by Sierra Brave
A loud sigh escaped Lucy’s lips as she stood up and cleared her plate. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to take my shower and go to sleep.”
“Go ahead. I’ll clean up.” The horse matriarch waved her off.
Once she was bathed and dressed in her pajamas, Lucy settled down into bed. She considered Mrs. Banks’ words. I want to be happy. She glanced at the digital display on the clock and started to set the alarm. He’ll be back to pick me up tomorrow. What face will he show? Will he be my stern mentor and act as if I’d never orgasmed in his arms? Her finger lingered over the on/off switch. Hmm…I wonder.
When Chance arrived to pick Lucy up, he debated walking up to the door but decided to beep the horn. After all, it wasn’t like he was taking her on a date. He was doing his duty, no more, no less. He waited five minutes before beeping the horn again. This time Lucy appeared in the doorway, clad in her night clothes and waving him over. No fucking way…It’s like she wants me to whoop her butt.
He got out and strode to the door, glowering at her the whole time. As he stepped on the porch, she begged for forgiveness, “Oh, my God! I’m sooo sorry. I thought Ms. Banks was going to wake me up.”
He growled. “Getting up on time and being ready when I pick you up is your responsibility.”
She stepped back to let him in the door. “Wait here for just a few minutes and, and I’ll be ready to go.”
“Nope, first you’re getting your butt spanked.”
Her eyes opened wide. She reached behind her and then rubbed her bottom. Her heart thumped out of control and her stomach simmered with anxiety. She’d brought this on herself, but when she’d hatched the plan, she hadn’t been thinking about waking up with a raw tenderness that was now covering her backside from the sacral area to the tip-top of her thighs. “What? It was just an accident.” He took a few steps backward.
He rolled his eyes before walking over to the couch. After he sat down in the middle, he motioned for her to approach. “Get over my knee.”
A jolt of excitement sent a shiver down her spine. “But…we’ll wake up Ms. Banks. Please, can’t we wait until after work today and go back to the woods?” She looked down at the floor.
He patted his knee. “Stop stalling.”
“Please, I’m still sore.”
He lifted an eyebrow and set his mouth in a grim line as he motioned for her to take her place. “You’re wasting more time. Over. Now.” She froze in place, glancing down the hallway where the master bedroom was located. “Don’t make me haul you over here.”
She lifted her palms in front of her. “No, no, I’ll comply, but please, spank me in my room. Ms. Banks’ bedroom is too close to the den. We’ll wake her up.” That old lady’s probably already got her ear to the wall, but I want to get him alone.
He rubbed his chin before letting out a perturbed-sounding sigh. “Fine, but only out of consideration for Ms. Banks.” Lucy breathed easier as she nodded her head in acknowledgment. He stood. “Lead the way.”
“Yes, Sir.” Her voice was low and meek as she high tailed it to the guestroom. Chance lingered in the doorway as if he were hesitant to enter. Don’t tell me he’s worried about propriety after making me come yesterday. She stood next to her bed expectantly, looking into his eyes for signs of what he was thinking when he frowned and shook his head.
“You didn’t even make your bed.”
“I woke up when you blew the horn.”
He sat down on the edge of her mattress and glanced at the nightstand. “There is literally an alarm clock right there.”
She looked down at the floor. “I guess I forgot to set it.”
He narrowed his eyes as he patted one of his thighs. “Well, whatever. Let’s hurry this up.” As she bent over, he helped her move into position. She placed her palms flat on the floor and her hips rested on his lap while her feet dangled.
Chance had invaded her dreams all night long, and now here she was draped over him with an excellent view of his black, leather boots. As the dread of being punished set in, she trembled, but the warmth of his hand as he placed his palm over her silky pajamas sent pleasant sensations throughout her body.
As he lifted his hand, she sucked in her breath, and as soon as he brought it down on her rear, she squealed in reaction to the discomfort radiating along her flesh. She’d hardly had time to brace herself when the next swat touched down. Again and again, he stuck her tender bottom, creating a much deeper aching as she clenched and groaned.
“I can’t believe I’m already spanking you again, Lucy. You need to grow up and stop behaving like a juvenile delinquent.”
His words hurt far more than the spanking. He doesn’t know me at all. I practically raised myself, and I’ve never been in any serious trouble. Tears welled up in her eyes as Chance’s heavy hand chastised her smarting backside.
As she started to squirm, her night shorts began to ride up exposing her ass cheeks to the cool air. She lifted her head and sucked in her stomach as she begged for forgiveness, but he peppered her buttocks with hard slaps and continued to lecture her. “I didn’t think I had to tell you every little thing you needed to do, but here’s how it’s supposed to go. Before you go to bed, set your alarm. Be up no later than six-thirty and be waiting for me when I get here at seven-thirty. Got it?”
“Yes…Sir.” She choked out her words between pants as he continually alternated smacks from one side of her rear to the other. No matter how much she squawked and kicked, he retained his composure, calmly administering her punishment.
As he grabbed the waistband and yanked her pajama bottoms down, she huffed. “It hurts, Sir!” She sniffled loudly, silently praying he’d take pity on her once he saw the condition of her well-spanked bottom.
“It’s supposed to be painful so you learn.”
As he placed his palm down on her naked ass and caressed her burning flesh, her heart fluttered and the area between her legs pulsed with desire. She closed her eyes and relaxed her body as she lost herself in the comfort of his gentle touch. He lifted his hand and she whimpered, immediately missing the skin-to-skin contact until he smacked her bare cheek. “Ow!” She put one of her hands behind her, but as usual, he grabbed it and twisted her arm so it rested in the small of her back, holding it there.
“You are an inconsiderate, little brat. What if I had a class scheduled for this morning? What then?”
Her tears flowed like rain. “I don’t know.” He slapped her thigh, leaving a red handprint and she screamed, “Ow!”
“How are you supposed to address me when you’re being punished?”
“Sir! I don’t know, Sir.”
“I have a job and a schedule and if you throw it off, I’m on the hook for it.”
“I’m sorry, Sir. I’ll do better, Sir.”
“You best remember.” Her naked flesh compressed as his hand touched down.
“You’re slipping. Move your torso up on the bed and straddle my knee.”
“Yes, Sir.” The change provided a small measure of relief since it allowed a few seconds reprieve. She took her time, huffing and puffing as she adjusted and readjusted while he pulled her bottoms off.
“No panties?”
“Not when I sleep…oh, I mean Sir. Not when I sleep, Sir.”
“Good girl.” He rubbed her bottom, spreading his own legs while maneuvering her body to put her right where he wanted. Her face burned with embarrassment as her pussy settled over this thigh. She arched her back in an attempt to avoid contact with his clean pants.
He resumed her spanking, but he wasn’t hitting as hard this time around. He swatted her bottom and then rubbed the cheeks again. “Why can’t you do what is expected of you?” His voice was calm and gentle.
“I can, Sir. I’m sorry I disappointed you again.”
“Okay, I’m almost finished with your spanking. Be good. No clenching and no kicking.”
Fresh tears fell on her cheeks. “Yes, Sir.”
While he heaped a plethora of fast
and furious smacks on her sweltering buns, her legs trembled. “I think I’ve made my point. Go get some lotion.”
“Thank you, Sir.” She scooted off his leg and rushed over to her dresser where she had a few toiletries set out and retrieved a small tube of hand cream.
“Back in place.” Lucy wiped her tear-stained face with her hand before climbing back over his knee. As he squirted white liquid on her bottom, she savored the coolness. His hand scooted around her flesh, spreading the soothing relief.
Another dollop fell on her skin, and she quivered while reaching in front of her to fist her bedsheets. Her hips seemed to move against her will as she pushed her pussy down against his legs and moaned. Her skin tingled and her nipples hardened into tight beads as he moved his fingertips over her skin. Her head swam as if a wave had toppled her and held her under the murky water.
She whimpered, never wanting the sensation of his hands on her body to go away. His scent hung in her nostrils, making her heart pound as if it were a bass drum. Every nerve ending in her body fired and buzzed with alert need. The tiny hairs on her arms stood on end, and her throat felt so dry it was as if someone had siphoned every drop of moisture from her mouth even as her pussy dripped hot nectar. Her first instinct was to push him down on the bed, grab his cock and seduce him.
She took shallow breaths, willing her sense to return to her. “Sir, please, I don’t want to mess up your clothes.” She stood before she back up a few steps. Her face was burning. Actually, her entire body was. She glanced at the mirror over her dresser, taking in the beet red color of her cheeks before looking at Chance.
His long black hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, showing off his handsome face as he stared at her with the oddest expression, something between longing and confusion. Her gaze glided down to his pants leg and settled on the small wet spot. Beads of sweat damped his brow and around the edges of his forehead close to his hairline. As if breaking free from a daze, he shook his head and swallowed hard, his tongue poking at the inside of his cheek. Does he feel dehydrated too?
“We should go. Clean your face and get dressed quick.” He dropped the tube of hand lotion on her bed before rushing out of the room.
Lucy fixed her face and then put her clothing on as fast as she could before she hurried out into the living room where Chance was seated across from Mrs. Banks. He was drinking from a bottle of water and glaring at the old woman in the strangest fashion.
“There’s our pretty girl.” Mrs. Banks handed Lucy her own bottle of water. “I have a feeling you could use this.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” She nodded to the elder lady while Chance marched to the foyer. As he held the front door open for her, she hurried out and then rushed to his truck. He came up behind her and unlocked the door before helping her inside.
As they drove off and made their way down the mountain, silence hung in the air like precipitation clinging to clouds. Her heart beat so fast she could practically hear it, making sitting wordlessly unbearable. “What was going on with you and Mrs. Banks while I was getting dressed?”
“Huh?” He kept his eyes on the road. “Nothing. What would be going on between me and an eighty-something-year-old lady?”
She shook her head. “No, I mean. It seems like maybe something was said…”
He scoffed. “Like I’d know what to say to that woman.” He glanced at Lucy and the angry expression twisting up his face softened. “To be honest, she creeps me out a little. It’s like she knows things she couldn’t or shouldn’t…like some sort of witch, but don’t you go repeating that.”
“No, Sir. I wouldn’t dare.” She shook her head adamantly. She stared at her knees while wringing her hands. “I’m sorry for disappointing you this morning.”
He spared her a glance but didn’t say a word, simply shaking his head. A few minutes later he answered, “You don’t have to keep apologizing. Just don’t let it happen again.”
When they arrived at the ranch, he told her to stay put. After exiting his side, he walked around and then opened the door for her, taking the time to help her down as well. He stood in her way, eyeing her suspiciously. “Tell me something, Lucy.”
Her heart fluttered as he said her name in his twangy accent. “Yes.”
“Did you forget to set your alarm on purpose?” He towered over her as he leaned in, his hands resting on the truck on either side of her body, trapping her.
Her eyes widened and she looked away from his face, focusing on his badge. “Ww…hh…why would I do that?” She cringed at the sound of her cracking voice.
He lifted an eyebrow. “I can only think of one reason.” He leaned in so close she could smell his own delicious scent mixing with the sweetness of his cologne. As he lightly brushed his lips against hers, her knees weakened.
Lucy leaned against the truck to keep from swooning, her hands grasping his hips as she pushed into the kiss. After he pulled away, he stroked her bleached locks as he placed his lips by her ear. “I’ve used the stick…how about the carrot?”
“Huh?” She sucked in her breath.
“You do a good job at work today, and I’ll make you dinner at my house.”
She tilted her head. “You can cook?”
“As a matter of fact, I can. I assume you’re a vegetarian.”
“You assume correctly. How did you know?”
“Most of us are. Though I’m only half equine so I sometimes crave meat.”
She scrunched up her nose. “Ew.” Her face flushed. “Not about you being a halfie, but about the meat. So the other half…”
“Wolf. Does that bother you?”
She shook her head. “Not especially.”
He took her hand and walked her to the office, asking to speak to the boss man alone when they arrived. Once she signed-in, she caught a ride in a golf cart to the other side of the ranch where she’d be working.
Davis closed the door behind him. “So what’s on your mind?”
Chance removed his hat and rubbed his temples. “How does she know?”
Davis shrugged and scratched his head. “How does who know what?”
“Your Gram. How?”
“Pfft, hell if I know. I’ll admit it’s downright disconcerting, but I swear that woman can look at someone and if she’s ever laid eyes on their fated mate even just in a picture, she just knows.”
Chance pinched the bridge of his nose as he shook his head. “That makes no damn sense.”
Davis shrugged again. “Tell me about it. She met Scarlett on Facebook and got her to rent the cabin next door to my place. One minute I was outside splitting logs and the next, that sexy woman steps outside and I’m losing my damn mind. I wasn’t interested in dating. Hell, I was so busy with the ranch I didn’t even think I had time.”
“Facebook?”
“Yep. Gram never even met her in person, but she knew.”
“Did you get really thirsty?”
Davis nodded. “Oh, hell yeah. It was bad and the sweaty palms and my dick—“
“Constantly twitching and throbbing whenever she’s near?”
He nodded. “That gets better after you seal the deal. Well, a little better. It’s not painful anymore or as distracting.”
“Fuck, so after you got together with Scarlett?”
Davis smiled. “It’s amazing. Sometimes I find myself just sitting around smiling about something she said days ago. When I’m with her, I’m crazy happy, and when she’s out-of-town for work, I’m pretty grouchy. It might be double for you two since you’re both shifters.”
Chance frowned. “I dunno. I don’t like the idea of my instincts controlling me.”
Davis plopped down in his desk chair before rolling his eyes and drumming his fingers on his desk. “Man, you got it easy. If she’s the one, she’s feeling it just like you. Not only did I have to win Scarlett over, but I also had to reveal my second nature to her and risk her freaking out on me.”
Chance nodded. Davis had definitely bought into the one
true mate thing. He still wasn’t so sure, but it certainly would explain why his heart felt like it was going to explode every time he touched Lucy. “She’s too young for me.”
“Apparently not.” Davis threw up his hands. “Oh, can you check on something for me?”
“Sure, whatcha’ need?”
“My uncle told me he saw a couple of squatters camping on the family’s land a few miles up the private riding trails. Might not be anything big, but when he asked, they said they were up there to hunt. We don’t take the tourists through that section because two-natured use the land to shift and go on runs all the time and we don’t allow hunting, at least not with anything but claws and teeth. Everyone around here knows just to ask me first, so I’m thinking humans, but Uncle Clyde didn’t think so. Maybe you can check things out, get their story or at least get a better scent. I don’t know why, but I got a bad feeling”
Chance grimaced. “Humans hunting on shifter land can be bad news. I’ll definitely investigate. Can I borrow a horse from the stable?”
“Sure thing. I’ll get Abram to saddle up Thunder for you.”
Chapter Seven
Thunder’s hooves clomped down against the earth, leaving prints as she trotted. Chance held her reigns, keeping her gait slow as he surveyed the area for anything seemingly off. There wasn’t much of the mountain—hell, the whole county—that he didn’t know as well as he knew his own reflection in the mirror. If anything was out of the ordinary, he’d notice.
The sun beat down on him, and even though the mountain breeze kept the humidity at bay, he was starting to sweat. Damn, my hot nature. He dabbed at his forehead with a handkerchief. In the bright sunlight, the foliage of the red maple seemed aflame, and the sweet smell of wildflowers, particularly the fragrant honeysuckle hung in his nostrils as he rode past a line of trees.
Thunder took his subtle orders well, turning when he steered her off the trail after he noticed a beat down patch of the green pods that would have bloomed into beautiful Rhododendrons in a few months if someone hadn’t trampled them. Better check that out.