Summer Solace

by Maggie Ryan

  Now it was Gabe’s turn to moan. He could well imagine how her father had reacted to seeing her half naked. They had been playing hard at the BDSM club when all hell broke loose. A former member had gotten past the security guard and was in the process of attempting to beat the life out of both his former girlfriend as well as her new Dom. It had gotten ugly fast and the police had been called in. Joanna and Gabe had been in a private room. They had finished a very intense scene earlier where Gabe had used a single–tail whip on her for the first time.

  Joanna had loved every stroke, its pain driving her desire higher and higher. They had been in the process of making love when their door had been kicked open and both had been pulled from the bed. Joanna had been allowed to pull on her clothing, and Gabe could easily remember what it had been. She had worn a scarlet colored miniskirt that barely covered her bottom. A practically sheer white peasant blouse covered her demi–cup bra. Underneath the skirt was a barely there silk black thong. Her final clothing was a pair of four–inch ruby red stiletto heels. Gabe knew she had looked exceptionally hot. However, he guessed a father would have a totally different vision. He realized Jo was speaking again.

  “The doctor, I can’t remember his name, told my father that since I was an adult, not only did I have the right to make my own choices, I had the right to ask him to leave. Dad was furious. He left and the doctor asked me what happened. I remember trying to think up some story that he would find plausible. I…I didn’t want anyone else to think of me as some kind of pervert or…or as a whore. He didn’t push me, but he did tell me that the truth did work best no matter how much I might doubt that. So, I told him the truth. I was really embarrassed and felt guilty. I remember he told me that he had experience with people who were into the scene and that he didn’t judge people based on their sexual preferences as long as everything was consensual. He asked if I wanted to be tested. I told him no. I told him that I had sex with you but that it was totally consensual and that we were in a very committed relationship. I told him I trusted you and that you’d never hurt me. I remember he smiled and asked if I also consented to the whipping. I don’t know if he was testing me or what. I remember nodding and telling him that as my Dom, you had the right to punish me. I…I was your Sub and had not only deserved the punishment, I…I had asked you to take me further into pa…pain than before. That’s why my back, bottom and thighs looked the way they did. He looked at me and told me he was proud that I’d been brave enough to trust him with the truth. I remember thinking that it would be okay.”

  Joanna paused again, the pain of the memory clear on her face. She managed a small smile and continued, “Sure, I was humiliated and knew my brother and dad were royally pissed, but I figured once they met you and we could explain, well, the only thing I’d be was embarrassed. I knew he’d probably kick me out of his house, but I was almost ready to graduate and knew you’d never let me stay out on the street. I…I never ever imagined he would do something like this.”

  Gabe had laid his cheek on the top of her head as she told her story. He felt tears in his own eyes.God, what a fuck–up, he thought.

  Joanna sighed and then finished her story. “I dressed and waited for you, but you didn’t come. Dad and Thomas came in. Dad made me wear that stupid hospital gown over my clothes so that people wouldn’t know his daughter was a slut. I was so hurt and humiliated. I…I asked if anyone had asked about me. They said no and that I would never hear from any of that depraved group again. I tried to discuss it but they would have none of it. They took me home and…well, that’s all, I guess.”

  Gabe did not for a single moment believe that was all. He had met both her father and brother and they had blatantly lied to him as well as threatened him. He was almost afraid to ask her what had happened once she had been taken home. He took several breaths and lifted his head.

  He reached down and cupped her face in his palms, forcing her to look up at him. “Tell me the rest, Jo. Tell me and we will never speak of it again,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. She shook her head.

  “Jo, trust me, sweetheart. It won’t go away if we don’t talk about it. What did they do to you? Why didn’t you call me?” Gabe asked, knowing they had to finish the entire story.

  Tears rolled down her cheeks but she released her heart. “They told me that if I thought I liked that sort of depravity, then I would learn I was wrong. They…they stripped me and then Dad took his belt to me. I…I remember screaming for you again and again. I remember Thomas telling me that you had come to the hospital. You’d come and told him to tell me that you were leaving the country. Thomas said you wanted me to know that while it had been fun, you knew I’d understand you didn’t want to return to a girl who had been arrested and would have a reputation as a slut. I…I didn’t want to believe him, but Dad kept whipping me and calling me horrible names and telling me I was sick and perverted. He told me that guys loved to fuck girls like me but would never ever fall in love or marry a slut. Girls that let men do the things I did would never allow them to bear their children. Men wanted pure, clean women for their wives. I…I couldn’t take it anymore. He…he kept me locked in the storage room all weekend. I didn’t have my phone. I never got it or my purse back. He came in on Sunday night and told me that if I ever saw you again, if I ever left the house except for school, he would press charges and he didn’t care if you were innocent. He’d ruin your life even worse than you’d…”

  “Ruined yours?” he whispered and she nodded. Gabe felt a rage inside him that he had not known he was capable of. He wanted to lash out, to beat the shit out of her father and her brother. What family did that? What sort of people purposely worked to destroy their own children or siblings? It was so far from the reality of his own close–knit, caring family that he absolutely could not comprehend how Joanna had been able to escape its oppression and hate. He forced himself to take several deep breaths. He might not be able to follow his urge, but he could follow his heart.

  “Joanna, I am so sorry. I…I never knew,” he said shaking his head in disbelief. “I tried to call, but you never answered. I remember how pissed at you I was…how could I have fallen in love with someone who was cheating on her husband…no matter what kind of asshole he was. It took me a couple of days but I did come look for you. I had to get your address from the hospital nurse. She knew something was wrong when she witnessed the fight in the waiting room. She took a chance on giving me your address. I wanted to hear you tell me why you would lie to me. You were never there. I was deploying, remember?” he asked.

  She nodded, the memory as clear as if it had been yesterday. The evening at the club had been one meant not only to allow them to play, but to give them memories to hold onto while they were apart. If everything had not gone to hell in a hand basket, Joanna would have left that club with his collar around her neck. Instead, she had left the club with nothing but heartache and fear.

  “I…I had to report,” he said softly. “I was gone for eighteen months. I wrote but never got a reply. I did another tour and then another. I had nothing to come home for. I went by your house but some other family lived there. I…I guess I finally did give up. God, I feel like such a fucking fool. You needed me and I should have been there. I’ll never forgive myself.”

  Joanna felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her soul. She was sobbing, but no longer in pain. She cupped his face this time.

  “Gabe…Gabe, don’t…please don’t say that,” she begged. “You didn’t know and I was too scared to get away. I wanted to finish school. That was the only way I could ever get out and support myself. I never got your letters. I was never told you had called. I guess I thought they were right. I just stopped thinking about anything but school. As soon as I graduated, I left and never went back. They sold the house and moved…I haven’t talked to either of them in four years. I will never forgive them for what they did...they had no right to destroy what we had. I hate them both!”

  Gabe could hear the veheme
nce in her voice. He didn’t want her to carry that sort of anger any longer. He took her hands in his and kissed the palms. “They aren’t worth your anger, sweetheart. You’ve beaten them. You not only survived, you grew strong. You made a life. Joanna, you won,” he said, his voice full of wonder.

  The first real smile gradually formed on her face. Her lips trembled, but the smile was there as she said, “I did…didn’t I?”

  Nodding, Gabe bent down and brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was light as a feather and yet the jolt shot through them both. “The price was higher than you should ever have had to pay, but, Joanna, you are an incredible woman. I love you. I have always loved you. I swear never to let anyone or anything come between us ever again if you will only give me another chance,” he promised.

  Joanna sobbed and laughed at the same time. The elephant had been dismissed and all that was left were the two of them. She threw her arms around his neck.

  “I love you, Gabe, God, I’ve loved you forever.”

  The peace of the woods seemed to seep into their skin. They kissed until they were both breathless. When they finally came up for air, Gabe said, “What a fucking waste…five fucking years were stolen from us. How can I get over that?”

  Joanna stroked his cheek. “What’s five years when we now have forever?”

  Gabe smiled. This was the woman he had fallen in love with, always optimistic, always searching and finding the silver lining in any cloud. He chuckled when he heard her stomach growl. She looked surprised.

  “Well, how romantic is that?” she said as she laughed, her eyes shining.

  “Guess I’ve got a lot to remember about being a good Dom. I’ve practically ravished you and haven’t even fed you yet,” Gabe said with a grin. His words caused Joanna to shiver in a very good way. Her stomach might be rumbling, but her heart was thudding and her pulse racing. She felt a tingle between her legs and was not the least bit interested in food. Gabe laughed and shook his head. He grinned. “Nope, I can read you like a book, young lady. I promised you hot dogs and that is what I’m going to fix right now.” She grinned as he stood and placed her onto her feet. He turned her around and pushed her down into the chair. “Sit right there and watch the master at work.”

  Again his words conjured up a delicious memory. She giggled and sat back in the chair. “Yes, Sir,” she said and then her voice lowered, “I’ve waited for a long time to see my Master at work.”

  Gabe felt a thrill run through him. He had waited for this for five long years. His cock was already hard and was pushing against the zipper of his jeans. He faked a growl at Joanna. “Don’t be naughty, little girl,” he warned. “Remember, I haven’t had a sub for years, but I did keep up my spanking skills.”

  Joanna shivered and found she hoped that he hadn’t exaggerated. She hadn’t missed the insinuation that she had been his last submissive either. “I promise to be good, Sir, if you promise to cook really, really fast!” she said and pointed towards the grill.

  He laughed and soon had the hotdogs sizzling over the coals. When Joanna attempted to help, he told her to sit and that he would take care of everything. She rolled her eyes and he grinned.

  “Careful, I already owe you one trip across my lap. You probably don’t want another,” he warned.

  Her mouth dropped open as she asked, “You are seriously going to spank me? For what?”

  He shook his head, flipped the hotdogs over and then looked at her before answering, “For swearing. You know you aren’t allowed to cuss. You also aren’t allowed to roll your eyes. It is very disrespectful.” She still looked shocked and he grinned. “Don’t worry, I am going to feed you first.”

  Joanna frowned but didn’t protest. She watched him work and thought about how she felt. She discovered she wasn’t the least bit afraid of the promised spanking. She felt nervous but not afraid. She smiled remembering she had always felt nervous when he told her she was going to get spanked, especially when it was intended for discipline or punishment. Gabe glanced over to see her absently stroking her braid. He knew she was nervous and couldn’t blame her. It had been five long years since she had to answer to him. He found it hard not to smile as he worked on their dinner. When he had it ready, he put it on the table and Joanna joined him.

  They ate quietly, the darkness growing around them. After Gabe cleared the table and lit a lantern, he approached Joanna and held out his hand. The years seem to drop away as the roles to be played became crystal clear. Without a word, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her up from the table. He didn’t speak until he took a seat on the bench and opened his legs. He pulled her gently to stand between his open thighs. He looked up and saw that she was biting on her lower lip even as her hand touched her hair. He reached up and brought her hand down and then held both her hands in his.

  Chapter 6

  “Do you remember?” he asked quietly.

  She blushed but nodded. It didn’t feel as if half a decade had passed. It felt exactly as it always had. She was facing her Dom, the only man she answered to. All the heartache and fear, all the sadness and insecurity of those years slipped away. They were no longer defining her life. This moment, this man, and her response to him would define her.

  “Yes, Sir. I remember,” Joanna said as the memories consumed her.

  “Good girl. Tell me why I’m going to spank you, Joanna,” Gabe ordered quietly.

  The ritual washed over her as she remembered. She had always hated this part. Hated he made her participate in her own discipline. He knew that and made sure she always did so.

  “Answer me, Jo,” Gabe said firmly.

  She looked down at the ground. “I swore and…was disrespectful to you, S…Sir,” she answered.

  Gabe was enormously proud. He nodded and said, “Correct.” He allowed a few minutes to pass and then said, “Lower your shorts.”

  Joanna’s heart rate jumped. She felt him release her hands. Her hands were trembling as they went to her belt. Gabe said nothing as she unbuckled her belt and then unsnapped and unzipped her shorts. She moaned softly, her hands at the waistband of her shorts.

  “Good girl,” Gabe’s voice was soft and loving as he gave her quiet encouragement.

  She dared raise her eyes to look around the clearing as if remembering that they were out in public no matter that the camp site was isolated. She moved her eyes to his, her uncertainty shining from them.

  Gabe didn’t smile but spoke quietly and firmly, “You can do this, sweetheart.”

  His words gave her courage. Her face turned scarlet as she pushed her shorts down just until they cleared the curves of her bottom cheeks. Gabe was thrilled to see she had remembered exactly what position the order he had given her meant. He reached up to turn her face to his. “Thank you, Joanna,” he said sincerely.

  She gave him a small smile and when he turned her gently, she immediately lowered herself over his left knee, the position instantly familiar. She sighed when she felt his right leg cross both of hers, effectively trapping her in position. She shuddered once as she felt her stomach flip. God, it had been forever, but at this moment, felt like only yesterday.

  Gabe was trying to gather his courage. Her story had taken part of his soul away. He knew she was far more scarred than she would ever admit. He didn’t think he’d ever met anyone braver. She had been through hell. She thought he had simply abandoned her when the going got rough. Yet, she was trusting him, loving him and he doubted for a moment if he had the right to accept her submission, her love. He was proud of her but terrified that she would have some type of flashback and bolt.

  “Joanna, if for any reason you start to panic and feel you can’t handle this spanking, use your safe word. Do you remember it?” he asked.

  She closed her eyes and released the breath she had been holding. He had never offered her an out before – not for a spanking or punishment. She understood that he too was feeling some doubt.

  “I remember, Sir. It’s ‘red.’” She p
aused and then spoke slightly louder, “Sir, I won’t use it. I trust you to spank me. I know you won’t truly hurt me.”

  Gabe closed his eyes and felt the weight of responsibility engulf him. She was telling him that she was secure enough to place herself in his hands. She was trusting him to take her where she so desperately needed to be again. He put the palm of his hand on the curve of one cheek. She was wearing dark pink panties that were silky under his skin. He smiled seeing the lace edging the leg openings and waistband. She might be wearing the standard khaki uniform of a park ranger, but she was definitely wearing very sexy underwear beneath it. He relaxed and began to rub his hand over her bottom.

  Joanna bit her lip and moaned as his hand roamed her bottom. She felt her stomach churn and her sex clench. This was where she belonged, in the care of this man who owned her in a way she had never imagined possible. Several minutes passed while she waited for the first smack. When it came, she was surprised. It was nothing more than a gentle pat followed by another round of rubbing. This went on for a half dozen smacks. Joanna grinned realizing that this was definitely not the spanking she had expected. After another half dozen smacks and more rubbing, Joanna’s amusement was over. This might be where she belonged, but the man holding her was not the man she knew. She was very well acquainted with the differences between spanking for punishment and spanking for foreplay. This was neither. She pushed back and was not the least bit surprised when he allowed her up. She stood between his legs. He was not meeting her eyes. Joanna sighed and reached out to cup his face in her hands, forcing him to look up at her. She saw his eyes full of indecision.

  “Gabriel, do you love me?” she asked.