“Okay, let’s go. Bye, Joanna, bye, Cheryl.” Rae hurried as she took Riley by the shoulders and walked her out of the restaurant before things had a chance to escalate.
“I can’t believe you said that in front of them!” Cheryl hissed at Joanna.
“Well, that was spiteful, and what’s with this jealous crap with you and Riley? You knew damn well she didn’t do anything in the bedroom!” Joanna scowled.
“Exactly!” Cheryl said, satisfied before remembering how much trouble she was in. “Well, you know she likes you; it’s obvious the way she went overboard with your house.”
“Riley was given a job and she did it well, nothing more. Now go and wait in the car!” Joanna directed angrily.
“Fine.” Cheryl stomped out of the restaurant, muttering under her breath the whole way.
“Fucking bitch, I didn’t do anything to the bedroom!” Riley said, seething.
“Calm down, Riley, she’s taunting you; she’s just jealous that you’re getting Joanna’s attention. You need to ignore her. I guess you have the answer to your question though, and look where that little comment got her!” Rae smiled. “And I’m not going to tell you again about your mouth!”
“Sorry,” Riley said sullenly. “I guess you’re right.”
“Of course she’s right, and about now little Miss Cheryl is probably getting her butt blistered!” Tracy said with a giggle.
A smile appeared on Riley’s face at the thought, but it was somehow bittersweet as she wished she were on the receiving end of Joanna’s ministrations. Even if they were in the form of a good paddling. Riley dismissed her thoughts, determined to enjoy the rest of the day with her friends.
“Niners on in ten minutes, you got enough beer, T?” Riley asked her friend cheerfully.
Rae just gave the two girls a disapproving look.
“C’mon, honey, we got to have beer with football!” Tracy reasoned, still working on a good buzz from her champagne.
“Yes, but since we live above the bar, I hardly think running out is an issue!” Rae replied.
Sunday was Rae and Tracy’s day off from the bar. It was the only full day they had to themselves together and staff to cover the bar and restaurant. Tracy and Riley usually played tennis early and then the three of them would often do brunch at Oscar’s. Riley would usually spend the rest of the day polishing her motorcycle and getting ready for the week ahead. This weekend, however, Rae wanted Riley to spend the day since she was headed off to New York the following Saturday. Their two football teams were playing each other so the afternoon was set.
The girls watched the game, drank beer, and surfed the Internet to find the location of Riley’s hotel and office.
“Look, Central Park is so close and you can walk to the office!” Tracy exclaimed, looking at a satellite view on her iPad.
“I know, this is going to be so cool! I’ll miss you guys if I go for six months though; you have to come visit!” Riley said a little sadly.
“Touchdown, oh yeah, Steelers tied it!” Rae yelled as the clock ticked down to halftime on the game.
“Fuck, no, where was the defense?” Riley said in disbelief.
“That’s it, I’m warning you, miss. If I hear another F-bomb from your mouth this afternoon, I’ll be introducing your butt to the back of my hairbrush! Got it?” Rae warned.
“Yes, sorry,” Riley replied, blushing.
“Let me ask you something, Riley. Do you swear all the time like that at work?” Rae asked, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow at Riley.
“Well, no, of course not, I mean I have to be somewhat professional,” Riley replied.
“So then I’m to understand you can control what you say but you choose to have a foul mouth when you want to?” Rae asked cynically while Tracy tried to stifle a giggle.
“I guess, but what the big deal?” Riley scoffed.
“Then I suggest you choose wisely for the remainder of the afternoon!” Rae admonished.
“Yes, now that your butt’s had its virgin blistering, you better heed her warning, Riley,” Tracy piped in with a grin.
Riley just rolled her eyes at her two friends and stomped into the kitchen. “Beer?” she hollered.
“Yep.” the two girls replied together as Riley emerged from the kitchen with three cold beers.
Chapter Five
The next few days, Riley kept busy working on some ideas for the New York clients and getting ready for her trip. Tracy had taken her out shopping and Riley had bought some new shoes, a couple of suits, and a coat for her trip. She didn’t like spending that much money, but her wardrobe definitely needed a refresher and Riley wanted to make a good impression at the New York office. Riley usually wore pantsuits but Tracy had talked her into trying on a skirt suit. Despite her objections, Riley had to admit it looked pretty damn good on her with her new heels and her toned runner’s legs.
“God, you look great in that, Riley!” Tracy announced. “You have to have it.”
“Maybe, but did you see the price? I’m not paying that kind of money!” Riley said, a little disappointed as she looked at the price tag.
“Consider it an early birthday gift from me and Rae. We already said we would get you something for your trip and this is perfect!”
“No, Tracy, it’s too much, I couldn’t.”
“Okay, stop right now. I don’t want to hear another word or I’m going to tell Rae you dropped the F-bomb ten times today!” Tracy said with a grin.
“That’s just wrong!” Riley said with a smile. “Thank you, Tracy. It is a great suit, isn’t it?”
“Yep, and you are going to blow them away!” Tracy declared.
The two women got back to Rae and Tracy’s apartment with their haul from the mall and Rae insisted that Riley model the new suit they had bought her.
“Damn, girl, you look stunning!” Rae beamed as she took in Riley in her new suit and shoes.
“Thanks, Rae, and thank you both for the suit; it was really too much!” Riley said shyly.
“You’re welcome, kiddo. I need to get down to the bar, Kelly’s off in five minutes.” Rae said, looking at her watch. “You coming down for a beer before you go?”
“Yep, let me throw this stuff in the car and I’ll be in. Let me know if it gets busy and I’ll help you, okay, T?”
“No, I’m fine, we only have a handful of reservations tonight and you worked and shopped all day. Go relax, I’ll be out if I can,” Tracy said with a smile.
Riley sat at her favorite stool at the bar and chatted to Rae and some of the other regular customers. She noticed Cheryl seated opposite her on the other side of the bar drinking her usual martini. Apparently she and Joanna had reservations for dinner. Riley didn’t pay her much attention. She was excited about her upcoming trip and relieved when Joanna told her Cheryl would not be joining her.
Rae took a large food order at the bar and Riley said she would run it to the kitchen for her.
“Well, if it isn’t the little office brat! Hope you’ve been staying out of trouble, but then again, you are the boss’s pet, aren’t you!” Cheryl sneered as Riley walked by her toward the kitchen.
Riley stopped and glared at Cheryl. “Fuck off, Cheryl! Just because you’re the boss’s little bitch and flavor of the month doesn’t mean you can come here all high and mighty!”
Rae was busy serving customers but she caught some of the exchange and watched, concerned, as she saw Cheryl get up and approach Riley.
“What did you say?” Cheryl hissed in Riley’s face.
“You heard me, Barbie! Oh, do you have plans for Thanksgiving, Cheryl?” Riley asked dryly, getting to within inches of Cheryl’s face.
Cheryl lunged at Riley. “You fucking little bitch, I’m going to kill you!” she yelled as she grabbed Riley. Riley had her fist back ready to deliver a punch when Rae sprang over the bar in between the two women at about the same time a frantic Joanna flew across the room to restrain her angry girlfriend. Both women were still tryin
g to get at each other as Rae backed Riley up, who by now was out-of-control angry.
“Enough! Out!” Joanna yelled at Cheryl, who stopped her angry tirade at Joanna’s order. The bar was silent, all attention drawn to the two restrained women. “Sorry, Rae, this won’t happen again. And you, you be at my home office at eight o’clock tomorrow morning!” she said, glaring at Riley before she followed her girlfriend out of the bar.
“Christ, Riley, what the hell is wrong with you?” Rae demanded as Riley sat ashamed in the kitchen with a concerned Tracy looking on. “You have a record, did you forget that?”
“But Rae, she started it, I…”
“Stop right there!” Rae ordered, raising a finger toward Riley and cutting her off before she could finish her sentence. “You were just as much to blame, so don’t even go there, young lady. I should take a strap to your backside but I’m too angry right now!”
“I’m sorry, Rae,” Riley whispered tearfully, knowing she had disappointed her friends.
“I can’t deal with this right now until I calm down!” Rae announced as she left the kitchen and returned to the bar.
“Oh, Riley!” Tracy exclaimed sympathetically as she bent down to give her tearful friend a hug. “She’s angry right now but she’ll come around. You are a knucklehead sometimes and I’m afraid I think your backside is going to pay for it this time!”
“I know. Do you think I’ve screwed up my chances for New York too? Hell, do you think I even have a job for that matter?” Riley asked her friend sadly.
“I don’t know, but I guess you’ll find out tomorrow. Maybe you should call it a night and go home. If Rae deals with you tonight, you won’t be sitting for a month!” Tracy advised.
“I would rather just get it over with if it will make Rae less angry,” Riley said. “But I guess I should go. I’m sorry, Tracy, tell Rae I said I’m sorry. I’ll come over after work to see her.”
Riley did damage to the better part of a twelve-pack when she got home, but she still stared at the ceiling as she lay awake contemplating her fate. Once again her job was probably on the line and she’d managed to disappoint the three most important people in her life.
* * *
The next morning came and Riley had gotten no sleep. She’d beaten herself up all night and she couldn’t even face going for a run; she was too hungover and tired. She showered and changed and headed to Joanna’s. It was early when she parked on the street outside Joanna’s house, but Riley decided not to prolong the inevitable any longer. Walking up the gravel driveway, Riley saw the front door open and Cheryl immerge from inside wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. Her eyes were red and swollen and she was rubbing her backside furiously.
The two women just stared as they passed each other, both of them turning around, walking backwards, not losing eye contact. A small knowing smirk appeared on Riley’s face as Cheryl continued to rub her behind.
“Fuck off, Riley! I don’t know what you’re laughing at; you’re next, you know!” Cheryl said angrily as she gingerly got into her car and peeled out of Joanna’s driveway.
Riley’s face paled a little at the news but she continued up the driveway and knocked on Joanna’s door.
Joanna opened the door and stood back not saying anything. Riley took her cue and entered the house, pausing outside the office.
“In and sit,” Joanna said curtly as she closed the door, followed Riley into the office, and took her seat behind the cherry wood desk. “You don’t look so good, are you sick, Riley?”
“I’m fine. I maybe had a few too many beers last night,” Riley replied timidly.
“I see, well, what do you have to say for yourself?” Joanna demanded. “You think squaring off with Cheryl at the Left is appropriate behavior? I sure as hell don’t think it is!”
Riley didn’t know what to say, but her face paled even more when she saw a heavy leather strap with a round leather handle sitting on top of the desk.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Armstrong, I have no excuses,” Riley said sadly.
“Well, if you ever do anything like that when you are in New York, you will be on the first plane back to LA, do you understand me, young lady?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Riley said compliantly, relaxing a bit when she realized she was still employed and still going to New York.
“Did Rae deal with you last night, Riley?” Joanna asked.
“No, she was too angry. I have to see her after work today.”
“What is she going to do?”
“I don’t know, she said something about taking a strap to my backside,” Riley whispered, red-faced.
“Good, and after my paddling that’s going to sting, I’m afraid,” Joanna said dryly as she removed the oval paddle from the desk drawer. “Up!” Joanna directed. “What’s your word?”
Riley didn’t argue. “Suspension,” she replied as she stood up, went to the end of the desk, and bent over. Joanna guided her down and folded Riley’s cream blouse over her back so she had unobstructed access to her pant-clad behind.
Riley felt the cool familiar cherry wood on her face, which was somehow comforting, then she felt Joanna’s hand rest on her back. A smarting pain seared through her behind as the first blow landed on her right cheek. It was followed up by a steady rhythm of swats that had Riley wincing and squirming the more the heat began to build in her behind. Riley was resigned to the punishment even though it seemed to last forever. She had forgotten how intense the pain was the more her backside was chastised.
Joanna landed several more hard swats to Riley’s sit spots over and over until Riley was grunting and squirming in pain. Joanna had actually gone easy on Riley with the revelation that Rae was probably going to deliver more of the same later, but she still wanted to send Riley a message.
“Get up, Riley, we’re done,” Joanna directed.
Riley got up from the desk red-faced, her hazel eyes glinting, half from anger, half from the tears that had started to form.
“Do you even care that I didn’t start it?” Riley asked angrily.
“Of course I do, Riley, but what about ‘the boss’s little bitch and flavor of the month’? And did you or did you not provoke Cheryl about going to New York? Because if you didn’t say any of those things then I’ll get Cheryl back here right now and give her another thrashing with the strap!”
“No, you know what? I’m not going to listen to this; you and your little blond bimbo can go to hell!” Riley declared angrily as she walked out of the office and headed toward the front door.
“Young lady, you step out that front door and that little spanking I just gave you will seem like child’s play compared to the one I’ll give you if you don’t come back here right now!”
Riley stopped for a moment and turned to look Joanna defiantly in the eye.
“Come on back inside, Riley,” Joanna said calmly.
Riley turned around and strode out the front door down the gravel driveway. Joanna was furious; she was not used to being disobeyed and she marched angrily after Riley. She caught up with her and grabbed Riley by the ear.
“Young lady, I warned you, now get back in the house!” Joanna ordered angrily.
Riley didn’t have much choice as she was marched back into the house, her head tilted to the side from the vise grip Joanna had on her ear.
“Shit, ow, ow!” Riley pleaded as Joanna led her back into the house and into the office.
With one hand Joanna pulled one of the straight-back leather chairs out from the desk, not releasing her grip on Riley’s ear.
She sat down and made easy work of undoing Riley’s slacks, pulling them down to her knees. In one swift motion she pulled Riley down over her knee, simultaneously pulling her underwear down to join her slacks.
Riley was mortified as she looked down upon Joanna’s Oriental rug, fully aware of her vulnerable position as she felt the cool air on her already hot bare behind.
“You are going to learn to behave and control your temper, young lady!” Joan
na said evenly as she picked up the paddle from the desk and put a firm arm around Riley’s waist.
She wasted no time belaboring Riley’s backside with the paddle over and over until her already crimson behind started to turn shades of purple. Riley tried to fend off the blows, but Joanna was angry and determined to teach Riley a lesson she would not soon forget. Soon her slacks were now completely off in a pile on the floor from Riley’s kicking and squirming and Riley was crying uncontrollably.
“I’m sorry!” Riley pleaded as the paddle descended over and over.
Joanna felt Riley go limp, but she landed a dozen more blows to Riley’s chastened backside before stopping and throwing the paddle back on the desk. Riley sobbed over Joanna’s lap, all sense of modesty gone as Joanna gently righted her underwear.
“Oh, Riley, I didn’t want to do that, I’m sorry,” Joanna said gently as she rubbed Riley’s back. Riley’s tears continued to fall as she tried to catch her breath amid the sobs. Joanna helped her up and onto the couch, holding her tightly while Riley cried into her shoulder. Riley continued to cry as Joanna gently rocked her, dabbing her tear-streaked eyes with a tissue.
After a few minutes Riley’s tears subsided, but her throbbing behind was still on fire. “Let me get you something that will help a little, okay?” Joanna said as she eased Riley off her lap.
Riley just nodded sadly as she perched awkwardly on her side on the couch. One hand was back behind her rubbing her bottom in an attempt to make the pain go away.
“I’ll be right back,” Joanna said, cupping Riley’s cheek.
Joanna returned to the office with a small jar, a pillow, and a t-shirt. She tossed the pillow down one end of the couch and sat down next to Riley.
“Let’s get that blouse off, you’ll be more comfortable in this,” Joanna said as she unbuttoned Riley’s blouse and slipped it off her shoulders. “Arms up,” Joanna said softly, placing the t-shirt over Riley’s head and pulling it down over her. “Good, now lie over my lap, Riley.”
Reining in Riley Page 5