Chapter 19

Despite Quincy keepingher busy in completely non-sexy ways, by three o'clock Dolly was an emotional mess. When she had filled the notebook with her random thoughts and ideas, she had not thought her words would affect anyone else. Especially Quincy.

Quincy had rarely released her hand throughout the day, and when he did, he would hold her neck. It began to feel like a human leash connecting her to the man who had taken responsibility for her actions. She had worked hard to keep on the straight and narrow and had been surprised when he praised her often for behaving.

Shouldn't he be angry she had written about him and their scene in the Dungeon?

Stopping in the middle of the lobby, she turned and looked up to him.

"I'm sorry for writing about you. I hope that someday you'll forgive me," she said as she blinked back tears.

She was surprised when he smiled at her. "Pet, I forgave you this morning after you explained why you had done it. I'm intrigued and look forward to reading your books. I've never known an author in real life before."

His words, in a deep, gentle tone had her tears overflow and roll down her cheeks. She swiped at them, but they kept falling.

He chuckled as he used a bandana from his pocket to wipe them away. "You should wait until you hear what your punishment is before you cry."

Dolly took a deep breath and tried to push all the emotions down into a box. Only problem was they refused to cooperate and be contained.

There were two women both wearing the school uniform sitting on the bench outside Derek's office. Dolly wondered if she should take a seat with them, but Quincy guided her past the girls and into Derek's assistant's office. Erika was not at her desk so he stepped through the open door that led to Derek's office. She hid behind him, not sure she wanted to face the resort's owner.

"Are you ready for us? Or do you want Dolly to join the others on the bench in the lobby?"

"Come on in. I'm sure the girls outside will be happy for a few more minutes before they have to face me," Derek said with a chuckle.

Quincy entered and pulled her along. She moved slowly, her fear growing with every step. Once she stood in front of the desk, Quincy released her hand and stepped back so she faced Master Derek alone.

"Did you bring the list?"

"Yes, Sir."

She stepped forward and laid the two pages on his desk. She then stepped back. She was shaking so hard that she hoped she did not fall over. Quincy's touch had grounded her, made her feel safe all day. Now, without it, she felt untethered and scared to death.

Master Derek looked over the list before laying it aside and looking at her. "Because you lied to and involved all these people, they will all be invited to be present for, and take part in, your punishment. You will present yourself to the Dungeon at nine o'clock this evening. You will be wearing the Rawhide Ranch robe hanging in your closet, and nothing else."

When he paused, Dolly felt she needed to respond, and said, "Yes, Sir."

Master Derek nodded before he continued, "After you explain why they are there, what you have done, and apologize to them, your Master will secure you to a spanking bench. Several spanking implements will be laid out and each person will be allowed one smack, either with their hand or one of the implements. After that, your Master will be allowed up to ten smacks with the implement of his choice since he is the one named most often and most intimately in your book. After that, you will be forgiven and the slate wiped clean. Does this sound like an acceptable punishment to you?"

Dolly took a deep breath before nodding. "Yes, Sir. It sounds very acceptable."

"Good. Then we'll see you in the Dungeon this evening."

Though he had dismissed her, Dolly did have one important question. "Umm, Sir?"

"Yes?"

"Will I get the notebook back afterward?"

Derek looked thoughtful for a moment before he said, "You will get your notes back when you check out and leave the Ranch. And I advise you not to leave any other notes laying around where others might find them or you'll be back here, and next time you will be encouraged to pack up and leave. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Master Derek."

He nodded and turned his attention to some paperwork on his desk. She had been dismissed. Quincy opened the door to the lobby and she hurried out, half expecting Master Derek to call her back.

Instead, Quincy looked at the Littles on the bench and said, "Master Derek will see you now."

He held the door open until the two girls entered the Master's lair. Closing it, he turned to her and held his hand out. His expression told her that she needed to obey his silent order immediately if not sooner.

As soon as she laid her hand in his, she could breathe again. A feeling of being safe and grounded rolled through her.

"All right, pet, let's get some dinner and then we'll go back to the room and rest until you have to get ready to report to the Dungeon."

Dolly took a deep breath and released it. "Yes, Master Quincy."

Stepping off the elevator and facing the Dungeon doors had Quincy's hard-as- a-rock cock twitching in his jeans. He'd changed his boxers for body-hugging briefs which held his cock close to his body and somewhat under control. He only hoped that after her punishment, Dolly would be up for a little sexy action, even if it was just giving him a blowjob.

While Jaben stood beside the check-in podium, another guard was sitting at the stool behind it.

Dolly edged closer to Quincy's side as he gave their names and the man nodded.

The guard looked at Jaben. "They're the last on the list."

Jaben nodded and opened the door. As they passed him, the big man instructed his coworker, "No one else comes in until I return."

"You got it."

Quincy was not surprised to see the bar area filled with familiar and not-so-familiar faces. All heads turned to watch them as they entered.

Derek stood at the bottom of the six steps that separated the bar from the dungeon. He held a clipboard in one hand. Just behind him stood a wooden spanking bench with a leather top, and one of the rolling metal tables. Wrist and ankle cuffs sat on the bench while a wooden spoon, a crop, and a hairbrush sat on the table.

Thanks to a series of texts from Derek, Quincy knew what was to come. Still holding Dolly's hand, he led her down to stand beside Master Derek. Once she was in place, he released her hand and stepped back.

"Thank you all for coming," Derek began. "You are here because you spoke or interacted in some way with Dolly Carter at some point during her visit. It has come to my attention that Dolly came to Rawhide for research for a book and during her stay has made extensive notes about the Ranch, the activities, and the people here."

With that, a murmur went through the crowd. Derek waited until the room was silent again before continuing. "Because you all interacted with her, you are here to witness, and partake in, her punishment. Each person who came into contact with her will be allowed one strike, with either your hand, or one of the implements on the table. You may then leave or stay to watch the rest of her punishment. As with any punishment, when it is over, we will all forgive her."

A softer murmur flowed through the crowd and everyone nodded their understanding.

"Very good. Master Quincy, if you'll prepare her for her punishment."

Quincy nodded and stepped forward once again. He led Dolly to the spanking bench. After removing her robe, he attached the wrist and ankle cuffs, making sure they were not too tight. After helping her onto the bench, he hooked the cuffs to eyebolts beneath it so she had little room to move but was not uncomfortable as she would be in this position for a while.

Brushing her hair out of her face, he leaned down so they were nose-to-nose. "Before this begins, I want to tell you something."

"Yes, Sir?"

"I love you, pet," he said, speaking from the heart. "And I look forward to a long discussion about our future together when this is over."

She blinked and her eyes went wide before she gave him a small smile. "I love you, too, Sir."

"What's your safeword?"

"Melon, Sir."

"Use it if you need a break. I'll be right here."

"Yes, Sir," Dolly replied, tears already evident in her voice.

After brushing a kiss on her lips, Quincy straightened and took up a position behind the table. "She's ready, Master Derek."