Return to Corbin's Bend

by Corinne Alexander

  “I’m really sorry to interrupt, but there is a family nearby that has complained about your… well... They’d appreciate it if you could get back to eating your breakfast.”

  Troy and Hallie both burst out laughing. “Yeah, sure. We’ll behave ourselves.”

  “Thank you.”

  When she’s gone, Troy reaches out to tuck a stray strand of blonde hair behind Hallie’s ear. “Oh Hallie, you’re dangerous.”

  “That’s my line.”

  Chapter 10

  Don’t touch me! I can get up on my own.” Hallie looks up at Troy hovering over her for at least the tenth time in the last four hours. Just when she starts to feel like she might be getting the hang of things, she finds herself on her ass again.

  “Don’t be stubborn. Let me help you up. You were doing really good there that time. Right up until you realized how fast you were going and then you panicked.”

  Troy has hoisted her back on her feet where she stands hopping on one foot while he reaches down to grab her dangling ski and reattach it to her boot. As he stands, Hallie can see the humor dancing in his eyes. She has to give him credit. He has honored his promise to stick to her like glue. He’s even proven to be a very patient teacher and with the exception of making her use one of the chairlifts, he hasn’t pushed her too far out of her comfort zone.

  “Are you getting hungry? We could take a break and grab some lunch before we head up to the next run.”

  “The next run? You mean we need to do it again?”

  Troy can no longer contain his laughter. “Honey, the object is to get as many runs in as you can in a day. No one does just one run.”

  “No one but me. That is exactly how many I did last time I came.”

  “Well, that’s because you went with idiots. Tell me the truth, are you hating it?”

  “Honestly, I’m mostly having fun. I wish the small little kids would stop zipping past me. They make me feel like a loser.”

  “Well you’re not a loser. You’re doing great for your first time.”

  “As much as I’d like to take a break, I’m afraid if I sit down, I might not get up again. I’m pretty sure I’m using muscles I never even knew I had, and I’m really wishing I’d thought to bring that damn lotion to use on my sore bottom. I suspect it might come in handy tonight on my bruises.”

  Troy hugs her to him tight. “Oh Hallie. You’re adorable.”

  “Sexy.”

  “Adorable and sexy. Let me demonstrate.” Troy captures her chapstick-covered lips in a tender kiss. As cold as it is outside, he does a fine job of warming her up before reluctantly coming up for air.

  Hallie has a better idea of how she’d like to spend their afternoon. “Sure you don’t want to just check in at the lodge?”

  “Oh boy would I ever. Unfortunately, they’re full at this time of year and there’s no way they have our room ready yet. Anyway, what kind of an instructor would I be if I let you quit now?”

  “The best kind. You could move on to instructions in other things.” The words have left her mouth before she realizes she does not want to pursue this line of discussion.

  “Oh baby, I hope you’re going to let me instruct you on a great many things. But first, let’s grab food. I need you to keep your energy up.”

  They manage to get three runs in after lunch and Hallie is proud that she hadn’t fallen even once since her disastrous crash trying to disembark a particularly scary ski lift. It was the only time she’d been ready to kill Troy because once he knew she wasn’t hurt, he had trouble helping her up and out of the line of fire of the skiers coming up behind them because he’d been laughing so hard. Apparently, it was a very graceful fall… not.

  Hallie can’t remember being as happy as she is at this very minute. She has the perfect view of Troy as she sits in the comfortable leather chair next to the roaring fire in the lobby of the Alpine lodge. He’s at the desk checking them in and she is absolutely positive that he’s the most handsome man in the entire lodge.

  As nervous as she’d been skiing, a whole different kind of anxiety is consuming her now. In a matter of minutes, she’ll be truly alone with Troy for the very first time. In many ways they barely know each other. She doesn’t know what his favorite color is or his favorite classes in school. She’d love to hear more about his childhood or trouble he’d gotten in with his childhood friends. All of those things can come over time. She has more immediate knowledge she needs from Troy Jackson.

  The upcoming Housing Board meeting, where she’ll need to decide if she wants to stay in Corbin’s Bend, is never far from her mind. Like a threatening rain cloud, it hangs over every part of her life. Traci, Aunt Gina and Uncle Adam have all tried to help her investigate her options for school and employment, but more importantly, sort through the confusing feelings about spanking. In the end, she knows that only Troy is going to be able to really help her make her final decision. She’s combed through the admission packet and has decided she’s pretty sure she could get used to living in a town where everyone practices DD. Everyone she’s met has been friendly, and if it takes getting cheesy spanking gifts as party favors to live near her aunt and uncle, she’s pretty sure she can manage.

  If only it were that simple. Her heart lurches… and her damn panties cream… as she recalls the section in the admission packet that outlined the community rules and more importantly, the punishments available for sanction should the rules be broken. For the HoHs, that could be stiff fines, community service or worst case, expulsion. But for the TiHs, it can mean anything from a public apology to public service to a very public spanking. Hallie had nearly thrown up reading the first hand accounts of both witnesses and punished submissives printed in the glossy color packet. She had to laugh at the irony of the detailed description and photo of the heavy ceremonial paddle used for all public punishments being printed right next to the information touting the state-of-the-art pet clinic and fenced dog park.

  “Hey, you okay? You look like you’re about to cry.” Hallie had been so lost in thought, she’d missed Troy’s return.

  She tries to put on a happy face. “Oh no. Everything is great. You get our key?”

  Troy drops the bag he’d been carrying and kneels in front of her, taking her hands in his. “Don’t do that.”

  “What?”

  “Lie to me.”

  Hallie doesn’t deny she’d lied. There’s no point. The tear that had just escaped pretty much blew her cover. “Okay. How about I’d rather not talk about it?”

  “Better, but not great.” Troy hesitates. “You aren’t having second thoughts about staying here tonight, are you? Because if you’d rather I drive you home, I’ll do that. We haven’t talked about it, but I’m not going to force you to do anything tonight that you don’t want to. You know that, right?”

  Hallie smiles through her tears. “Thank you, but I already knew that.” She hesitates briefly before finishing her thought. “I told you, Troy. I trust you.”

  She can see some tension leave him. “So why the tears?”

  No time like the present. “I was worrying about the Housing Board meeting.”

  “You have a few weeks yet. Don’t let that ruin our weekend.”

  “It won’t ruin it, but it’s hard for me to stop thinking about it.”

  Troy stands, pulling Hallie to her feet before plopping himself down in her seat and pulling her down into his lap. She absolutely loves snuggling close to him and she has never felt safer than when she’s enveloped in his arms.

  “Now, why don’t you tell me what has you so worried. Is it being around people who might talk about discipline? You think that might embarrass you?”

  “Not really. I’ve been talking to Traci and Aunt Gina and it’s getting easier.”

  “Okay. You afraid you’re going to get the urge to break in to single-handedly rescue every submissive in the process of being spanked by their HoH?” She can hear the humor in his voice.

  “No, I’m pretty sure tha
t was a one time deal for me. I’ve come to the conclusion I would be wasting my time anyway since every woman I’ve talked to about this seems to defend the barbaric practice.”

  Troy chuckles. “Well, they all did pay a lot of money to live in Corbin’s Bend, so I think that’s to be expected. So if not that, what has you rattled? It sounds like you’re close to making up your mind to stay.” Is she imagining the hope she hears in his voice?

  “Have you ever read the admissions packet?”

  “Would it surprise you if I told you yes, I had? That I hope to live in Corbin’s Bend one day?”

  Their eyes are locked. She can see a vulnerability in his eyes. “I was pretty sure that’s what you’d say.”

  “What is it? We haven’t talked about it yet, but you have to feel it. There’s something special happening between us, Hallie. I just hope you’ll give us time to figure things out together.”

  “Oh, Troy. I do feel it too, but I’m scared.”

  “Of me?”

  “Not really. Just the whole punishment thing.”

  “I would never hurt you, Hallie. If done right, domestic discipline should bring us closer.”

  Her tears are back. “Really? And those public paddlings in front of the entire town. Those are supposed to make me feel better too?”

  Troy looks confused for a second before recognition dawns. “Oh, honey. That’s what has you upset? You think they paddle the subs for sport every weekend or something? Hallie, I don’t know exactly how often that happens, but I do know it’s really rare and only used for extreme situations where major rules have been broken.”

  “Maybe, but it was very clear that the Disciplinary Board’s ruling stands and anyone joining the co-op is agreeing to bide by their decisions. That means I would have to sign a piece of paper that would make it okay for them to do that to me. I don’t think I can do that Troy. I just can’t. Please, don’t make me.” Hallie’s tears have progressed to a full-out cry.

  “Oh, Hallie. Take a deep breath, baby. No one is going to make you sign anything and I would never let anyone hurt you. Anyway, if anyone is going to get to spank this beautiful ass of yours, it’s going to be me, not some old fart who sits on some committee.” She can feel him squeezing her ass through her jeans and a pang of passion attacks her core. Troy is mirroring the passion right back as the air around them charges with sexual energy.

  Troy suddenly stands, lifting her in his arms, bride style. Hallie giggles as he reluctantly puts her upright on her feet before throwing their two small bags over one shoulder and reaching to take her hand, pulling her behind as he takes wide strides towards the guest elevator. “Enough talking. We’d better head up to our room before I embarrass myself.”

  It’s a good thing the elevator had been full of resort guests because had they been alone, Troy is pretty sure he would have been tempted to throw Hallie to the floor of the lift and consummate the damn dance they started a few weeks ago when she burst into his sister’s home. Their room is on the top floor and he’s back in control of his libido by the time he leads Hallie off the elevator. Just before he opens the door to their room, Troy hesitates, looking down into her excited green eyes. “Hallie, I’m sorry, but I think I’d better ask you out here because I’m not sure I trust myself to ask once we’re inside. Are you sure you want to stay here with me tonight? You know what I’m asking you, right?”

  He loves her nervous blush. She looks so innocent, right up until she opens her mouth. Then he’s reminded that while she may be eleven years younger, she’s all woman.

  “I hope you’re asking if it’s okay for you to ravish me until our neighbors call the front desk to complain because they hear passionate screaming coming from our room.” The grin she delivers at the end of her answer should be outlawed.

  “Oh shit, I might be in some trouble here.”

  “Only if you forgot to bring condoms. I thought about it, but I couldn’t very well ask Uncle Adam to drive me to the drug store.”

  Damn he loves her witty sass. “Oh baby, wait until you see the big ‘ole box I brought.”

  They somehow manage to get the door closed behind them before they fall into each other’s arms. Their bodies snap together like magnets. They haven’t even made it more than a few feet into the darkened room. With their height difference, Troy lifts her higher and Hallie wraps her legs around his waist, linking them behind his back to press her core against his hardening cock. The warmth of her in his arms feels perfect.

  Refusing to release her, Troy pulls out of their open-mouth kiss long enough to carry her through the room lit only by the ski village street lights pouring through the expansive wall of windows. He loves how she nestles her lips against the tender spot where his neck meets his shoulder, placing urgent kisses along his collarbone.

  Troy gently lays Hallie down on the king-size bed and reaches to turn on the small bedside lamp. It casts a muted light on the space that he’s grateful for, as it doesn’t ruin the romantic mood he wants to set for their first time making love.

  Troy can now see Hallie clearly, and if he had any doubts that she was a willing participant in what was about to happen, his doubts are gone. He has never seen a woman look as innocent and perfectly sexy all at the same time.

  He stands transfixed, lost in making this special moment last, until Hallie herself reaches for his hand, linking their fingers, and smiling up at him. “I’m ready, Troy. I trust you.”

  Emotions choke him and he has to clear his throat before he can speak. “Your trust means the world to me, Hallie. Especially because… well, how we met.” Their eyes remain locked until Hallie pushes up to her knees, kneeling on the edge of the bed directly in front of Troy. She reaches out to hug his waist to steady her.

  “I know we still have a lot to talk about, and I’m counting on you helping me figure some things out, but can’t we wait until later to talk about all of the… well… you know.”

  Troy suspects they’re doing things backwards. What happens if they fall harder, but then find out Hallie can never accept a domestic discipline way of life? He’s come to the conclusion that he’ll only be happy in a DD marriage and if Hallie can never consent to his discipline, he could be about to take them both down a very dangerous path that could end up in a heart break for either or both of them. Hallie is looking up to him with trusting adoration and he wants nothing more than to consume her in every way, but he can’t shake the feeling that he’s taking advantage of her.

  “Don’t do it, Troy. I can tell you’re worried you’re rushing me.” Obviously she has a pretty good beat on his emotions.

  “Aw Hallie, honey. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted any other woman, but that’s the problem. I also want you to be happy. To feel safe. I feel like it’s my job to protect you, even if that means from myself. Honey, what happens if you decide you can’t accept the domestic discipline way of life? Where is that going to leave us down the road?”

  Hallie’s smile has a twinge of sadness to it. “I just thought of a saying my mom used to say. I haven’t thought of it in like forever, but it just seems to fit. She said it to me a thousand times when I would get wound up trying to figure everything out in my future. She would tell me to take one day at a time and everything would work out. That’s what we need to do, Troy. Let’s just worry about today, okay?”

  “She sounds like a smart lady.”

  “I miss her. She would have loved you.”

  “How do you know that?”

  Hallie hesitates before answering. “Because you make me feel safe. It was one of the last conversations we had. She felt like she’d failed me because she hadn’t kept me safe. That is what she wished for me. To find my place in the world where I could be happy and feel protected.”

  “God, I want to be that safe place for you, Hallie. Thank you for giving me a shot at it.”

  “Well, you’ve got more than a shot, Troy, considering I already trusted you to teach me to ski. I mean, I never in a million years w
ould have said I would try that again, yet I had fun today. I have a feeling you’re going to be very good at guiding me through other things for the first time too, aren’t you?” He can hear the hope in her voice.

  “Hell yes, if you’ll let me.”

  “I think it’s time to guide me through taking our clothes off. I want you so fucking bad.”

  Troy laughs a relieved chuckle. “Finally, the appropriate place for that potty mouth of yours.”

  Troy reaches down to the hem of her heavy sweater, pulling it up and over her head as she raises her arms to help. The form-fitting camisole underneath shows the swell of her perfectly curved breasts. He can see the rapid rise and fall of her chest as she allows the sexual energy to charge. Their eyes are locked on each other as he reaches out to unbutton her jeans before slowly unzipping her fly, pulling her jeans wide and pushing them down her legs to pool at her knees where they meet the bed. He can’t resist sliding his hands down her lower back to cup her perfectly curvy ass, squeezing gently over her boy-short panties.

  He sees the humor dancing in her eyes. “You really are an ass man, aren’t you?”

  “You’ve caught me. Guilty as charged.” Troy can’t stop his grin.

  “That might explain a few things.” He’s relieved at her playful banter regarding anything related to her ass, but doesn’t have long to think about it as Hallie has begun to reciprocate by unbuttoning his heavy flannel shirt and uncovering his black T-shirt. She pushes his shirt to pool on the floor near her own discarded sweater before moving to his jeans. He can feel her struggling with the button fly and reaches down to help her before pushing his jeans down, kicking first his shoes and then pants off. His socks quickly follow.

  They are down to underwear when Hallie smiles broadly. “I feel like we are both unwrapping more presents to each other.”

  “Oh baby, this is by far the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”