by C. B. Hunt
It’s amazing to me how much power we give the people around us. Even if we don’t want to, they seem to take it anyway. I had grown to love Les as a brother and a friend, and this sudden change broke my heart. I couldn’t help but wonder if his girlfriend had anything to do with it. It wouldn’t be the first time that somebody decided to hate me because of someone else’s issues, and I was sure it wouldn’t be the last. Was it fair or right? No. But I had no control over how people felt or if they refused (or were too stupid) to make choices for themselves. All I could think of was that she must be great in the sack because why else would he be with her?
As I had told Ray, I was still technically a virgin. Yes, I had been penetrated with objects as a child, but never by a person. My idea of sex was so naïve and based off the fantasy of gentle caresses and whispered words of love, like what was in the romance novels my mother used to hide from me. I recalled that several of them had spanking between the hero and heroine, but it never involved sex, only punishment. But they always ended up falling in love. I sat back on my bed and pulled my knees to my chest, wondering how it would feel to have a man like that in my life. One who was strong and dominant, like Ray, but also romantic and caring.
The words of my biological father came to the surface of my memory. He always said that with someone who had half a brain like me, it would be better to focus on a career and not get my hopes up for a husband because no decent man would want me. I was too short, too chubby, too ugly, and too stupid. All the things that he hated about me, Ray believed to be opposite. So why did the words of a bully have more impact than those said by Daddy? I was startled when Ray walked into my room using the extra key.
“Are you okay, baby? I knocked, but you didn’t answer,” he asked, sitting next to me on the bed.
“I just realized something. Bullies are afraid of their victims.”
“Interesting thought. Go on,” he urged, pulling me into his arms and holding me close.
“I started thinking of my father and all the things he used to say to me to push me over the edge. He wanted me to be out of his life but didn’t have the balls to do it himself, so he bullied me. When I didn’t cave in, then he tried to humiliate me and tell people that I had mental problems.”
“You’re quite correct. People like that do what they can to shift the blame and responsibility from themselves.”
“He antagonized me until I either exploded or imploded. Either way, he saw it as a win because he got a reaction. I tried not to react, but he wouldn’t stop.”
“He mentally tortured you.”
“Yes!” I was so grateful that he understood. “How can I get rid of those ugly words? The stuff done to me physically never hurt as badly as the words did.”
“We try to replace them with new words. I know Les hurt you deeply. I’m sorry.”
“Why? What happened that made him turn so mean to me? Did he tell you?”
“Not much. The marriage is being forced on him by this girl’s family. I don’t know the details, but I suspect it has something to do with some activity in his past.”
“When he was in the gang? But that’s over. He’s a different person now. With a career and a good future. It makes no sense.”
“Well, in a way, it does,” Ray said with a sigh. He leaned against the headboard and rested my head on his chest. “Being married to a serviceman means free medical care, housing allowance, commissary privileges, and travel. She’s pregnant, and her family doesn’t want to raise her kid, so they forced this on him.”
“Maybe the military can give her some plastic surgery for her face,” I said bitterly.
“That’s not nice, young lady. I won’t have you acting like that, hear me?”
“Sorry.”
“We’re family to Les and sometimes people take out their hurt on those closest to them. It’s not right, but it happens. Show some grace and put yourself in his shoes.”
“I’ll try, but if he keeps being nasty, I’ll have to hurt him.”
“If he keeps being nasty, just silently leave the room and don’t feed into it.”
“Okay, fine.”
He tapped my nose. “Be a good girl for me. Do you want to go to the marketplace with us?”
“No, thanks. I don’t want to be around him right now, and I’m not in the mood to eat any of your local unmentionables.”
“So, you’re just going to hide out in your room for this entire trip?”
“Say I’m sick. I need the separation. Please?”
“I thought you wanted to go to the gem market.”
He was trying to bribe me. I didn’t take the bait. “Not anymore. Let me just stay here and sulk for a while, okay?”
“Are you needing to hurt yourself?” He looked worried.
“No. If I did, I promised to tell you.”
“Alright, but I’m only allowing you through tomorrow morning to mope. After that, I want my happy girl, even if it means faking it.”
“What if I don’t want to be happy?”
“Then I’ll have a happy girl with a tender backside.”
“You’re mean.” I crossed my arms.
“You keep telling me that. If you’re hungry, order room service. Just make sure that you order at least one thing that you can’t pronounce.”
“Aw, come on!”
“One …”
“Yes, Daddy dearest. But what if it has mango in it?”
“I already notified the kitchen that you have a mango allergy.”
I grunted. Like always, he was one step ahead of me. He also must have known that the menu was filled with items that I couldn’t pronounce, accompanied by photographs and a number. I squealed in delight when I discovered that the person taking the order spoke English and that I could ask what was in the dishes and limit the degree of spiciness. Score one for me!
Later that night, Ray came in to tuck me into bed as usual. He quizzed me on my menu choices, and I admitted that I cheated a bit, but did try different things like the coconut lemongrass shrimp soup which was wonderful. He cuddled me for a while and then announced that he had bought me a present and ordered me to close my eyes.
Figuring it to be another coloring book, I straightened up and did as I was told. He placed a box in my hand and gave me permission to look. It was a dark blue marquise cut sapphire on a silver chain.
“It’s gorgeous! Thank you!”
“I know you like opals, but none of the ones I saw caught my eye.”
“I love sapphires, too. Thank you, Daddy.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him as tightly as I could.
“You’re awfully clingy tonight. Did you do something wrong?” he teased.
“No.”
“Then what are you up to?”
“I’m just in a weird mood.” I started poking at his stomach.
He grabbed my finger and kissed the tip. “What kind of mood?”
“I can’t explain it. I want to make trouble.”
“Oh, so you’re in the mood to brat? Go for it. Just be aware that there might be consequences.”
I giggled. “I was kinda hoping there would be.”
“What’s this I’m hearing?” He looked genuinely surprised. “Is my little ‘not a sub’ finally admitting to having the needs of a sub?”
“No. It’s just that it makes me feel safe and loved.”
“You’re a submissive.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Let’s see …” He slipped off the bed and began to pace as he pretended to contemplate the situation. “What do most submissives like to do? Push their limits and often will act up, just to see how far they can go before they get busted. No, you never do that.”
I stuck my tongue out at him.
“Being scolded and lovingly disciplined leaves them feeling as though they belong to someone and are protected.”
I re-crossed my arms and looked away.
He continued. “And most, at least in the beginning, will act out to provoke
a spanking because they are too embarrassed to ask for one.”
“I don’t want a spanking.”
“Liar.”
“Bite me.” A grin spread across my face.
“I can do that.”
“No!” I yelled, running as he took a dive at me. We ended up on the floor wrestling playfully when the phone rang.
“Who could that be?” Ray asked, biting my index finger as I tried to push his face away from me.
“Get off me and answer it,” I panted. “It could be important.”
With a disgruntled sigh, Ray heaved himself off the floor and went to the phone. He turned his back to me, and I could barely hear the words he spoke. Crossing my legs Indian style, I sat and impatiently waited for him. I had been having fun and was not happy with the interruption.
“Well? Who was it?”
“Apparently, our downstairs neighbors found our activities disturbing to their young children who are trying to sleep.”
A blush covered my entire body. I finally coughed out, “What did you say?”
“I apologized and told him that my daughter and I would attempt to be quieter in the future.”
“You didn’t!” I was horrified.
“I did. He hung up very quickly. Now, back to the part about you telling me to bite you.”
“Don’t you think that call blew the mood?”
“No way. When they hear me spank you, then they are going to wonder what’s going on.”
“You can’t!” I scrambled to my feet and started backing away.
“Sure I can. In fact, you’ve been such a good girl these last few weeks that you need a reminder. Come here.”
“Nu uh. No way. Nada. Nyet. Non. Iya.” I spouted the word ‘no’ in every language I could immediately think of.
Ray cocked an eyebrow. “Did you just refuse to do what Daddy told you to do?”
“I believe I did,” I said saucily. It was clear that the game was back on, and I was curious to see how it would play out.
“That’s a very naughty thing to do. So naughty that it deserves a little extra reminder than I had planned.” He began to unbuckle his leather belt from his dress pants. I know my eyes must have grown as wide as saucers when he said, “It’s a good thing that it’s just going to be a reminder strapping and not a punishment one.”
His eyes urged me to trust him. “I’ll be good, Daddy. I promise. Please, no belt.”
“Disobedient children need to learn their lessons and no daughter of mine is going to be allowed to defy me and get away with it.”
“I wasn’t defying you. Honest.”
“What do you call telling me ‘no’ then?” I watched as he folded the belt in half and held the buckle in his hand. A strange flutter traveled through my body as the desire to melt at his feet came over me.
“Adamantly protesting.”
“Come here. It’s time you accept who and what you are.” His voice had changed. It commanded me, and I found it irresistible.
“I’m scared.”
“Will I ever harm you?”
“No, Sir.”
“Place your tummy over the pillows on the bed.”
The feel of the belt across my pajamas brought no pain, only a strange warmth that radiated through my body. “Well?” he asked
“Again. You can go harder.”
He complied. This time I felt the deep thud, but again, no pain. A third time was the same. “Let’s try this without protection.”
I shivered as I felt him skim down the pajama pants and then line up the leather against my backside. The first thrash came as a surprise, and I lifted myself onto my toes. He waited until I flattened my feet and relaxed before striking me again.
This time, the belt felt as though it sunk into my flesh with a hard thud. I groaned, but not from pain. I loved it! “More,” I whispered.
“Let yourself go away. This is a safe place where pain can help you be free.”
“Are you sure?”
“You have my permission.”
That was all I needed. The strokes continued slowly, their intensity building with each landing, and within minutes I felt myself drift to that place of escape where I used to go when bad things happened. But this time, it was different. Instead of being surrounded by darkness, it felt light and blissful as though I was flying instead of sinking. The pain translated to pure pleasure. I lost the ability to speak or move and released myself to Ray’s complete control.
The blows didn’t stop suddenly. Instead, he sat on the bed and pulled me across his lap. His hand replaced the belt and continued the warm contact. I was aware of everything, but it was like a dream that I wasn’t quite ready to leave. He tucked me into bed and sat next to me until I opened my eyes.
“How long have you been here?” I asked groggily. He looked tired.
“About an hour. I didn’t want to leave you alone the first time. Not everybody comes out well.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Subspace. What you call going away. Many submissives can do the same thing.”
“They are? But it was different than when I went away as a child. It was …” I struggled to find the word to describe the sensation. “Ethereal.”
“Do you want me to hold you until you fall asleep?”
I smiled and snuggled into my pillow. “I’m good. Good night, Daddy.”
“Good night, my sweet. Sleep well.”
Chapter 10
“Please, please, pleeeeeeeease let me go.” I yanked on Ray’s sleeve and did my best to give him the best of the baby blue eyes that I could manage.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, peanut. It’s dangerous.”
“But I’m a Marine! I was trained just like everyone else, and the whole course is the one I laid out. Please!”
“The Northern Training Area is for troop combat training. There are too many hazards.” He shook his head.
My lower lip went into the best pout I could manage. “It’s not fair. I was trained as an Intelligence Specialist, and how can I do what I was taught if I never get a chance to see where they go beyond a place on a map? The NTA is more than a bunch of squiggly lines.”
“I said no.”
“If I were a boy, you’d let me.”
“If you were a boy, then I wouldn’t be your daddy.”
“What if I promise to be careful?”
He flipped open his newspaper, signifying that the discussion was over. “You heard me, young lady.”
“I’m not going to stop pestering you until you change your mind.” I threatened him. “You are going to get so tired of me begging you to let me go that you will say yes just to get me out of your face.”
“Are you asking for a spanking?”
“No, I’m asking you to let me go on the bivouac with the security platoon. Jean said she would go with me if you said it was okay.”
“You already spoke to Lt. Dereschuk about this?” He didn’t look happy.
“Of course. Did you really think I wouldn’t try to cover all the bases before I came to you?”
“I’m completely against this.”
I snuggled into his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I know, but you do want me to fit in with your troops, don’t you?”
“It’s not going to work.”
I kissed his cheek. “Give me a couple of minutes, and I bet it will. I love you, Daddy.”
“Stop it.”
“You’re the best Daddy in the whole world, know that?” I played with his collar and then looked up at him, blinking my eyes. “I love how you watch out for me, but also want me to be happy. This one maneuver would make me so happy.”
He faltered. “How long is it?”
“Just three days.” I tried not to bounce with excitement. “I promise to be extra careful and won’t get into any trouble.”
“Both you and I know that as long as Jean partners with you, then I might be pulling you both out of the brig by the end of this trip,” he g
rumbled.
I kissed him again. “How about I pinky swear that I keep both of us out of trouble?”
“I’m going to lose this argument, aren’t I?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Very well, you may go.” He winced as I shrieked in his ear and bounced on his lap with glee. “I have one condition. Les goes with you.”
“No! He’s such a buzz kill and has gotten worse since his orders came in. You know how he’s been acting with me. Please …”
“That’s the deal. Les goes, or you don’t.”
“Fine. I hope you’re happy about pissing in my Cheerios.” I growled.
“I’m only looking after you.”
I grunted. At least with Jean, I knew I’d have some fun.
***
On a base with so few females, Jean and I had become friends due to our mutual enjoyment of harassing our senior officers. Ray respected and even liked her, but was always wary of the kind of trouble she could lure me into. After her confession regarding the pranks she had been pulling on him for years, he had even more reason for concern. To his dismay, I frequently announced that I wanted to be like her when I grew up.
Decked in cammies and full packs, we started our trip to follow the course I had laid out for the maneuver. Having never been to the NTA, I was excited beyond belief and imagined that the weekend would be filled with wonders and adventure in the mountainous tropical forest at the northern part of the island. Les scowled at me the entire drive to the transfer site and refused to say two words. I was rather surprised about his anger since he said that he used to love taking these trips.
Jean elbowed me and whispered in my ear. “What crawled up your friend’s ass and died? Is he pissed because the almighty General made him come to get all of us out of his hair for the weekend?”
So that was what Ray had told her! I played along. “I don’t know. He’s been a jerk since he came back from the states. He’s getting married right after he transfers to a chick who’s knocked up by some other dude.”