by Maggie Ryan
Every emotion imaginable flashed across her delicate features in an instant. Disbelief, anger, fear, and then understanding, resolve and maybe even a touch of excitement. She nodded.
“Bend over the back of the couch.” He wasted no time unthreading the thick leather belt through the loops on his jeans. He wouldn’t draw this out, but he wasn’t about to rush it either.
The leather was cool as he folded the belt over his hands forming a loop.
“I’m going to do five, Jolene. And they are going to hurt. Each stripe will be a reminder of what I expect in the future, and what will happen if we find ourselves in this position again.”
Her voice trembled slightly as she agreed, “Yes, Jake. I understand.”
The first stripe landed with a loud smack—the unmistakable sound of leather against flesh, leaving a bright red stripe rising in its place. “You will tell me everything that happens in your life. Especially if it relates to your health. Everything you do now affects me as well.”
“Yes, Jake.” It was a hiss of breath through the pain.
The second stripe crisscrossed the first, and Joey reared up as the pain lapped across her wounded flesh.
“You will trust me. Even when you think you can’t. Remind yourself that I have never let you down.”
“Yes, Jake.”
The third stripe fell right under the first two—her red skin flattening as the leather cut into it, then quickly bouncing back.
“You will let go of the pain and the wounds from your past. If you feel those thoughts and fears rising up, you will tell me, and let me remind you how very loved you are.”
There were no words from her this time, only quiet cries of anguish.
The fourth stripe crossed over the top of the third, and she danced in place, as if doing so would somehow diminish the pain.
“You will include me in your life, and be included in mine. You will tell me what you need, and trust me to provide it.”
“You will never run away.”
The fifth one never fell. He couldn’t bear to punish her poor throbbing flesh a second longer, when all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and kiss her as soundly and thoroughly as he had spanked her. But he had one last thing to say.
“I promise to never let you push me away. I promise to always be there in every possible way and to always let my actions speak louder than my words. If you need me to keep proving my love to you over and over, I gladly will, but sometimes it’s going to be a painful lesson. If you ever need to hear me say it, it’s better to just ask, unless you prefer my hand or belt to do the talking for me. Because I will spank you every time, not to punish you for doubt or fear, but to prove to you that you are safe. Cherished. And oh, so loved.”
The memory of his words devastated him. He had failed her. He had let his guard down, and built a wall of his own, and let the pride get the better of him. He had thought at the time that it had been the right decision, for both of them. And it might have been, if it hadn’t meant a broken promise.
Jolene. His Joey. She had tested him many times over the years, she couldn’t help but push. She had even admitted she enjoyed the security she felt when he pushed back, even if it meant a sore bottom, as it always did.
He had promised to be her rock, and he had failed. She was leaning against the sales counter looking shell-shocked.
He crossed the store in two giant strides and pulled her into his arms.
“I messed up.”
“I pushed too hard.”
They both spoke at once, each claiming all the blame for themselves.
“I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“I wanted to surprise you. I guess I thought I was proving myself less impulsive by taking on a long-term commitment, but I really did the opposite. I’m sorry.”
Again, the words tumbled out simultaneously, as they stumbled through their own apologies.
“I should have spanked you.”
“Jake, will you please spank me?”
Nervous laughter filled the air as Jake looked around the empty shop.
“Five minutes till closing time. Then I’m going to take you home, and teach your naughty bottom a lesson I hope you never forget.”
“Home?” To his surprise, her face fell at his announcement, and she gazed at him looking utterly bereft.
“What you want me to spank you here?”
She halfheartedly motioned to the small back room sectioned off from the rest of the store by only a thick curtain. “It seems appropriate. And, you did mention it, this morning.”
Jake frowned, his eyebrows furrowing as he pondered the events of the day and every memory that had come with it. Joey was right. Sock it to Me was the perfect place for them to put this behind them once and for all. Socks and spanking. It was the very foundation of their relationship. It was who they were.
The End
Rayanna Jamison
Rayanna Jamison has always dreamed of becoming an author. She credits a big move from Oregon to Utah in 2013 as the catalyst that finally began her writing career. She now lives in Southern Utah with her husband, two children, two dogs, and her mother. She writes what she loves to read, which is fun romantic stories about submission in its many forms. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, crafting, and shopping, and that's just in her spare time. When the kids and husband are home, she can be found baking with her daughter, watching her son and his friends, and hosting neighborhood block parties. She loves exploring her new area, and finding fun new things to do with her family.
Don’t miss these exciting titles by Rayanna Jamison and Blushing Books!
Catching Her Cowboy Daddy
Santa, Sir
Cole for Christmas
Other Uses for a Wooden Spoon
Corbin’s Bend Series
A Perfect Partnership
A Holiday Ruse
Ginger UP
Love Multiplied Series
Green Valley Brides, Books 1 & 2
Luke’s First Bride, Book 3
Vegas Nights Series
Collared, Book One
Anthologies
Sweet Town Love
Audio Books
The Bishop’s First Bride
Bride Two Soon
Mid-Winter Melt Down
By
Beth Bennett
Chapter 1
I can’t believe I chose the worst winter on record to move back to this crummy old town. Sharon Blake was busy trying to shovel through three feet of snow. She felt as though her heart was going to pound right out of her chest. Who knew shoveling snow made you feel like you were going to keel over after only five minutes? She’d finally managed to get a path from the backdoor to her garage, but the shovel suddenly hit solid rock. What? She brushed away a bit more snow. There was an entire sheet of ice beneath all the loose powder. It made her want to scream. I could just kill Jerry the Jerk for forcing us to move here!
Recently divorced, Jerry’s name had become synonymous with jerk and a lot of other four letter words. She’d managed to keep her thoughts and her words to herself for the kids’ sake, but it hadn’t been easy. I’ll spread some salt and hope the sun comes out enough to do the rest. She leaned the snow shovel against the back door and whacked an icicle off the house for good measure. Stomping the snow off her boots, she entered the utility room. Stuff sat everywhere. They’d only moved two weeks ago. Just ahead of this storm, she thought wryly. All the disorder was driving her crazy. Putting on the coffee pot, she rifled through the cabinet for something to eat. Geez, I need to go the grocery store.
Sharon could hear Bobby and Megan screaming as they played out front in the snow. The best sledding hill in the whole town ran right past their house. She went to look out the front window to make sure the screams were ones of joy and not of pain. Good grief. There were so many kids out there. They looked like colorful, squirming ants, against a backdrop of white.
Just yesterday, her mother had
brought two brand new sleds by the house. “They’re calling for the biggest snowstorm in a century. This will be so fun for your kids.”
“Mom,” Sharon had complained. “That’s going to make a huge mess. They’ll freeze to death out in that stuff. Did you have to go and buy them sleds?”
“Yes, I did. That’s what grandmothers are for.”
The kids had jumped up and down, fist pumping the air, and screaming in joy. There was no way Sharon could say no. “All right. Take them out to the garage.”
Now they were out on the hill, having the time of their lives. It made Sharon happy to watch them. Bobby and Megan had been through a lot. They had all been through a lot. Everyone said it got better after the first year. Well, two years had gone by since she and Jerry had separated, and still, Sharon barely felt like she had her head above water. At least the divorce was final. She spied little Megan clambering up on top of Bobby’s sled. It seemed she was happier making him haul her up and down the hill than walking and riding on her own sled. The little imp was wearing a double pair of socks on her hands instead of gloves. Her mittens were lost in the moving mess. Just one more thing to add to the list of her, “bad mother of the year,” award thought Sharon.
She took a sip of coffee and watched as a group of kids narrowly missed hitting a tree. Another group was involved in a snowball fight. Megan and Bobby were riding down the hill together. Bobby was such a good big brother. Ever since the divorce, he had tried to be the man of house, but he was only ten. Hence, the reason they had moved back to Flat Rock. He doesn’t need to be the man of the house. He simply needs to be a little boy. Sharon took another sip of coffee. Thank goodness Mom still lives here. She’ll be a big help. Besides, living in a small apartment isn’t the way I want to raise the kids, and the schools are better here. There is a sense of community here. The kids will be safe here. Sharon breathed out a big sigh. And I will be bored out of my cotton pickin mind, here. Oh well, Bobby and Megan’s well-being is the most important thing.
Sharon suddenly noticed a town police car. It was parked at the top of the sledding hill and an officer was getting out of the car. Oh great, they can’t even let the kids have a little fun. Right at that moment, Bobby and Megan’s sled was hit by a fast moving teenager on a boogie board. It was a total wipeout. Megan was thrown off one side and Bobby the other. It all happened so fast, she wasn’t sure if they were okay or not. She ignored the coffee spilled on the windowsill and took off out the front door.
Bobby was slowly getting up, but Megan wasn’t moving. One of those panicked screams from deep inside was forming in Sharon’s throat. Before it could make it out her mouth, the police officer was kneeling in the snow and helping Megan up. Sharon raced toward them.
“Baby, baby, are you all right?”
Megan giggled. “That was fun.”
“Good grief, Megan, you scared me out of my mind.” Sharon laid her hand across her chest to try to still her pounding heart. She reached out to brush the snow from Megan’s hair. A sock lay dejectedly over to the side. Megan’s hat was a few feet in the other direction. “You all have been out here long enough. I think it’s time you came in.” Sharon went to pick up the scattered clothing items. By this time, Bobby had trudged over, dragging his sled behind.
“Aw, Mom. We’re not even cold yet.”
The police officer interjected. “I think the little girl is okay, ma’am.” He turned to Bobby. “How about you, son?”
“Aw, I’m fine. One little wipeout ain’t nothing.”
“Isn’t,” Sharon corrected. “You two have just given me the scare of my life. I need a break, even if you don’t. To the house, now.”
Bobby and Megan looked dejected, but obediently trudged toward the house. It was Sharon who was freezing now. She couldn’t feel her toes at all. Her snow boots had been untied, and her feet were completely wet. She stood out in the middle of the freezing cold without a coat.
The policeman tipped his hat. “I’ll get their other sled. The kids left it at the top of the hill. You better go inside. I’ll bring it to the front door.”
Before Sharon could protest, the cop turned and jogged away. She caught up with Bobby and Megan and hustled them into the house. “It’s freezing out there. How did you kids stand it?”
“For one thing, we had a coat on,” Bobby said.
“Yeah, well, that’s true. Just leave your wet things here by the front door. There’s some hot chocolate warming on the stove. You go get changed, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen in a minute.” Sharon hurried to her room and put on some wool socks. I may have to put my feet in a hot bath.
The doorbell rang. What is it now? Sharon stomped to the front door. I swear, if it’s those neighborhood kids wanting Bobby and Megan to come out again, I’m going to scream. She opened the front door in a huff. Her hair was flat, and needed a good shampoo. She wore a big droopy sweatshirt, no bra, and baggy old jeans. There stood the cop holding Megan’s sled by its pink rope. His breath made frosty clouds around his head and he was grinning a very familiar grin. She immediately crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Oh no, it can’t be.
“Hi, Sharon. I thought it was you.”
Chapter 2
It was Tom Sydney. She could not believe it. Senior prom, captain of the football team, first love, first kiss, Tom Sydney.
“You.”
“Yes, it’s me all right.”
Brash, handsome, make your toes curl, Tom Sydney. The guy everyone wanted to date, Tom Sydney. And the years had been nothing but kind. He had been gorgeous in high school. Now, he was full-grown and filled out. It was the same youthful face, the same grey-green eyes, the same handsome profile, only now, it was set in the body of a man. Sharon realized her mouth had gone slack when she felt a drop of drool going down her chin.
“Oh! Oh, my gosh, Tom! Why, it is you. And here I am, just standing here.” She looked down at the sled. “Here let me take that, good grief. I’ve got you standing out here on my front porch like an idiot.” She made a move to take the sled, but Tom stopped her.
“I’ll take both sleds around to the garage for you. They’ll get rusted if you leave them out in this weather.”
“Oh, okay.”
Sharon stood with the front door wide open as she watched Tom trek through the front yard and disappear around back.
“Mom,” Bobby yelled. “Close the door. It’s freezing.”
“It is freezing,” Sharon answered. She closed the storm door then shut the heavy wooden door. Tom Sydney is in my backyard.
She raced to the back door and caught a glimpse of him through the kitchen window as he disappeared into the garage. She waited at the back door for him to re-emerge.
There he was. She threw the door open and waved. “Tom! Why don’t you come in and warm up? I’ve got some hot chocolate on the stove.” He gave a wave back and started toward her. She crossed her arms over her chest again.
He stopped at the black mat on the stoop. Brushing off his coat, and wiping his boots, he took off his hat. “I could use some hot chocolate about now. Thanks.”
His thick, sandy brown hair was just the same, but he was wearing it shorter than he used to. It still had a beautiful curl to it. She didn’t remember him having shoulders that broad. When did he get so tall? She didn’t even come up to his chest. The last time she had kissed him she was sure Tom had been the one who was shorter.
“Come on in. I’ll just be a minute. I want to change. These things are a little wet.” Dashing into her bedroom, she yanked off the sweatshirt and pulled on a bra. Just my luck. Tom Sydney appears at my door and I look like something from the zoo. She threw on a black t-shirt and better fitting jeans and quickly ran a brush through her hair. She didn’t have a stitch of make-up on. Oh well, I don’t want him to think I’m trying too hard. She breezed back into the kitchen. “I don’t know why I didn’t recognize you. I guess my attention was on Megan and Bobby. Thanks for your help, by the way.” She motioned t
oward the kitchen table. “Please, have a seat. The hot chocolate will be right up.”
Megan was squalling from the back of the house. “Mom! Bobby’s twying to boss me.”
“Kids, come on into the kitchen. Your hot chocolate’s ready and I’ve got somebody I want you to meet.”
Stomping and shoving ensued, and finally, the two appeared in the doorway. They stood still when they saw a policeman seated at the table.
It made Sharon laugh. “It’s all right, kids. He’s not here to arrest you. This is an old friend of mine, Tom Sydney. Tom, this is Megan and Bobby.” They stood frozen to the floor.
Tom’s deep voice sounded like a warm fire and hot soup. “It really is all right, kids. I went to the same high school as your mom. Why don’t you come on in and have a seat? I think your mom’s got some hot chocolate ready, and I could use some too.”
They were immediately put at ease. Megan pulled her chair right beside Tom’s and Bobby looked up at him in awe.
Sharon poured the hot chocolate and brought it to the table. “Does everyone want marshmallows?”
They all nodded. Sharon took a seat too. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize who you were out on the hill. It’s been a long time.”
“Fifteen years to be exact.”
“That long, huh?” Sharon raised her eyebrows. He didn’t have to quote the exact amount of time. What’s he been doing? Counting it? Why did I put these mom jeans on? This bra squashes me flat. I wonder if he thinks I’ve gained a lot of weight.
“So, Sharon, I see your mom in town occasionally. She told me you had two children. It’s nice to finally meet them.” He looked between Megan and Bobby. “How old are you?”
I wonder if she told you the details of my divorce from hell.
“I’m ten,” Bobby said. “This is my little sister. She’s four.” Megan smiled and a fat dimple appeared in her left cheek. She swung her legs back and forth, showing her little corn nibblet baby teeth.