Page 7 of Her Rugged Guardian
“What?”
“We’ll do this in there. Lower your jeans and lie across the kitchen table.”
His deep, commanding voice sent a series of vibrations into every muscle, which I hated almost as much as the man. What disturbed me almost as much as the wretched situation was that the thoughts thumping in the back of my mind were all about being grateful I’d worn decent panties. I couldn’t believe I was even considering something so… blasphemous. However, the last thing I needed was trouble at this point. I’d done everything to keep my move as private as possible. My nerves and the continuing grief wouldn’t be able to take it. I’d been through far too much in the last few weeks.
I turned away sharply, pressing my hand across my mouth to keep the ugly, strangled sobs from exposing my sadness. I’d never felt so all alone in my life. All the bravado I’d had before faded, my mind still trying to process and accept that I was allowing some crazed stranger to spank me as if I was a bad little girl. For all I knew, he could be a serial killer or some stalker. Okay, so the attorney handling my mother’s estate had mentioned my mother had hired a couple of contractors to help with some renovations, but I’d thought that meant in the past.
And God knows from what little I’d seen of the place, it could use some TLC, but there had to be other contractors in town. Hiring someone different would top the list. Right after I purchased a decent vehicle.
Embarrassment tore through me as I fumbled with the button on my jeans, finally managing to shove the dense material past my hips. He had five minutes to finish and get the hell out of my house before I contacted the sheriff.
Yeah, and tell him what exactly?
Remaining stiff as a board, I bent over the table, fisting my hands as soon as I did. I couldn’t believe Moose was obviously thrilled he had someone new to play with, woofing every few seconds.
“That’s a good boy,” Mr. Grinch told him. Wait a minute. Was the asshole whistling as if he was enjoying this entire thing?
Hissing, I knew neither my mind nor my ears were playing tricks on me. I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see the grumpy bastard swagger into the room. The fact my pussy was throbbing brought a single word into the forefront of my mind.
Betrayal with a capital B.
The mystery man studied me, his expression one of disdain. In his hand was his belt folded in the center. The ridiculousness of the situation hit me hard, but I was determined to get through the moment. I’d find a way never to see him again. Somehow.
As soon as he made his approach, I closed my eyes.
“I think twenty-five will be adequate.”
I refused to give him the satisfaction of making a single comment. Mr. Grinch wasted no time on niceties or preparing me, bringing the thick strap down four times right across my sit spot.
“Jesus Christ. That fucking hurts!” I jerked up, panting more than Moose normally did on a hot summer day.
“Didn’t you know ladies shouldn’t curse?”
He brought the belt down again and I bit back a series of whimpers and other curse words. The pain was horrible, so much so I was blinded by stars floating in front of my eyes.Yet when he issued three or four more, one hitting the tops of my thighs, I felt a dull ache develop in my stomach. That was nothing like the throbbing sensations in my pussy. “Just stop. I take back my agreement.”
“Nope. Not gonna happen.” Jake’s voice was gruffer than before and when he yanked down my panties, I was mortified.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Disciplining you the way women are supposed to be spanked.” He had the nerve to caress my aching bottom for a few seconds.
His words shocked me. Had I slipped through some time warp into another generation? I pushed up from the table again, throwing him a hateful look over my shoulder, my mouth going slack.
“You’re a terrible person,” I challenged.
“You got that right, Cinnamon Girl. I suggest you remember it next time.”
“There won’t be a next time even if I need to get a restraining order.”
The look on his face changed to one of amusement, his blue eyes twinkling. When I almost bucked off the table, he pressed his hand against the small of my back. “Don’t or I’ll start again.”
“Fu… Fine,” I said through clenched teeth, tingling all over just from studying his impressive muscles, the thick cords in his neck. I turned my head, determined to hate him, frowning as I noticed the happy expression on Moose’s face. He was enjoying this as much as the Grinch.
There was something strange about being so attracted to a man who obviously enjoying taking out his bad day on women. I almost snorted given my thoughts, but admitting it was my fault I’d been plunked into this position wasn’t going to happen. I eased my arms over my head, gripping the edge of the table as the spanking continued.
It wasn’t too much longer before I could hear Mr. Grinch’s labored breathing. When he took a break, daring to caress my aching bottom a second time, I sucked in and held my breath. The last thing I wanted was for him to know he’d broken through a layer of my armor, forcing tears to form in my eyes.
Granted, they’d flowed easily for weeks, my weepiness more than annoying. It was time to suck it up and move forward. Maybe the spanking was a good test of whether or not I had the resolve to make it in a strange city all by myself.