Ruby

by Shanna Handel

  The men enjoyed the setting sun and the smell of the meat cooking. Luke finished his drink and placed it on the ground by him. “So, Jacob, we just wanted to clear the air about something.”

  Jacob looked around at the three men, each with an amused grin on their face. He laughed, “Wow, here I thought I was just coming over for an innocent Sunday dinner. What’s going on?” Jacob leaned in towards the men.

  David began, “Now, we understand this might be awkward for you, and at any point in our discussion if you are uncomfortable, please tell us, and we will drop the subject forever.” David looked to Luke and Cole, who both nodded in agreement. “We have a little family secret to share with you.”

  “Okay,” Jacob said slowly, taking a long swig from his root beer.

  “The women in this family are loved, cherished, protected, and— spanked.” David paused for a minute to let this sink in. “We all practice a form of what’s called Domestic Discipline. I didn’t want to discuss it with you before today, for fear that my arrangement with your mother would be upsetting unless you fully understood it. I know you probably already had an idea, but with you living here now, hopefully long term, and being in a relationship yourself, we three felt like we needed to come clean with you, I guess you could say.”

  “And explain what it’s all about,” Cole added. “I know when Elizabeth first brought the idea up to me, I didn’t know anything about it, and I came to David with a ton of questions.”

  “Elizabeth brought it up to you?” Jacob said, almost choking on his drink.

  Cole chuckled. “Yes. My little spitfire brought it up to me. Though I had spanked her butt once before and wanted to every day since, I had no idea she desired this lifestyle. I was leery when Elizabeth first told me, but for us, it’s been a game changer.”

  “Desired?” Jacob was trying to imagine sweet, feisty Ruby craving a good spanking. His insides grew as hot as his neck, though, and he quickly stopped.

  “Apparently, she had wanted it for years, and I didn’t realize. I used to let Elizabeth walk all over me. She would go out at night, a lot, flirted with guys at work, didn’t help out at home.”

  Jacob couldn’t believe that Cole was talking about sweet little Aunt Elizabeth. He had seen flares of her temper and heard stories about when she was younger from Luke, but she didn’t sound like the woman Cole was describing. And flirting? Elizabeth hung on Cole’s arm every chance she got.

  “And man,” Cole took off his baseball cap, holding it by the brim and slapping his knee with it, “that temper. We couldn’t ever have a discussion without it turning into a fight and I had no idea why. That one still gets her in trouble. Now, if we disagree, we talk about it and come to a decision together, and if she needs some encouragement to do it the right way, I give it to her.” Cole winked. “Seriously, though, she wasn’t getting enough from me, as a woman, as a wife. She admitted to me a few weeks into our new lifestyle that sometimes she would pick a fight just to get my attention, and that she secretly wanted me to put an end to it firmly. I would always walk away and ignore the behavior, which made both of us unhappy.”

  The memory of last night on Ruby’s front porch stung him. Could he have handled that differently? What if he had demanded that they talked it out instead of walking off her porch and getting into his car? Or maybe he should have let her cool off, then came and got her the next morning for breakfast. Under the advice of these guys, he probably should have sat right down on her porch swing, thrown her over his knee and walloped her behind. He was surprised how completely comfortable he was with the strange idea. Jacob shook the thought from his head.

  David saw his shaking head and misread it as unease. “It’s not just about spanking, Jacob,” he said, reassuringly. “In fact, spanking doesn’t have to be involved necessarily.”

  “It does in my house,” Luke said, raising his brow.

  David smiled, “I’m just saying.”

  Jacob spoke up, “I guess my main concern is that she acts disrespectfully towards me. I don’t think I can be in a relationship with a woman that doesn’t show me the same respect that I show her. Does that make sense?”

  David nodded in agreement. “It makes perfect sense, Jacob, and we have all been there. A Taken in Hand relationship if you are more comfortable calling it that, is about maintaining trust and mutual respect in the relationship. It just so happens, that for many couples peace can be achieved when there is one leader, a head of household if you will. That person is responsible for maintaining order and handling problems, like disrespectful behavior, when they arise.”

  “With some good old-fashioned discipline,” Luke added, grinning wickedly. Jacob knew Luke was not a man to disrespect and would have gotten a kick out of seeing Lila boss him around in their earlier years. Luke sat back casually, crossing his long legs in front of him. “We were raised in a pretty traditional household, you know. Mom stayed home with us kids, Dad worked, and what Dad said— went. He was a strict disciplinarian, but never lost his cool, and loved our mother something fierce. My mom just thought he hung the moon. You could see it in her eyes. So. I guess I always knew I wanted the same for myself. When I met Lila, she was so unlike the other women I had dated, but let me tell you, I was hooked. I let my standards go for many years because I wanted Lila and didn’t think I could have her, and the lifestyle I wanted, so I gave up the idea. Man, that was a mistake. I was unhappy. Like I told you earlier, after that first spanking, I took her out to dinner and explained everything to her in depth. She had no idea I was discontented and was willing to try it out. Now, it’s just a part of who we are.”

  In the comfortable silence, Jacob thought about what Luke had said. David and Cole took turns tending to the meat on the grill.

  “You ought to bring Ruby around: I know your mom would love to get to know her. And now, I do apologize, but I am about to feed you to the sharks.” David stood and gathered the large platters. “We will try to keep them in line as much as we can, but you are about to be grilled yourself.” They all laughed. “Now, let’s go end this age-old debate and see that food prepared on gas is best.”

  Heading into the kitchen, Jacob dreaded having to talk about his relationship with the ladies and wondered if he was ready to reveal how strong his feelings for Ruby were.

  Dinner was delicious, and though the debate had no conclusion, Jacob felt content. The women had behaved themselves at dinner, not giving him too much of a hard time, but as he was helping with the dishes, Elizabeth managed to corner him.

  “Jacob, I’m not butting in,” Elizabeth shook her hands in front of her to emphasize her words. “I just want to say that I would love to have you guys over. Would you mind if I asked Ruby at the game tomorrow? We’ve sat together before, and I like her,” Elizabeth asked, looking hopeful.

  What could it hurt, Jacob figured. He didn’t want to be with someone that didn’t want to be a part of his family. That was a deal breaker for him. “Sure, if she’s there.” Jacob smiled at Elizabeth’s excitement. Who knows, he thought, maybe a little chat with Elizabeth would even help him get back on track with Ruby.

  The next day, Jacob hadn’t heard from the woman that he hoped was still his girlfriend. He knew he should probably call her, but he was waiting for that evening to see if she was at the game. It was a conversation that would be better in person.

  Nerves tensed Jacob’s body as he walked up toward the fields. His eyes kept scanning the crowd for his curly haired girl, but he didn’t see her. Elizabeth waved and gave a thumbs-up sign from the stands. He smiled and returned the wave. Cole looked his way, “She’ll be here, man. I know it,” he said then continued to warm up. Jacob shook his head.

  Just as he was stepping up to bat, Ruby came running up to the bleachers, hair flying behind her, her long peasant skirt almost tripping her. Behind her, she was hauling two, massive dogs, and an old basset hound. Jacob couldn’t help the silly grin that took over his face at the sight of her. She sat down on the end of the
first bleacher, next to Elizabeth, untangling the leashes from her arms.

  “Strike one,” the umpire yelled, as the ball sailed passed Jacob and into the catcher’s glove. He repositioned himself, gripping the bat harder. He looked up just as he heard the ‘Thwack,’ of the ball hitting the glove again. “Strike two,” the umpire yelled. He sighed, frustrated by his lack of focus.

  Loud barking startled Jacob, and he looked up at the stands. He was shocked to see Ruby in the midst of a vicious dog fight. The game paused as people heard the commotion and looked over. Tiny Ruby was tangled up in the three leashes, two furious dogs leaping and lunging, one old, fat basset hound sitting on the sidelines, baying loudly. Elizabeth was frantically trying to haul one of the bigger dogs away.

  Throwing down the bat, Jacob immediately ran over to where Ruby was standing. “Are you okay?” he asked, jerking the most ferocious of the two by the leash, then forcing it to heel by his side. Ruby quickly got the other dog from Elizabeth and tamed him as well. The basset hound could see that the drama was over, and turned two circles, then laid down to take a nap, his ears flopping on the dirt as he did.

  “I’m fine, I’m fine,” Ruby assured him. “Well, I’m not fine.” She burst into tears, dropping the tether as she did. Jacob quickly picked the strap up, holding both of his arms straight out, keeping the two dogs well away from one another. She looked up at him with a tear-stained face, and wailed, “You didn’t call me,” as another stream of tears ensued.

  Shock and confusion washed over him, as well as an intense longing to hold her, but he didn’t dare release the two dogs that weighed almost as much as him. “You wanted me to call? You didn’t even want me to take you to breakfast.”

  “Well, you didn’t kiss me. So, how do you think I felt?” The baseball fans either watched, enjoying the show, or tried to look away politely.

  Pulling hard on the leash, Jacob heeled the bigger dog that was trying to make a break for it. “I thought I explained it’s not that I don’t want to kiss you. I just don’t want to kiss you until you’re my wife.” An audible gasp came from one of the more curious members in the stands.

  “Your wife?” Ruby whispered, looking up at him in complete awe.

  “Yes,” he answered her quietly. “Not today or anything. You know, when the time is right and we’ve gotten to know each other better.” Her face clouded over slightly, signaling to Jacob that he was starting to venture down the wrong path.

  “I love you, Ruby. And I know it hasn’t been long, but I know I love you. I’ve known it since I saw you right here, up in those stands.” He gestured with a tilt of his chin toward the crowded bleachers, not even caring that everyone was staring now.

  Disbelief replaced her blank stare. “You… you love me?” Bringing her hands to her face, Ruby cried harder than before.

  Oh, man. Tears cannot be good, Jacob thought to himself. You tell a girl you love her and she starts crying uncontrollably.

  Cole jogged up by his side. “Need a hand, bro?” grabbing the leashes as he asked. Elizabeth tried to lug the basset hound to his feet, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

  Seeing that they were the main attraction and that the dogs were still causing a scene, Jacob placed his arm around Ruby, hoping to shuffle her off somewhere more private to end this awkward conversation. As he moved towards her, she suddenly flung herself at him, wrapping both her tiny, but strong arms around his waist.

  The sheer force of her embrace made Jacob lose his balance, and they tumbled to the ground with him trying to break her fall.

  He laid in the dirt, flat on his back, stunned, and looked up. Ruby was lying on top of him. She quickly sat up and pushed her curly mane away from her beautiful face. Then he was rewarded with the most entrancing smile she had ever given him.

  “I love you, too,” she shouted. A few people in the stands started to clap. She leaned down to kiss him. Jacob quickly turned his face, her soft lips landing on his cheek. “Oops, I forgot,” she whispered in his ear, her breath warm against his face.

  Jacob placed a chaste kiss on her smooth cheek. He sat up, wrapping his arms around her, letting one of his hands run up the back of her neck, tangling into her strawberry scented hair. “I love you, Ruby,” he whispered into her ear, to which she promptly started crying again.

  Chapter 3

  Cole handed Jacob water from the fridge in his woodworking shop. “Looks like someone’s head over heels,” he said, laughing good-naturedly at the memory of Jacob flat on his back at the baseball field.

  “Yeah, I guess you could say I really fell for her,” Jacob jibed back, taking a long swig of his drink.

  Elizabeth had invited them over to dinner, after the fiasco at the game, and Jacob and Cole were hanging out in his immaculate shop while the women got to know one another in Elizabeth’s kitchen.

  Before coming over to Cole and Elizabeth’s, Jacob had helped Ruby walk the dogs back to their respective homes, a physical, romantic tension between them. He made her promise him that she would take them out one at a time tomorrow, not all three at once. He noticed she had the same blush on her face that she got the last two times he had directly asked her to do something that would ensure her safety.

  Jacob had watched Ruby’s bottom in her skirt when she was bending over to lock the last dog into his crate. Her promise was not enough. He wanted to spank her until she was begging him to stop, telling him through tears that she would do as he said. He wanted her to have something to remind her tomorrow of his request— her sore bottom. Taking care of Ruby apparently included protecting her from herself and her unsafe ways.

  “So, I guess you guys are back together?” Cole asked, dragging Jacob away from the memory of Ruby’s behind. If he wasn’t with her, he was thinking about her.

  “Yeah, although we never actually broke up or anything. Women can just be so confusing sometimes.”

  “Just confusing until you figure out how to read them, or they finally come clean with what they’re thinking. A lot of fights are just hurt feelings or misunderstandings, or caused by overdue spankings. So, when are you gonna pop the question?”

  Jacob had been avoiding the topic. He knew he loved Ruby and was ready to make her his wife. He also knew many people would think it was too soon, or they were too young. “I don’t know,” Jacob said honestly.

  “If you need someone to talk to, I’m here.” Sensing Jacob was ready for a change of topic; Cole said, “Hey, let me show you the latest piece your mom commissioned,” walking towards an impressive oak hutch.

  Dinner had been delicious, as always. Elizabeth’s cooking was almost good enough for Jacob to take his mind off of the little minx next to him. Almost. He felt like heat radiated off her body towards him. More than once, he gently removed her hand from his thigh, each time a little closer to his crotch. He needed to have a long, sit down talk with her if he had any hope of saving himself for her.

  Cole and Elizabeth were excellent hosts. They had put the twins to bed early so the adults could hang out and chat for a while. Elizabeth and Ruby had apparently shared a few glasses of wine while the guys were out in the shop. They were both very giggly through dinner. Jacob loved how well the two women got along.

  After the homemade pie and ice-cream, the couples went into the living room to have coffee. Elizabeth brought out a little bottle of Irish Cream and asked if anyone wanted some. Cole quickly looked at her and said “Elizabeth,” in a firm, quiet warning tone.

  “I’ll have some,” Ruby chirped, seeming oblivious to Cole’s cues, holding up her mug.

  Jacob cleared his throat. “Ruby, haven’t you already had wine?”

  She laughed, turning towards him. “Yes, and for dessert I’ll have Irish Cream.”

  Elizabeth’s face blushed. “Why don’t we skip it this time?” she said, looking at Cole.

  Ruby waved her hand in the air towards Jacob. “It’s okay, he can’t tell me what to do. Let’s have some.”

  Jacob’s neck quickly became
warm. “Ruby, we are not having the Irish Cream tonight,” he said, watching the blush rise in her face. He wanted very badly to put a matching shade of red on her cheeky bottom for being so disrespectful.

  He waited, doing a countdown in his head from three to one, for her temper to explode.

  Instead, she looked down at her lap and replied, “Okay, Jacob.”

  Jacob quickly shared a glance with Cole, noticing an ‘I told you so’ look, then back at Ruby. The way she had submitted to his will and the demure look on her face made his chest ache, and his pants noticeably tighter.

  On the ride home, Jacob was trying to think of a way to bring up how he felt about the liquor incident, but before he could Ruby broke the silence.

  “Jacob,” she said.

  “Hmm?” Jacob swerved to avoid a squirrel crossing the road.

  “You know when you said to me that we weren’t going to have the Irish Cream? It made me feel kind of funny.”

  Oh, man, he had misread her cues again. She probably thought he was some crazy control freak. “Funny, how?” he said.

  She played with the silver bangles on her wrist, making a tiny tinkling noise as she did. “Funny like,” she paused for a long time, stole a glance at Jacob, then said, “melty.”

  “Oh.” Jacob paused to think, wanting to tread carefully on this new territory. “Melty good, or melty bad?”

  “Melty good. I liked how firm you were with me.” She looked at him bashfully out of the corner of her eyes.

  He tried to hide his pleasure from his face. Melty good was very good. Ruby’s words made him stiffen. He mentally slapped his face, wondering if all virgins were as horny as him.

  “I didn’t want you to overdo it. Wine and liquor? Not safe. And you probably didn’t notice, but Cole had told Elizabeth no, too. We have to respect the rules of his house.”

  Ruby continued to play with her bangles, her face blushing. “I did notice. It made me feel- melty, too. I guess I wanted to see if you would do the same with me.”