9. Ally

Her body trembled as she stood in front of Luke as he scolded her. She regretted her decision to drive to his house. She should have just stayed home and out of his life. She didn't know why she had wanted to see him so badly, but now all she wanted was to go home and cry. She couldn't believe he had swatted her bottom as they walked toward the house, but she knew he was really angry, and she knew it was for good reason. But she also didn't know why he cared so much. She wasn't his responsibility.

She didn't say anything after he finished talking. He had told her she didn't have permission to speak, and she knew it was in her best interest to keep quiet.

"Did you call the tire place today?"

Ally cringed when he asked. She thought about telling him yes just so she wouldn't make him angrier, but she sensed he would know she wasn't telling the truth or he would find out somehow. She also remembered him telling her that his ex-girlfriend had always lied to him and that he hated liars. She didn't want him to hate her. Just the opposite.

She shook her head and looked up at him. Her eyes pleaded with him, hoping he would realize how bad she already felt. He studied her intently before he responded.

"Use your words, Ally."

She had to take a deep breath before she could muster the courage to answer.

"No. I didn't. I forgot."

Luke didn't say anything and when she looked up at him again, his jaw was clenched so tight, she could see the vein in his neck bulging.

She knew he wouldn't allow her to drive her car home, and the only way she would be able to get home was if he drove her. She was sure the only thing he wanted at that moment was to get rid of her and never have to deal with her again. She was too much of a mess for him and always seemed to be pissing him off.

"You can just drive me home and I'll be out of your hair. I'm sorry I made you mad. It seems like everything I do makes you mad or grouchy and I don't even know why I came. I just wanted to do something nice to thank you and I kinda just wanted to spend time with you, but that was obviously a huge mistake."

Luke stared at her blankly for several moments as though trying to process everything she had just blurted out. She stood uncomfortably, waiting for a response from him, hoping he would agree to drive her home. Then once she was home, she could cry into her favorite stuffed animal all night long in private.

Luke's phone rang, breaking his stare from her. Pulling the phone from his pocket, he answered and walked out of the room to talk to the person on the other end. Ally sank onto the couch and gave a sigh of relief at having a moment to regain her composure. She didn't realize how hard she was trembling. Resting her face in her hands, she felt the tears filling her eyes.

She wasn't scared that Luke would hurt her in any way. Not physically at least. She was already hurting emotionally, but that was her own fault. She felt safe with him even when he was angry. He was angry because he wanted her to be safe. She realized that he was a protector and when he couldn't protect, it made him grouchy.

A couple minutes later, Luke walked back into the living room. The scowl on his face had softened and his blue eyes studied her silently before speaking.

"There's a large tree down just after the turn onto Huckleberry. The forestry service won't make it out until tomorrow afternoon to get it cut up and removed. They need to wait for the storm to pass. Nobody can get in or out of here until it's gone."

Ally swallowed hard as she realized what he was telling her. There was no way out of there until the next day. Which meant she had to stay here. With him… and he was pissed at her. This idea was turning into an even bigger mistake.

"Oh… ummm…"

"You will stay in the guest room for tonight."

She nodded, blinking back the tears that filled her eyes again. The lump that had been forming in her throat grew bigger when she tried to speak.

"I'm really sorry, Luke. I didn't mean to ruin your night or make you mad. I just wanted to see you and bring you cookies. I've liked all the time we've spent together, and I started to like you a lot which is so stupid. It was stupid of me to come here."

The tears that had been building spilled down her cheeks. Luke moved to her and when she looked up, he was sitting on the coffee table only inches away. His large hand reached for her face, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"Little girl, I don't handle it very well when someone I care about is being unsafe and putting their health or life at risk. You're not stupid, and it is not stupid that you like me, because the feeling is very mutual, sweet girl. But I am angry that you acted so irresponsibly, and I plan to spank you for not only making such an unsafe decision, but also for not charging your phone like I instructed and not calling the tire place as you promised."

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

"But…"

Luke raised an eyebrow, making her close her mouth quickly.

"You obviously don't have anyone in your life looking after you, making sure you are being safe and taking care of yourself, and giving you consequences for your actions. You need a spanking to help remind you not to do something like this in the future."

Ally lowered her eyes and thought about what he said. She knew he was right. She hadn't been taking care of herself, not since her parents had died, and driving out here was extremely unsafe. But a spanking? He had already spanked her outside, hadn't he?

She was an adult woman. Adult women didn't get disciplined. Except the women in her books. They were disciplined in many different ways when they broke rules that were set for them by their Daddies. But Luke wasn't her Daddy, nor had he ever mentioned being a Daddy or a Dom.

She knew in her gut that what he said was true. She just hated to admit that she deserved something she didn't want. Or did she? It was all so confusing.

Clearing his throat, Luke cupped her chin, tilting her head back. "Do you think you deserve to be spanked for your actions today, Ally?"

Ally looked up at his handsome face. The stern lines were there but he wasn't scowling at her. He wasn't shouting or being abusive. He looked concerned.

Reluctantly, after several seconds, she nodded her head slowly, lowering her wet eyes to her hands as they twisted nervously.

Lifting her chin back up to meet his eyes, he said softly, "Use your words, little girl."

He was going to make her say it, and she hated that she had to say it out loud.

"Yes, I deserve it."