"You said your arrangement is based on the premise that he doesn't make any demands, yet he spanks your bare bottom and gets aroused doing so."
Ruthie nodded, the pretty pink blush reappearing.
"Does he ... try to take advantage in such situations?"
Ruthie bit her lip. "He's tried it on a few times and I've always rebuffed him, and that makes him angry - he doesn't like rejection."
"Why do you stay with him?" Tom asked, although he already knew the answer. She was trapped.
"Because I've nowhere else to go," she said simply. "I have friends at college, three of them - Angie, Chrissie and Gemma - are my special friends. We're close. Angie lives with her boyfriend, so I can't live with them. That would be awful, I'd feel as though I was always in the way. Chrissie and Gemma live in a student house. It's already overcrowded and they share a room. So ... I'm kinda stuck. For now."
"I fully appreciate that. It must be very frustrating for you if you genuinely want to leave Brad."
"Oh I do. I can't wait to go. But my plan is to continue with my studies. We've just broken up for the summer and I return in September to do my final year. After I qualify I can hopefully get a job, and as soon as I have some money of my own, I can get my own place. It won't be anything grand, but even a one-room bed-sit apartment would be better than having to depend on Brad. I'm going to pay him back my university fees too, every last penny. I don't want to be beholden to him," she declared emphatically.
"You sound a very determined young lady. What are you studying?"
"I'm doing a BA in Business Studies."
"Oh really? That's my area too."
"It is? Great. Where do you work?"
"Have you heard of Harper Engineering UK?"
"Of course. You work there?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say that." Tom grinned. "I'm Tom Harper."
Ruthie looked blank and then slowly realisation dawned. "Oh my God. Tom Harper. You own the company!"
"Sure do. Keeps me busy."
"Wow. But ... but you don't look old enough!"
"Hey, I'm an old man of 34. That's a lot older than your 20 years," he said, his green eyes twinkling, "Almost old enough to be your father ... your Daddy," he added, wanting to observe her reaction.
He wasn't disappointed.
She was animated. They talked and talked, only stopping to order donuts and another coffee for Tom, and a coke for Ruthie.
"So how come you're out all alone this evening?" asked Tom, his mouth full of donut.
"Ah well ..." her face lit up again. "Brad's away - for a whole month! He's a software engineer and he has to travel quite a lot with his job. And fortunately for me, he has to work in Geneva for four whole weeks, which means I have four whole weeks to do as I please!"
"Didn't he want you to go with him?"
"Hell yes, but I told him I'm having extra tuition to help set me up in good stead for my third year studies."
"And are you?" Tom asked quizzically, for it sounded extremely unlikely.
"Um. No. I lied," she said smugly.
"Bad girl," said Tom, and grinned. He didn't for one minute approve of lies, but in this case it was a good thing if it meant Ruthie was alone for a month.
"Uh huh." She grinned back and took another bite of her donut. "Mmm, these are so good."
"You deserve a spanking for lying to Brad."
She gave him an innocent smile. "But you can understand why I lied, can't you?"
"Of course. But that's not the point. Is it?" he said, in a tone that was suitably firm.
"I guess not." She shrugged.
Tom looked at her for a long moment, thoughts whirling around in his head. "So what are your plans for the summer?" he asked eventually.
"I dunno really. I'll hang out with Angie, Chrissie and Gemma some of the time. I'll study some, and play on the computer ... maybe go pubbing and clubbing. I'm sure I'll find lots to do."
"Has Brad been away for a month before?"
"No, two weeks at most I think."
"So you'll maybe miss having him around if he's gone for a whole month?"
"Well," she said slowly, "I won't miss him, but I guess I'll miss having someone else in the house to make my meals and give me spankings."
Tom found himself laughing. "At least that's an honest answer." He was about to say more when an unexpected roll of thunder exploded overhead making everyone jump.
"Ohhh!" squealed Ruthie. "That's scary." She looked outside. The early summer evening had darkened considerably and big splats of rain were beginning to fall. The air in the restaurant suddenly felt very close and still.
"There's a big storm headed this way," observed Tom.
"Oh no. I hate storms," said Ruthie. She looked anxiously out of the window at the darkening sky, ominously heavy with rain clouds. When another boom of thunder sounded she shrieked in alarm.
"It's ok, little one," said Tom. Instinctively he held out his arms, and instinctively Ruthie hurtled into them, pressing herself into the comfort of his chest. "Up you come," he said, and lifted her onto his lap.
There she sat, one arm around his shoulder, the other gripping his arm tightly. And when the lightning flashed, she screwed up her eyes and buried her head beneath the lapel of his suit jacket. She was so frightened she began to tremble, and her small frame shook.
Tom held her close and stroked her silky hair, reassuring her the storm would soon pass. He told her a story that Daisy used to like about three bears who lived in a little house in the forest, and a little girl called Goldilocks who went inside and ate their porridge. And after a while, Ruthie's trembling had ceased, so engrossed was she, both with the story and the sound of his voice. Outside the wind blew fiercely and though the rain was teeming down, sending great torrents of water swirling over the pavements, the thunder was already moving east, sounding a faint rumble of farewell.
"There now. The storm has moved on. It's safe to come out now," he teased.
"You must think I'm a silly dork," she said shamefacedly.
"And why would I think that?"
"Because I was scared."
"But I was here to hold you tight and tell you a story."
She nodded. "And then I wasn't scared any more." Oh how I wish Tom was my Daddy. How wonderful that would be.
He smiled. "How did you get here? By bus?"
"No. I walked. It's only just over a mile to Brad's house from here."
"Well I'll drive you back. We can't have you walking home in this weather."
"Thank you," she said, sorry that this turn of the conversation heralded the end of the evening.
"Come on," he said getting to his feet. He took her hand and led her towards the exit.
---oOo---
The rain bounced down as they ran towards Tom's car. He had one arm around her shoulders, holding her upright from the wind that threatened to blow her off her feet. Once they reached the safety of the car, Ruthie giggled.
"That was fun," she said, rubbing at the rain water that was trickling in rivulets down her neck, soaking her shirt. Her bare legs were soaked, and her feet squelched in her sandals.
"Sure was," agreed Tom. He paused for a moment - it was now or never - time to put his plan into action. "I have a question for you, Ruthie. Would you like me to take you home, or would you like to come with me back to my place? I live at Radcliffe Mews on the outskirts of town. Now before you answer, hear me out, ok?"
"Sure. I'm listening." Those butterflies were back, dancing around in the pit of her stomach.
"We've only just met and we don't know each other, but I know enough about you to make me want to get to know you more. How do you feel about that?"
She grinned like a Cheshire cat. "I feel wonderful. I'd like that very much." She clapped her hands together at the prospect of getting to know him in more detail.
"There are more storms forecast for later on in the evening. If you come back with me, you won't be alone, and you'll be safe. For now, I want you
to think of me as a friend not a lover ... though in time, I hope that's what we'll be. We can have a drink, watch a movie and talk some more, and then we'll go to bed in separate rooms. That's how it will be and you have my word that I won't try to take advantage of you in any way."
"That sounds good. I trust you. I'm not in the least bit afraid of you." And I'm a bit disappointed about the separate bedrooms.
"Good. But Ruthie, you are far too trusting. Here's what we'll do. Those friends of yours, I want you to call them and tell them you're with Tom Harper, and give them my address and phone numbers." He handed her a business card with his details on. "It's a sensible move - this way, your friends know who you're with and where you are. They can contact you at any time and know you're safe."
Ruthie took the card and pulled out her phone. "I'll call them right now."
"Ok - and while you're doing that, is there anything you want to collect from Brad's? You're obviously going to need a change of clothes and a toothbrush. However ..." He paused and smiled wolfishly, "I have a whole pack of new toothbrushes, and my little girl's room has a wardrobe full of clothes, shoes and toys. I'm sure you'll find something you like."
"Really?" Her eyes widened. "What sort of clothes?"
"Lots of things I bought for Daisy. She never even knew I'd bought them. I was about to tell her when she announced she was moving to Spain. So they're just sitting there in the wardrobe waiting for someone to claim them. Let's see - there's skirts and tops, little princess dresses, jackets and shorts, cute pyjamas and baby doll nighties, hair ribbons and cute little shoes with bows. Loads of things... some of them are a bit juvenile, but you won't object to that will you?" he said meaningfully.
"I won't object at all. It sounds great! I can't wait! Are we nearly there?!"
"Nearly there? We haven't gone anywhere yet," he chuckled and switched on the ignition. "Phone your friends and tell them you'll be checking in regularly so they'll know you're safe. And, I'm going to give you two or three other contact names and numbers. I'm known at a local BDSM club as Sir Thomas. These people will vouch for me. Ask them anything you want about me. I want you to trust me and know that you'll always be safe with me."
"Aw Tom, you're such a sweet man."
"Sweet huh? You just wait until you see my strict Daddy side emerge. That's anything but sweet." He grinned wolfishly.
It was a smile that made Ruthie tremble. But not with cold.
---oOo---
They drove though the rain and squalling wind, and as they travelled, the shops and houses became gradually sparser, giving way to woods and fields. This part of town was unfamiliar to Ruthie.
"You live out in the countryside?" she asked.
"Almost but not quite. It's only seven miles into work, but my house is at the end of a winding lane. It looks out onto fields and hills, and it's very quiet, so it's easy to imagine you're living in the middle of nowhere."
"Is it a new modern house?"
"No, just the opposite. It's 150 years old and built of stone. The floors creak and some of the walls are wonky, but I like it."
"I think I'll like it too," announced Ruthie. "Are we there yet?"
"Not yet." Tom grinned at her impatience. "Won't be long now though - we continue up this hill then drop down into the valley beyond, and take a left past the farm."
"Oh - a farm?! Does it have lots of animals?"
"Yes - horses sheep, cows, a few goats and chickens - oh and a noisy old cockerel that will wake you up early every morning."
"He won't wake me up. I can easily sleep through my alarm."
"Believe me, that cockerel is twenty times as loud as the loudest alarm clock. He'll wake you up all right." He chuckled. "I've got used to it by now. I just turn over and go back to sleep. Right - here's the farm coming up." He slowed and turned left by the old farmhouse with its big yard and assorted barns and outbuildings, and headed down a leafy lane. There were mature trees on either side and their branches reached out over the road to form a canopy of twig and leaf. "My house is at the end of this lane."
"I love this lane. It's so pretty - like driving through a secret tunnel. But there are no other houses nearby, just fields. Wow! Amazing! You can make a load of noise and not disturb anyone."
"Uh huh. Or, a naughty little girl getting her bottom spanked can make a load of noise and not disturb anyone."
"Ah," said Ruthie. There was a sparkle in her eye as she fervently wished that she would soon be that naughty little girl.
---oOo---
Tom steered the car through a pair of iron gates and up the driveway. When she saw the house, Ruthie blinked, then gasped.
"Oh, it's lovely! So beautiful. And BIG! And what a pretty garden! You're so lucky living here."
"I'm glad it meets with your approval. Come on inside. I'll put the car away in the garage later."
Tom unlocked the door and stood aside so Ruthie could enter. She stepped into a quaint entrance hall, with a telephone table on one side and a big old-fashioned coat stand with a mirror on the other; there was a rack beneath it for shoes. Ruthie looked at her own shoes. They were soaking wet. She kicked them off.
"Good girl. I'll find you some nice dry slippers shortly. Would you like to have a quick look round?"
"Oh yes please!"
Ruthie followed Tom like a devoted little puppy dog. First they went into the lounge, a large and comfortable room with two inviting sofas, book shelves, antique lamps and a big television screen on the wall above a period fireplace. A tall and stately Grandfather clock had pride of place against the back wall. The room was decorated in shades of burgundy and buttermilk.
"What a fabulous room. And - oh - I that a real fire?!" exclaimed Ruthie.
"Yes, it's great in the winter and on chilly summer nights. I have central heating too."
Behind the lounge was a dining room with an oak table and chairs and matching sideboard. Gilt-framed paintings adorned the walls and there was a huge gilt-framed mirror placed over the fireplace. A gleaming chandelier hung down over the table, and the French windows at one end of the room led out into the back garden. The décor was an elegant blend of gold and cream and sunshine yellow.
"I just love it," said Ruthie.
"Good. Kitchen next." Tom held out his hand. Ruthie took it and was led into the kitchen.
"Oh - just look at this. It's huge! And what's that?" She pointed to a large metal contraption in the alcove.
"That, my sweet, is an Aga. The finest cooker ever made. But you'll see I also slum it with a microwave - it comes in very handy when I can't be bothered to cook."
Ruthie adored the kitchen. It was dominated by the Aga and a long pine-wood refectory table and chairs. Mellow pine kitchen units complemented the sparkling granite work surfaces, and the pine beams above were hung with bunches of dried herbs and dried flowers. The kitchen led through to a utility room and also a small bathroom with shower and toilet.
Upstairs were four bedrooms - the largest one was Tom's. It was a typically male preserve, with a mahogany framed bed, mahogany wardrobe, chest of drawers, and bedside cupboard. An open suitcase rested on a wide armchair by the window, and opposite was a door that led to an en suite shower and toilet.
Then there were two guest bedrooms, both beautifully and tastefully furnished with co-ordinating bed linen and curtains, one in shades of apricot, and the other in a duck-egg blue and cream. But it was the fourth bedroom that captured Ruthie's heart. It was the little girl's room, all decorated in pink and white. It was heavenly.
"Oh - I love it! I love it!" Ruthie scampered around the room, peeking into drawers and cupboards. Various cuddly toys sat on the bed. Ruthie ran up to them and hugged a huge floppy-eared white rabbit.
"Take a look in the wardrobe," suggested Tom. "There's bound to be something in there that you like. Choose something to wear now so we can dry your wet clothes."
Ruthie went into raptures over the contents of the wardrobe. It was full of cute clothes. She opted for
a pale pink blouse with little puff sleeves and white pearl buttons, and a short frilled skirt of deeper pink with black spots. She found a pair of new slippers, also in pink, with a Minnie Mouse motif.
"Oh look! These are just my size!" She put them on and wriggled her toes. "They fit perfectly."
"Great. You can change clothes in a few minutes. I'll just show you the bathroom first. This way."
The bathroom was gleaming white with chrome accessories and plum-coloured towels and curtains. It had a wonderful big bath that rested on claw feet, and a separate shower big enough for two people.
"It's all so wonderful. And what's in the other room?" She pointed to a white painted door next to the bathroom.
"Ah. Wait and see. That's a surprise for another time," Tom said enigmatically. "Right, why don't you freshen up and get changed, and feel free to phone those contacts I gave you. Bring your wet clothes downstairs when you're done. I'll be in the kitchen, fixing us a snack."
---oOo---
Ruthie washed her hands and face and then went back into the bedroom. She removed her shoulder bag and put it on the floor and then began stripping off her wet clothes. They were a perfect fit and she admired herself in the mirror. Picking up a brush on the cute little dressing table, she sat on the stool and began to brush her hair, looking around the room as she did so. She felt a twinge of envy that Daisy had spent time here in this room, with Tom as her Daddy. But Daisy's gone, she told herself. And now I'm here, and we'll just see what happens. She picked up a pink hair band decorated with tiny white hearts and slipped it on. Her smiling reflection looked back at her from the dressing table mirror, her eyes full of hope that her life was going to change drastically if Tom Harper became her Daddy.
She called one of the numbers he had given her and spoke to a woman called Samantha. She sounded great, well spoken and articulate, and told Ruthie in no uncertain terms that Sir Tom had an excellent reputation. She also gave Ruthie a couple of other contacts in case she decided to ask the opinions of others. Ruthie was reassured, confident in her initial impression of Tom. What a find!
Little Women Box Set Page 9