An Author's Angst

by Maggie Ryan

  It didn't take another moment before she moved towards him, coming to a stop in front of him. "I've thought about it, sir. I've come to the conclusion that my behavior wasn't proper. I will apologize to Professor Einstein and replace the frogs."

  "That's very admirable, Miss Varner," Jeffrey said as he looked up at her. "I'm sure the professor will appreciate that. I'm also sure that you realize that won't keep you from receiving the swats you have coming."

  Looking towards the paddle, she shook her head. "I… I know, sir. I just wanted to let you know I'm sorry." She bit her bottom lip and just couldn't help but add, "I'd like to apologize for being so… cheeky before I meet the board." Though it only appeared for brief moment, she saw the quick grin he'd been unable to suppress.

  "I'm sure the board will take care of that cheekiness. Right down over my knees if you please."

  Venia felt him take her arm and allowed him to pull her across his lap. Though she'd never been across Vance's knees, for some reason, hearing Jeffrey instruct her to willingly place herself in that position once more felt exactly right. As her stomach settled against hard thighs, she let all thoughts of Vance go, finally truly releasing him to Ettie. Planting her hands flat on the floor in front of her and her toes behind, she felt like she'd come home. The sensation of a large hand roaming across her denim covered rear had her blood racing.

  "Twenty frogs, twenty swats, correct?"

  "Yes, sir." She looked up to see him reaching for the paddle, instantly noting that it was one that was given to every HOH in a welcome basket upon their arrival at Corbin's Bend. She hadn't owned one as she was a TIH but she felt a surge of excitement. She was about to discover exactly what the paddle felt like. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't see his arm raise.

  Twack! The first swat took her breath away. Twack! The second had her feet kicking up.

  "Ow!"

  "Settle down, Miss Varner. Feet flat on the floor if you please."

  Venia managed to put her foot down until the fourth swat which found her feet kicking up in an attempt to protect her backside.

  "Don't say you weren't warned," Jeffrey said, adjusting her until she was bent over one knee, his free leg trapping both of hers. "If you can't keep still with your jeans up, I can't imagine how squirmy you'll become when I pull them and your panties down for the second half of your paddling."

  Her heart leapt into her throat even as the paddle descended again. When he'd allowed her to take her position with her clothing secured, she'd imagined it staying so. Hearing that it not only would be coming down, but that evil paddle would be striking her without the benefit of any covering, had her pulse quickening. Just the thought of what was to come had her able to remain relatively still during the final six swats. Her butt felt like it was on fire when he reached over to put the paddle back onto the desk.

  Feeling his hand give her bottom a pat, she couldn't hold back a soft moan.

  "Shh, you are doing well. Stand up now so that I can adjust your clothing for the second ten."

  Venia felt her legs released and she managed to find her feet. This was the true defining moment. Once her jeans and underwear came down, it was no longer strictly play. Baring herself to him, giving him the permission to take a paddle to her naked backside, well—it moved this to a new level. A sense of calm replaced her trepidation when he reached out and took both of her hands in his.

  "Amphibian," he said softly. Her confusion evaporated when he continued. "That will be your safe word. Just say it and this stops instantly."

  Instead of saying the word, she pulled her hands free and unsnapped the catch of her jeans and pulled down the zipper. She watched his eyes as he gave her a smile. Removing her hands, she put them at her side, submitting to his control. A shiver ran through her as his hands moved to the waistband of her jeans, pushing them down slowly. Once they were at her knees, he guided her across his knees once more.

  "Lift up, Venia," he said softly and once she did, he slid her panties down to join her jeans. She realized that though he was baring her backside and would indeed finish her paddling, he was allowing her to maintain her modesty. When the first stroke landed on her left buttock, she gave a sound that was part strangled screech and giggle. All he'd need to do was catch a single glance between her thighs to understand that she was indeed a naughty girl. Though her ass had always been hot and red after Vance had paddled her, she'd never needed to press her legs tightly together to keep the fact that she was slippery a secret.

  The paddle moved to strike her right cheek and then landed with an upswing against the tender underneath side of her bottom.

  "Ow… ow… ow!" She yelled as her sit spot received several strokes until he placed the final ones, harder than the others. Left… right… the last being delivered in the exact center of her rear.

  "Shh, it's over. You did very well."

  She cared far less about his words than she did about the fact that once he put the paddle down again, he turned her to hold her on his lap. Her rear ached against the rough denim of his jeans but she had to admit she loved it when his arms wrapped around her, holding her tight against his chest. Though the paddling had been far too short for her to be sobbing, she could easily imagine taking comfort after a longer, harsher session given for true discipline. Even that realization didn't have her do anything but snuggle closer into Jeffrey's arms.

  "I'm sorry," she whispered.

  "It's done now. You are forgiven," Jeffrey said and she felt him drop a kiss on the top of her head.

  Giggling, she pushed off his chest and looked up at him. "I didn't know principals were allowed to kiss their students."

  Jeffrey chuckled as he cupped her face between his palms. Right before he kissed her, he said, "I don't suppose they are allowed to disrobe their students either."

  If it hadn't been for his lips descending onto hers, Venia would have jumped off his lap and yanked the clothing she'd forgotten was at her knees back into place. As it was, it was several kisses and several minutes later before Jeffrey helped her off his lap and slowly returned her clothing to its proper position. He did so with such gentle care that she didn't feel any surge of embarrassment.

  "Let's get you home, shall we?"

  "But it's still early," Venia protested, not wishing to go home quite yet.

  "Honey, it's almost midnight and I've got work tomorrow. Besides, young lady, you need to get some rest and come up with some fresh ideas before you meet me for the tour and lunch."

  He grabbed her notebook off his desk and once she'd gathered her purse, he led her to the car. As they drove through the quiet streets, she grinned.

  "What happens to authors who can't seem to think of anything to write about?" she asked as he pulled into her driveway.

  "Don't worry about that. I believe you are far too creative to be stuck for long," Jeffrey said, shutting off the ignition. "The only thing you need to worry about is coming up with an idea that won't have protestors toting posters at your book signing declaring your books encourage cruelty to animals—be they mice or men."

  Venia laughed as he walked her to the door. "No problem then as I've never been asked to do a book signing."

  Jeffrey took her face in his hands again. "Then let's make that one of your goals. I'd like very much to see you behind a table, signing books that make people happy to have read them." His kiss had her knees going weak and her heart fluttering as he unlocked her door and handed her the key.

  "Good night, Miss Varner, I believe we'll skip that note this time." He turned away and looked back over his shoulder. "However, if you don't behave, trust me, you'll be paying double for your bad choices. Is that understood?"

  "Yes, sir, thank you, sir."

  She waited until his taillights disappeared before closing and locking her door. Leaning against it, she sighed. When she'd left earlier that evening, she'd had no idea how life could change. Flipping off the light, she walked quickly into her bathroom and had her jeans and panties down in a flash.
Grinning, she stroked a hand across her bottom. It might not be anywhere near as red as she'd seen it before, but it was pink and tender. As she brushed her teeth and pulled on her gown, she was still smiling. Granted, she might have left her teens decades ago, but she felt the exact same way about the possibility of a new love. A bit startled that she'd actually thought of the 'L word', she shook her head. Don't get ahead of yourself, young lady, you might not be even a tiny footnote on Dr. Humphries agenda. Setting her alarm, something she hadn't done in ages, she climbed into bed. If she were going on a lunch date, she was going to be calling first thing in the morning to plead for a chair at Lorelei's. It was time for a trim and maybe, just maybe she'd finally take up the woman's offer to try a few streaks to cover up the spread of silver.

  Chapter Eight

  "I must say I am very pleased you finally gave in," Lorelei said as she handed Venia a mirror and spun her around in the swivel chair. "You look gorgeous if I must say so myself."

  Not having a vain bone in her body, Venia still found she had to agree. Lorelei had trimmed her hair until it was just beneath her chin and thinned it with some layering. She still had waves, but the unruly curls seemed to have been tamed. Though originally thinking she'd want to rid herself of all silver, she had decided that there was no need to pretend she was anything less than who she was. She had allowed a few streaks to be added, but only after Lorelei promised they'd look entirely natural.

  "Thank you, you did a beautiful job," Venia said, handing back the mirror. "I can't thank you enough for fitting me into your schedule."

  Lorelei smiled as she unfastened the cape around Venia's neck. "How could I resist? If things work out with that delectable scientist, I want to be able to state that I deserve at least a bit of the credit."

  Venia's mouth dropped open as she looked around the salon. Not spotting a single soul who had been at the meeting the evening before, she shook her head. "Geeze, I know Corbin's Bend is small, but how on earth did you hear about Dr. Humphries?"

  Lorelei shrugged. "Now, Venia, the saying goes 'only the hairdresser knows for sure'. If I rat out my sources, do you think my phone would be ringing so early in the morning?"

  Venia laughed and dug through her purse for her wallet. Holding up two bills, a five and a ten, she shrugged. "I certainly wouldn't want to tempt you. Now, let's see—what is the proper tip amount these days?"

  Lorelei plucked the ten from her fingers. "For a fantastic cut that assures the mad scientist will be a bit less mad, it's definitely a Hamilton."

  Walking to the desk to pay the receptionist for the cut, Venia suddenly turned around. "Bethany!"

  Though Lorelei acted as if she had no idea what her client was talking about, Venia knew she was right. "Unless Zachary Cunningham is into gossip, it has to be Bethany. She was the only one sitting close enough when Jeffrey saw that doodle."

  "Couldn't say," Lorelei teased as she began to sweep up hair from the floor.

  Leaving the salon, Venia thought about the people of the community. Almost every single soul had nothing but good intentions and she was very happy to live among people who were not only nonjudgmental, but were willing to go above and beyond helping their neighbors. Sure, a bit of gossip might be the cost of such friendliness and she had to admit she'd indulged in a bit herself. It just reminded her of the day Ever had discovered that Vance had paid her a visit. The young woman, heavily pregnant and a bit crabby at the time, had seemed affronted.

  "Good grief, Venia. If you need your ass whacked, I'm sure Rob would be more than happy to oblige. God knows he can't wait for this baby to be born. According to him, our child will be in kindergarten by the time I've paid for all the things he says I owe him."

  Venia had just laughed as Rob wrapped his arms around his grumpy wife, placing a kiss on her cheek. "You'll have to forgive her, Venia, she believes our kiddo has been cooking in the kiln long enough. But, she's right. If you need me, just give me a call."

  "Not in this lifetime, Robert Montgomery," Venia had retorted. "I've not only heard evidence of what you can do, I've seen it. Vance spanks me only when I feel like I need one and it is never enough to have me walking a bit unsteadily the next day. You just keep your paddle to yourself, thank you very much. I have no desire to be part of the Corbin's Bend orchestra just yet."

  Remembering that day, she smiled again. The three were very close and they'd all enjoyed the teasing. Looking at her watch, she realized that she would have to hurry if she were to make it to the lab on time. Though it might be interesting to see how Jeffrey reacted to tardiness, she decided that she needn't go out of her way to upset him. When he discovered she still hadn't come up with any new ideas, even after taking yet another call from her publisher, he would most likely be upset enough. It was her fervent hope that something she saw on the tour would spark her imagination. A half hour later, she giggled as she pulled through the entrance of the Bend and out onto the highway that led towards Denver.

  Okay, maybe not mutant mice or men but surely he can't object to some exotic germ escaping to threaten mankind. Looking up at the mountains, she smiled. Maybe before the germ could really germinate and cross the Rockies, a very handsome scientist would swoop down from his secret laboratory and with the help of his beautiful co-worker, save the world. Turning on the radio, she waited through a commercial for the next song to play. As Frank Sinatra's sexy voice began to sing, Fly Me To The Moon, she smiled as a new idea formed in her head. Forget the world, she'd be some heroine astronaut, returning from a deep space mission. Only, before she could be returned to earth, her fellow astronaut discovered she was infected with some moon bug. She'd be the patient gasping her last breath—in a very pretty gown of course and not one of those very unflattering space suits. She'd open her eyes to express her secret desires for him, only to find that all she needed to be cured was a very long session of mouth to mouth resuscitation.

  As Old Blue Eyes continued to croon, Venia sang along. She was more than ready to play among the stars.

  "You look very nice today, Venia. I like your new do," Jeffrey complimented as she stood in the doorway to the lab. Flushing, she thanked him, her hand reaching up to touch her hair. She'd gone home and changed into a blouse and skirt combo, not wanting to chance mussing her hair. The fact that he'd noticed and appeared to appreciate her efforts, had her smiling.

  "Is all this really necessary?" she asked a short while later. "I feel like you are trying to turn me into that mad scientist."

  Jeffrey shook his head as he handed her a pair of safety goggles. "No one is allowed in the lab without the necessary protection. Besides, I think you look rather cute."

  Hearing Dina giggle and not believing a word of that compliment, she accepted the goggles and put them on. Holding out her arms that were swamped by the lab coat he'd buttoned her into, she asked, "How come you get a white coat and I'm stuck with this blue one?"

  "It's for your protection. Your coat is treated to protect you against spills or fires."

  "Fire? Exactly what sort of science are you doing in here?"

  "Relax, it's just a precaution. First rule of any lab is safety first."

  Venia wiggled her fingers after pulling on the gloves he handed her. "Well, at least you have a slight sense of style. I like purple."

  "I'm glad I met with your approval. But remember, don't touch anything without asking. Those gloves offer only slight protection." He wagged his eyebrow up and down. "There are chemicals in here that would not only eat through them in a heartbeat, they'd have no trouble eating through your skin as well."

  Instead of being frightened, she was excited. "Really? Can we see those first?"

  "Not unless you tell me you have undergone the laboratory safety course and that you understand enough chemistry that you can explain what the MSDS sheet means."

  Venia had no idea what the acronym stood for and was not truly interested in going back to school. Sighing, she adjusted her glasses and shook her head. "You did promise to show
me some equipment. What do you have that might provide the answer to some mysterious moon germ?"

  Instead of scoffing, he led her towards a lab bench. "You'd need a microscope to study the, um, moon germ. Go ahead and take a look."

  Pressing her goggles to the large black eyepieces, she tried to make sense out of what she was seeing. "I just see squiggles and they aren't moving. I want my germs able to wiggle around—you know, sneak into body cavities undetected."

  "I think you are talking about a virus and not a germ," Jeffrey said as he adjusted the focus. "These slides are fixed. That means they've been set in agar so they can be more easily studied. Dina is working on a project testing water samples around the Denver area. It's important to know if chemicals or bacteria show up in the drinking water."

  "Eww, you mean these squiggly lines actually can move? Please tell me I'm not ingesting a billion of these every time I drink a glass of water."

  "And here I thought that was the plan," Jeffrey said as he pulled her away from the microscope. "You could fantasize that every time you take a bath or a shower, these organisms are, as you said, slipping into your body cavities."

  Venia shuddered, her vivid imagination far too easily picturing just such a scenario. "Um, maybe. Show me something else, please."

  Jeffrey showed her several pieces of equipment. She was fascinated by the centrifuge and listened as he explained the force of the spin caused the elements to separate in their tubes. "After they've split, we use pipettes to extract the sediment on the bottom of the tube. Then we fix slides and study those."

  "You know, this really is rather fascinating," Venia said as he led her towards what she learned was a chemical hood. Jeffrey explained that a fan was activated that pulled the air up through not one, but many filters before it traveled to a specific set of pipes called the flare stack where any remaining toxins were burned off. The negative air pressure in the hood kept fumes from escaping into the lab.

  Venia looked at all the knobs, levers, and buttons and grinned. "Ah, but people have to activate all those thingies for the system to work, right?" At his nod, she continued. "So, if I wanted say, some disgruntled employee to decide to take his angst out on the world, I wasn't that far off when I suggested malfunctioning filters."