Last Chance

by Tabitha Marks

  “I washed and put away the bowls and bigger things, but loaded the smaller stuff in the dishwasher,” she said meeting Bobby’s penetrating stare for a moment before looking away. His normally easygoing personality made you forget he was a hard-nosed attorney, but right now he definitely had his courtroom face on. Connie couldn’t tell what he was thinking, or feeling and she had to remind herself that this was her almost brother-in-law that she’d known for years and that, she thought, loved her. “I meant to start it before we left. I’m sorry.” She looked him in the eye as she spoke, hoping that would be enough and he’d be satisfied. Instead he continued to stare at her, waiting. Damn. He was good at being tough when he wanted to. Poor Darcy. She probably never got away with anything. There was no use in trying to wait him out, he would definitely win, and Nate wasn’t jumping in to save her. She’d have to do better.

  “I’m very sorry about the way I acted today. I was stressed and nervous, and totally out of line. I’ve been getting worked up about the shower and wedding, wanting everything to be perfect, and I let it overwhelm me. I was a bitch to Darcy and Gina, and I made a mess of your house. I hope you and Darcy will forgive me for my bad behavior and still be in our wedding.”

  Bobby’s eyes softened at her last words. “Of course I’ll still be in the wedding. That’s my brother you’re marrying,” he said, smiling now, but then he ruined it when he looked at Nate and asked, “I assume you’ve dealt with this situation already?”

  Connie felt her face flame at the question, and his implication. Her future brother-in-law was asking her fiancé if she’d been punished for her bad behavior. It was outrageous and embarrassing and…and that’s probably exactly the way Bobby intended it to make her feel. She’d acted like a child and now they were both treating her like one. Connie wanted to yell and protest and tell them to stop, but that would really only prove their point, wouldn’t it? And probably earn her another spanking. Nope she did not want another spanking right now. She would just have to suffer through the humiliation.

  She felt Nate glance down at her, even though her eyes were firmly planted on the floor. “Yep, we had a thorough discussion of her attitude and actions today.” He emphasized the discussion part of it, making her cheeks further redden, but he also wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, supporting her through her utter mortification. She couldn’t look up at Bobby and risk seeing a knowing glance. Yes, he already knew she got spanked. Hell, he was the one who suggested it to Nate in the first place. But she’d never been face-to-face with him while he and Nate discussed punishing her like it was no big deal. The reality of it was, it wasn’t a big deal to them, it was their way of life now. Hers too. That knowledge only lessened the embarrassment slightly, but still it helped knowing Bobby wasn’t looking down on her or laughing at her for allowing Nate to spank her. He wouldn’t think badly and shake his head in disgust. Actually, since he and Darcy practiced domestic discipline his reaction would be the exact opposite, and his next words confirmed her thoughts.

  “Then I’m all set.” He was back to his good natured self, and Connie knew he’d closed the book on this little episode. Just like Nate did when he punished her for something at home. “Darcy, what do you think?”

  Connie’s head whipped up to find Darcy standing on the bottom stair wrapped in a cozy bathrobe, her hair still damp from the bath. The guilt that had left with Bobby’s forgiveness rushed back in and the words started pouring from her mouth without any thought. “I’m so sorry I acted like a jerk today Darcy.” Connie said, needing no prompting from anyone to deliver this heartfelt apology. Darcy was sweet and kind and helpful, and didn’t deserve Connie’s bitchiness at all.

  “I know you are Connie, and I forgive you,” she smiled and Connie was so relieved she returned it. “We all have bad days, especially when there’s wedding planning involved.”

  “Thank you,” Connie said, meaning it with all her heart. Having Darcy forgive her eased the rest of her guilt and she felt a million times better. “And thank you for helping me today.”

  “You’re welcome.” Darcy smile again, then shooed them towards the door. “Now go home. You need a shower even worse than I did.”

  So that’s what Connie and Nate did. Went home and took a long, hot shower. Together. And that was the end of the Cookie Jar Incident.

  Chapter 10

  The much fretted over bridal shower went off without a hitch, and both bridesmaids were in attendance. The decorations were beautiful, the food was great and the cookie jars received loads of appreciative ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’. Connie tried to spend as much time as possible on her feet and hoped no one noticed her wincing whenever her ass brushed up against anything.

  A week later Connie and Gina had lunch, and over nachos and margaritas Connie explained her and Nate’s new relationship. Gina had done some research since the Incident, she said, and listened thoughtfully to Connie’s explanation of how it worked and the rules she followed, or at least tried to follow.

  “So,” Gina asked, the tequila loosening her tongue even more than her normally straight forward personality allowed for, “You break a rule that you’ve agreed to follow and he spanks you?”

  “Yes,” Connie confirmed, also edging towards tipsy. “Sometimes he makes me stand in the corner after to think about what I’ve done.” She paused when Gina giggled. “And he always lectures me and goes on and on about what I’ve done wrong and why I’m in trouble.”

  “That doesn’t sound fun,” Gina noted.

  “No, it’s not,” Connie agreed. “But he always tells me he loves me, before and after, and it does help to relieve stress when I’m getting a little crazy.” She leaned in to whisper in Gina’s ear, “I’m a little high strung you know.”

  They both burst into laughter at Connie’s understatement of the year, only stopping when they saw Nate and Derek approaching. Nate was supposed to meet them here and drive them home, but the addition of Derek was interesting.

  “Look who’s here,” Connie said, then continued innocently, “Derek.” Her information was unnecessary because the instant Gina spotted the man in question she turned and faced forward, purposefully ignoring his approach.

  “I think he likes you,” Connie said, turning so the men couldn’t read her lips.

  Gina glanced over to where Derek and Nate were weaving through tables to reach the bar in the back of the restaurant, then quickly turned back to her drink and slurped up a huge mouthful before responding. “We’re too different. It wouldn’t work.”

  Connie noticed Gina wasn’t arguing that Derek wasn’t interested, or that she wasn’t attracted to him, just that it wouldn’t work. Before Connie could ask why Gina believed that, Nate and Derek were there, grabbing stools on either side of the girls and ordering beers.

  “What was so funny?” Nate asked, leaning over to give Connie a quick kiss.

  “I’ll tell you later,” she murmured against his lips. It was one thing to share with Gina, but no way was she going to discuss her punishments, and how they made her feel, in front of Derek. Sure, he probably knew all about it from Nate, but as long she didn’t hear them talking about it, she could pretend he didn’t.

  Nate gave her a funny look but didn’t push, “Okay.”

  Connie turned and found Gina staring at the television like the football results were the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen. And Derek was staring at Gina with even more fascination, and a sexy smirk at her obvious avoidance of him. Very interesting. She left them to their own devices and turned back to Nate, happy to have this time with him before the fast approaching wedding.

  They ordered spicy chicken wings and nachos, had another beer, then left. Gina and Derek loosened up a bit and actually had a somewhat normal conversation, and Connie and Nate left them at the bar finishing their drinks.

  “What do you think is going on between Derek and Gina?” Connie asked Nate after they were in the car and on the way home.

  “I think they
like each other,” he replied, captain obvious as always.

  “And? Has he said anything to you about her? Is he going to ask her out?” Nate didn’t seem to realize that this was important information. She needed details!

  “He said he’s interested in her.” Nate divulged, giving her something so minuscule it was really nothing at all. Anyone with eyes could see Derek was interested in Gina. Connie knew Nate was hiding something from her. She just had to figure out how to coax it out of him. Maybe after sex. He’d be happy and sated and off his guard.

  “What were you and Gina laughing about when Derek and I walked in?” Nate asked, completely changing the subject, and therefore confirming her suspicion that he was holding something back. Connie decided to drop it for now and attack when he least expected it.

  “I just said I was a little high strung and she thought that was funny for some reason.” Connie said, feigning innocence and sweetness.

  “A little high strung,” he repeated, “That’s the fucking truth. What else were you talking about?” he pushed, clearly fishing for something.

  “Why don’t you just ask what you want to ask?” Connie snapped, annoyed that he was being so ridiculous. Which of course earned her a look and a sharp warning.

  “Constance....”

  “I’m sorry Nate, but why are you hedging? Just ask whatever it is you want to know. I don’t like when you’re sneaky.” Connie apologized sincerely. She didn’t want to piss him off, or get in trouble, after they had such a good night together.

  He took a deep breath then spoke, “You’re right, and I’m sorry. This is just weird. Did Gina ask you about the other day, and our relationship?” Nate looked a bit nervous, worried about her friend’s reaction. Connie held back a smile at the tables being turned. Usually she was the one who was a bundle of nerves and on the other end of the questioning, though this wasn’t nearly the same as her pre-spanking talks.

  “Yes she did, and I explained it to her. She had already looked it up online and done a little research so it wasn’t too shocking to hear the words coming out of my mouth. Plus, I told you that I think she’s into kinky shit.”

  “What kind of kinky shit?” he asked.

  “I don’t know any details but from some comments she’s made about past boyfriends I’m pretty sure she’s into BDSM to some extent. She’s mentioned being tied to the bed and blindfolded, and it was like she was dropping little comments to gauge my reaction so I think that’s just the tip of the iceberg.” Connie paused then asked, “Why?”

  “Just wondering,” Nate answered, too quickly. He was hiding something again. Connie tried to stare him down, goad him into spilling whatever he was hiding, but it did no good. He kept his eyes on the road, completely ignoring her and her apparently not so compelling stare until they pulled into their driveway.

  “We’re home,” he announced, then jumped out of the car, came around to open her door and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve got something I need to show you,” he paused, then continued, “And talk to you about.”

  Nate released her body but grabbed a hand and tugged her up the walkway. He was acting super strange and Connie began to worry. Not too much, because he didn’t seem to have bad news to deliver, just something that for some reason made him nervous about her reaction.

  Connie followed Nate through the front door, silently watching him for some hint of what was going on in his brain. He still appeared in control, but tense. Not angry, not mad. Those were good signs.

  He helped her out of her coat and hung it over the back of one of the kitchen chairs, then took hold of her hand again and pulled her over to the couch and down on his lap. She took it as a good sign that he wanted to hold her during this conversation. It couldn’t be anything too terrible if he wanted to say it with his arms around her, right? Unless, of course, he was worried she would fly off the handle and lose her shit so he was preemptively restraining her.

  “We’re getting married in a few weeks.” Nate’s voice cut off her crazy train of thoughts, but his words made no sense.

  “Yes, I know.” Connie replied. She was well aware of how soon their wedding was since she was the one planning it!

  “I think that we can both agree that a big part of why we made it to this day is that we started domestic discipline,” he stated, then asked, “Do you agree?”

  Connie didn’t even feel the urge to deny it. It was the truth plain and simple. DD had saved their relationship. So she answered honestly, the only way she could now.

  “Yes.”

  “I want to talk about continuing it after the wedding. I know we never discussed making this permanent when we started, but I don’t think we should stop just because things are good now.” Nate paused and raised her chin, gently forcing her eyes from their contemplation of the wall, “I love you more than anything else in the world. And I love that you’ve given me that bit of power over you and our relationship. And I think that you love it, and need it, too.”

  Connie could see the emotion in his words reflected in his eyes, not that she’d felt anything but love from him before. Ever since they started their new lifestyle experiment she had no doubt that he loved her and would do anything for her. And she didn’t disagree that DD had saved them and made them stronger. The question was, did she want this for the rest of her life? Could she submit to his rules, his punishments, forever? Did she want to?

  Sure it made her be more aware of her behavior and attitude, eliminated any stupid fights between them and just made them generally closer. There was something so intimate about baring her ass and submitting to Nate that made it impossible for them not be closer. And Nate really made an effort to spend time with her, owing up to his contributions to their old relationship problems. She didn’t want to lose that. Not to mention their sex life had improved a million percent. Even if he made her stand in the corner, red butt exposed, she still ended up hot and bothered. Actually, it was probably because he treated her like a naughty girl that once the sting and tears of the spanking wore off, she was ready to jump him the minute he declared her punishment over. Not that he let her get her way. No, now he always made them wait a little while, separating the discipline from their love making. Not too long though, just an hour or two.

  If they stopped now would she revert back to her rude and bratty ways? She’d like to think not but having the threat of punishment was certainly an excellent incentive to be good. And, she admitted, on a certain level she needed to be spanked. It allowed her to release all her pent up emotion and frustration without damaging her and Nate’s relationship. She could yell and cry all she wanted when she was over his knee and he didn’t mind. As long as she didn’t yell at him.

  The other benefit was the change in Nate’s attitude and actions since he started disciplining her. He was so in charge and commanding, but not in your face or arrogant about it. No, he had a subtle authority, but it was no less effective and she always knew when he was asserting himself. And she loved it. She always knew where he stood on a topic and how he felt. No more worrying about what he was thinking or if he was angry with her, or if he still loved her.

  The depth of the changes that had occurred between them hit Connie then. She could barely believe she used to doubt his feelings for her. Now the thought never even crossed her mind. She knew he loved her and that, that comfort, she couldn’t give up.

  “Yes I think we should continue our experiment.” She saw a huge grin spread across his jaw at her words before she snuggled into his neck. “Since the results so far have been positive.”

  Nate squeezed her tighter and let out a breath she didn’t know he’d been holding while she considered his question. “I’m so fucking happy you feel that way. I really think this is the way we’re meant to be.” He paused. “But if you ever change your mind you need to tell me and we’ll talk about it. Okay baby?”

  Connie returned his squeeze and looked up to find him watching her. “Yes, I will,” she assured him.

  “G
ood, now that that’s settled I have something to show you.” Nate scooted Connie over so he could get out from under her, then disappeared down the hall and into the office.

  She heard him rummaging in the closet for a minute, as if whatever he was looking for was hidden under a pile of junk, far in the back.

  A minute of silence, then he reappeared with a box in his hands, looking equal parts excited and wary. The box was a nondescript brown cardboard, about a foot and a half long but only two inches tall. It had to contain something long and thin.

  Nate sat down next to her and set the box over his knees, but made no move to open it.

  “This is something I bought for us. We don’t have anything like it and I wanted something to use for certain times when I really need to make a point.” He watched her as he spoke, obviously looking for a reaction, but since she had no clue what he was talking about she couldn’t give him one. What the hell was in there?

  Nate looked down at the box, speaking again as he opened it. “I bought a paddle Connie, to use when you’re really bad.”

  He reached in and pulled out a gleaming piece of wood, about twelve inches long from one end to the other. Small enough to wield in one hand. It looked shiny and smooth, and really, really hard! She knew lots of people in the lifestyle had them and used them for punishments. She’d seen the after-effects in pictures online. How did she feel about Nate possibly using one on her? He was right that they didn’t have any spanking implements. He used what they had on hand, usually literally, spanking her over his knee with his bare palm. Sometimes he used his belt. Once he used a hairbrush. And there was that time with the wooden spoon. Now he would have a specific tool to punish her with. The thought made her shiver.

  “You wouldn’t use this all the time, right?” she asked as he placed it in her outstretched hand. It wasn’t terribly heavy, but would definitely pack more of a wallop than anything he’d used on her so far.