"I beg your pardon. I don't have any issues that need to be worked on."
Jeoff continued, unfazed. "You did a lot of talking, Pip. You told me about your family and their lack of support. You cried when you described how your father used to run around on your mother and how relieved everyone was when he finally disappeared. You became very angry when you explained how she justified your ex cheating on you and that she excused it by way of a poor body image that you still can't shake. You shared your desire to return to school and finish your degree in elementary education and that you didn't want a kid of your own because puppies were less work. Oh, and the most revealing, you carried on for nearly fifteen minutes about how much you hate the color yellow." He chuckled, "Not just a single shade of it, either."
Piper paled and she felt herself sinking into the cushions with embarrassment. "Oh my God. I really said all that? I am so sorry. Kill me now," she groaned, hiding her face in her hands.
Jeoff squeezed her knee. "I actually found it very entertaining—and quite useful—in understanding you. It was also interesting that you love chocolate, sweet tarts, and ice cream cakes, watching The Price is Right, playing Barbies and having hot chocolate with peppermint sticks. You giggled quite a bit when you admitted that last portion. You said it made you feel like a little girl again, before all the hurt started."
"I shouldn't drink. I turn into a babbling idiot."
"You shouldn't drink to excess; however, it opened you up to share some very useful information. There are some things I can really aid you with, if you allow me to."
"Jeoff," Piper sighed, "you are a great guy and clearly have a heart of pure gold. I appreciate how you have been there for me, a total stranger, but I hardly know you. I'm newly divorced, and I am not ready to be in a relationship of any kind right now. I need to find me. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
"Of course I understand. There is a person underneath this frustrated exterior who has been dormant for most of her life and I want to help you discover who she is and how to bring her out of hibernation. There are very few people able to do that alone because a large part of it requires different levels of relationships and human contact. When you are ready, I am here to guide you. I might even be able to make you laugh along the way."
"I don't need a therapist, nor do I make a habit of sharing my life with people, especially a stranger," Piper said, defensively.
Jeoff remained patient. "That is understandable, but the fact remains that what you do need is a friend who understands what makes you tick. You need someone who can help you appreciate and accept yourself and maybe show you the way to break free from this self-made prison. If you ever want to be happy, you need to let go of stubborn pride."
Piper glared at him, studying his face. She noticed Jeoff's cheek twitching, as though he was trying not to smile. "I have a feeling I said something else and you aren't telling me what. Go on, I can take it."
"I doubt that," Jeoff chuckled.
Piper gulped the remainder of her coffee and set the cup on the table next to the couch. "You might as well tell me; otherwise I will just pester the hell out of you until you cave in."
He called her bluff. "Do you really want to try?"
"Not really. No."
"Why not?" he asked, leaning back to give her some physical distance from his body. She did not answer, so he continued. "We both know the reason. Tell me something, and I want honesty. How long have you had these spanking fantasies?"
"What?! I don't ... I ..." Heat rose to her face, and Piper felt a fine layer of sweat break out around her neck.
"Obviously that little comment I made the other night about spanking my difficult female clients—and threatening your bottom for driving under the influence—stirred something inside of you. You talked for almost an hour with me about it: different scenarios, positions, implements ... you have spent a lot of time thinking about it, so why haven't you ever acted on it?"
"This conversation is making me uncomfortable."
"I'm sure it is. We can talk about this later. Let's go downstairs. I'll make you a bite to eat and then give you the grand tour."
Piper sat at the kitchen table, which was simply a huge slab of deep-oiled knotty pine that smelled of lemon. She closed her eyes and put her head down on her arms with another groan. "Make it stoooooop."
"Poor kid. Bet you won't be downing any more cheap wine, now, will you?" Jeoff asked, sliding a glass of juice in her direction. "Drink up."
"You aren't giving me very much sympathy."
"Do you think you deserve sympathy?"
"Maybe not, but I would like some anyway. What is that?"
"Oatmeal. There is brown sugar, cream, and butter in those containers for you."
"How is it that you have made every right decision about me and then fail so miserably? I HATE breakfast, especially if it is oatmeal!" Piper sneered, pushing the bowl away from under her nose.
"When was the last time you had it? Go on, take two bites, and if you still don't like it, I will make you something else."
"I am NOT touching that shit. Gag."
"Watch your language, young lady. Two bites."
"Noooo."
"You are doing an awful lot of whining to avoid two little bites of something you might enjoy."
"Could I please have more coffee?"
"Oatmeal first."
Piper rolled her eyes. "You are unbelievable! I hate oatmeal. It makes me gag. I have always hated it and that is not going to change."
"Stop rolling your eyes at me. What are you? Five? Open," Jeoff said, holding a spoon of the cereal in the air.
"You are ridiculous!"
"And you are asking for a spanking. Open."
Piper stared at him doubtfully and then slowly opened her mouth. He spooned the warm mass inside and waited until she closed her lips.
"It isn't that bad now, is it?" he asked.
"I'm gonna hurl."
"Cranky little thing, aren't you? One more bite … good girl. What would you like me to make for you?"
"Coffee. And a Red Bull."
"Coffee, it is," Jeoff said, pouring the steamy liquid into her mug. "No Red Bulls in this house. I don't need a hyper Piper."
"Oh, geez … how can anyone live without Red Bull?"
"You would be surprised. How can you drink those things anyway? They are nasty."
"I like them. Especially when I suck them through a Red Vine licorice stick," Piper admitted.
"That is just what you need … candy. How's the head?"
"I am happy to report that it is still attached to my neck. That is about all I can say about my wretched condition right now. So, show me around this place. How long have you been here?"
"Three years. My pop started building the house and then suffered some severe health issues. I bought it from him and finished it to my preferences. You like?"
"It's beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen woodwork like this." Piper ran her hand over the swell of a wooden bowl. "It's gorgeous. Who made this stuff? Your dad?"
"Nope, yours truly. I have a woodworking shop in the back," Jeoff said proudly, handing her a jewelry box from a shelf. "I make custom hockey sticks as a hobby. Among some other things."
"Like what?" Piper lifted the box to look under it, awed at his artistry.
Jeoff chuckled, taking the box from her and replacing it with his hand. "Like jewelry boxes, intarsia portraits and bad-girl paddles."
"You are not very funny," Piper cringed. "Keep those things away from me. I don't play that way."
"Give it time. You are too curious not to want to experiment." He continued the tour before she could comment. "This is the living room, complete with a central fire pit. The sunken hot tub is in the corner over there, overlooking the grounds. Pip? You are positively drooling."
"That tub is amazing. Oh, please let me soak my feet! Just five minutes!"
"I don't know. You didn't eat your oatmeal. Naughty girls don't get rewards," Jeo
ff teased.
"Pretty please with sugar on top," Piper begged, deliberately batting her blue eyes before squinting in pain.
"Go ahead. If you get dizzy, get out."
"I wasn't going to go in all the way," Piper said, groaning with delight as she sunk her feet under the hot, bubbling water.
"I will betcha five bucks that you will be neck deep in that water in less than five minutes."
"I can't get wet. I don't have clothes to change into," Piper said, now up to her knees in the swishing pool.
"Yes, you do. I brought enough to last you four days."
"I really should have a bathing suit. This chlorine will ruin my sweats." The water was now at her thighs.
"I use a saline sanitizer."
"Then I guess I owe you five bucks," Piper said, sinking into the steaming tub up to her chin. With a shrug, she tossed her shirt and sweatpants to the edge and settled down into the water with her black bra and panties disappearing under the bubbling streams.
Piper closed her eyes, hiding the shock at her own boldness. She was self-conscious about her size and never willingly displayed her body to anyone, not even her ex-husband. She was a tiny 5'1", with gently-curved hips and soft, perky breasts that she always thought too small to be of interest to anyone. At one time, the only bodily attribute that she was unashamed of was her heart-shaped, full, rounded bottom. Then Lyle started making comments that it had turned into quite the caboose.
Jeoff squatted down next to her. "You are beautiful, Pip. Even with that mess of a hairdo."
"You are such a charmer. I could live in this thing forever," she murmured, hanging her head back against the tiled edge.
"Well you just sit back and enjoy it for a while." He handed her a bottle of water as he looked at his watch. "I have a client coming in an hour and need to get cleaned up myself. Holler if you need me."
"They come to your home? Is that safe?" Piper frowned.
"I'm not exactly incapable of defending myself, baby girl," Jeoff laughed, dabbing her forehead with a towel. "But the clients that come here are for behavioral modification therapy, not counseling. I know each of them very, very well."
"Behavioral modification? They come here for you to …" Piper felt her mouth go dry.
"Spank them? Some of them do, yes. Others, like my patient today, will be writing lines and spending some time in the corner. She is one of my more difficult cases. I would not be surprised if she provokes a caning."
"You're shitting me."
"No. And one more thing," Jeoff looked down at her sternly, "if I hear you swear one more time, the next little trip you take will be right across my knee. Have I made myself clear?"
Piper squirmed under the large man's gaze, her body shaking with both fear and excitement. Determined to show him that she would not be easily intimidated, she spitefully drew her brow together and crossed her arms. What was it about this man that brought out such childish responses from her?
"I'm waiting, Piper Rose. I asked you a question and want a civil response."
Hearing him use her middle name startled her into a reply. She finally relinquished her stubborn battle to him. "Yeah, I understand. I am too tired to argue with you, anyway. Plus, my head hurts."
"Maybe sitting in the hot tub isn't the best thing for your hangover. Why don't you go back upstairs and take a nap?" he suggested.
"I hate naps. It will be a cold day in h ... hades before I take one without being sick."
"You are one obstinate little girl," Jeoff observed. "Here's a towel for when you want to get out. I left your clothes upstairs in the bathroom. Please, just make yourself at home while I get my work done. If you need me, I will be in the cottage behind the house. Just knock before you come in. I have already let Tanya know that you might be stopping by."
Piper blinked dumbly as the man quickly walked away. She felt herself simmering with annoyance as she sunk further into the tub. He was so … familiar … with her! That was not what bothered her the most. Her greatest irritation was that his behavior was too natural to feel forced. Piper had always associated bossiness with arrogance, and so far, Jeoff did not show a glimpse of even one arrogant bone in his body. She could not understand why so much anger stirred inside of her. It made no sense. But again, at this point in the conundrum she called a life, nothing made much sense at all.
Reluctantly admitting that her headache was not going to disappear as long as she was sitting in the hot tub, Piper eased her body to sit on the edge and took a long drink of the sweet, cool water Jeoff had left for her. Reaching for the large, fluffy towel, she paused to inhale its scent before wrapping it around her body. Mmmm, a man who knows how to makes laundry stay soft and smell decent was a rarity, she thought pleasantly. He certainly can make a girl feel like, well, a girl! Lugging her body up the stairs and into the shower, Piper was again amazed as to how this man seemed to discern the things she liked best, with the exception of that revolting oatmeal. Plumeria-infused goat milk soap caressed her skin and filled her senses with the scent of the warm tropics, and the lavender shampoo and cream rinse washed any remaining tension down the drain. Piper knew that she risked being be spoiled by staying here, and that would not be acceptable, by any means. Moreover, he spanked! No way was she going to put herself in that position. Literally.
After changing into another set of sweats, Piper made her way to the outside cottage. She stopped to look around the property. It was late autumn, and most of the leaves had fallen from the trees, leaving only a few stubborn, brown stragglers clinging to the branches in a last-ditch effort to avoid the onset of winter. A single leaf fluttered down in front of her and settled onto a thin patch of melting ice. Sadness covered her heart as Piper realized that she was so much like those leaves. She felt dry and brittle, with no color left inside, just waiting for the hardship of life to consume her and leave her frozen and forgotten, stamped under the footfalls of time. Her throat tightened, fighting back the tears of hopelessness that threatened to come to surface. Piper inhaled deeply, lifting her chin with determination to prove to Jeoff, and herself, that she was strong and independent.
His words, You, my sweet girl, need a daddy, haunted her. She needed no one to help her survive or succeed, especially a parental figure! She was an intelligent, independent thirty-year-old woman with dreams and goals, and was determined that no man would ever control her life again. Lifting her chin, she stomped to the log cottage and pounded on the door with her fist.
"Come in, Piper," she heard Jeoff's low voice call from behind the door. She entered the room and froze at the sight before her.
A woman in her middle-to-late forties was dressed in a school-girl uniform, complete with knee socks, Mary Jane shoes, and hair in a ponytail. An angry scowl marked her face as she glanced from the corner where she stood, arms crossed and impatiently tapping her foot. A single student desk sat in the center of the room displaying an open notebook with endless scribbles filling the pages. A broken pencil lay on top of the pages. A blackboard attached to the wall behind a large teacher desk had the words, "I will not speak disrespectfully to my employer." scrawled across it in white chalk. In the dead center of the large desk were a menacing rattan cane and a wide leather strap.
Piper's mouth went dry as her gaze shifted to where Jeoff sat quietly. He beckoned to her.
"Why didn't you dry your hair, baby? It is too chilly out to be walking around without at least a hat on. How is your headache?"
She ignored the first part of his question. She was an adult, and if she did not wish to blow-dry her hair, he could not make her! Gritting her teeth as she fought down another surge of unexplainable fury, she responded, "My head still hurts, but I'll get over it. What exactly is this place, and well, why do you have that woman dressed like this?"
"This is the school room. Tanya, this is Piper. Tanya is one of my clients. She gave permission for you to visit, I suspect with the intent to talk you into running away as fast as your little legs can carry you. Tanya?
Say hello to Piper, and stop your pouting. You got exactly what you deserved, and you know it."
"Pleased to meet you, Piper," Tanya grumbled, with her face to the wall. "Welcome to hell."
"What is going on here?"
"Behavioral modification. Miss Tanya here decided that she was going to go off on her boss again and almost got fired yesterday because of her rudeness. Fortunately for her," Jeoff nodded in the woman's direction, "her employer is an old acquaintance of mine and requested that she undergo some additional training in lieu of termination."
"Why is she dressed like that? This is … silly."
"She acted like a sassy teenager instead of a mature adult, so she is being treated like one. Tanya? Would you care to say anything?" Jeoff asked, noticing the woman kick the wall.
"No, Sir," the woman hissed.
"Are you certain? You seem to have something on your mind."
"I hate standing in the corner! It's a waste of time, and it's stupid."
"Maybe you will remember how much you hate it the next time you get mouthy."
"I doubt it," she grumbled.
"Would you prefer another caning? That was your option, young lady."
"No!"
"Watch the tone. And stop kicking the wall or you will stay there an additional fifteen minutes."
Piper shook her head in disbelief. "Are you seriously telling me this game works? It's ridiculous."
"We don't play games here, honey. This is the real thing. Most of the time, the technique brings about humility and contrition. Some of my darlings, like Tanya here, have a penchant for stubbornness, so it takes a little bit more to gain their full attention. Tanya? Show Piper your stripes."
With a disgruntled sigh, Tanya slowly lifted her skirt and skimmed down her white cotton panties from her ample backside. Six red cane stripes glowed from the pale, fleshy cheeks.
"Oh, my God! You beat women!" Piper exclaimed, stepping back towards the door.
"Tanya? Explain your situation, please. Piper is a novice to the lifestyle and doesn't understand how it works. You may turn around. Watch your manners."
Piper's Journey (Into Submission 1) Page 3
