SPY: His Mission. His Orders. His Promise.

by Maggie Carpenter

  "Um, actually, he was standing behind me when I was taking the photos but I didn't know it."

  "This just gets worse and worse. There are so many flaws in what you did it's almost incomprehensible."

  "I made triple-sure I wasn't being followed after the car skidded. Please don't be mad. The photographs are fantastic. I know they'll—"

  "Stop talking," he said sternly. "Now it's my turn and don't interrupt. First, thank you. Seriously. You're right. Those photographs will be invaluable. Thank you for taking such a risk to help us. Thank you for verifying the artifact is the genuine article. Your heart was in the right place."

  "Really?"

  "Here's the but," he continued. "It was a fundamentally flawed plan. Had you waited to discuss it with me I could have refined it, made it safer, come up with another way to get you into the lobby if that was going to be necessary. You absolutely cannot do something like that ever again. Not ever, for any reason, no matter what. Am I clear?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "Do you remember how things were when we were together? I would spank you for pleasure, but I also spanked you hard when you deserved it."

  "That was only a couple of times," she said softly, "but of course I remember."

  "When you took it into your head to take such a huge risk, did you think about those times?"

  "Sort of."

  "It's a yes or no question. You did or you didn't."

  "I did, and I knew you'd be upset with me, but I also thought you'd never let me go back to the hotel and it was so incredibly important."

  "Natalie, Leo and I are responsible for the success of this mission. Not you. Leo and I make the decisions. Not you. We are in charge. Not you. If for some unforeseeable reason you meet him and he gives you an order, you follow it. If I give you an order, you follow it. Retrieving that relic is an extremely important operation and you put it at risk," he scolded. "I know you thought you were helping, but what you did could have ended in disaster. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, I understand," she mumbled, dropping her eyes. "I won't do anything like that again, I promise."

  Stepping forward he wrapped her into his arms, and closing his eyes he said a silent thank you that she'd made it out safely.

  "We've been separated for two long years because of that vicious psychopath," he said gravely. "I won't lose you again, not for the mission, not for anything. I love you, Natalie. I know I haven't said that before and I've regretted it. I'm saying it now."

  "Oliver," she whispered, "I love you too, I've loved you forever."

  Pulling back he stared at her, then pressing his lips on hers he poured out all the love and fear his heart had been holding in. The kiss was passionate and warm, demanding yet loving, and endless as time stood still.

  "Natalie, my beautiful Natalie," he breathed as he pulled away, "you know I have to spank you."

  "Uh-huh. I know, and it would be weird if you didn't."

  "Go upstairs, text me those photographs, then strip from the waist down and sit on the edge of the bed."

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Half-naked and nervously waiting, Natalie wondered why she'd purposely disobeyed Oliver's orders. The way he'd outlined her actions had shone a light on her reckless behavior, yet she'd known she was being an idiot even as she'd watched the garage door roll up and she'd rolled down the drive. She'd also known he'd be furious and put her over his knee. Is that why she'd done it?

  "So, bad girl, you look deep in thought," he declared, entering the room.

  "I suppose I am."

  "Pondering your misdeeds?"

  "Exactly."

  "Trying to understand why you did what you did, knowing all the while this is where we'd end up? How am I doing so far?"

  "One-hundred percent."

  "I could offer theories, but only you know what lives in your heart and head, though one thing is clear. You need to be reminded of my authority and what comes with it. Protection and love."

  "Maybe, yes, I do."

  "And the stinging heat of my hand."

  "Yes, Sir, thank you, Sir."

  "Good. Let's begin," he said firmly, settling next to her. "Sit on my lap with your back to me."

  Puzzled, she shifted across and sat on his thighs, and as he placed his hands on her shoulders she felt a slight push.

  "Tilt forward."

  "I don't understand."

  "You're going to bend all the way over and place your hands on the floor, then move your legs out behind you. Imagine you're a wheelbarrow."

  "WHAT? But, uh, that's impossible."

  "No it's not! Do as you're told!"

  His instruction had been delivered in his brisk British accent, the one that told her he meant business, and tentatively leaning down she squirmed into the awkward position. But she suddenly realized it wasn't just awkward. It left her vulnerable and exposed.

  "You know why I'm going to spank you, you know it's deserved, and you know why you need it. You also know what I expect you to say next."

  "Please, Sir, will you punish me?"

  "I certainly will. I said it before but it bears repeating. You will never, ever, put yourself at risk like that again. Correct?"

  "Never, Sir."

  Gazing down at her curvaceous backside and fully revealed charms, he decided when the mission was over he'd immerse her into his decadent world. When he'd discovered her submissive soul he'd started her down the path, and he'd planned a variety of salacious surprises at the remote mountain cabin, but that dream had been shattered by a spray of bullets. As his mind had wandered, he'd been caressing her full plump cheeks, but it was time to spank his beautiful, willful woman.

  Raising his flattened palm he began landing hot slaps in a slow rhythm, moving from cheek to cheek. He heard a few squeals, and she shifted trying to find a more comfortable position, so he paused until she settled, then he began slapping her bottom in earnest. Using both hands he played her cheeks like a pair of bongo drums, an instrument with which he was quite adept.

  She had never felt so deserving of chastisement, but he had never spanked her so hard—and it hurt. The position prevented her from squirming, she couldn't kick out her legs or stamp her feet, and she certainly couldn't throw her hands behind her. She didn't have the comfort and support of his lap, or soft pillows under her hips. This was a punishment position, and there was no doubt in her mind he wanted her to know exactly how he felt about her foolish defiance.

  "Tell me how you're feeling," he asked, abruptly pausing to squeeze and pinch her hot skin.

  "Punished and sorry, Sir."

  "Have you been disciplined enough?"

  "Only if you think so, Sir."

  "Do you want be under my authority, Natalie? Do you want to please me?"

  "Yes, Sir, very much."

  "How are you going to show me?"

  "Uh, with your permission, Sir, when you're finished, may I worship your cock?"

  "I'll think about it. Ten very hard on each cheek, and you'll thank me when I'm done."

  She couldn't imagine smacks harder than she'd already received, until she felt the cool hard leather of a paddle. After the first swat bit her hot skin with fire, she expected it to land on her opposite cheek, but it didn't. The paddle proceeded to burn her left buttock until all ten swats had been delivered. She had yelled loudly with each, but her protests had not prevented him from keeping his promise.

  "You can catch your breath for a minute!"

  He still had the crisp stern tone to his voice, but as she felt his comforting caress on her freshly scorched skin she let out a heavy breath. He was rubbing away the hot prickling pain, but the respite was momentary.

  As he began delivering the final ten, he was satisfied the punishment had been just. Her gorgeous bottom was glowing red and she'd be sore for a while, but that's what she'd wanted and needed. She yelped through the last few, but when he'd finished and gazed between her legs, her glistening pussy betrayed her nature. Tossing the paddle on the bed, as h
e soothed her steaming skin with one hand, he moved the other into her sex.

  "So wet," he murmured, "so fucking wet."

  She was softly moaning, but as he thrust two fingers inside her and began moving them in and out, the moan grew into a loud whimpering.

  "No pleasure for you yet, young lady," he said firmly, withdrawing his hand. "Climb off me, unzip my pants and take me out. You're going to worship my cock and suck me dry, and don't you dare spill a drop."

  The strict spanking had fired her canal passion, his authoritative demeanor was sending a hot energy through her body, and she was craving his hard throbbing penis between her lips. Sliding off his lap she moved on to her knees, gently pulled down the zipper, and brought out his stiffened member, but she remembered her training.

  "Please, Sir," she said softly, raising her eyes to meet his, "may I have permission to take you into my mouth and pleasure you?"

  "You may, but I want you completely naked."

  "Yes, Sir."

  He watched her unbutton her shirt, toss it aside, then unsnap her bra, and reaching down he toyed with her breasts for a few minutes before clutching her hair. Directing her movements, he watched as she slurped and tongued his stiffened cock, slowing her bobbing head when he felt himself drawing near, but when he decided he wanted to climax, he tightened his hold and held her still.

  "Remember, not one drop spilled," he warned, and closing his eyes he surrendered to his orgasm, releasing into her warm, wet, wonderful mouth.

  Letting out a breath he opened his eyes stared down at her. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were sparkling with hunger. Lifting her up he brought her into his arms and stretched out on the bed, then holding her tightly he smoothed his hands down her back and gently fondled her sore backside.

  "My poor punished girl," he crooned. "Please don't do that again. If you want me to spank you, just tell me."

  "It's different."

  "I know, but if you really have to misbehave don't put your life isn't at risk. I'll be forced to bring out my cane."

  "You have a cane?"

  "I certainly do. If I must I'll give you three strikes on the first day of every month."

  "No, no, I'll be good, I swear."

  "Just remember that if you're tempted."

  "Oliver?"

  "Yes, Natalie?"

  "I'm so horny. Please can I rub myself? I feel like I could come just squeezing my thighs together. I can't stand it. Please, may I? Pleeeease?"

  "You do beg delightfully," he sighed. "You may if you promise never to use the word horny again. Turned on, randy, hot, anything but horny. It makes me think of a goat."

  "I promise."

  "Pleasure yourself while I suck on your lovely tits."

  "Ooh, yes, please."

  With her roasted backside, his mouth hungrily devouring her breasts, and her fingers urgently massaging her clit, she was soon wailing through her climax. Moments later, snuggled against him and feeling safe in his arms, she drifted in the afterglow, but she knew it would a short respite. The artifact and its secret was waiting.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Victor Pichenko's fist was curled around a crumpled piece of paper, and as he paced and cursed, Andy cowered in a chair.

  "You think I don't know what goes on right under my nose?" he barked. "The moment you saw this you should have brought it to me. How dare you hide anything, especially something you received from a fucking traitor!"

  "I'm sorry, uncle. It didn't mean anything so I just tossed it."

  "Didn't mean anything my ass. I saw the way you looked at her. Did you fuck her? Tell me! Did you take her into some stairwell and fuck her?"

  "NO!"

  "I'll bet you jerked off thinking about it," Victor grunted. "Why would she want anything to do with sniveling piece of shit like you? I'm sending you back to Russia."

  "Please, uncle, don't send me back. I'm sorry. I swear I thought—"

  "I thought! I thought! You know how many fucking times I hear those two fucking words. You're lucky you're my sister's kid, otherwise—"

  But his phone buzzed cutting him off mid-sentence, and staring at the screen he saw the text message

  The security footage you requested has been found. You're welcome to come to the security office and check it out if you wish.

  "You'll stay and continue your work until the exhibition leaves for Los Angeles," Victor exclaimed, shoving his phone back in his pocket.

  "But I swear I wasn't hiding anything," Andy bleated, jumping to his feet and running up to him. "Please won't you give me another chance?"

  "Groveling. I hate that almost as much as lying," he snarled, and throwing the crumpled piece of paper into Andy's face, he raised his hand and slammed it across his terrified nephew's cheek. Though it was only a slap it sent the scrawny young man flying to the ground, and standing over him Victor added, "Like I was saying, if you weren't my nephew I'd beat the crap out of you and leave you in the desert for the fucking vultures. No-one lies to me. No-one hides shit from me. No-one. You're done, and be fucking grateful I'm letting you stay until I leave for LA. Now get the fuck out of my suite."

  Andy curled into a ball. He'd seen his uncle viciously kick men when they were down, but to his surprise Victor and his two henchmen marched from the room. He didn't move until he was sure they were gone, then slowly getting to his knees, with shaking hands he uncrumpled the note and read it again.

  Dear Andy. I've truly enjoyed getting to know you and I'm sorry I had to leave without saying a proper goodbye. I doubt we'll ever see each other again but I'll always consider you a friend. I wish I could have met you under different circumstances and I wish you the very best with your life. Warm hugs, Natalie.

  He adored her. Women had either ignored him or been cruel, but not Natalie. The beautiful, smart, sexy woman had been kind to him from the day they'd met. When it was possible she'd engage him in conversation, and though he'd feel himself blush she'd pretended not to notice. That in itself had been a kindness. She'd even hugged him a couple of times. He could still smell her feminine fragrance and feel her warm soft body. Her note had been an amazing surprise. He'd wanted to keep it, he'd wanted to treasure it, he'd wanted to read it over and over again, but he'd been afraid if his uncle found it he'd tear it to shreds and have a fit so he'd tossed away in the casino. Andy cursed himself. He should have realized he couldn't keep anything from his diabolical uncle.

  His face was hurting, and carefully folding up the precious piece of paper he placed it in his pocket and gingerly left the luxurious penthouse suite. Entering the elevator he was about to press the button for his floor but changed his mind. Not only did he need some air, the last thing he wanted to do was face the idiots watching the monitors.

  The side of his face was beginning to throb. He couldn't imagine how it must look, and riding the elevator down to the lobby he kept his head lowered as hotel guests joined him in the small space. Finally reaching the ground floor he stepped out into the irritating sounds of the slot machines and endless chatter, but ignoring it all and continuing to stare at the floor, he hurried to the front door and out into the fresh air.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  After purchasing a burner phone, Leo rode his Harley directly to the hotel. His shift started at noon, and as he pulled into the parking garage he texted the new number to Oliver. Seconds later Oliver called.

  "I think you'd better find a spot to sit down," Oliver suggested. "I have a great deal to tell you."

  "I just arrived at the hotel and got off my bike. Go ahead."

  As Leo listened to the extraordinary tale of Natalie's visit to the hotel, he found himself admiring her courage and at the same time wanting to throttle her for doing something so dangerous.

  "That's some woman you've got there. It's great she verified the relic, but dammit, she can't pull stunts like that."

  "It won't happen again, believe me," Oliver assured him, "but while we were trying to think of a way to get Victor to move the ar
tifact from the lobby, she may have done it for us. After seeing her photograph it today I'll bet he'll get it out of there, but you'll need to find out where it goes if he does."

  "He will, he's so paranoid. By the way, I've thought of a place to hide this new phone. I'll check it every time I have a break. Was mine compromised?"

  "It was but it's history now. I noticed you messed with the GPS."

  "I didn't trust it and I sure didn't want them tracking me."

  "The office is sending you a new one."

  "Is that everything?" Leo asked, as he started walking towards the hotel's entrance. "I'd better get inside. I've only got about five minutes before my shift starts."

  "That's enough, don't you think?"

  "Yeah, I guess you could say—shit. You're not going to believe this. I think a possible miracle is walking towards me."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Andrei Petrov. From what I can see he's got a shiner brewing and he looks pathetic."

  "I guess Victor found Natalie's note," Oliver remarked. "Poor kid. He must be terrified right now."

  "But Oliver, as you like to say, opportunity just knocked on our door."

  "You want to approach him? It's risky."

  "Yeah, but think of the payoff."

  "Go for it."

  "I need to tell him something only Natalie would know. He's probably scared shitless."

  "Hold on."

  Keeping his eyes glued on Andy, Leo watched him walk across the parking lot to a small grassy area, sit down and lean against a palm tree.

  "She said to say, kindness costs nothing but can be worth more than gold."

  "Got it. Talk to you soon."

  Ending the call, Leo hurried back to his bike, and unlocking his storage compartment he withdrew a small notepad and pen.

  Andy, Natalie sends her love. Kindness costs nothing but can be worth more than gold. We want to help you. I serve at the Metro Bar noon to midnight.