Chapter Nine

Willow

Shawn is pissed.

"I'm sorry," I say.

We're leaving the casino. I didn't think walking away from that slot machine was any big deal. But it clearly struck a nerve with him. He's leading me back out to the truck. He isn't lecturing me, but I can tell by his stiff body language and the veins bulging from his neck that he isn't happy.

He doesn't say anything until we've walked all the way across the hot parking lot and are back in his truck. He's buckling his seatbelt when he says, "I told you not to leave that machine."

"You did?"

He clears his throat.

"What?" I say, spreading my hands. "I didn't hear you."

"Really? Sure seemed like you did. You responded."

"I guess I was too focused on the slots," I offer. It's a weak excuse, but I have to at least try.

I don't know why. He's not my Daddy. It's not like he'll spank me or something.

Will he?

If you could see the look on his face, you'd wonder, too.

We leave the casino behind, but he doesn't pull on the highway right away, instead staying on the sideroad that leads to a very rural stretch. It's kind of all rural down here, I guess. There are a few other hotels and fast-food spots around the casino, but once you get about half a mile away, it's nothing but green fields and lots of trees.

He turns right and goes down a gravel road, pulling the truck over behind a grove of towering, shady trees. He shifts in the seat until he's looking at me.

"You can say no. Tell me to get this truck back on the highway and we'll go back to Norman right now. We can act like this never happened. Or be a good girl and take what's coming to you. It's your choice."

"What?" I say.

The lump that's formed in my throat is so big it was hard for me to even say that one word. My heart is thumping furiously against my chest. My hands are trembling. How I feel is a stark contrast to the serene countryside that surrounds us.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, little girl." He keeps his eyes trained on me. I sink a little, my back against the door as I continue to look at him.

"Tell me to stop," he says.

It feels like an eternity passes before I slowly shake my head. Even though I'm scared—no, scratch that…I'm terrified—I have to see where this goes. I've dreamed of Shawn being my Daddy and this is my chance to actually experience it. Even if it's only a taste. And even if it isn't one of the fun parts.

"Okay. Looks like we're doing this. Get out," he says.

It takes me another few seconds. He's already out of the truck, having walked to the back, and I just sit in my seat and try my hardest to steady my nerves.

Finally, I reach for the door handle just as I hear a noise and realize he's lowering the tailgate.

Oh shit!

I slide to the ground and cautiously trudge toward him, only to see him finish taking his belt off.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

I can say no. He said so himself. I'm in charge here. Right? Should I call this off?

But I can't. Even if I wanted to. It doesn't feel as if I'm even in control of my body as I walk toward Shawn.

He puts his hand on the lowered tailgate, testing it. "It's not hot," he says. "It won't burn your little hands. So, I want those palms flat. Lean forward and stick that bottom up." He chuckles. "After we lower those shorts, of course."

"Of course," I repeat in a somewhat mocking tone.

Willow! What the hell? Get ahold of yourself.

"Congratulations, little missy. You just earned yourself three extra swats. And I was going to let you take this spanking over your panties but now I want to see those cheeks. Go on. Prepare yourself."

"But what if someone drives by!" I protest, my voice full of dread.

He offers a little shrug. "Then they'll know you've been a bad girl and that I care enough about you to correct your behavior. Now, do as I said." He snaps the folded over belt, the pop jarring in the still afternoon air. "Don't make me tell you again."

I groan but do as he said. It's difficult, with my hands shaking so badly. A few awkward moments later, I have my shorts and panties off.

Are you kidding me? I'm freaking half naked out here in the middle of the country! What if some farmer passes by or something? Would they stop and watch the show? This is awful!

I just want this over as quickly as possible, so I do as Shawn had instructed, putting my hands on the tailgate and arching my back a little until my bottom is up high.

Up high to receive swats.

What am I freaking doing?

All around us, in the trees and the tall grass on both sides of the road, I can hear the clicks of bugs. I can hear cars, too, but they're on the main road and the highway, which I can't even see now. We have privacy behind these trees. That's some small comfort. I guess.

The sun is hot overhead, beating down relentlessly as it tends to do during Oklahoma summers.

I have a feeling my bottom is about to be a lot hotter!

"Why did I tell you to stay at that slot machine and wait for me?" he asks.

Oh great. A lecture. I roll my eyes, but Shawn can't see that since he's behind me.

Behind me looking at my naked bottom.

"Because it's dangerous. But I didn't think it was any big deal. I can take care of myself!"

The belt lashes at my ass, causing me to cry out through tightly gritted teeth.

"Young lady, when you are in this position, you answer only the questions asked of you. I don't need your explanations or commentary. Do you understand?"

I groan.

Whack!

The belt jars me once again.

"The correct response is yes or no, sir," Shawn says. "Let's try this again. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," I say.

A tear slides from my right eye. Oh gosh, my bottom is already hurting! Those swats stung so freaking bad. Can I take a full spanking?

"Casinos can be fun, but they can be dangerous, too," he says. "And trust me—just like at the gas station—there are people all over who'd just love to get their hands on a little thing like you. When I tell you to do something, it's with your best interest at heart. I want to protect you. But you don't make my job any easier by disobeying me and wandering away."

I think of telling him it isn't his job to protect me. He's not my Daddy.

Is he?

It sure feels like he is. But he can't be. Not really. It won't ever happen. That's why I don't understand why we're going through these motions, playing this little charade. But it feels so right. Like this is how life is supposed to be.

Even though I'm dreading what's to come.

"So, do you understand why you're getting this spanking?" he asks.

"Yes, sir," I say.

I lose it. I'm bawling now, sobbing loudly as a wave of guilt washes over me. I'm also anticipating the punishment, and it's almost more than I can take.

I calm down a little when I feel Shawn's hand touch my bottom, rubbing it soothingly.

"I know, little girl. Spankings aren't fun. But they are necessary. Be a good girl and hold still."

"Yes, s-sir," I say, though I'm not sure he can understand it through my sobs.

I feel him shift behind me, getting into position, and then I feel the leather belt once again slap against the bare flesh of my ass.

Oh shit!

I close my eyes, hoping to block out the pain.

It doesn't work.

Whack!

Whack!

Whack!

The belt is brutal and unforgiving. It's jarring and hard. So hard! Each lick hurts more than the one before. It feels as if someone is pouring gasoline on my burning skin and then striking a match. The pain is incredible, and I have no choice but to take it.

I deserve it.

I was a naughty little girl and Daddy—no, Shawn—has to teach me a lesson. This is for my own good. He's just trying to keep me safe.

Lesson learned! I swear it. Just please stop. Please.

Do I say this out loud? I don't know. I'm not really in control of my senses anymore. The pain is mind-numbing and blinding. But it continues.

Whack!

Whack!

Whack!

Tears are streaming down my cheeks. They splash onto the tailgate and run down the ridges of the bedliner.

The summer air is suddenly stifling, like an oven, adding to my misery. But the heat from the sun doesn't compare to the fire in my smoldering bottom.

I can hardly think straight. My mind is a fog of confusion and agony. I can only focus on the pain. The belt has stopped but it hurts so bad that I keep my eyes closed and stay right where I am, bent over the tailgate, until I feel a firm hand on my shoulder.

I start to rise.

"Nope. Not yet. You have three extra coming. For your little smart mouth."

I sob some more as I take the last trio of licks. I kick my right foot back as my body absorbs the searing blows. My cries fall silent, but they're still there, stuck in my throat and building. Finally, they release, and I throw my head back, as if howling, but only wails of agony come out.

"There, there," Shawn says. "It's all over. Stand up. Come here."

I slowly turn around.

Shawn is looking down at me, a look of sympathy on his face. "Give me a hug, little girl. Cry it out. You're okay."

I lean into him, burying my face in his chest, and he holds me close. He doesn't seem to mind that I soaked his shirt with tears. Finally, my crying dies down. He pulls away and looks into my eyes.

He smiles softly and says, "Feel better?"

I nod. "Yes, sir."

I'm starting to, at least. But make no mistake—my ass is still on fire! It's just dying down a bit. Thank God.

"Good girl," he says, stroking my cheek.

It isn't a romantic gesture.

Not really.

But it's something a Daddy would do for his Little.

Oh, if only I could be his Little. If only this intimacy could last forever.