The rubs heightened her arousal, but it was quickly replaced by alarm when he inflicted a punishing swat on her right cheek. She gasped with surprise. Before she could exhale, he landed another on her left. The emptiness of the schoolhouse allowed the swats’ echoes to ring in her ears as the sting spread over her bottom.
The next three slaps fell briskly. His large hand covered both cheeks at once, landing low on her bottom and in the same place, and Charlotte yelped and felt her eyes fill with tears. She had never felt so small and helpless, nor had she felt so much of a man’s focused attention, as she did at that moment over Max’s lap.
“Halfway done,” he murmured, rubbing her bottom in circles, relieving some of the sting. She sniffled, and his hand stopped rubbing when he heard her.
“This is mild discipline, Charlotte, only a few swats to get your attention and let you know I mean business, and it sounds like you’re crying. It’s not really that bad, is it?”
“N-no, I guess not. But I’ve never been spanked.”
He resumed rubbing. “I didn’t think so. A man’s firm care is new to you. This is one of the less pleasant aspects of it, but I think you’ll find it preferable to someone not caring enough to do it. How old are you?”
“Twenty-four.”
“Mm hmm, that’s about what I thought. I’ve got a whole decade on you, darlin’.” His hand connected again smartly with the low curve of her left cheek. “That’s ten more years of experience in this world and thirty-four more in this part of it.”
He landed another swat on her right cheek. “So the way I see it, if in the future I suggest changing into different clothing, I will expect you to do so without argument because I know the weather here. Is that fair, Charlotte?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And if I order you to avoid someone for your own safety, I expect you to be agreeable to it without giving me attitude because I know the people here. Is that fair as well?”
Charlotte spoke quietly. “Yes, Max. I want to obey you, and I want you to court me.”
“I’m happy to hear that, sweetheart. I very much want to court you too. Three more swats, and then I’m going to give you a big hug. Will I ever have to spank you again for allowing stubborn pride to affect your health and safety?”
“No, I will listen to you.”
“And make good choices on your own?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good girl. If I must spank you again for this, I won’t be lenient. All right, Charlotte?”
“All right, Max,” she said, and closed her eyes, bracing herself for the pain that would come from the last of the punishment.
His hand fell smartly in succession, which stung, but in general the punishment hadn’t been as awful as she imagined it might be. He carefully straightened her petticoats and dress back over her backside. She felt a new warmth toward Max. He had seen past her defenses and rebellion and located something inside of her she didn’t know she had—a desire to be taken care of.
“Thank you, Max.”
Max helped her stand and immediately brought her to sit on his lap. He enclosed her in the promised hug. “For what, darlin’? Spanking you?”
“I guess, and for caring. I just… I feel grateful for how I feel right now. I feel vulnerable, but not scared. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Max loosened his grip and leaned back to study her wet eyes for a moment, then wrapped her up in his arms again. He sighed. “Oh, honey. What you just described sounds an awful lot like the feeling of being loved. You haven’t had much of that, have you? No matter, I intend to make up for it plenty.”
She leaned her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Time passed during which they said nothing and only felt the presence and touch of the other. Charlotte lifted her head after some time and looked deeply into his green eyes. Max smiled. She thought he might kiss her. She could almost see it cross his mind, but instead he stood up, bringing her to her feet as well.
“I’ve got to get back to work. Would you like me to escort you home first?”
Charlotte shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m going to continue cleaning and then write some lesson plans.”
“What time are you leaving?”
“Oh, I don’t know. After I feel I’ve made good progress, I suppose.”
Max gave her a peck on the cheek, then turned and headed for the door. “The sun sets around eight o’clock. Make sure you’re home before then. Unfortunately it’s not safe for a lady to walk around alone here after dark.”
Charlotte smiled. Before the spanking, she would have felt irritated about being told to go home before dark, but now she only felt grateful for Max’s care.
Max pulled the door to the schoolhouse open and looked back at her. “Bye, darlin’. I’ll come find you tomorrow and take you to lunch. It’ll only be for a quick meal though. I’m terribly busy with work.”
“And now you’re even busier,” Charlotte said, waving her hand in the direction of the decrepit furniture.
“Yes, but that’s one job I look forward to doing, as I hope to please you.” He winked and disappeared out the door.
Chapter Six: Tim’s Secret