An Author's Angst

by Maggie Ryan

  Jeffrey had never been so pleased to play when she turned to him and gave her answer. "I would think that would be obvious, sir. It would be necessary to actually apply the objects to a portion of skin to prove its reaction."

  "Very good, Miss Varner. And exactly what portion of your epidermis will be the recipient of each of these objects?"

  "My poor, pale posterior," Venia said, her eyes locking onto his. "Of course, as you always state, safety first. I'll need a very experienced lab partner to make sure that the experiment is conducted properly. Do you know of anyone who might want to volunteer for that position, Professor?"

  Jeffrey took her into his arms and bent down until his mouth was a fraction of an inch away from hers. "As the person in authority of the science program, it is my duty to dedicate myself to my students." He felt her quiver in his hold. Knowing she expected a kiss, he stepped back and picked up the first item from the table. It was a common wooden spoon, one found in most every kitchen in America. He watched her swallow as he handed her the clipboard and pen. "You'll take notes, Miss Varner. I suggest you make sure each is detailed and quite specific or I'm afraid, we'll have to begin all over again."

  "Yes, Professor Einstein."

  "Good girl, write what you expect to feel when the spoon is applied and what, if any, visuals you expect to experience." Venia did so rather quickly. "Now bend right over the desk. Forearms and palms flat if you please. Don't worry about the form right now. You'll need to focus all your concentration on the sensations you are experiencing. Ready to begin?" When she managed to whisper that she was, he pretended to have forgotten another instruction.

  "Oh, remember, you need to keep your eyes forward."

  * * * * *

  Venia discovered the reason for the placement of the large mirror he had placed against the wall. Looking into it, she moaned as a perfect view of her bent over the desk was shown with the placement of a second mirror behind her. God, how did he come up with these things? It was obvious he'd spent some time setting up the scene. She almost giggled wondering what her friends would think if they discovered that the distinguished scientist in their community liked to play such games. She felt her cheeks heat as she wondered what they'd think to learn she loved to play them as well.

  "I'm afraid I spoke a bit too soon, Miss Varner. You'll need to raise your skirt for me, please."

  She moaned, her stomach flipping as she reached back and pulled the skirt up. "Thank you." Her loins moistened as she felt his fingers at the waistband of the white cotton panties she'd changed into. "Now, to expose the subject area."

  Her moan was a bit louder as he took his time, slowly lowering her panties to her knees. "I believe we are now ready to begin. Remember, eyes forward. You'll need to closely watch for any reaction of the epidemic layer."

  Twack!

  "Ow!" Venia had forgotten that an item she used almost every day could cause such a sting.

  "Now, Miss Varner, remember, your observations do not include vocalization."

  "Um, okay," she said, hoping he didn't truly expect her to remain silent—especially not if he really intended to use everything she'd seen on the table.

  Twack… twack… twack… twack. She bit back her cries.

  "Good, please make your observation," Jeffrey said.

  She nodded, picking up the pen. Though this was not the first time she'd been spanked with a wooden spoon, it was the first time she'd actually observed it descending onto her bottom. She'd watched a small white oval appear upon contact and saw the area turn pink. Blushing, and squirming a bit as Jeffrey ran his fingers over the five spots he'd peppered her bottom with, she made her notations.

  "I'll help you with the tactile observation this time, Miss Varner. You may note that though discolored slightly, there has been no obvious changes to the surface."

  "Thank you, Professor. It is so kind of you to help me."

  "No problem at all. Please make your initial theory as to how item number two will fare."

  She'd given a sound somewhere between a giggle and a groan when he'd shown her the second item. It was a thick, narrow piece of wood used for stirring paint. Her fingers ran over the dark red letters written in block print that read 'Apply two coats for complete color coverage'.

  "Where on earth did you find this?"

  "You'd be amazed at what is hidden in plain sight at Auntie Q's Antiques," Jeff said, taking the stirrer from her hand and tapping the clipboard. "Make your notes, my dear, and then we shall see if the instructions are accurate."

  Her theory proved correct as she'd written she expected thin lines to appear on her rear, with raised edges after the stirrer had been applied. She smiled as she made a footnote stating that in her opinion, the instructions were obviously just a ploy to sell more paint. Looking in the mirror, she could positively state that only one coat was necessary to ensure a nice shade of red covered her hiney.

  She was squirming on her toes when he picked up the third item. It was the hairbrush he'd bought to keep at his house. Knowing it would place large ovals on her ass wasn't unexpected, but the fact that every stroke bloomed white before turning red was. She was also very surprised to learn that no ridges could be felt as she ran her hand over her bottom when told.

  "Tell me, Miss Varner, what are you learning?"

  "That my Professor has a sadistic streak?" she quipped only to yelp when his hand descended across the center of her rump. "Um, am I to make a note about that implement, sir?"

  "No, Miss Varner, you may consider that a bonus."

  The Corbin's Bend paddle cracked across her posterior five times, and she forgot about no vocalizations, yelping with each one and seeing his head shake as he rubbed it across her skin while she made her notes.

  "Last one," he said, picking up the switch that she believed must have come from the tree in his backyard.

  Snick…snick…snick…snick…snick. The sound was distinct but her cries of "Ow… ow… ow" that followed each one was a great deal louder. Thin red lines, one below the other had been painted across her buttocks. Her entire bottom was red and yet she understood it was not the crimson she'd often witnessed after a punishment. As she finished the form, she was grateful he hadn't required her to note any other of her body's reaction. If required, she knew she'd have to note that she'd become wetter with each new implement.

  "You did very well," Jeffrey said, helping her to her feet, her skirt falling down to cover her bottom. "Please place the form on the board and note your conclusions."

  Venia walked to the poster board and used the scotch tape on the table to tape her completed form under the heading 'Experimental Procedure'. Since the 'Conclusions' section was located in the lower right hand panel of the board, she had to bend over to write on it. The moment she bent, she felt Jeffrey pressing up against her, his arms around her waist as he pulled her back. Moaning, she felt his cock beneath his clothing and her hand began to tremble.

  "Remember, neatness of the presentation counts, Miss Varner." Venia whimpered as he began to press rhythmically in a teasing preview of what she desperately hoped was going to happen. She forced herself to uncap the Sharpie maker and begin to write when she felt the button and then the zipper of her skirt being undone. Closing her eyes, she moaned deeply as the plaid skirt was tugged across her hot ass to drop to the floor. Warm, large hands caressed her bottom. Swallowing hard, she scrawled her conclusion, not giving a damn if she failed in penmanship.

  "I'm done, Professor," she said.

  He pulled her up and turned her to face him. "What did you write?"

  "I wrote that 'In this humble student's opinion—the experiment is inconclusive'."

  "Hmmm, so how can that be fixed?"

  Putting a hand at the back of his head and pulling it down, she looked up, her tongue running across her bottom lip. "That should be obvious, Professor Einstein, we absolutely must do more research." She mimicked his earlier move, placing her lips very close to his. "And, I do believe you possess the nec
essary, um, implement?"

  Pulling her hard against him, his mouth descended onto hers in a searing kiss. The research did continue—the class and its two attendees moving across the hall to his bedroom.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Venia paced nervously back and forth across the living room as Jeffrey sat in her recliner. Part of her wanted him to hurry up and finish, another part wanted to snatch the laptop out of his hands and make any of the hundreds of changes she couldn't stop from appearing in her head. She'd finished the book that afternoon and then had spent the next several hours wondering what she had been thinking. How would her fans react? Would they feel she'd gone around the bend?

  By the time Jeff was ringing her doorbell, she felt a bit nauseous. She didn't even have the distraction of preparing dinner as he'd informed her that he was taking her out to celebrate her completing her book.

  Startled to hear the clicking of keys, she turned to see Jeffrey typing. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice a bit strident.

  "Just adding a bit at the end," Jeffrey said calmly. "Don't worry, if you don't like it, you can easily delete it."

  A bit shocked at his action and not knowing how to react to his answer, she stood frozen until he lowered the laptop's lid.

  "Well?" she asked in a tone barely above a whisper. Instead of answering and easing her absolute terror that he'd hate the book, he stood up and beckoned her to him.

  "I think it would be better if you sit down." When she felt her knees almost buckle, he reached out to grab her arm. "No, honey, not because it is bad news. I just want you to read what I added."

  "Oh," Venia took the chair, suddenly grateful not to be on her feet. Jeffrey handed her the laptop. Her hands were shaking as she put her hands on the lid. "Promise I'm not going to read that you think I should start over?"

  "Just read, sweetheart."

  Taking a deep breath, she nodded and lifted the lid. He'd not made it easy as he had scrolled up a page to where she had begun writing her final scenes. Scrolling down, she found where she had typed, 'The End'. As her eyes dropped lower, the words blurred on the screen as tears filled her eyes. Swiping a finger across her cheek, she lifted her head to see that Jeffrey was not standing before her or sitting on the couch. Instead, he was on one knee at the side of her chair.

  "I meant every word," he said softly. "This is not the end. Venia, this is just the beginning. I love you with all of my heart and soul. You have filled my life with love and helped me find laughter again. I wish with all my heart that you will agree to be my wife and my playmate for the rest of our lives. Marry me, Venia. Marry me and we can do what the words say—we can live happily ever after."

  Instead of answering, she hit the all caps button on the computer and typed one word. Turning the screen to him so that he could read her answer, she didn't bother swiping her tears away. Jeffrey's face lit up and he opened the small black box he was holding. Slipping the ring on her finger had her sobbing and he set the computer that had brought them together aside. He pulled her up into his arms before dropping into the chair and cradling her against his chest, his lips kissing away her tears until his mouth silenced the word 'yes, yes, yes' that she was repeating again and again.

  Later, at the table he'd reserved at Amore, Venia was positive she'd never remember what she had eaten. Jeffrey had laughed and reached across the table to still her left hand from lifting yet again. "Eat, sweetheart. You'll need your strength when we get home and continue our celebration."

  The only reason she remembered dessert was because she ate every bite of tiramisu off the fork he held to her lips. By the time he was paying the check, several residents had evidently understood that something special was happening. Friends began to stop by and as her ring was discovered and admired, hugs and congratulations were given to the couple. Though happy to receive such a show of support, all Venia really wished was to go home. Jeffrey understood, taking her hand and leading her from the restaurant.

  They made love for what seemed like hours to Venia. As they kissed, as fingers stroked across bodies, she felt as if they were discovering each other for the first time. Tears flowed again as he held her but she knew he understood they were ones of happiness she was unable to contain. When she reached up and felt a tear on his own cheek, she gently swiped it away.

  "I love you, Jeffrey, God, I love you so very much."

  "I'll love you every moment for the rest of my life, Venia."

  * * * * *

  A week later, Venia sat on Jeffrey's lap, her cell phone on speaker.

  "Are you saying you don't want the book?" Venia asked, only able to ask calmly because the man she loved was holding her against him.

  "Hell no!" Joseph said. "Believe me, if I don't publish this book, everyone on my staff will demand my head."

  Venia looked up at Jeffrey, a huge smile lighting her face. "Then what is the problem?"

  "Venia, I'm going to be honest. You've written a very good book and I'm really proud of you. I admit, I was shocked when I first got the file, but, honey, you've got serious talent."

  "Thank you."

  "No thanks needed. I'm speaking the truth. Your book is not only a true romance, your characters prove that living a life that includes domestic discipline is not the abuse that some people believe it is. It's a book that takes readers on the journey from the first moment Jennifer and Jacob discover what it means to not only submit but to treasure that submission as the gift it is." Pausing, he cleared his throat. "What concerns me is that your fan base might not all react as positively as I and my staff did You are known for sweet romances—granted, they are considered bodice busters, but with this book—well, to be honest, your spanking scenes are going to have a lot more than bodices popping open. I'm just making sure you wish to publish it as Scarlett Rose."

  Venia might not have expected such insightful praise from her publisher, but she had expected just this question. "No, I tend to agree with you. I don't want to shock my more, um, standard romance lover fans. It would be a bit unfair to have them buy the book and be upset and hearing that dozens of my books are being returned wouldn't do my ego any good either. Publish it under my real name."

  "Are you sure," her publisher asked.

  Glancing up at Jeffrey and seeing him nod, she smiled. "Yes, I'm positive."

  "Okay then. Venia Varner it is."

  "Oh no, not that name," Venia said with a huge smile as she looked at her engagement ring.

  "But you just said…"

  "Publish it as written by the incredibly talented Venia Humphries," Jeffrey said.

  "What? Who is this?"

  "This is the luckiest man on earth, sir. Miss Varner has done me the incredible honor of agreeing to become my wife. By the time the book is published, she'll be Venia Humphries."

  "Congratulations to the both of you," Joseph said. "But just to be clear, you do understand that this is going to be published in the erotic genre?"

  Jeffrey's grin had her giggling and squirming on his lap. "Oh, believe me, I'm very well aware of every single word in the book."

  Venia nodded and spoke again. "We're both sure. If I'm going to write it and actually live it, I'm not going to be ashamed to own up to it."

  * * * * *

  In Denver, six months later, Jeffrey led his new wife towards the bookstore. "Come on, it will be fun," he had teased when she hesitated to go along with his plan. They'd just had a delicious meal at the French restaurant where they'd once shared the frog legs. His wish to stop at the store had caught her by surprise.

  "Promise you aren't going to run around shouting that you love the book? There will be people in there that don't live in Corbin's Bend you know."

  "I promise, sweetheart, but what happened to that brave woman who refuses to hide who she is?"

  Punching his shoulder, she giggled. "That woman feels perfectly free to be herself with her friends and neighbors but doesn't want to force her beliefs on others." She shook her head, "Can you imagine what pe
ople would think if I included everything we do?"

  Jeffrey slid a hand down her back until it rested on her bottom. "Though I'm pretty sure you'd be shocked at how well that book would do, I'm afraid you'd need to report to the Principal's office if your husband ever finds something that personal in a book."

  "Really?" she asked, her attempt at quirking her own eyebrow causing him to chuckle.

  "Absolutely, Miss Humphries, and I promise, it will be very difficult to sit as you work on your latest project."

  "Oh well then, I suppose those scenes will just have to remain in my journal." She batted her eyelashes. "My poor public, they'd never know that I'm married to the sexiest scientist in the entire solar system."

  Shaking his head, Jeffrey laughed. "They also won't know exactly how your epidermis reacts to different implements. Let's go in, shall we?" He pulled the door open when she nodded.

  Though it was Saturday night and she knew the store was popular, she was a bit surprised to see it as crowded as it was. She was even more surprised when two people approached them and one was her publisher.

  "Thank God," Joseph exclaimed. "I was beginning to panic. Venia, this is Cynthia Durman, the store manager. Cynthia, this is tonight's star."

  "It's such a pleasure to meet you, Venia," Cynthia said, shaking her hand. "Remember to save one for me."

  "Save what?" Venia asked, her head spinning as she was led through the crowds that seemed to be parting magically.

  "Your book, of course." Venia's gaze followed the woman's waving hand.

  "Oh my God." Venia's exclamation was drowned out as the crowd began to clap. Looking up at Jeffrey, she shook her head. "Did you… of course you did."

  "I told you I fully expected to see you at a book signing," Jeffrey said, gently guiding her around the table where stacks of her book, 'Safe In His Hands' were waiting. The glossy cover depicted a woman seated on a man's lap, his hands cupping her face. On the table next to them, sat a small paddle. It wasn't the half-naked cover models she'd become accustomed to seeing but it told a story in the expression on the model's faces. Bending, he kissed her. "Congratulations again, my love. These are your fans—just enjoy."