by Livia Grant
“Hi, Traci.” Reaching into her box, the hostess pulls out one of the smaller rectangular gifts wrapped in red paper and hands it to Traci. “Here’s your welcome gift.”
“Thanks, Carrie Ann. Is it the same gift as last year? Every woman in town has been looking forward to getting stocked up. Since I probably won’t need mine, I’m thinking of starting a bidding war to make a little extra cash.” Traci’s comment has Hallie curious as to the contents of the small present.
“Yeah, well it was so popular the committee knew we had to keep the gift the same as last year.”
Carrie Ann briefly looks up at Troy before lowering her eyes shyly. Knowing where they are, Hallie suspects she is a submissive. The hostess reaches into her box of goodies, this time coming out with two gifts, one identical to that given to Traci and the other a larger, long rectangular box wrapped in deep green wrapping paper.
The shy hostess works up the nerve to address the newcomers. “So are you two in a traditional relationship?”
Hallie’s heart does double time thinking about the implications of being in a relationship with a man like Troy. She’s flustered, and can only stutter her denial. “Oh hell no. We’re not… I mean we don’t…”
Troy rescues her by cutting in, a sly smile on his face. “What Hallie is trying to say is we are just friends. She is staying with her aunt and uncle and I’m here visiting my sister.”
Carrie Ann looks confused on how to proceed so Traci jumps in to help. “It’s okay, Carrie Ann. Just give them the traditional gifts. That will be fine.”
She holds out the smaller red box for Hallie and the larger green to Troy. She looks relieved that her duty is done and is ready to shuffle off to find other new comers when like a shot, the woman’s name clicks into place and Hallie stops her retreat with a blurted question. “Are you the Carrie Ann that lives between my Aunt Gina’s and Traci’s houses?”
Carrie Ann’s blush deepens. “Oh no. Yes, I’m afraid so.”
Troy is confused. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Having a few seconds to think better of her line of questioning, Hallie decides to retreat. “It’s nothing. Let’s get going.” She begins pulling at his sleeve, trying to move them to the chocolate fondue fountain.
Troy stays planted until Carrie Ann eventually answers his question. “I suspect she heard one of my recent discipline sessions. My HoH believes that naughty girls should be punished so everyone knows how naughty they’ve been. I’m sorry if we disturbed you, miss.”
Hallie tries to laugh, but it comes out as a choked croak instead. “Hey, whatever floats your boat. If you’re crazy enough to allow yourself to be beaten, who am I to complain?” Even Hallie is surprised by the obnoxious tone of her voice.
Carrie Ann is too shocked by her outburst to say a word, but Traci tries to smooth things over. “Hallie, we’ve talked about this. What happens in Corbin’s Bend is consensual between loving partners. You’ve never even met Danelle. She loves Carrie Ann very much.”
Digging herself deeper, Hallie snorts with laughter. “You guys keep telling yourself that. Whatever gets you through the day, but you won’t convince me that was love. I heard you screaming.” With a start, she realizes she’s still touching Troy’s arm, and she yanks her hand free as if he were on fire, turning to move deeper into the party to try to get away from him and the awkward conversation.
Troy doesn’t let her get far. Grabbing her wrist and pulling her back into the conversation, Troy warns Hallie. “That was rude. I want you to apologize to Carrie Ann. She was just trying to be friendly.”
Eyes wide at his authoritative command, Hallie tries to yank out of his grip, but he won’t have it. “Now, Hallie.”
“Who died and left you in charge?” Hallie isn’t exactly sure why she’s trying to pick a fight in the middle of the Community Center, but pent up frustration over the crazy by-laws of Corbin’s Bend are pushing to the forefront leading Hallie into melt-down territory.
Carrie Ann looks like she might be ready to apologize again, but Troy holds up his hand to shush her. “Hallie, I’d like to speak to you in private please.” She regrets looking up to see if he’s serious. “But before we speak, I mean it. Apologize to Carrie Ann.”
Hallie really does feel sorry. She can see she had upset the woman. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me.”
Carrie Ann quietly replies. “It’s okay. I think I understand.”
Hallie wishes she understood. She looks up at Troy. His eyes look stormy as he reaches out to grasp her upper arm, pulling her in a different direction.
She can hear Traci calling out to them. “Troy… be careful. This isn’t your problem to solve.” His sister’s comment only spurs him on faster. Hallie has to almost run to keep up with his long strides and in her new boots, that’s no easy feat.
“Troy… please. My feet are killing me, damn it. Slow down.”
“Well I don’t feel sorry for you since you’re old enough to know how to buy more sensible shoes to wear in the Colorado snow, and that’s the second curse word not far from young children in the last hour. I’m no prude so that language doesn’t bother me in private, but I’m warning you now, I don’t want to hear any more profanity in front of children.”
He pulls them down a short hallway into an empty alcove, decorated and lit by twinkle lights in large artificial ficus trees. Hallie is helpless to fight his strength as he backs her into the private cutout, pressing her back against the wall and caging her in by placing his hands, one still holding a gift, on the wall above her head. She’s grateful that while he is close enough to smell his masculine scent, he’s keeping a few inches between them.
The burst of resentment and anger she had felt just a few minutes before are dissolving, quickly replaced with a cocktail of guilt and fear of what Troy is going to do. She’s witnessed first hand what he’s capable of. They’re far enough away from the loud party music that Hallie can hear her own labored breathing as she tries to calm herself, choosing to focus on the fashionable tie knotted at the collar of his dress shirt directly in front of her. It gets harder when Troy cups her cheek with his palm, pulling her chin up so she has no choice but to look into his stormy eyes. She expected to see anger, not his calm disapproval. For some reason, seeing his disappointment takes her guilt to a new level.
“Now, why don’t you tell me what that was really all about?”
“I don’t want to talk about it with you.”
“And why not?”
“Because… you’re part of the problem. All of the men in Corbin’s Bend think they can do whatever they want and us women will just fall at your feet, begging to have our asses lit up for no good reason. Thanks, but I can pass on that.”
Hallie isn’t sure why she is going off on Troy since she really had thought she was adjusting well to the strange rules of the town. As an outsider, she was coming to terms that there were people who lived a life of domestic discipline. But tonight, being confronted with both an example of punishment she had witnessed first hand and Troy trying to act like her long lost father, Hallie’s tolerance level has sunk to a new low.
She’s prepared for his anger, so the broad smile he flashes releases a few unwanted butterflies in the pit of her stomach instead. “Well then, I guess I’m glad I don’t live in Corbin’s Bend, so you can’t lump me into that bucket. And if you’d stop acting like a brat, I wouldn’t feel the need to manhandle you away to cool off out of ear shot of impressionable children.”
Hallie’s mini meltdown has run its course. “Fine. I might have over-reacted… just a bit.”
“You think?” Troy is laughing at her now.
“You can stop laughing any time now. It isn’t that funny.”
“If you say so.” She knows the second he realizes how close they are. She’s relieved when he takes a step away from her, giving her a bit of breathing room again.
“So, I wonder what kind of gifts they give out to everyone. You game to open our g
ifts and take a look?” Hallie is surprised he’s giving her rude behavior a pass. She doesn’t know how to interpret what feels like disappointment with Troy’s change of subject. His question hangs in the air. It feels like a dare.
Hallie is curious and more importantly, she welcomes the chance to steer the subject away from her less-than-admirable conduct of the last ten minutes. “Sure. I love opening presents. I’ll go first.”
Hallie rips through the red wrapping paper to find a box of what, at first glance, looks like simple lotion, but upon closer examination, she sees the box touts its medicinal value in ‘helping to relieve pain and cool heated skin.’ Hallie blushes as she realizes she is holding lotion to rub on her ass after getting a hard spanking. “Oh goody. A gift I’ll never use.”
His laughter is back. “I wouldn’t go giving it away if I were you. If you decide to stay in Corbin’s Bend, I predict it won’t be long before you’ll be in need of a dab of that.”
“Very funny. I can’t wait to see what they buy for the Doms around here.”
Troy grins. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.” Troy rips the paper off his present and takes a short peek in the box without showing Hallie. He whistles. “Oh, you’re gonna just love this.”
“That bad?”
“Depends on your perspective I would guess.” Hallie’s eyes almost bug out as he pulls a heavy-duty wooden spoon out from the tissue paper wrapping. His grin is disarming. “Somehow, I don’t think most of the HoH’s are going to be cooking with this.”
“Fucking great.” The second the bomb leaves her mouth, she regrets it. “I’m so sorry. It just slipped out.”
“I don’t think so. What I can’t figure out is if you are just being careless or if you are subconsciously trying to push my buttons to see how far you can push me.”
“That’s ridiculous. Listen, for the last few years I’ve lived with a rock band traveling cooped up on a tour bus at least fifty percent of the time. Let’s just say I picked up a few bad habits.”
Troy at least looks like he might be listening. “Okay, say I buy that as a plausible excuse for your potty mouth, I’m assuming your aunt and uncle are not thrilled. Adam seems like a pretty straight shooter.”
Hallie’s heart rate is going up at the mention of her uncle. “We don’t need to bring Uncle Adam into this discussion, do we? I mean I wouldn’t want him to be disappointed…”
Troy is grinning at her. “He’s already told you to knock it off, hasn’t he?”
Hallie hesitates before answering truthfully. “Only about ten times. Let’s just say that if he finds out about my slips tonight, I suspect I’d be testing out the lotion sooner rather than later. I think the only reason he hasn’t spanked me already is they’re trying not to scare me into leaving Corbin’s Bend.”
Troy is chuckling, a twinkle in his eye. “Hmmm… so what is my silence worth to you?”
She knows he is teasing her so she plays along. “Blackmail? Really? If you tell him about my cussing, I might be forced to… to…” Her mind races to come up with something she might hold over his head. She doesn’t think things through before she replies. “I’ll be forced to tell him about why I broke into Traci’s that night in the first place. I’m sure he’d like to know all about that.”
Troy’s humor is gone instantly. He has backed her up against the wall again, hovering over her so close she can feel his warm breath. “Leave my sister out of this. She doesn’t need the gossips around town getting a hold of the story of how she celebrated her 30th birthday. Do you hear me?” His eyes are hard.
“Troy… I didn’t mean… Well… I would never hurt Traci like that. I was just joking.”
“Your mouth sure does get you in a lot of trouble. I would get ready if I were you. It’s only going to be a matter of time before your uncle gives you reason to test the lotion.”
Hallie has already pretty much come to the same conclusion and as a result, has spent endless hours debating if being near her aunt and uncle who love her is actually worth living in a place like Corbin’s Bend.
“Well, just the same. I’m just glad you didn’t try to test your newest gift out on me tonight.”
The worry lines around his eyes crinkle before he answers her seriously. “Hallie, I will never spank you. I am neither a relative nor your HoH, so as much as I may want to take you over my knee like the naughty little girl you act like at times, you don’t need to live in fear of me.”
She should be happy, right? He has just pledged not to hurt her, no matter how obnoxious she might get. So why does she feel disappointed instead of relieved? More importantly, why does her tummy flutter at the thought of being Troy’s naughty anything?
He doesn’t give her time to sort out her jumbled emotions. Troy backs off, giving her space to breathe. “Come on. Let’s go rejoin the party. I’m sure Traci is worried.”
* * * * *
Almost two hours later, it’s way past time for Troy to leave this party. Coming here hadn’t been one of his brightest ideas. As if their earlier sparring match hadn’t been fun enough, spending time around Miss Hallie Boudreaux was proving to be akin to plunking a diabetic down in front of a huge table of sweets. It’s so tempting to reach out and sample the tasty treats right there within his reach, but he knows damn well she is no good for him.
Setting the eleven year age difference aside, the fact she talks and drinks like a rock star, and rejects the idea of a domestic discipline lifestyle with vehemence pretty much closes the door on the idea of getting to know her better. His brain accepts these truths, but unfortunately, the rest of his body seems drawn to her as if she’s the tempting treat. There’s something unique about her Troy can’t quite put his finger on. With so much he doesn’t know about her yet, it makes his growing attraction to her even more troublesome.
When Hallie starts to wobble on her high heels standing next to the punch bowl, Troy decides it’s time to intervene. He had tried to give her some space, mingling away from her for much of the party. About ten minutes ago, he’d sent Traci over to retrieve Hallie so they could leave, but his sister had ended up joining her instead. It looks like he’s going to have to go in himself.
Arriving next to the small group gathered near the refreshments, Troy prods them. “Come on ladies. It’s getting late. Time to head home. Santa has a few gifts to wrap.”
“Oh come on, Troy. Don’t be a party pooper. You need some more punch.” Hallie is holding a plastic cup filled with spiked punch out for him.
“No thanks. I’m driving and I already had one.”
“Light weight. I guess I’ll have to drink it instead.” It’s subtle, but her words are beginning to slur. Hallie diverts the adult beverage to her lips and takes a swig before Troy calmly takes the cup.
“I think you’ve had enough, Hallie. Your aunt and uncle are not going to appreciate me bringing their niece home sloshed. It’s time to get going.”
“You’re not the boss of me. I’m sure I can get someone else to drive me home. You can leave if you’re going to turn into a pumpkin at midnight or something.”
She doesn’t make a very good drunk. “Come on ladies, time to go.”
When his sister looks as if she might say something in return, she stops, thinking better of the idea and begrudgingly agrees. “You’re right. We do need to head out. It’s late.”
“Oh, not you too! Don’t let him spoil your fun.”
Troy is relieved his sister is headed to the coat check area without additional prodding, leaving him to deal with Hallie. “Come on, Hallie. Time to go.”
“I’m staying. Just leave.” She whines with attitude.
“Nope. Your uncle put me in charge. You’ve had enough to drink. Time to head home.”
“Or what?” She has a fire in her eyes. She is throwing down an intentional dare. A group of teenagers gathered nearby are watching the interaction with interest.
“I’m not playing this game.” He reaches to secure her upper arm in his
tight grip. He turns to head towards the exit, but she digs in her fashion heels and tries to hold him back. His anger is simmering. He hadn’t missed that she’s curvier than he had remembered and he suspects Aunt Gina has been feeding her well, but it doesn’t change the fact she’s petite enough that he can hustle her along easily.
They’re at the coat check room before Troy releases her arm in order to dig out the claim check. They move aside to make room for the people lining up. Before the young attendant can return with their coats, Hallie is heading back towards the party.
His patience is at an end. He doesn’t know her story yet, but one thing is for sure, Hallie Boudreaux is in sore need of some discipline. Unfortunately, that job will fall to her uncle as her relative. All Troy can offer at this juncture is a stern lecture. A wave of resentment festers within him directed at Hallie. He was already feeling like an old man around her, but he hates that she’s turning him into her father.
He shuffles them to a nearby doorway, out of the path of the other partygoers, trapping her against the closed door. He presses in close, allowing his towering body to try to intimidate Hallie into compliance.
“Now, I’ve had enough. I have no idea what happened in your past that makes you think acting like a brat is acceptable, but here’s your wake up call. You are on dangerous ground with me, Hallie. We’re leaving.”
They are in a silent showdown of wills, staring into each other’s eyes as the group of teenagers she had been socializing with walk by, taunting them. “Hey, look at the lovebirds! They’re standing under the mistletoe. You guys better kiss or you’ll have bad luck.”
Troy’s gut lurches. Hallie’s eyes widen. As if they choreographed this moment, they each slowly look up to confirm the validity of the teenager’s taunt.
When their eyes meet next, he expects to see fear or anger. Those would be preferable to the confused longing reflected in her green eyes. It’s only there briefly, but he’d seen it. It’s a stupid tradition. It means nothing. He should walk away. He will walk away.
