Summer Solace (9 page)

Five minutes passed until Joanna managed to get herself under control. Gabe patted her bottom and she knew he was done. She pushed herself up and when he pulled her to sit on his knee, she buried her face in his neck. Gabe simply held her, his arms holding her close and secure.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” she said very quietly.

Gabe smiled and pressed his lips to the top of her head. God, it was wonderful to hold her again. “I know, baby. I’m sorry I had to spank you, but, Joanna, you can count on a sore bottom if you misbehave,” he promised her.

Joanna was shocked to feel herself smile against him. Her bottom was throbbing but her heart was finally at peace. She lifted her head and met his gaze. “Yes, Sir,” she said knowing he meant what he said.

He smiled and then surprised her by standing, holding her easily in his arms. She felt her heart skip thinking he was going to make love to her. However, she should have known better. He turned and placed her onto the concrete bench of the picnic table. She yelped as her bottom contacted the stone.

“Ow, that hurts!” she protested and attempted to rise.

“I see you don’t remember the required quiet time, Jo,” Gabe said as he placed his hands on her shoulders and pressed her back down onto the bench. She looked up at him, her eyes wide in disbelief.

“But…but,” she sputtered as her eyes darted around the campsite as if expecting to see crowds of people.

Gabe chuckled. “The only thing you are to think about, young lady, is displaying that naughty butt of yours and spending your quiet time reflecting on your behavior.” 

Joanna was still shocked but understood that any hesitancy he had about punishing her had completely disappeared.

“Turn around, lay your cheek on your hands and scoot back on the bench until those spanked cheeks are hanging off the bench,” he instructed.

He watched as she blushed scarlet. He made a twirling motion with his finger telling her to turn around. She pouted but lifted herself enough to obey him. Soon she was in the position he had commanded, her face protected from the surface of the table top by her folded hands and her hot bottom bared and hanging out over the bench. She blushed again thinking of how she must look and the thought of going on a diet definitely slid through her mind. Gabe stood over her for a few minutes as if to make sure she did remember this part of the discipline ritual. She sighed and settled. He was in control and she would remain exactly as she was until he considered her punishment over.

Gabe moved around the campsite. He checked the fire and made sure all the food was safely stored in coolers so that creatures of the night wouldn’t have any snacks. Once he was done, he slid onto the bench next to Joanna. She opened her eyes and looked at him but made sure she didn’t move a muscle. He smiled down at her and very gently ran his fingertip down her cheek as if tracing the path her tears had created. He did something he had never once done before during her quiet time. He bent and gently pressed his lips to that same cheek. Joanna’s eyes welled at the simple gesture. Her love for him spread throughout her entire body.

“Okay?” he asked quietly, unconcerned with the fresh tears spilling down her cheek. He knew from her relaxed position that she was fine but found he needed confirmation. She smiled again.

“Yes, Sir. I’m fine,” she assured him.

Gabe nodded and continued to stroke her hair and her arm as she continued to think about what had happened. The woods were silent except for sounds of insects and the occasional rustle of leaves when the breeze picked up. The couple sat together in total peace. Gabe was just about to release her from her quiet time when a sudden loud rustling came from the shadows. Joanna jerked up so fast she almost lost her balance as her bottom was not supporting her weight.

“Whoa, honey, it’s okay,” Gabe said as he grabbed her flailing arms. He shook his head trying to suppress his amusement. “Jo, look,” he said quietly and pointed towards the trees. Joanna followed his finger and saw a fat raccoon waddling at the edge of the woods. Her heart slowed from its frantic beating and she relaxed.

“Geez, a ranger who is scared to death of a sneaky raccoon,” she giggled.

Gabe smiled and then helped her to stand. He pulled up her clothing and then guided her from the table. He picked her up and was soon seated on the camp chair with her on his lap. Joanna smiled, the raccoon forgotten as she felt the comfort sweep through her. She laid her head on Gabe’s shoulder.

Gabe tightened his grip around her. They stared at the fire and watched the glowing embers. Joanna smiled against his chest and thought about how her bottom had been popped and made to glow. Gabe heard her giggle and smiled. His woman was easy to read, especially when she was upset or very content. Though she would probably argue, he knew she always became relaxed and happy after her discipline was over. He allowed his hand to move from where it had been stroking down her back to cup her bottom. He adored the slight hiss of her indrawn breath as he gently rubbed the seat of her shorts.

“Sore?” he asked, his voice barely audible.

She moaned as she felt him give her a gentle squeeze. She felt tender but incredibly satisfied. “Just a little,” she admitted and he chuckled.

“Noted…I will remember next time,” he promised with a leer.

She grinned and pushed up to look at his face. He smiled and bent to kiss her softly.

“What makes you think there will be a next time?” she challenged. “Didn’t you hear me promise I’d never misbehave again?”

The woods rang with the sound of Gabe’s laugh and she shivered.

“Oh, babe, if I had a dollar for every time you’ve promised me that, we’d be rich,” Gabe said.

She playfully slapped at his chest and squirmed. He only tightened his grip.

“I’ll plead the fifth but right now I need to go to the bathroom,” Joanna said.

Gabe was still chuckling as he helped her to stand. He took her hand and they walked down the trail towards the distant bathroom. When she reappeared, it was to find him standing on the path, his head back as he gazed up at the stars. She smiled and went to him. Without looking, he drew her into his arms, her back pressed to his chest. She turned her gaze to the heavens as well.

“Stunning isn’t it?” he asked and she nodded remembering Amber’s words from the night before. She had faced the darkness in her soul and was now standing in the light with the man she loved.

“Yes, but this isn’t the best spot. Come on, I’ll show you my secret retreat,” she said pulling on his hand.

Curious, Gabe allowed her to take the lead. She led him back to the campsite and then walked over to the edge of the tree line. She showed him a path that looked as if it hadn’t been used in quite some time. He admired the view of her backside as she began to walk up the path. He realized they were climbing an incline and wondered where the path ended. After about ten minutes, she paused and looked back.

“Be careful here. The trail leads around some rocks on the left but there is a drop off two feet from the path on the right. Just follow me,” Joanna instructed.

He nodded his understanding. He saw her disappear in front of him and realized she had gone around the boulder on his left. He followed and then stood stock still and whistled. The view was magnificent. The light from the full moon flooded the small cove. He could hear the river lapping against the shoreline. The trees were thick but in the center of the area was a small beach.

“This is incredible,” he exclaimed as he stepped off the trail and joined her in the middle of the beach. She turned and smiled as she stepped back into his arms. He saw her point and looked up. It was as if God were providing them with the most perfect setting for his creations. The stars twinkled like diamonds across the dark sky, far too numerous to count. He was easily able to distinguish several constellations. “Unbelievable. This is truly magnificent,” Gabe repeated.

Joanna turned in his arms and laid her cheek against his chest. He was right, this was magnificent. They stood quietly for several minutes until Joanna pushed away.

“The view is even better out on the river,” she said turning and pointing at a large boulder that stood in the middle of the river. “You can climb up on that rock and lie down and just drink in all of this. It’s like being the only one on the planet when God created light.” 

Gabe heard the awe in her voice. He grinned and stepped away. “What are we waiting for?” he asked. “Let’s go get the best seats.”  

Joanna watched as he peeled his t–shirt over his head and threw it behind him.

Seeing that she hadn’t moved, he grinned. “Unless you wish to get that uniform soaked again, Ranger Calloway, I suggest you peel out of it.”

Joanna actually blushed as he unsnapped his jeans and pushed them down his legs. Her heart started to pound. The view of the stars was forgotten as she took in the magnificent view before her. Gabe was lifting one leg to pull off his shoe when he saw that she was staring. He tossed the shoe towards his t–shirt.

“I’ll be glad to help you out of your clothes when I’m done if you need my help,” he offered, wiggling his eyebrows and she giggled. She was self conscious for a moment as it had been such a long time. When she had barely gotten her blouse unbuttoned, she saw that he was naked. He stood in front of her, not in the least bit concerned in his nudity. She found her throat closing as the memory of him flooded through her. Gabe heard her soft moan and smiled. He walked towards her.

“No!  Wait, I’m hurrying,” she squealed.

He shook his head in mock threat. His voice was low with a hint of promise, “Not fast enough, little girl.” 

She shivered and forgot her embarrassment, peeling out of the remainder of her clothes as quickly as she could. Gabe smiled and watched her, loving every moment. When the last sock had dropped onto the sand, she turned to him. He saw her hands lift to cross at her breasts and moved forward. He took her hands in his and held them captured between their bodies.

“You’re even more beautiful than I remember,” he said, his own voice wavering a bit.

Joanna flushed, her skin rising in goose bumps all over her body. He released her hands only to take her into his arms as he pulled her even closer. She felt his hard chest against the soft pillows of her breasts and felt her nipples harden instantly. He dropped his hands to cup her naked bottom and she shuddered.

“Oh, God…Gabriel…” she moaned against his chest.

It seemed he couldn’t stop grinning. He allowed his hands to stroke her recently spanked bottom and felt his cock moving to stand at attention between their bodies. Joanna felt it as well as the heat of arousal that coursed through her. She wanted nothing more than to slip to the sand and take him into her mouth, to please him before he claimed her as his once more.

Gabe groaned as his need demanded attention. He wanted to be inside this woman as fast as possible. One hand left her bottom to tilt her face to his. He captured her mouth with his. The kiss was searing with the heat of his passion as well as the promise that he would protect her, love her, and, yes, spank her. Joanna gave him her entire heart in that one kiss accepting everything he had to offer.

“Are you still on the pill, honey?” he asked when he released her lips. Joanna flushed and moaned. Why was he asking questions at a time like this? 

“Um, no… I haven’t needed them,” she gasped and then tried to bring his mouth back to hers.

Gabe groaned and she hesitated. “Why?  Don’t…don’t you have a condom?” she asked.

Gabe shook his head and her mouth actually dropped open. “What!  I thought every man on the planet always carried at least one…you…you’ve got to have one!” Joanna almost pleaded.

Gabe had to chuckle at the combination of disbelief and utter desire in her voice. He pressed his lips to her forehead.

“Sorry, babe,” he said with a sigh. “I never thought I’d need one out in the middle of nowhere.” 

She began to giggle, hearing the tone of his voice. She felt him chuckle as well. “What…what are you going to do then, oh Master of Mine?” she asked, her voice soft as she ran the tip of her finger down the middle of his chest. She allowed just the very tip of her fingernail to trail across his nipple and was pleased when it hardened instantly.

Gabe’s heart lurched hearing her call him Master as she teased him with her finger. She definitely wasn’t helping their situation. His cock twitched as well, as it too demanded an answer that would provide a solution to this problem. Groaning, he bent and scooped her into his arms. She gasped in surprise and then begin to squirm when she saw his destination.

“No!  Don’t you dare, Gabriel Jamison….that’s not -” her words were cut off abruptly as he stepped into the river and soon was out deep enough to cause the water to cover her to her waist. She clung to him tightly, the cold river sending chills up her spine. “Oh, God, it’s cold!” she moaned and he laughed.

“It should serve both to cool our libidos and soothe your hot bottom,” he said, smiling.

She pushed against his chest and then squealed when he simply dumped her in the water. As they had in the afternoon, they were soon splashing and trying to dunk one another. The water had initially been freezing on her heated skin but now felt wonderful. They played for a few more minutes before she called uncle.

Gabe picked her up and helped her to get her balance on the boulder. She climbed up the rock and then stood waiting for his ascent. Gabe looked up and his breath caught at the sight she presented. She looked as if she belonged exactly where she stood. She was a tribute to God’s human creation as she stood in all her naked splendor in the midst of a beautiful flowing river. When he reached the top, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly.

Joanna moaned as his heat shot through her body. Gabe took her hand and then sat down, drawing her onto his lap. The echoes of their laughter had faded and the silence surrounded them once more.

Gabe laid back, one arm folded beneath his head and pulled her down to lay on top of him. She was right. The boulder provided the best view of the stars. No words were spoken, none needed to be. They had both been through hell. Both had blamed the other for the destruction of what they had. But blame was no longer important. All that mattered was that they had found each other again. They drank in the beauty of the night and accepted the unspoken solace each offered the other.