by Sue Lyndon
“I said don’t go near the pond and no swimming alone.” He ran a hand through his hair again and spun to look at the canoe. “Not only did you disobey me, but you didn’t even have the good sense to wear a lifejacket.”
“I didn’t see one anywhere! I didn’t even think of it,” she said, feeling as if she were grasping for straws. “Besides, I’m a good swimmer. Really.”
“So you pushed the canoe into the water without even pausing to look for a lifejacket?”
“That’s right.”
His face reddened and his eyes turned steely. “You are in big trouble, little girl.” He approached her and grasped her arm, then began leading her around the pond and toward the woodshed.
“John?” Fear sliced through her and her heart picked up, beating so fast she was certain it would burst from her chest. His threats of cutting a switch resurfaced and she struggled against him, no longer as turned on by those threats now that they’d become reality. Her bottom tingled as she imagined a switch swooshing through the air and landing with a sharp sting across her ass cheeks. “Please, John. I didn’t think. I’m sorry. Next time I’ll look for a lifejacket.”
He guided her through the doorway of the woodshed and pointed to the wall. Two orange lifejackets hung on hooks, and beneath them rested two extra canoe paddles. The world spun for a few seconds and she forced herself to meet John’s hard gaze.
“If you had worn a lifejacket, young lady, you would only be getting a scolding and a few swats with my hand. What were you thinking?” He held her out by her shoulders and glared down at her, his stare dark and intense. She felt very, very sorry for disobeying him. She’d known he wouldn’t be happy about her venturing out on the pond alone.
“I-I didn’t think I would flip over or anything, and I planned to be done by the time you got home. You’re early.”
“Ah, so you planned to lie to me today too?”
She felt the blood drain from her face. “N-not exactly. I just wasn’t going to tell you I went on the pond. I wasn’t going to lie to your face. I’m telling you the truth now, aren’t I?”
“An omission of truth is just as bad as a lie, Melissa. I am very disappointed that you disobeyed me and risked your safety by not even attempting to find a lifejacket.” He released her shoulders and pointed at an empty corner behind a stack of split wood. “Go stand in that corner.”
She lowered her head and rushed to the corner, thankful to be out from under his scrutiny. Tears burned in her eyes and she was certain if he’d looked at her for a second longer she would’ve burst into tears.
“Pull your shorts and panties down, Melissa. I want your bottom on display while you stand there and think about your transgressions. You were very naughty and you will be punished severely. Breaking a safety rule and then planning to lie about it is a serious offense.”
Guilt washed through her, making her feel sick with remorse and also with dread. She bent slightly to push her shorts and panties down over her hips, and when she straightened the garments pooled around her ankles. A sense of vulnerability swept through her and she clasped her hands in front of her, not sure what to do with them.
“Hands on your head, lace your fingers together. Good. Now spread your legs a bit. Good. Now, Melissa, I want you to stand there like the naughty girl you are and think about what you did, how you could’ve gotten hurt, and how it hurts me that you disobeyed and planned to lie. I will be back in a few minutes with several freshly cut switches, and I promise you that by the time I’m through striping your bottom with those switches, you will never, ever think about lying or risking your safety again.”
“Yes, sir,” she managed through a shaky exhale. She heard his footsteps leaving and then she was left alone with nothing but her thoughts. And her guilt. What had she been thinking? Well, the truth of the matter is, she hadn’t. She’d wanted to go canoeing and so she’d done it, deciding that it wasn’t so dangerous because it was better than swimming.
But he had a point. What if the canoe had flipped over? Would she have been too startled to make it to shore? She felt ridiculous for not even thinking about a lifejacket.
Her heart ached and the tears burning in her eyes escaped down her cheeks. She remained in position with her hands clasped behind her head, her bare bottom on display, and her legs slightly parted, as she listened for John’s return. Her stomach threatened to bottom out and her nerves went into overdrive. He’d said he planned to cut several switches but she didn’t understand why. Did he really intend to use them all on her? A shudder ran through her and the tremor made her aware of the heated ache between her thighs. She lowered her head in shame, so embarrassed that once again her body didn’t seem to understand this was real punishment and not a fun, sexy game.
The sound of footsteps deepened her anxiety, and her shaking legs nearly gave out beneath her. He cleared his throat and she lifted her head a notch, but didn’t dare turn around without his explicit permission.
“Keep your hands on your head, but you can turn around, young lady.”
With awkward movements, she turned to face him, shuffling with slow steps because her panties and shorts were still tangled around her ankles. She gasped at the sight. He stood just inside the doorway, his stance confident and the set of his jaw firm. A bundle of thin, long branches dangled from his hand, and she stared at them, realizing he must have stripped all the leaves off them. She counted at least five and gulped, then met his eyes.
“I am so sorry,” she said, her voice shaking as much as her insides. She studied him for a moment and was relieved to see that even though he didn’t look pleased, he no longer appeared livid with her. He was in control, and even though he would punish her severely and no doubt make her cry, he wouldn’t really hurt her. Warmth spread through her chest as the magnitude of her trust in him became evident, and she sniffled and blinked back more tears.
“Come here, Melissa.” He pulled a chair out from against the wall and placed it in the center of woodshed. “Come here, bend over, and place your hands flat on the seat of the chair.”
With small steps, she approached the chair and did as he asked, arching her bottom up when he pressed against the small of her back. She closed her eyes and steadied herself for the first searing blow. He placed all but one of the switches on the chair in front of her hands. She opened her mouth, ready to ask why he needed so many, but the first streak of pain lashed across her bottom and her question became a garbled scream.
“Please remain still, Melissa. You know you were naughty and I mean to teach you a lesson. You will never, ever, go out in the canoe again without taking the proper safety precautions.” He struck her twice more, the blows crisscrossing the first one.
“John, please! I’m so sorry!”
He ignored her apologies and swung the switch against her bottom once more. A blast of agony took her breath away. She closed her eyes and focused on keeping her hands on the chair as the blows rained down. When he paused and reached for one of the switches on the chair, she peered over her shoulder and realized it was because the first switch had broken. She gulped. He intended to use all five of them on her bottom.
She endured the second switch and the lecture that went with it, and though he didn’t hit her any harder than with the first one, it broke after only a few strikes. She tensed in anticipation of the third switch landing upon her ass, and a shudder ran through her as he moved the implement slightly over her bottom, preparing his aim. She was sure her butt was completely inflamed and she wouldn’t be sitting comfortably for at least a week.
Tears ran down her face and sobs shook her whole body. She was so sorry she’d worried him and broken his rule about the pond. She knew the water, though calm and probably not very deep, made him nervous because of his first wife’s scuba diving accident. The connection of his wife’s passing with his rules concerning the pond suddenly made sense, and she cried harder, the remorse over her actions breaking her ability to hold a single tear at bay.
&nbs
p; She gasped when he paused. Her gaze sought out the remaining two switches. But instead of reaching for the fourth switch, John tossed the one in his hand aside and commenced rubbing her tender bottom. From her periphery vision, she noted that the third switch hadn’t broken yet. Would he retrieve it from the floor in a few moments and continue thrashing her? She let out a shuddering breath and waited, thankful at least for his gentle touch and reassurance during her punishment.
“It’s over, darlin’. Shh. Hush now.” He continued rubbing her throbbing cheeks.
She glanced over her shoulder. “But the other switches…” She couldn’t complete the sentence.
With a tenderness that seemed to cocoon her soul, he lifted her up and wrapped his arms around her, pressing her head against his chest. He stroked her hair and held her tight. “I think you’ve had enough, little girl. I don’t plan to use the other two switches. I can tell you’ve learned your lesson, and I’m sorry if the number of them I brought back frightened you.”
*
John scooped Melissa up and carried her into the house. He took her to his bedroom and placed her on the bed, stomach down, then pulled off the panties and shorts that were still tangled around her ankles, as well as her sandals. His heart had stopped when he came home early to spot her drifting on the canoe in the middle of the pond. Though he’d told her to stay away from the water and definitely not to go swimming alone, he wouldn’t have been as angry as he was if she’d only thought to wear a lifejacket. He might not have even punished her. But instead she hadn’t even looked for a lifejacket, and she’d planned to conceal her afternoon activities from him. He certainly couldn’t allow her to get away with such blatant disregard for her safety, nor could he overlook her intention to lie to him.
He pressed a tissue to her face to dry up her lingering tears. She sniffled and peered up at him with a small smile.
“Thanks, John.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m okay. I’m sorry I broke your rule, and worried you, and planned to lie to you. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
He stroked her hair and his hand traveled down her back. With gentle caresses, he rubbed her punished bottom. “I know you’re sorry, darlin’, and you’re forgiven. Why don’t you try to take a little nap? You look exhausted.”
Her eyes grew heavy at his suggestion she sleep, and a she snuggled deeper into the pillow. “Maybe just a short nap. Will you stay with me for a while?”
“For as long as you’d like, darlin’.” He stretched out beside her and sat up on his elbow, gazing down at her as he stroked her back. She fell asleep almost instantly, and John stayed with her several more minutes, just enjoying being next to her and the heat of her body. A peaceful expression relaxed her face, and as her soft breaths tickled his neck, he didn’t want to leave her side but did so anyway because he needed to make some calls and check on some patients he’d treated recently.
As the days passed, he continued to enjoy Melissa’s presence in his cabin, in his life. But as time went on, she became quieter and withdrawn. Sadness often lurked in her gaze, and he knew she was thinking about her family. About her life in New York. About leaving.
One night as they lay in bed together, she confirmed his worst fears.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here, John, Very much. These last two weeks have been amazing and I’ve come to care for you a lot.”
His spirits sank at the defeated tone in her voice and her rigid posture. She was about to let him down, about to leave him forever. Pain burst through his jaw as he clenched his teeth.
“But despite all that, I have to leave. I’ve decided to skip Florida and head straight back to New York. It’s time I settle things with Steven and start my new life. I know I promised not to leave without telling you, so this is me telling you. I’m sorry.”
His throat constricted and burned. “I don’t want you anywhere near Steven, Melissa. He sounds unstable.”
“I can take care of myself. Besides, I might not even have to see him. I can always work through my lawyer. Our house needs to be sold, and I’ve got to find a place of my own and make a decision about school. It’s for the best.”
Angry words rested on the tip of his tongue, as well as pleas for Melissa to stay with him. But he didn’t berate her and he didn’t beg. Instead, he took a deep breath and leaned down to claim her lips, determined to make their last few hours together count.
She returned his kiss with an urgency that spurred him to straddle her and pin her hands above her head. She briefly struggled but he kept her easily subdued and deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue into her mouth to taste her one last time. Her scent and the little noises she made in her throat drove him mad with longing. Breaking the kiss, he released her wrists and pulled her nightie over her head and divested her of her panties too. He stripped off his boxers and situated his cock between her thighs, rubbing the tip over her moisture.
Unable to resist her sweetness a second longer, he gripped her hips and slammed into her. She was so warm and tight around his cock, and he set a rapid pace of fucking her. She writhed and moaned beneath him, her nails digging into his sides. Pleasure twisted her face, and she came around his length, her center gyrating in tune to each cry that left her lips. He pounded into her until he found his own release, and then he gathered her close to his heart.
He took her once more that night, much gentler the second time. The first time he’d fucked her, but the second time he made love to her. Slow and gentle, never once looking away from her pretty blue eyes. She shuddered beneath him and more than once he had to wipe away her tears.
The next morning he carried her suitcase to her car, a sick feeling ravaging his insides. His heart had never felt so heavy, nor his spirits so bleak. She walked outside wearing the same blue dress she’d been wearing the night he met her, the night she’d rammed into the back of his truck. The night two strangers had laughed together in a diner and shared a piece of chocolate cream pie. Though it had only been about two weeks ago, it seemed longer. The depth of their friendship and love rivaled that of the connection he’d felt to his wife, and that realization jarred him. He’d spent years alone, using his busy work schedule as an excuse to keep from dating, to keep from moving on. Melissa had crashed into his life—literally—and filled it up with the most magnificent colors.
“Good-bye, John.”
He approached her and cupped her face, raw emotion burning his throat. He swallowed past the painful lump and hugged her to his chest. “Please let me know once you’ve arrived home safely. A text will do. Good-bye, Melissa.” I love you. Stay here and let me keep loving you, you stubborn little girl.
He pulled back and brushed a soft kiss across her lips, unable to utter another word, let alone give voice to the frantic thoughts racing through his mind.
She smiled and wiped a tear away, then got into her car. He closed the door and backed up when she started the engine. This was really happening. She was really leaving.
With a wave of her hand and another smile, she began the slow drive down the long, gravel driveway. She paused in the distance, at the very end of the road, and for a split second he believed she was going to back up and return to his arms. But she turned onto the main road and he glimpsed her red car moving fast through the trees.
She was gone, and all the magnificent colors she brought to his life faded to black.
Chapter Nine
Melissa stared at the orange and golden leaves in the small wooded area behind her parents’ home, wondering how brilliant the tree-covered mountains in West Virginia looked at this time of year. She glanced down at the guest list for this evening’s benefit dinner and studied each name, willing one of them to transform into Dr. John Holden. But he wasn’t coming, and she hadn’t heard from him in weeks. She’d known his attendance was a long shot, but she’d mailed the invitation nonetheless. Two invitations, actually. One to his cabin and the other to his office in town, just to be sure he’d receive it
.
A cool breeze nipped at her legs, and she ventured into the house and up to her old bedroom. It didn’t feel like home, but it was a happier place than the house she had shared with Steven. She once again thanked her lucky stars that they hadn’t ended up married. She’d only seen him once since the night she’d caught him with the hookers, three weeks ago during the sale of their house. His haggard appearance had startled her, and if the gossip her friends had fed her could be trusted he was heavily into drugs.
Shaking the memories away, she walked into her closet and selected a black shimmering dress and a pair of red heels. She laid the items out on her bed, trying to summon up the strength to go through with the benefit. A heavy cloud of disappointment enveloped her, and it was impossible to break through it.
She’d spent weeks, with the help of her mother, organizing a dinner and benefit auction for House Call Hope. The event was sold out and even if no one bid on the artwork up for auction, John’s nonprofit would be set for a couple of years. Her family, friends, and acquaintances liked to be seen at events such as this, all of them eager to improve their images. She supposed some of them truly liked helping the less fortunate, but she doubted many of them would be willing to take on John’s responsibilities.
Maybe that was the reason for his absence and his silence. He was too busy to come to New York, too busy to call or text or email.
Bullshit.
She pressed a hand to her head. Pain threatened to split her skull in half, and she took deep breaths and slipped her clothing off, hoping a relaxing bath might melt her stress away. She strode into her bathroom and turned on the water. Sitting on the edge of the tub, she poured liquid soap underneath the faucet and watched the bubbles grow. The lavender scent filled her senses and helped her mood, if only a little. Her headache lessened and the tension left her shoulders. She sank down into the warm water and let her mind drift until the absolute last minute.
A peek through the open door at the cat-shaped clock hanging on her bedroom wall had her rushing to crawl out of the tub. She double-checked the time as she dried off, wishing she could slow the rhythmic swaying of the cat’s tail, each movement indicating another second gone by. Another second without John.