Corbin’s Bend really is a spanking town? I’ve heard rumors about it. Does everyone spank? Is it all out in the open? Are women spanked on the street? In stores?”

  “It’s a spanking town, but we’re not quite that open. There may be a playful or even a warning swat seen in public,” Venia told her, “but that’s about it. We are definitely a family-oriented town. Serious discipline is done in the privacy of the home. Although, we do occasionally have a public spanking if someone has done something to cause a problem for the whole community.”

  “Does that really happen?” Susan asked. Looking over at Megan she explained, “We’ve only lived there a little over a month. There hasn’t been one that I know of. I’ll admit the thought of a public spanking gives me shivers.”

  “It happens,” Venia assured her. “But not all that often. Few heads of households would let things get that far. But still everyone in the community who is being spanked knows that a public spanking is a possibility.”

  Megan frowned; her face took on a worried look. “Do kids get spanked too?”

  Venia shook her head. “In Corbin’s Bend we believe in consensual, adult spanking. Children need to be raised in a loving environment with parents who teach by example and have high expectations for good behavior. I’m not saying that children are never paddled. But I would venture to guess it happens less in Corbin’s Bend than in other towns in Colorado.”

  A knock at the door interrupted them and caused Megan to leap to her feet, her hand flying to her pounding heart.

  “Honey, I’m guessing that’s dinner, not the spanking police,” Venia assured her.

  Megan began laughing and seemed to relax completely for the first time. They placed their dinners on the table and gathered around. As they ate Megan had one more question

  “Do men just spank with their hand or do they sometimes use other stuff?”

  Both Venia and Susan laughed. “Our men are extremely creative.” Susan began ticking off items as she counted on her fingers. “There’s your standard paddle—both wood and leather—hair brush, belt, wooden spoon, spatula, cheese board, slipper, canes—I despise those—back scratcher, strap.” Susan quickly ran out of fingers.

  “And that’s not counting specialty items you can order like crops or floggers,” Venia chimed in.

  Megan stared, mouth open.

  “And it’s not just spanking,” Venia went on. “I think a lot of husbands use corner time. I’ve had some friends that were grounded, had to write lines, even mouth soaping for bad language. And you know it’s not only women. Men can be on the receiving end, too.”

  Megan continued to stare in amazement. “I just can’t believe I’m really sitting here talking about spanking,” Megan confessed. “You two are the best. Thank you so much for answering my questions and for making me feel so comfortable. I’ve thought about spanking, or maybe I should say fantasized, about it forever. For me this is probably as far as it goes. There is no way I can mention it to my husband. I’d be so embarrassed! And he would be horrified at the thought of hitting me or any woman. I think he would lose all respect for me if I asked. He’d think I was nuts.”

  “Megan, I know we just met, and I certainly don’t know your husband, but I bet if you bring it up in the right way, you might be surprised at his response.”

  “Susan’s right,” Venia commented. “If I remember, you have young teenagers, right?”

  “Yes. Our girls are eleven and thirteen,” Megan told her. “We’ve been married for fifteen years.”

  “Then I would suggest you bring up the idea of a sexy spanking to your husband. With kids and work, it’s easy for your sex life to fall into a rut. Tell him you’ve read some things that sparked your interest and ask him if he’s willing to indulge you in your fantasy. I doubt there is a red-blooded man alive who could resist the idea of a willing wife draped across his lap asking for a spanking. Remember, keep it light and fun and I’m betting he’ll come on board,” Venia told her, grinning.

  Megan blushed again. “Our sex life has gotten pretty routine,” she admitted. “But I want more than that. I like the idea of being submissive and him being dominant.” Lowering her voice, she added, “The idea of being punished turns me on, too.”

  “I know exactly what you mean,” Susan volunteered. “When we were first married, I got spanked for things that were important to Hal. I hated those spankings while he was doing the spanking. But at the same time, they made me feel safe and loved. We haven’t completely got that back yet. Hal spanks mostly for fun.” Susan sighed. “I know that’s not a bad thing, but I want more. So, I do know what you’re talking about.

  “But Venia’s abs
olutely right. The idea of sexy spankings is the way to bring a vanilla husband along. Once he’s used to spanking and realizes that he’s not going to hurt you, you can begin to discuss the idea of discipline with him. Just don’t scare him off with the heavy stuff first.”

  “Everything you two are saying makes sense, but I get heart palpitations just thinking about talking to him about this,” Megan moaned.

  “Write him!” Susan told her firmly. “Email him or leave him a note. Not only do you have the time to make sure you’re saying exactly what you want to say, but he’ll have the time to think about it before he responds. The wait can be agonizing, but I’ve found it’s the best way for me.”

  Megan sat silently for a moment before a smile crept across her face. “You’re right. That could work. And, umm… could I email you guys too? I know I’m going to need someone to discuss this with.”

  “Of course you can!” Venia told her, laughing. “We have to know how this turns out. And I like details!”

  “I’m with her,” Susan agreed. “We’re always around for questions, encouragement and the occasional sarcastic comment. Email anytime.”

  “Crap! Look at the time! Speaking of husbands that spank, if we don’t head home now, we’ll have some first-hand accounts to share,” Venia told them.

  They quickly exchanged phone numbers and emails. Megan hugged them both. “You have no idea what this evening has meant to me. Even if I chicken out telling Max, this has just been… incredible.”

  “You won’t chicken out,” Susan told her. “And we’re expecting to hear a report soon.”

  “Don’t let us down,” Venia added. “We’ll be waiting to hear.”

  Chapter 16

  Susan and Venia smiled as they reached the lobby. “Now that was an interesting dinner, for sure,” Venia observed as she pulled out her phone. Glancing at it, she came to a dead stop.