Sweet Salvation (32 page)

“But you’re going to paddle me anyway, right?”

“Smart girl. We had an agreement that in this relationship I hold the reins when it comes to your safety, health, and well-being. That includes keeping our relationship strong. This lack of trust is a threat that I can’t afford to ignore. You understand that, don’t you?”

Stacy nodded. “I messed up and it’s time to pay the piper.”

His hand came up and caressed her cheek with the tips of his fingers. The softness of his touch conflicted with the quicksilver glimmer of anger in his eyes. His voice was husky with emotion as he spoke.

“This is more than punishment, Stacy. I want you to learn a lesson, which is that you come to me first. Before talking to Jess, I want you to talk to me. Before you spend a night in my arms doubting me, I want you to talk to me. At the first qualm of doubt or sneaking suspicion, I want you to say to yourself, ‘Jared loves me and I trust him, I’m going to talk to him first.’ Do you hear what I’m telling you?”

“Jared loves me and I trust him, I’m always going to talk to him first, no matter what.”

“That’s right. I understand uncertainty, especially in the face of seemingly damning evidence, but you have to learn to trust me.”

She felt his thumb wipe away a tear that, unbeknownst to her, had trickled down her cheek. “I never used to be like this. Before my parents… well, if anything I was too trusting. It used to drive my dad nuts. Now, I think it’s more that I doubt myself or rather doubt that good things can happen for me. I’m happy and I expect any moment someone to swoop in and take my happiness away again. I’m messed up.”

“No, you were young, left alone and vulnerable. It’s understandable that you would put up some shields to protect yourself. It’s something you can work on, honey. I can help you and so can your therapist, but only if you are open and honest with both of us. Understand?”

“I do, Jared, and I promise to work on my trust issues. I don’t like being this way, either.”

“That’s my girl.” His lips fell softly against hers, tender and full of promise, but it ended too soon. “Let’s take care of this punishment right now then, shall we?”

“Here? But—what if your parents come back? I’d be mortified.”

“Baby, do you really think they don’t know what’s going on here? Of course they won’t come back and interrupt.”

“Lordy mercy,” she cried as she held her hands to her burning cheeks. “How will I ever face them again?”

“After thirty-five years of marriage, don’t you think they’ve been where we are now? Learning about each other, screwing up and making amends, no matter what those amends entail?”

He was probably right, but that didn’t lessen her mortification.

“Bend over the desk, please.”

Apprehension kindled the blood in her face, setting her cheeks ablaze. Hesitantly, she turned, knowing she had screwed up big time and had earned this penance. Taking a deep calming breath, she lay across his father’s large desk. “I will never be able to come in here and face him across this desk again, Jared.”

“Nonsense, it’s a piece of furniture, Stace. And if it makes you feel any better, I have been in your exact position a few times myself, so we have that in common.”

She felt him ease up the back of her skirt, the cool air chilling her exposed skin. Stacy knew it wouldn’t be that way for long. As Jared’s fingers brushed against her bottom, she began anticipating the fire that would heat her backside very soon. His caress was gentle, patting both cheeks lightly before gliding her panties down her thighs and leaving them to rest just above her knees.

“We’ll start with a little warm-up with my hand first.”

She nodded, the tightness in her throat preventing speech. Her pulse quickened at his touch and the thought of his eyes on her bare bottom caused a pleasant tingle to start between her thighs. Her clit was awakening as it usually did in this position, the tingle spreading along her lips, over her inner thighs, and leaving her aching for his touch.

Stacy was always amazed at the dynamic between them. His need to lead and protect her equally matched her need for his strength, security, and love. As she lay there, waiting for him to begin her punishment, she thought about how she had hurt him with her distrust and put what they shared at risk. He’d forgiven her already, but she couldn’t suppress the pang of regret that burned in her chest. It roiled and surged inside her, emerging as a harsh sob before the first swat ever fell.

“I haven’t even touched you yet, baby.”

“I just feel so awful.” She sniffled and tried to contain her emotions, but she couldn’t. She felt too raw. “I don’t know why I acted so foolishly last night and believed those spiteful women. I even suspected your mother was involved although she has never been anything but good to me. Most of all I’m ashamed for doubting you.”

His hand stroked comfortingly up and down her spine. “Shh, sweetheart, we’ll keep working on trust. The next time—and most likely there will be a next time—I hope you can stand strong and be confident in my love for you. I’d never be so cruel as to humiliate you in such a way and neither would my parents. I want to make you happy and my parents want to see both of us as happy as they are.”

“Oh, Jared,” she sobbed, “I’m so sorry.”

A firm smack landed on her right check, followed by one of equal intensity on her left. “I’ve already said I forgive you, Stacy Lynn. After your spanking, I want to move past this. Understand?”

She nodded, tears making her voice audibly shaky when she said compliantly, “I’m ready now.”

Jared praised softly, “That’s my brave girl.”

His hand then took up a distinct pattern, two spanks on each cheek before moving to the other. He moved up and down as he went, bringing a warmth to her entire backside and upper thighs. As warm-up spankings went, they were firm and anything but love pats and a far cry from the sensual spankings they both enjoyed. By the time he stopped, her skin was radiating a warmth that rivalled the heat in her pussy. She wiggled in an attempt to ease them both.

“Stay still,” Jared warned, his hand pressing against her lower back, demanding compliance with his order even while his other hand began a slow gentle caress of her warm skin, taking the bite out of his words. “I don’t want you moving around, Stacy. I need a nice steady target when I start with the paddle.”

“I can’t help it, Jared, I ache.”

Straightaway, he pulled her panties down and off over her shoes at that comment. “Spread your legs.”

When she took a side-step, bringing her feet shoulder width apart, his hand came to the primary source of her discomfort. His fingers found the warm wetness between her silky smooth lips.

“This isn’t much of a punishment. You’re drenched.”

“You’re right, it’s not punishment, it’s torture because my bottom’s on fire at the same time my pussy aches so badly that it’s driving me mad. Can you hurry with the spanking so we can get on to the good stuff that comes after? Please?”

A full-throated chuckle burst free of his lips. “I think I’m going to have to rethink punishment for you altogether. You get sassy and find entirely too much pleasure from a spanking.” He withdrew his fingers and she groaned in disappointment. He followed it up with two swats to her swollen pussy lips, which made her squeal.

“Jared!”

“I think a good dozen with the paddle will do it. Get ready. This will be very different from my hand.”

The first thwack landed an instant later and covered both cheeks. Striking low, the paddle was wide enough to cover the lower part of her bottom and a few inches of upper thigh. The pain was mild, but shot a jolt of sensation through her like an electrical arc landing directly on her clit. She moaned in reaction.

Another swat followed and another. Again, the firm blows covered both cheeks. She was surprised that the paddle produced very little sting, but the sound of the unyielding wood reverberated in the room as much as the thud of the paddle produced a pressure that radiated beyond her skin through her cleft and deep into her core. The stunning sensations had her torn between crying over the discomfort in her butt and groaning from the throbbing, clenching need in her pussy. Her nipples tightened as the opposing sensations washed through her body and she spiraled higher. Feeling she was at odds with her own body’s response, she reached out for something stable and secure. Her hands found the far end of the desk and she clamped onto it for dear life.

Jared stopped for a moment to rub and squeeze her bottom, testing her. He resumed without a word, evidently satisfied with his cursory inspection. This time he changed his tactics, applying the paddle quickly and efficiently, landing three sizzling blows in the same spot on one cheek. This was quite different and burned like fire. Before she could wholly assimilate her reaction, he switched and administered three identical swats to the other cheek. Stacy felt the impact more fully, the zing more pronounced than with the initial blows, and she couldn’t hold still, squirming beneath his restraining hand.

“That was nine, baby. We’re almost done now, be still.”

Jared, wicked tease that he was, knew precisely what he was doing and landed the final three strokes more firmly and powerfully than he had at first. The blows fell across her lower bottom and sweet spot. The incredible thuddy pressure compressed both cheeks and undulated through her cleft, sending a wave of sensation deep inside her, pushing her to the brink of climax. She cried out, the blissful sound an outlet for the smarting pain as much as it was for her intense arousal. Behind her, the paddle landed on the carpeted floor with a thump.

“Please, Jared,” she cried, mindless for release.

“I aim to, my sweet Stacy.”

She heard his belt buckle jingle, followed by a zip, then he was inside her, filling her and soothing the ache in her core. Except it wasn’t enough and she squirmed, sobbing in sexual frustration as she tried to give her throbbing clit relief. Always knowing exactly what she needed, his fingers found her as he began to thrust harder from behind.

“Come, baby, it’s all right.”

Another deep stroke of his cock and the firm rub of his fingers on her clit made her shatter. Crying out her release as she pushed back to meet his driving hips, her fingers turned white as she clenched the edge of the hard oak surface.

Jared thrust harder within her, thoroughly claiming her before following her a few strokes later with an equally vocal release of intense pleasure. When he collapsed against her back, his hands slid over her shoulders and up her arms until he reached her fingers, which he gently pried away from the wood. Entwining their fingers, he turned his head and pressed kisses along her shoulder.

“Punishment, my ass,” he chuckled.

“No, darlin’, that was punishment
my
ass. And although I loved every minute, my butt will be sore for a while from that evil paddle.” As she came down from her sexual high, the burning soreness was seeping into her consciousness and she squirmed. “Jared, my bottom is on fire, can you rub it, please?”

“I can do better than that, my love. How about I kiss it and make it all better?”

He slid off and squatted behind her, pressing soft, wet kisses over her blazing behind, and even though he didn’t make it quite all better, the healing power of his lips was quite impressive. Jared was so effective with his healing technique that they lost track of time, lingering so long that they passed his parents on the drive as they were leaving a long while later. Stacy learned, much to her chagrin, that the wise older couple had completed three sets of tennis and then intentionally dawdled over lunch to make sure that she and Jared had sufficient time to resolve their conflict and the privacy they needed to kiss and make up.

The clicking of Stacy’s heels echoed off the tiles as she paced nervously outside the boardroom. She could do this. She was ready. Oh, God! Could she do this? Was she ready? Taking a deep breath, she concentrated on her breathing and stopping the cycle of doubt that was looping through her brain. Think positive, she told herself. You are ready!

She’d spent weeks preparing, going over every detail, checking, rechecking and triple checking the figures. The presentation was ready to go—pie charts, bar graphs, risk analysis of the new venture. Barring a power outage or a bubonic plague outbreak, she was definitely ready.

Still, her palms were sweaty and her muscles tight. Her heart raced, pulsing so hard she sensed it throbbing in her temples and palpitating in her chest. Her stomach churned, causing a niggling sensation of nausea. She probably should have eaten a little something for lunch, but she hadn’t been able to manage a bite. Wiping her damp hands down her skirt, she took a steadying breath. “I need water.”

Spinning on a heel toward the employee lounge, she slammed into a hard chest. Not again!

“Easy…” Jared murmured in reassurance as his hands came up to steady her. “You okay?”

“Fine. I’m just ready to get this meeting started. What time is it?”

“5:45. The caterers are here with dinner. Where do you want them to set up?”

“Caterers? I didn’t order any food.”

“Marc always sees to that. If you don’t feed the board, they tend not to come and we need a quorum to move forward with the new project. We’re lucky Marc thinks with his stomach.”

“More like lucky for me,” Stacy murmured, imagining the faux pas if board members, some of whom were volunteers and gave up their free time for such events, arrived expecting to at least be fed and found nothing but bottled water and snacks from the vending machine. Dinner was a nice save; she’d have to thank Marc later.

“Breathe, babe. You’ve prepped for this and have all the bases covered. You’re gonna do great.” Dipping his head, he pressed a kiss against her worried brow.

“I hope so. Do I look okay?” She adjusted her wide-collared fitted black jacket. Its asymmetrical fishtail hem flared out at the waist, tapering to a rounded edge around her hips in back, giving it a soft, feminine look. She’d paired it with a white silk camisole and a banded black-and-white pencil skirt that reached to just above her knee. Other than her engagement ring and some long black beads, she wore no other jewelry, going for professional, not flashy. On her feet, she wore Mary Jane pumps; the five-inch heels her only non-businesslike accessory, feeling she needed the advantage of the added height as she stood before the ten-man, two-woman board of directors.