“I guess so,” Sue admitted softly. Why did it sound so bad when he said it like that?
“That’s a death wish.”
“But I didn’t get into any trouble,” she insisted.
“Oh yes, my love, you did,” Marcus drawled. “It was just delayed, but it’s here now,” he informed her with a grimace as he pulled her pants down swiftly. “You are never again to get into that pool unless someone else is with you, someone who can swim,” he told her with a sharp slap to her bottom. “Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” she squealed.
“And the next time I tell you to stay away from something, that it’s dangerous, I expect your instant obedience. Is that understood as well?”
“It was only a tiny kitten,” she wailed.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass if it’s a kitten or a cougar. There are wild animals in these woods that you know nothing about. If you want a kitten, we will get one from Ty’s shelter, one that has all its shots and is healthy. No more trying to rescue wildlife,” he ordered with two more incredibly firm spanks.
“Okay, okay,” Sue cried, struggling despite her attempts to just accept her punishment.
“Good, I’m glad we understand each other now,” Marcus said approvingly.
Sue sighed in premature relief; because it was then the real spanking began.
Marcus showed absolutely no mercy as he spanked every inch of her bottom cheeks, the tops of her thighs and the horribly painful area between. It didn’t matter one whit how much she begged and screamed or even if every neighbor around the lake heard her. His intention was to teach her a lesson in self-preservation and he meant to do a good job of it.
When she dropped from that tree into the water, his heart actually stopped beating for the split second it took him to act. Thinking about her in the pool without him, made him nauseous. How easy it would have been for her to slip beneaththe water and be lost to him forever, he thought with a shudder. Looking at her red bottom, hearing her pitiful cries of remorse, he knew he should stop, but it was difficult. This wasn’t sexual and he derived no satisfaction from it, except for the retribution it was meant as. At this point he wondered if he would even be able to work in his office without worrying about what she was up to. Obviously she needed closer supervision than he’d realized. He wondered what other dangerous or short-sighted things she’d done that he wasn’t aware of. Sighing, he brought the spanking to a close with his hand resting on her swollen bottom as Sue sobbed her heart out.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she whimpered over and over again as he waited for her to recover.
“I know, Red,” he replied, helping her to her feet and kicking away the clothing at her ankles. “You scared me, baby,” he told her kissing her forehead. Taking her hands in his he turned them over and inspected her palms. Several deep scratches that needed attention almost made him feel guilty for not seeing them earlier, but he pushed it away. She damn well deserved each and every lick he’d given her. Picking her up in his arms he carried her into the house. In the bathroom he set her down, none to gently, on the counter as she hissed and tried to scoot off.
“Be still,” he ordered, taking antiseptic from the medicine cabinet.
“It hurts,” she wailed, shifting from one cheek to the other.
“Good,” he told her, taking her hand and placing it on his chest. “You hurt my heart.”
Sue stared into his blue eyes and recognized the absolute truth of his quiet statement. He wasn’t mad that she’d made him ruin his shoes or his expensive cell phone, and probably even the Rolex on his wrist. He was in pain, hurt by the thought of losing her. This strong, funny, arrogant, loving man was hurt becauseof something she’d done. Imagine anyone caring that much, she marveled. Tears of genuine remorse fell from her eyes, blinding her and she moved her hand to his cheek. It was impossible to get the words out as sobs wracked her body, her breath hitching so she could hardly speak.
“I know, baby, it’s all right,” Marcus told her, softly kissing her palm. “Sometimes the words just won’t come, even for me.”
Working slowly he cleaned her cuts and applied soothing cream and bandages to her hands before lifting her and carrying her to their bedroom. Setting her on her feet, he helped her take off her top and bra, handing her a night shirt.
“I think you should take a nap, Red. It’s been a trying afternoon and we’re going to dinner with Ty and Kelsey tonight.”
“I guess laying is better than sitting at this point,” she admitted. “Is there any cream that will help my other pains?” she asked hopefully as Marcus brushed her hair back.
“Even if there were, I wouldn’t let you have it,” he replied, giving her a kiss. “Come to my office when you get up.”
“I thought I wasn’t allowed in your office when you’re working?” she asked, surprised.
“I think I need to keep track of you a little better,” he answered. “You might need to find a quiet hobby you can do in there while I’m working. Besides, there are paddles in there and my hand can’t take too many more spankings like today,” he teased before closing the door.
Dinner was fun. Marcus drove them all in his black Escalade and they dined at The View in Mirror Lake Inn. The food was superb as well as the service and their table had a spectacular view.
Sue fidgeted frequently on her chair and whispered to their waitress to keep her drinks coming, which the girl did until Marcus put a stop to it.
“Take it easy, Red,” he warned. “I don’t think you can handle any more today.”
“Handle what?” she asked, faking a smile and leaning forward. “The alcohol or is it something else you're referring to?”
