“How bad is this going to get?” she asked with a whimper.
“Let’s just say you’re going to cry. Not crocodile tears intended to get you out of this, but real tears of remorse and repentance.”
“I’m crying them now. Look at me,” she insisted, turning her watery eyes to his.
“Reindeer turds!” he responded with a laugh. “They are as fake as your apology. I love you, Merry, but by the time we’re done here you’re going to know exactly what kind of man I am,” he said sternly. “I will not put up with a lot of nonsense and misbehaving from you if you’re going to be my woman. I can take a bit of teasing, but no disobedience, no disrespect, and certainly no lies. I will not tolerate it.”
Merry nodded meekly and let her body go limp over his knees. Apparently there was no way out of this and she knew she’d brought it on herself with her stupid curiosity about something she did not understand. The novels she’d read did not do it justice, not in the least. This was no sexy, titillating game. This was a bonified spanking from a man who meant business.
Bartlett did exactly what he’d said he was going to do. He made her cry, real tears of remorse. He also made her beg for mercy, which it seemed he was in short supply of at the moment. Over and over his hard hand fell, painting her backside red until it was hot and she was cringing from each swat. It was not until she was completely pliant over his lap, her body limp and unresisting that he slowed and began lecturing her. It was almost as bad as the spanking.
Finally, he pulled her up and cuddled her in his arms as her tears trailed down his chest.
“Are you going to be a good little elf now?” he asked, his hand stroking her hair.
“Yes sir,” she replied docilely.
He grinned, wondering how long that attitude would last. Not long he suspected. As soon as her bottom felt better she would be back to her usually effervescent self.
“Are you going to make things up and lie to me?” he demanded sharply.
“No,” she sobbed against his neck, holding tightly to him. “Never!”
He snorted.
“Then I guess your spanking is over, for now,” he said kissing her silky hair and gently patting her behind.
“For now?” she questioned, her voice quivering.
“Yes, for now. If you’re not on your best behavior I might make it a regular event. I see nothing wrong with giving you a spanking each night before bed. It might help remind you who’s in charge.”
“You can’t mean it?” she gasped in dread.
“I certainly do,” he assured her. “Of course the severity will depend on your own actions. There will be times when you might actually get a few of those sexy spankings you’re so enamored with,” he promised with a wicked grin.
“How do you know about that?” she demanded, pushing up from his chest as he wiped away her tears.
“The same way you knew what movies I watch and what books I read. I snooped.”
“Oh,” she replied, her head hanging.
Bartlett tipped her chin up with his finger and forced her to look at him.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of, little elf. I know the thought of being spanked excites you, and at the moment you’re slightly disappointed it hasn’t led to some major love making, but this was a discipline spanking. I’ll be honest. Having you over my knees is exhilarating as hell. I loved seeing your gorgeous bottom go from pale, to pink, to red. However, there is something you need to understand. It doesn’t matter to me whether I’m spanking you for fun or you’re receiving a genuine punishment. The results are all the same to me. However, I doubt you’ll feel the same way about it, unless of course you have some masochistic tendencies, which I’ve failed to see. My advice to you at this point is to try not to earn yourself the real thing and remember, there are other, more inventive ways to punish a naughty woman. I imagine we’ll get into that at some point. After all I intend to be with you for centuries to come,” he added.
“So you’re not leaving,” she said in relief.
“No, I’m here for the duration. What made you think differently?” he asked curious.
“You seemed cold to me and frustrated with me. I thought maybe you’d decided to leave the North Pole.”
“Not on your life. Now that I’ve found you, I’ve no intention of letting you go, not to mention you need me. You need my guidance and my love along with plenty of attention.”
Merry nodded and kept quiet. Every word he said was true and they both knew it.
After holding and soothing her for a long while, Bartlett set her away from him and she felt the loss immediately.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” he said, his stomach growling.
