Page 17 of Ranch Rules

Despite the fact that her bottom still smarted, the heat trapped in her snug pants, and the fact that he had been the one to inflict every single swat, she couldn’t help but laugh.

“It basically means someone who stays with you for the duration of your trip, is responsible for assigning your tasks and overseeing their completion. And—”

“They’re in charge of the bare-bottom, over-the-knee spankings, hand or implement to be determined at their discretion?” she finished.

Both his brows rose and he let out a whistle. “Hey, that’s a pretty impressive party trick.”

Natalie shrugged a shoulder. “I have a photographic memory.”

Thomas truly looked impressed, and much as she hated to admit it, it was gratifying. “Is that so?”

“Well, how else do you think I made it through the bar exam?” She gave him a crooked grin. It was her party line when explaining her gift to people.

“I would’ve wagered hard work and determination,” he surprised her by answering. “You seem to have both those in spades, unless I miss my guess.”

“This must be why women stay,” she remarked. “Spank the girls and make them cry, then flatter them. It’s a nice tactic, I’ll give you that. Keeps your head spinning and not knowing which way is up.”

Thomas propped his thumbs in his belt loops as he considered her words. “First of all, no butts get spanked ‘round here unless it’s deserved. Second, what makes you think our clients are all women?”

Her mouth dropped open, and for once, Natalie found herself speechless. That was happening more and more in the presence of this modern cowboy, and she didn’t think she liked it.

“Goodnight, Natalie. See you in the morning.”

No, she decided as the door closed behind him. I don’t like it one bit.

* * *

Long before she wasready for it, the door to her room opened. It can’t be time to get up already, she thought groggily as she pushed herself up in bed. But much to her surprise, the first beams of morning sunlight were streaming through her window. Natalie’s head swiveled to the alarm clock, which read 5:32. She couldn’t help but read it with disbelief. Back home, she would have already been up, showered, and eating her breakfast bar on her way out the door.

“I don’t ever sleep this late,” she told Thomas, clutching the blankets to her chest as though he hadn’t seen entirely too much of her the day before.

“I told you, this is why we do personal wake-up calls.”

“You might make a believer out of me before the week is done.”

“Let’s hope in more ways than one.” He winked, and she found her cheeks flushing in response.

Darn it. She had a harder time controlling her facial expressions before coffee.

But if Thomas noticed, he didn’t give any indication. “I’ve got to make a few more rounds. I’ll be back in a bit to check on you.”

Natalie sprang from the bed the moment he had closed the door behind him, still mystified by how long she’d slept and how relaxed she felt. Maybe that’s why people agree to be spanked. Must be better than lavender oil and a weighted blanket combined. She giggled to herself at the thought as she got dressed.

As promised, Thomas was back shortly. “You’re an early riser,” he commented as he observed that she was already dressed and pulling on tennis shoes.

“Yes, well, it’s part of the job.” She offered a small smile as she stood, brushing off her pants legs. “I wasn’t sure how to dress so I just went casual.”

“You look perfect.”

Something about the way he said it, or perhaps the sparkle in his eye, made her wonder if he meant to flirt with her. But no, that was silly. After what had transpired between them yesterday, he probably saw her as a selfish brat who couldn’t live without at least three bars on her cell. Which, to be fair, was pretty accurate.

“You’re my last stop, so let’s head on down.”

Suddenly, Natalie realized that he’d never answered her question the day before about who would be ‘in charge’ of her stay. “Hey, I was just wondering, are you allowed to tell me now who I’ll be paired up with?”

“Your ‘ranch wrangler’?” He wagged his brows at her, and there could be no doubt that he enjoyed teasing her.

She bit down on her bottom lip to keep from smiling.

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